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Bible Passage 1 Peter

Victory in the Midst of Suffering

  • Tony Raker
Date preached July 31, 2022

1 Peter 4:1-19 Victory in the Midst of Suffering

Peter was well qualified to write to his fellow-believers on suffering, for as a servant of Christ he had experienced hardship and persecution himself. People suffer everywhere, but this is especially true of God’s people (Ps. 69:7-9; 89:50-51; Phil. 1:29; Heb. 11:25-26; 13:13). It is important to notice that the suffering cited almost exclusively results from persecution by the world because of our faith in Christ. This is confirmed by the word “insulted” in v. 14, and by the words “suffer as a Christian” in v. 16, which means that Christians suffer because they are Christians. Those to whom Peter wrote had already experienced persecution and trial (1 Peter 1:6-7; 3:13-17), but here Peter refers to even greater trials that were to come.

  • Contextual/Comparison: God keeps His Word: God continually uses His Word. Peter maps out the attitudes one should have in suffering for righteousness’ sake and reviews how we should serve God as we live in the “end times”:

1 Peter 4:19: “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

  • Grammatical Usage: “suffer” or in the Greek, “paschó” meaning, “affliction; heavy emotion”; “entrust” or “paratithémi” meaning, “ to place; deposit”; “faithful” or “pistos” meaning, “reliable, trustworthy”; “good” or “agathopoiia” meaning, “God’s inworked persuasion.”
  • Literal Interpretation: “And therefore those who under affliction, heavy with emotion, in keeping with the will of God must place the destiny of their souls in the hand of a reliable and trustworthy Creator while doing right according to God’s inner working and persuasion.”
  1. OUR DUTIES AS SUFFERERS FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE (vv. 1-6)
  2. TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST (vv. 1-3)
  3. Who suffered for us in the flesh
  4. Therefore we should arm ourselves with the same mind
  5. For he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin
  6. That he should no longer live in the flesh

1) For the lusts of men

2) But for the will of God

  1. No longer doing the will of the Gentiles
  2. Which we have done enough in our past
  3. Walking in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries
  4. NOT DAUNTED BY THE OPPOSITION (vv. 4-6)
  5. They may think us strange
  6. That you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation
  7. Speaking evil of you
  8. They will give an account
  9. To Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead
  10. For which reason the gospel was preached to those who are dead

1) That they might be judged according to men in the flesh

2) But live according to God in the spirit

  1. OUR DUTIES AS THOSE WAITING THE COMING OF CHRIST (vv. 7-19)
  2. TO PRAY, LOVE, AND SERVE (vv. 7-11)
  3. Because the end of all things is at hand…
  4. Be serious and watchful in your prayers
  5. Above all things, have love for one another, which covers a multitude of sins
  6. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling
  7. Minister your gifts to one another as good stewards of God’s manifold grace

1) Those who speak should do so as the oracles of God

2) Those who serve should do so with the ability God provides

3) That in all things God may be glorified through Jesus

It is very important for us to realize that the action of suffering upon us as Christians is inevitable; it is our reaction that is more important. How should we react when we suffer for Christ’s sake, and what is the secret of victory in the midst of suffering? Peter gives seven pieces of advice to sufferers:

  1. TO REJOICE AND GLORIFY GOD (vv. 12-16)
  2. Do not be surprised if God permits you to experience suffering and trial (v. 12)
  3. Don’t think the fiery trial to come as some strange thing
  4. Be sure to rejoice that you are privileged to suffer for and with Christ (v. 13)
  5. a) For the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you
  6. b) On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified
  7. Always appropriate the special grace that God offers you to enable you to glorify Him in your suffering (v. 14)
  8. There is nothing to be ashamed of if you have to suffer as a Christian (vv. 15, 16)
  9. Do not suffer as a murderer, thief, evildoer, or busybody
  10. Do not be ashamed for suffering as a Christian
  11. TO TRUST IN THE WILL OF GOD (vv. 17-19)
  12. Let your suffering fill you with deep compassion for those who are unsaved and who await the judgment of the Great White Throne (vv. 17, 18)
  13. If it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel?
  14. If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and sinner appear?
  15. Never doubt the fact that there is a ministry in suffering (v. 19)
  16. In doing good
  17. As to a faithful Creator
  18. You must commit yourself to the Lord and trust Him to keep you (v. 19)
  • Conclusion: Have you committed yourself to the Lord? Do you trust Him?