Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sermon notes 1 Peter 4:12-19

1 Peter talks a lot about suffering, and coming to church week after week to talk about suffering seems a little depressing.

Think about it though. Church isn't supposed to be all rainbows and butterflies. It's supposed to train us for life, and suffering is a part of life. If you're not suffering now, be prepared for some kind of trial and suffering in the future. We will endure suffering better if we're prepared for it.

The heading of 1 Peter that starts with verse 12 is "Suffering for being a Christian." That suffering is expected. People will not be happy that you are a Christian, and the more you are like Jesus the more you should expect to be hated.When we live righteous lives in an unrighteous world, it makes people uncomfortable and annoyed.

Suffering is actually good for us, and it proves our faith. It is even a blessing.

"If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." What a way to look at things when you are suffering for God. Think about someone making fun of you for your beliefs and you look at them and smile and say "thank you," and you really mean it.

Don't be afraid to talk about Jesus. We will be blessed on Earth and in heaven because of it. We will be filled with God's glory. It might not look like a blessing -- it's not necessarily financial or tangible -- but is a manifestation of God's presence. Nothing is a greater blessing than that.

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