Introduction: Peter has just finished encouraging us to love and serve one another with the gifts that God has Given us in Christ Jesus. Gifts that Christ suffered and died to purchase in order to pour out on us by the Holy Spirit. Peter now for the third time discusses suffering trials. He has previously said trials will strengthen our faith, trials unite us to be like Christ as those filled with the Spirit to suffer for doing good and not evil. This is glorious because we suffer strengthened and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. And once more he reminds us that our suffering indeed judgement starting with the House of God vindicates the Spirit of Christ in Us and reminds us

Read: 1 Peter 4:12-19

[12] Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. [16] Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. [17] For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? [18] And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

[19] Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (ESV)

#1 Say It Again for those in the Back

#2 Suffering as a Christian

#3 Cleanup Your Own House First

#4 Entrust Your Soul to your Faithful Creator

#1 Say It Again for those in the Back v. 12-15 (Running Commentary and Reinforcement).

[12] Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

A) v.12 is an escalation Dan Doriani points out that Peter goes from saying “who will harm if we do good” to “if we should suffer, let us still do right” to Don’t be surprised trials are coming!” Once more because we follow Christ and Jesus himself says, John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (ESV)

B) Jesus has overcome the world, and we can rejoice even in suffering because we have the same Spirit of Glory as He did on Christ in his earthly sufferings. We have this because he gives him to us poured out on his people.

So pulling 1 Peter together righteous suffering causes us to share in what Jesus suffered, to be strengthened in faith, to silence evil, to give an answer for the hope in us, and to be blessed because we are honoring the name of Christ, and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

#2 Suffering as a Christian (look in v. 16).

[16] Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

A) Peter highlights our Identity as A Christian – The term Christian or “Christianus” follower of Christ, it is likely an insult a slur, just like the word puritan, fundamentalist, and bible-thumper is used. And Christians said fine, we do follow Jesus. Just like with these other words certainly there are negatives intended and the ancient world accused Christians of drunken love feasts, of atheism, of being bad citizens, but they flipped it around, Dan Doriani says call me “puritan” Yes, I do aim for purity and integrity” call me bible-thumper, “Yes, I do read and honor God’s word.” - Let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in that name,

Do not let the Insult immediately push you to shame and compromise with Truth and convictions. From a position of being unashamed you may clarify Strawmen and misrepresentations, but do not let reviling immediately drive you to discussing faith and commitments from the unbelievers terms. There is a time for persuasion and discussing terms and such but do not let satan through shame and suffering and persecution and name calling move the entire battlefield from the battlefield of truth to the battlefield of compromise. By your commitment to following Christ Glorify God in the name of Jesus. Be Not Ashamed.

#3 Cleanup Your Own House First (look in v. 17-18).

[17] For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? [18] And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

A) This is called an argument from the lesser to the greatly, Peter says if we, the Church, still pass through the judgement of a just judge. How MUCH more will unrepentant sinners be judged. If we stand in heaven on judgement day and it is only being In Christ Jesus that saves us what about the person standing before the throne lost in their trespasses and sins giving account and payment for their wrongs with Jesus as savior and friend.

B) God’s Judgement begins with us. Not in the sense of God comes home to the Christian household angry at all the ways we are awful. (Though Jesus in Rev. 2-4 knows how to give a compliment, critique, and warning annual review to those Churches).

C) God Justly judges the state of the Church, those in Christ Jesus, beloved by him, and called to accountable living according to truth and integrity.

i. “For though God is the judge of the whole world, yet he would have his providence to be especially acknowledged in the government of his own Church.” (Calvin, 138).

ii. Scripture frequently wrestles with the seeming prosperity of the wicked and God’s good, ordered discipline of his own children. It shows we are indeed not orphans but sons and daughters.

iii. We saw a baptism earlier, indeed our baptisms are reminders that we are in Covenant with the Lord God. This means access to the Word of God to discipleship and being connected to the people of God.

iv. It can then be said that grace is the most beautiful in the Church of Christ. With forgiveness there is reconciliation and as we read last week love covers a multitude of sins and Further Repentance brings reconciliation in the Household of God.

v. Think of it this way. God watches closely over his covenant people because they have been brought into the House of God.

vi. Just as if one of my kids is cursing I am quicker to correct it than a stranger on the street, since they are NOT under my fatherly care accountability is much less.

vii. …unless you steal or murder, then to an extent no one holds you relationally accountable for sins of the heart, speech, coveting, or idolatry, you may love money, be promiscuous, and feel there is no accountability for your actions…But in the Church of Christ. We strive for the peace, unity, and whole-hearted integrity of the church, for the sake of the honor and majesty of Christ. The goal is the honor of Christ and the loving restoration and healing integrity for the one who stumbles with abundant grace and forgiveness.

viii. The removal of guilt and shame, healing from sin, forgiveness, and relational reconciliation as sacrificial love covers sin

ix. Peter asks in our passage “What will be the outcome” In the end of this life.

1. We will stand in Judgement. Justified in the blood of Christ, The unbeliever will stand in judgement before the throne of God and he will say depart from me.

2. To the believer he will say well done good and faithful servant enter into your rest.

Oh the beautiful wonders of salvation that we sinners can be forgiven in Christ Jesus and made sons and daughters of God because we have thrown ourselves at the mercy of God and our lives are now lived for him.

D) But What will be the fate of those who do not turn to Jesus our suffering savior, the lamb that was slain, and the King who is risen?

B2) There is salvation only in Christ. If you are not trusting in Jesus what will become of you without God? You see reality as God has told you it is apart from Jesus you are “ungodly” and knowing in your heart of hearts that you are desperately wicked and Justice will not let you dwell with a Holy God in a Holy House. ….The Christian in Christ with all his promises still falls on his or her face amazed that God would save him and make him a son. Because he know that the Christian and the unbeliever are both unequally deserving one has simply fled to hide themselves in Christ Jesus for forgiveness and cleansing.

What shall we then do? Look in v. 19…

#4 Entrust your Souls to your faithful Creator while doing Good.

[19] Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (ESV)

A) You are a created being. You were made body and soul meant to be united together, your soul will last forever. In the last day when Christ returns we will be given resurrected and glorifed bodies that will last forever.

B) There are a couple truths you need to believe deeply here.

B1) God is the wise creator of the universe, and his creation was very good. We were made in his image with dignity and unique value, with dominion over the creatures. Adam and Eve were made to guard and keep the garden, and marriage was given as a gift to increase and multiply and fill the earth. These are good things and gifts from our creator…in addition to the gifts of community, friendship, and fellowship with our God. God’s universe is a very wonderfully physical and spiritual place. Because We have a soul that will last forever. So do you believe creation is good, we were made with a purpose, and that we were made to have fellowship with God? YES

Second truth, we live in a fallen world, you will struggle with death, addictions, suffering, broken relationships, and the temptation to distort how God calls you to live.

Third truth, God is faithful to all his promises. If you entrust yourself to Christ Jesus, you will get the down payment on the restoration of everything Good in Creation, but look forward to every even more glorious and wonderful of the NEW Creation of the New Heavens and New Earth. And so you entrust your very soul, your eternal soul that will last forever to God. And now you both have the ability to love God and love your neighbor imperfectly but truly, you have comfort in suffering in light of the ig picture so you entrust your soul to a faithful creator while doing good. Keep Calm and Carry On. Glorify and Enjoy God. Seek godly community in brothers and sisters. Seek the good gifts of creation. Yes, suffer in this life, face death, but God is faithful, as we sing not my first time quoting this but it’s a beautiful 1 Peter hymn:

3 The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

4 “When through fiery trials your pathway will lie, My grace, all-sufficient, will be your supply. The flames will not hurt you; I only design Your dross to consume and your gold to refine.

5 “Throughout all their lifetime My people will prove My sov’reign, eternal, unchangeable love; And then, when gray hairs will their temples adorn, Like lambs they will still in My bosom be borne.”

Good is a faithful creator. Entrust your soul, your life, your all to him, Do good, for he IS Good. Remember v. 14, Jesus has suffered on the cross for sinners, he has forgiven your sins, if you are trusting in Christ by Faith. He has given the glorious Holy Spirit to empower you, and as a heavenly Father he has prepared your life’s Journey.

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