Christ Provides - He Tests His Church -1 Pet 4-12-19--1. Introduction--a. Recap last Sunday - Eph 4-11-16-b. Today - How does the church know she is growing in Christlikeness----2. Christ Asks - Do You Suffer with the Right Response- -v12-13---a. Situation -- 'fiery trial - intense, localised sufferings.--b. Purpose-- Trials for Christ's churches are a given. v12-- Trials for Christ's churches are meant to test their character. v12-- Trials for Christ's churches identify them with Christ's sufferings. v13--c. Conduct -- Present - Meet trials with joy. v13-- Future - Meet Christ with exceeding joy. v13--d. Apply-- A. C. E. D. - Alone, Commitment, Exceeding Joy, Deliverance---2. Christ Asks - Do You Suffer for the Right Reasons- -v14-16---a. Distinguish-- Genuine trials. v14, 16-- Trials that bring us sufferings because our Christlike actions, driven by our desires to obey Christ, are offensive to others.-- Mistaken trials. v15-- Trials that bring us sufferings because our sinful actions, driven by our desires to please ourselves, are offensive to others.-b. Need-- Impact on spiritual growth.---c. Apply-- Suffering because of sins - repent.-- Suffering because of Christ - review interpretation of Scripture and expression of obedience.---3. Christ Asks - Do You Suffer and Trust in my Righteous Rule- -v17-19---a. Refinement-- Sieves the whole of humanity on the Day of Judgement. Matt 25-31-33-- Sieves the church from now to the Day of Judgement. v17--b. Summary-- Conviction - trials given according to the will of God. v19-- Commitment - live for Christ, trust Christ to provide in their trials. v19--c. Apply-- Excel spiritually in your trials.