A.      In general, there is no glory in suffering.  However, if anyone suffers as a Christian, then he brings glory to God and God’s blessing upon himself.

B.      Presently, let us consider 1Peter 4:7-19, which admonishes those who suffer for Christ to “entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”

II.      SOME PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS

A.      Christians need a sense of urgency that motivates them to perform good works (1Pet. 4:7-9).

                                                             1.      The phrase “the end of all things is at hand” indicates that we are living in the final dispensation of time.

a.       This period, called the “last days” (Isa. 2:2; Dan. 2:28; Joel 2:28; Mic. 4:1; Acts 2:17; 2Tim. 3:1; Heb. 11:2; 2Pet. 3:3), began with the revelation of the gospel.

b.       We now await the end of this time, which will come with the return of Christ, the resurrection, and the judgment (1Cor. 15:20-28; 1Thess. 4:13-18).

                                                             2.      Knowing this, we are constrained to behave in a way that keeps us prepared for Christ’s coming.

a.       Sound judgment and sobriety are necessary for the purpose of effective prayer.

b.       Love for one another “covers a multitude of sins.”

i.         Recall that obedience to the truth purifies a Christian’s soul for a sincere love of the brethren (1Pet. 1:22).  Brotherly love is a primary function of all Christians.

ii.        Compare verse 8 to James 5:19-20.  James shows us how love is employed to “turn a sinner from the error of his way” and “cover a multitude of sins.”

c.        One mark of genuine brotherly love is uncomplaining hospitality.

B.      The good works of Christians are accomplished by properly employing the various abilities and talents that God supplies (1Pet. 4:10-11).

                                                             1.      God equips every Christian with abilities to be used in serving one another.

a.       It is our responsibility to be good stewards over those God-given abilities for which we will give an account (see Matt. 25:14-30 – the parable of the talents).

b.       Notice that we are “stewards of the manifold grace of God.”  The gifts of talents and abilities that we have are evidence of the grace of God within us.

                                                             2.      Knowing from whom our abilities have come, we must use them in a worthy manner.

a.       Those who speak must speak as the utterances of God, i.e., divine oracles.  Anyone who presumes to speak spiritual words of encouragement or admonition must teach the word that God has supplied with great reverence and fear (see Jas. 3:1).

b.       Those who serve must do so with the spiritual strength that comes from God (compare to 2Cor. 10:3-4).

c.        The outcome of our speech and service must be the glorification of God “through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever.”

III.   TRUST GOD WHILE SUFFERING

A.      Followers of Christ should not be surprised when the world mistreats them as it did Christ (1Pet. 4:12-14).

                                                             1.      The word of God sufficiently warns us that righteousness through Christ will provoke “fiery ordeals” that will test our faith (see Jas. 1:2-3).  Therefore, these should come as no surprise.

                                                             2.      We should see such ordeals as sharing in the suffering of Christ, and for this we should rejoice.

a.       Notice John 15:18-20.  The world hated Christ, and so the world hates Christians also.  Therefore, we should interpret persecution as a sign that we are not of the world but of Christ.

b.       For this, we should rejoice just as the apostles did when “they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name” (Acts 5:41).

c.        The full degree of our rejoicing will occur “at the revelation of His glory,” i.e., when Christ comes again for the judgment.

                                                             3.      Not only should we rejoice, but we should also realize the blessing that comes when we are reviled for the name of Christ.

a.       Jesus promised a blessing for such persecution in Matthew 5:10-12.

b.       Specifically, Peter says a persecuted Christian is blessed “because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

B.      Christians should never suffer for wrongdoing, but suffering for Christ’s sake brings glory unto God (1Pet. 4:15-16).

                                                             1.      Perhaps Peter was clarifying that he was not advocating for Christians to seek to provoke persecution by bad behavior.

a.       Previously, Peter commended good behavior and submission to all authorities (1Pet. 2:12-20).

b.       Here in verse 15, Peter shows that there is nothing commendable about suffering for wrongdoing, such as murder, theft, evil deeds, or troublesome meddling (see 1Pet. 3:17).

                                                             2.      Instead, if living as a Christian provokes persecution, then there is no shame, but rather there is only glory for God.

a.       Verse 16 contains one of only three instances of the word “Christian” in the Bible (Acts 11:26; 26:28).  The word describes a follower, disciple, and imitator of Christ.

b.       Although a Christian may suffer the same penalties as murderers, thieves, evildoers, and troublesome meddlers, he does not suffer the same shame, for he has done nothing for which he should be ashamed.  (Notice that the shame actually belongs to those who revile Christians for their good behavior – 1Pet. 3:16).

c.        Instead, he should wear the name of Christian in a way that brings glory to God.  (Notice that this glory may not be expressed until “the day of visitation” – 1Pet. 2:12.)

C.      Christians who suffer for righteousness’ sake must trust in God to ultimately bring about justice (1Pet. 4:17-19).

                                                             1.      Verse 18, which is a quotation of Proverbs 11:31, explains verse 17.

a.       To say that judgment begins with the household of God (v. 17) is equivalent to saying that “it is with difficulty that the righteous are saved” (v. 18).  The righteous are part of the household of God (Eph. 2:19-22), and they will be saved only through the difficult efforts of Christ.

b.       If it is difficult to save the righteous, then the unrighteous have no hope of salvation.  Specifically, “those who do not obey the gospel of God” will not be saved.

c.        The point of these verses in this context is to demonstrate to suffering Christians that God’s justice will eventually be accomplished.

i.         It is unjust for Christians to suffer for doing right.  God will see to it that this injustice is corrected.

ii.        Those who do not obey the gospel and refuse to submit to God’s will ultimately be lost.  They may appear to have escaped God’s wrath at present, but in the end they will be punished.

                                                             2.      Therefore, it is imperative for us to trust God and do right as He says.

a.       Notice that God is described as “a faithful Creator.”  He made us and knows what is best for us, so we know that we can trust Him.

b.       Verse 19 invokes the example of Christ, who “kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1Pet. 2:23).  Like Christ, we must submit ourselves to injustice in the present while trusting God to bring about justice in the end.

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      It is easy to trust in God when all is safe, pleasant, and comfortable, but how many of us would be willing to entrust our souls to God when true suffering is required?  Think about it!

B.      In our next lesson, we will complete our study with 1Peter 5:1-14 – “Humble Yourselves.”