Suffering in Christ Means Expect The Unexpected
1 Peter 4:12-19
Last week we wrestled with a powerful reality that every single person in this room and on this earth will experience, is experiencing, or has experienced suffering. And last week, we really wrestled with the reality that suffering is not optional. We all are going through some level of suffering this morning, and that is okay, but it is never easy.
I think it is safe to say we don’t wake up in the morning and choose to eat a large breakfast of suffering, but it happens to us and to others anyway. And while no one really, honestly ever volunteers or wants to go through pain and hurt and suffering, it still happens.
We live in this powerful reality and tension which is supposed to remind us of very important and rock-solid truths.
First, in the midst of our suffering, we have a good, good Father who not only sees us in our moments of pain and hurt but who has made a way for us to have freedom, and liberty, and hope because of Jesus Christ. And because of Jesus, our suffering has a purpose. Your pain and hurt are never wasted. Because of God’s Goodness, our suffering is used for good, even when it doesn’t feel good or we can’t see the end.
Second, God is always good regardless of our circumstances and experiences. And God uses suffering and pain to reveal more of who He is, to refine our faith in Jesus in order to reflect Jesus to others when we suffer as Christ-followers.
We also looked at a really important question many ask when they or someone else is going through suffering, which is,
“Why is there suffering in this world?”
And as we did an overview of Genesis Chapters 1-3, we came to understand that the most simple way to understand why suffering exists in this world is because sin entered the world and corrupted it.
Remember that because of sin, our relationship with God and with each is corrupted. Suffering exists because people exist. Suffering is often times a result of our own choices, sin, rebellion, and disobedience and also because of others.
We also saw that suffering exists because Satan and his demons exist. We know that evil is real. Sin is everywhere. And people are evil.
But remember, we also were encouraged with the powerful and true reality in Romans 3:21-26 that God sacrificed his Son so that we would be made right in his sight, and God did this so that his righteousness would demonstrate his fairness and his just character.
Remember, family, God is righteous and doesn’t need us to make this true. It already is true. God is always righteous and holy. God is always fair and just. God is always gracious and merciful.
And I believe we understood why we need to cling to this unchanging reality that God is eternally righteous, holy, just, fair, and good, even despite our circumstances and current realities.
We grasp onto and hold firmly to this truth because it helps us to align with and submit ourselves to a Biblically driven and rooted perspective of suffering. And, in doing this, it helps us better grasp and even respond to suffering when it comes into our lives and the lives of others because we trust and believe that "God is Good, Even in Suffering" and especially when circumstances and situations we experience may appear to be the opposite.
So, this morning, and because of the foundation laid last week, we are going to be looking at a very simple and extremely important reminder found in 1 Peter 4, verses 12-19.
Suffering as a Christ-Follower
How many of you this morning, if I were to tell you that as your brother and fellow Christ-follower in Jesus, I am glad that you are suffering and experiencing the many trials in your life, would look at me with an expression of shock, wondering why in the world is he actually grateful for my suffering?
Let’s be honest; that is not something we hear every day. It’s maybe not even something we would be eager to say or maybe even feel confident to say to one another.
And, I wonder, how many of us would ask ourselves, “Do they not care for me? Do they not understand how difficult this is for me? Aren’t they supposed to love and support me through this trial and suffering?” And the answer to all of these types of questions should always be a resounding yes!
But what I want us to be reminded of this morning is that the Apostle Peter literally said the exact same statement when he was writing to Christians who were spread out across the world because of the immense persecution and suffering they were experiencing at the hands of the Roman Empire.
As we dive deep into 1 Peter 4, verses 12-19, we will see that trials and sufferings in our lives are not unexpected realities. We shouldn’t be caught off guard by the trials and sufferings in our lives. Although trials and suffering are never easy, we really must be arming ourselves in preparation for when trials and sufferings come so that we may be able to see God’s hand in and through the trials and sufferings.
1 Peter 4:12-19 (NLT)
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
I love how Peter calls his brothers and sisters “Dear Friends.” This title shows the depth of connection between Peter and all the Christ-Followers he is writing to and who are experiencing persecution.
Peter shows us the powerful unity that exists within the body of believers who have been united in Jesus. We are not alone in our faith. We are not alone in our trials and sufferings. There are literally millions and millions of genuine, authentic, biblically rooted and bible following Christians who are literally experiencing the same kinds of trials and sufferings that we are. This is important. God is in the business of refining His people and causing unity and love to abound so that He will be glorified.
I think sometimes we forget this truth. It can be easy to become inward-focused in the midst of trials and sufferings. And, let’s be honest, when we do experience trials and suffering, more often than not, our minds do question or maybe get caught up in the why or the surprise of the circumstances and situations. But what Peter reminds us this morning is this… Expect the Unexpected. Yes, I said it… Expect the Unexpected.
Look again at what Peter says in verse 12, “Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.”
Peter is literally saying this, “Fiery trials and sufferings are a normal and consistent reality in the life of Christ-Followers.” Wait, what? Yup, Peter literally says this to us this morning, dear friends, Expect the Unexpected!
You might be thinking, “Well, how can I plan for what I do not know?” or “How can I be prepared for the unexpected?” or maybe, “How do I expect the unexpected?” Great questions! I think, because we do have the answers to these types of questions, we can look at what we can expect to experience because we are Christ-followers…
2 Timothy 3:2-5 (NLT)
2 “For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.
4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.
5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
Now before we begin to think about all the people who come to mind when we hear these words, let's be reminded of this first, that we all were like this at one point. Yes, before being born-again and having our sins forgiven because of what Jesus did on the Cross, and before we were made new through Jesus, we who are new creations now, used to be these people before.
But now, we who are Christ-followers boldly agree with 2 Timothy 3, verse 12, “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
So, what can we expect to experience as Christ-followers and people who desire to live Godly lives?
Well, we should expect and strive to be different, act different, talk different, and live differently than people who have yet to be transformed by Jesus. Sounds simple, right?
We should expect that when we do this, we will literally stand out and be easily recognizable to everyone. Yes, when we are actively abiding in and walking closely with Jesus, guess what…people notice. And this means everyone. Especially those people who are completely in opposition to everything we as Christ-followers stand for.
I’ve been in many situations where my faith in Jesus was ridiculed. I’ve been told I am weak and useless as a believer in Jesus. I’ve been in countless rooms where I felt absolutely alone because of my faith in Jesus. I’ve experienced moments where no one talked to me because I openly professed faith in Jesus.
I am certain many of you in this room have experienced this type of persecution before. And, if you have not yet experienced this type of persecution, guess what…
Expect the Unexpected!
Expect to be persecuted for your faith in Jesus. It’s not a matter of if – but when. And sometimes, this comes from fellow Believers in the Church. Sadly, whenever we seek to draw closer to the Lord and daily strive after lives of godliness, we suffer persecution from those who are convicted by the light of Jesus permeating through the darkness.
Romans 12:1-2 (ERV)
1 “Brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way.
2 Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.”
Guess what, a good and pleasing thing God wants for all of us this morning is that we will go through trials and suffering in our lives. I say this with the utmost confidence because the trials and suffering actually serve as a refining process by which our “desire” to live Godly lives in Jesus is tested.
I think we all want to live Godly lives in Jesus Christ, but in the process of refining and through the furnace of trials and suffering, our foundation and faith in Jesus is revealed.
Charles Spurgeon, a well known preacher in the 19th century, said this about trials and suffering.
“You may readily judge whether you are a child of God or a hypocrite by seeing in what direction your soul turns in seasons of severe trial. The hypocrite flies to the world and finds a sort of comfort there. But the child of God runs to his Father and expects consolation only from the Lord’s hand.”
Man, that is hard-hitting! That penetrates my heart every single time I hear and read it. But do you see why it is so powerful? Do you see what both the Apostle Peter and Charles Spurgeon are saying in agreement with God’s Word?
Yes, that the trials and suffering we go through as Christ-followers actually serve as evidence of our genuine and firmly rooted faith in Jesus.
I have a question for you this morning. Is fire a good thing? Yes, it is difficult to say that fire can be a good thing, especially when a person loses everything to a fire. But oftentimes, what comes after a fire is refinement and rebirth.
A pine cone that has been consumed by fire actually spreads its seeds and begins the process of creating new trees.
Fire, when used to refine gold, removes any impurities within it and creates a purer source of gold.
Fire is used to boil and sanitize water in areas where clean water is not readily available, either due to local conditions or a disaster.
Fire can be used to sterilize surgical instruments.
Fire can be a good thing when it is used as a refining agent.
The same is true for trials and sufferings in the life of a Christ-Follower, especially when we are able to see God’s hand at work in the trial and suffering.
Hebrews 12:29 (ESV) says this, “Our God is a Consuming Fire.” Our Good God uses and allows the trials and sufferings in our lives to make us more like Jesus. God is a jealous God. He wants all of your life, not parts of it.
Look at what Peter says in 1 Peter 4:13 (NLT), “Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world
This verse is remarkable to me. Peter is literally reminding us of this very simple, and very powerful truth…that when we suffer, especially for being Christ-followers, we should count it all joy and be very glad.
Why? Why should we be glad and count it all joy when we experience hurt, pain, affliction, persecution, and suffering for the name of Jesus?
Look what 1 Peter 1, verses 6-9 say.
1 Peter 1:6-9 (NASB)
6 “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
It is important for us as a family to remember that our suffering is the same kind that Jesus received. What is so powerful for us this morning is that the suffering and trials we endure actually reveal and showcase our identity in Jesus.
What we should expect, then, as Christ-followers is to partner with and participate in the suffering of Jesus. The word “partner” or “participate” here in the original language literally means “to share or fellowship with someone.”
I had to ask myself this question, “How does this work? How do I literally partner with and participate in Jesus’ suffering when trials and suffering happen in my life?” I think a simple way to look at it is like this, whenever you or someone you care about deeply goes through trials and suffering, the pain and hurt and trial impact everyone.
I was blessed to be blown up by a bomb in Iraq on my twentieth birthday. At the time, I was not at all walking with the Lord. I was, basically, being a stinker and choosing the world over Christ, and that’s just what happened. I didn’t join the military because I was super-patriotic, and it’s the fourth of July, and I’m going to go serve my country. No, it was like, I hated my dad, and I’m going to join the military.
I’m literally missing a hand. I suffered affliction, pain, and hurt because of my poor decision. And so, I live with that for the rest of my life. I wake up, and I literally think, “Whoa! Where’d it go?” And then I remember, “Oh yeah. That’s right. I did this.” But God used it for my good and also the good of my family. Because my dad, my sister, and my mom are all faithful Christ-followers. And when I was injured, it tested them. That was their trial in the moment. Because they, then, were like, “Oh my goodness. Jacob’s rebellion and sin led him down this road, and he’s now injured, and he may not live. And so, how are we going to press into Jesus? How are we going to see his hand at work in this situation?” So powerful.
I think their suffering as Christ-followers was literally put to the test because I stood for everything that was completely contrary to Jesus at the time.
The same thing happens in our spiritual lives. As we suffer for Jesus and with Him, we love him more deeply and trust him more completely. Maybe not immediately, but most often, we are able to rejoice in the midst of our pain.
I was having a conversation with an amazing woman, and I asked her if I could say her name. It’s Debby Jackson. I can’t remember what day we were here, but we were out there, and we were talking, and I was asking her how she was doing with her leg. And she shared a few things. And I walked away from that conversation, really thinking, “Oh my goodness. Debby is literally going through it.” This was literally an unexpected thing that happened in her life. And yet, she is choosing to see God’s hand at work in it.
And so, I’m just a little young lad, and I’m thinking, “I could learn a lot from this lady because she is teaching me something about God’s refining fire in this moment.” And so, I left there, and I was thinking, “Thank you, Lord, for putting Debby Jackson in my life.”
What is remarkable, too, is the consistent reminder to rejoice (which is what Debby was choosing to do) in the midst of our suffering and trials. I think this is one of the most powerful ways we literally stand out as Christ-followers. Very few people can say, “I am grateful and thankful for the trials and suffering.”
We might not always start there, “I’m grateful for the trials and suffering,” but we end up there. So, I’m missing a hand (surprise), and oftentimes people will ask, “Hey, how are you doing?” And I’ll say, “I’m grateful and thankful to be alive.” And sometimes people wonder what I mean by that. And I respond, “Well, I could have died. I could have been blown up and died from that. I could have died. And now, I’m grateful that I am missing a hand.” And some people are like, “Okay…” and they don’t do anything. But some people are like, “Wow. Can you tell me more about that?” And it literally gives me an opportunity to share Jesus because it’s so weird.
I mean, really, come one! When we actually think about this, it kind of sounds crazy. But, in a world filled with pain and sorrow and lack of joy, when we are able to actively rejoice in and choose joy over self-pity or a woe-is-me attitude and posture, we have the ability to see these powerful realities:
1). Trials and Suffering should drive us into deeper fellowship with Jesus. The closer we walk with Jesus, the more our trust and hope increase.
Maybe the Holy Spirit wants us to really examine our posture and position this morning when trials and suffering come into our lives? If so, ask the Lord to help you expect the unexpected. Because when trials and suffering happen in our life or the lives of others, we either press into or run away from intimacy with Jesus.
2). When we actively rejoice and experience Joy in the midst of trials and suffering, it actually speaks volumes about our intimacy with Jesus.
Maybe this morning, the Lord wants us to take an honest and accurate look at our relationship with Him? If this is you, then ask Him to help you expect the unexpected and wait and see how you respond and react when trials and suffering happen in your life.
3). Rejoicing and experiencing Joy in the midst of suffering and trials creates a deep confidence that God is in control of every area of our lives, even in the most painful places.
Maybe this morning, the Holy Spirit wants us to have a greater confidence in what the Lord is doing and let go of that area in our life we simply have too much control in? Remember, God is a jealous God and wants all of your life, not parts of it.
In closing, I want to read 1 Peter 4, verse 19 over us.
1 Peter 4:19 (NLT)
19 So, if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
Do you hear the sweet, sweet promise being spoken over us in this verse? Because we have a Father who is always good, and because he will never, ever fail us, we can trust our lives to him, even when the trials and suffering of this life beat us down.
Remember, family, our temporary pain and suffering are actually creating in us a greater opportunity to trust and place our confidence in Jesus Christ.
So, this morning, will we choose to rest in His promises and rejoice in the midst of our suffering and trial? My prayer for us this morning is Yes!
Come what may, let our praise and adoration in the midst of trials and suffering be the anthem by which many see the face of Jesus.
I think it is safe to say we don’t wake up in the morning and choose to eat a large breakfast of suffering, but it happens to us and to others anyway. And while no one really, honestly ever volunteers or wants to go through pain and hurt and suffering, it still happens.
We live in this powerful reality and tension which is supposed to remind us of very important and rock-solid truths.
First, in the midst of our suffering, we have a good, good Father who not only sees us in our moments of pain and hurt but who has made a way for us to have freedom, and liberty, and hope because of Jesus Christ. And because of Jesus, our suffering has a purpose. Your pain and hurt are never wasted. Because of God’s Goodness, our suffering is used for good, even when it doesn’t feel good or we can’t see the end.
Second, God is always good regardless of our circumstances and experiences. And God uses suffering and pain to reveal more of who He is, to refine our faith in Jesus in order to reflect Jesus to others when we suffer as Christ-followers.
We also looked at a really important question many ask when they or someone else is going through suffering, which is,
“Why is there suffering in this world?”
And as we did an overview of Genesis Chapters 1-3, we came to understand that the most simple way to understand why suffering exists in this world is because sin entered the world and corrupted it.
Remember that because of sin, our relationship with God and with each is corrupted. Suffering exists because people exist. Suffering is often times a result of our own choices, sin, rebellion, and disobedience and also because of others.
We also saw that suffering exists because Satan and his demons exist. We know that evil is real. Sin is everywhere. And people are evil.
But remember, we also were encouraged with the powerful and true reality in Romans 3:21-26 that God sacrificed his Son so that we would be made right in his sight, and God did this so that his righteousness would demonstrate his fairness and his just character.
Remember, family, God is righteous and doesn’t need us to make this true. It already is true. God is always righteous and holy. God is always fair and just. God is always gracious and merciful.
And I believe we understood why we need to cling to this unchanging reality that God is eternally righteous, holy, just, fair, and good, even despite our circumstances and current realities.
We grasp onto and hold firmly to this truth because it helps us to align with and submit ourselves to a Biblically driven and rooted perspective of suffering. And, in doing this, it helps us better grasp and even respond to suffering when it comes into our lives and the lives of others because we trust and believe that "God is Good, Even in Suffering" and especially when circumstances and situations we experience may appear to be the opposite.
So, this morning, and because of the foundation laid last week, we are going to be looking at a very simple and extremely important reminder found in 1 Peter 4, verses 12-19.
Suffering as a Christ-Follower
How many of you this morning, if I were to tell you that as your brother and fellow Christ-follower in Jesus, I am glad that you are suffering and experiencing the many trials in your life, would look at me with an expression of shock, wondering why in the world is he actually grateful for my suffering?
Let’s be honest; that is not something we hear every day. It’s maybe not even something we would be eager to say or maybe even feel confident to say to one another.
And, I wonder, how many of us would ask ourselves, “Do they not care for me? Do they not understand how difficult this is for me? Aren’t they supposed to love and support me through this trial and suffering?” And the answer to all of these types of questions should always be a resounding yes!
But what I want us to be reminded of this morning is that the Apostle Peter literally said the exact same statement when he was writing to Christians who were spread out across the world because of the immense persecution and suffering they were experiencing at the hands of the Roman Empire.
As we dive deep into 1 Peter 4, verses 12-19, we will see that trials and sufferings in our lives are not unexpected realities. We shouldn’t be caught off guard by the trials and sufferings in our lives. Although trials and suffering are never easy, we really must be arming ourselves in preparation for when trials and sufferings come so that we may be able to see God’s hand in and through the trials and sufferings.
1 Peter 4:12-19 (NLT)
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
I love how Peter calls his brothers and sisters “Dear Friends.” This title shows the depth of connection between Peter and all the Christ-Followers he is writing to and who are experiencing persecution.
Peter shows us the powerful unity that exists within the body of believers who have been united in Jesus. We are not alone in our faith. We are not alone in our trials and sufferings. There are literally millions and millions of genuine, authentic, biblically rooted and bible following Christians who are literally experiencing the same kinds of trials and sufferings that we are. This is important. God is in the business of refining His people and causing unity and love to abound so that He will be glorified.
I think sometimes we forget this truth. It can be easy to become inward-focused in the midst of trials and sufferings. And, let’s be honest, when we do experience trials and suffering, more often than not, our minds do question or maybe get caught up in the why or the surprise of the circumstances and situations. But what Peter reminds us this morning is this… Expect the Unexpected. Yes, I said it… Expect the Unexpected.
Look again at what Peter says in verse 12, “Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.”
Peter is literally saying this, “Fiery trials and sufferings are a normal and consistent reality in the life of Christ-Followers.” Wait, what? Yup, Peter literally says this to us this morning, dear friends, Expect the Unexpected!
You might be thinking, “Well, how can I plan for what I do not know?” or “How can I be prepared for the unexpected?” or maybe, “How do I expect the unexpected?” Great questions! I think, because we do have the answers to these types of questions, we can look at what we can expect to experience because we are Christ-followers…
2 Timothy 3:2-5 (NLT)
2 “For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.
4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.
5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
Now before we begin to think about all the people who come to mind when we hear these words, let's be reminded of this first, that we all were like this at one point. Yes, before being born-again and having our sins forgiven because of what Jesus did on the Cross, and before we were made new through Jesus, we who are new creations now, used to be these people before.
But now, we who are Christ-followers boldly agree with 2 Timothy 3, verse 12, “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
So, what can we expect to experience as Christ-followers and people who desire to live Godly lives?
Well, we should expect and strive to be different, act different, talk different, and live differently than people who have yet to be transformed by Jesus. Sounds simple, right?
We should expect that when we do this, we will literally stand out and be easily recognizable to everyone. Yes, when we are actively abiding in and walking closely with Jesus, guess what…people notice. And this means everyone. Especially those people who are completely in opposition to everything we as Christ-followers stand for.
I’ve been in many situations where my faith in Jesus was ridiculed. I’ve been told I am weak and useless as a believer in Jesus. I’ve been in countless rooms where I felt absolutely alone because of my faith in Jesus. I’ve experienced moments where no one talked to me because I openly professed faith in Jesus.
I am certain many of you in this room have experienced this type of persecution before. And, if you have not yet experienced this type of persecution, guess what…
Expect the Unexpected!
Expect to be persecuted for your faith in Jesus. It’s not a matter of if – but when. And sometimes, this comes from fellow Believers in the Church. Sadly, whenever we seek to draw closer to the Lord and daily strive after lives of godliness, we suffer persecution from those who are convicted by the light of Jesus permeating through the darkness.
Romans 12:1-2 (ERV)
1 “Brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him—an offering that is only for God and pleasing to him. Considering what he has done, it is only right that you should worship him in this way.
2 Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.”
Guess what, a good and pleasing thing God wants for all of us this morning is that we will go through trials and suffering in our lives. I say this with the utmost confidence because the trials and suffering actually serve as a refining process by which our “desire” to live Godly lives in Jesus is tested.
I think we all want to live Godly lives in Jesus Christ, but in the process of refining and through the furnace of trials and suffering, our foundation and faith in Jesus is revealed.
Charles Spurgeon, a well known preacher in the 19th century, said this about trials and suffering.
“You may readily judge whether you are a child of God or a hypocrite by seeing in what direction your soul turns in seasons of severe trial. The hypocrite flies to the world and finds a sort of comfort there. But the child of God runs to his Father and expects consolation only from the Lord’s hand.”
Man, that is hard-hitting! That penetrates my heart every single time I hear and read it. But do you see why it is so powerful? Do you see what both the Apostle Peter and Charles Spurgeon are saying in agreement with God’s Word?
Yes, that the trials and suffering we go through as Christ-followers actually serve as evidence of our genuine and firmly rooted faith in Jesus.
I have a question for you this morning. Is fire a good thing? Yes, it is difficult to say that fire can be a good thing, especially when a person loses everything to a fire. But oftentimes, what comes after a fire is refinement and rebirth.
A pine cone that has been consumed by fire actually spreads its seeds and begins the process of creating new trees.
Fire, when used to refine gold, removes any impurities within it and creates a purer source of gold.
Fire is used to boil and sanitize water in areas where clean water is not readily available, either due to local conditions or a disaster.
Fire can be used to sterilize surgical instruments.
Fire can be a good thing when it is used as a refining agent.
The same is true for trials and sufferings in the life of a Christ-Follower, especially when we are able to see God’s hand at work in the trial and suffering.
Hebrews 12:29 (ESV) says this, “Our God is a Consuming Fire.” Our Good God uses and allows the trials and sufferings in our lives to make us more like Jesus. God is a jealous God. He wants all of your life, not parts of it.
Look at what Peter says in 1 Peter 4:13 (NLT), “Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world
This verse is remarkable to me. Peter is literally reminding us of this very simple, and very powerful truth…that when we suffer, especially for being Christ-followers, we should count it all joy and be very glad.
Why? Why should we be glad and count it all joy when we experience hurt, pain, affliction, persecution, and suffering for the name of Jesus?
Look what 1 Peter 1, verses 6-9 say.
1 Peter 1:6-9 (NASB)
6 “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
It is important for us as a family to remember that our suffering is the same kind that Jesus received. What is so powerful for us this morning is that the suffering and trials we endure actually reveal and showcase our identity in Jesus.
What we should expect, then, as Christ-followers is to partner with and participate in the suffering of Jesus. The word “partner” or “participate” here in the original language literally means “to share or fellowship with someone.”
I had to ask myself this question, “How does this work? How do I literally partner with and participate in Jesus’ suffering when trials and suffering happen in my life?” I think a simple way to look at it is like this, whenever you or someone you care about deeply goes through trials and suffering, the pain and hurt and trial impact everyone.
I was blessed to be blown up by a bomb in Iraq on my twentieth birthday. At the time, I was not at all walking with the Lord. I was, basically, being a stinker and choosing the world over Christ, and that’s just what happened. I didn’t join the military because I was super-patriotic, and it’s the fourth of July, and I’m going to go serve my country. No, it was like, I hated my dad, and I’m going to join the military.
I’m literally missing a hand. I suffered affliction, pain, and hurt because of my poor decision. And so, I live with that for the rest of my life. I wake up, and I literally think, “Whoa! Where’d it go?” And then I remember, “Oh yeah. That’s right. I did this.” But God used it for my good and also the good of my family. Because my dad, my sister, and my mom are all faithful Christ-followers. And when I was injured, it tested them. That was their trial in the moment. Because they, then, were like, “Oh my goodness. Jacob’s rebellion and sin led him down this road, and he’s now injured, and he may not live. And so, how are we going to press into Jesus? How are we going to see his hand at work in this situation?” So powerful.
I think their suffering as Christ-followers was literally put to the test because I stood for everything that was completely contrary to Jesus at the time.
The same thing happens in our spiritual lives. As we suffer for Jesus and with Him, we love him more deeply and trust him more completely. Maybe not immediately, but most often, we are able to rejoice in the midst of our pain.
I was having a conversation with an amazing woman, and I asked her if I could say her name. It’s Debby Jackson. I can’t remember what day we were here, but we were out there, and we were talking, and I was asking her how she was doing with her leg. And she shared a few things. And I walked away from that conversation, really thinking, “Oh my goodness. Debby is literally going through it.” This was literally an unexpected thing that happened in her life. And yet, she is choosing to see God’s hand at work in it.
And so, I’m just a little young lad, and I’m thinking, “I could learn a lot from this lady because she is teaching me something about God’s refining fire in this moment.” And so, I left there, and I was thinking, “Thank you, Lord, for putting Debby Jackson in my life.”
What is remarkable, too, is the consistent reminder to rejoice (which is what Debby was choosing to do) in the midst of our suffering and trials. I think this is one of the most powerful ways we literally stand out as Christ-followers. Very few people can say, “I am grateful and thankful for the trials and suffering.”
We might not always start there, “I’m grateful for the trials and suffering,” but we end up there. So, I’m missing a hand (surprise), and oftentimes people will ask, “Hey, how are you doing?” And I’ll say, “I’m grateful and thankful to be alive.” And sometimes people wonder what I mean by that. And I respond, “Well, I could have died. I could have been blown up and died from that. I could have died. And now, I’m grateful that I am missing a hand.” And some people are like, “Okay…” and they don’t do anything. But some people are like, “Wow. Can you tell me more about that?” And it literally gives me an opportunity to share Jesus because it’s so weird.
I mean, really, come one! When we actually think about this, it kind of sounds crazy. But, in a world filled with pain and sorrow and lack of joy, when we are able to actively rejoice in and choose joy over self-pity or a woe-is-me attitude and posture, we have the ability to see these powerful realities:
1). Trials and Suffering should drive us into deeper fellowship with Jesus. The closer we walk with Jesus, the more our trust and hope increase.
Maybe the Holy Spirit wants us to really examine our posture and position this morning when trials and suffering come into our lives? If so, ask the Lord to help you expect the unexpected. Because when trials and suffering happen in our life or the lives of others, we either press into or run away from intimacy with Jesus.
2). When we actively rejoice and experience Joy in the midst of trials and suffering, it actually speaks volumes about our intimacy with Jesus.
Maybe this morning, the Lord wants us to take an honest and accurate look at our relationship with Him? If this is you, then ask Him to help you expect the unexpected and wait and see how you respond and react when trials and suffering happen in your life.
3). Rejoicing and experiencing Joy in the midst of suffering and trials creates a deep confidence that God is in control of every area of our lives, even in the most painful places.
Maybe this morning, the Holy Spirit wants us to have a greater confidence in what the Lord is doing and let go of that area in our life we simply have too much control in? Remember, God is a jealous God and wants all of your life, not parts of it.
In closing, I want to read 1 Peter 4, verse 19 over us.
1 Peter 4:19 (NLT)
19 So, if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
Do you hear the sweet, sweet promise being spoken over us in this verse? Because we have a Father who is always good, and because he will never, ever fail us, we can trust our lives to him, even when the trials and suffering of this life beat us down.
Remember, family, our temporary pain and suffering are actually creating in us a greater opportunity to trust and place our confidence in Jesus Christ.
So, this morning, will we choose to rest in His promises and rejoice in the midst of our suffering and trial? My prayer for us this morning is Yes!
Come what may, let our praise and adoration in the midst of trials and suffering be the anthem by which many see the face of Jesus.