Hope When Life is Hard
Sunday, December 4, 2022

1 Peter 4:12-5:4
Introduction

Those suffering need a right perspective and care

I. Glory and Suffering (v.12-16)
To suffer as a Christian is a call to rejoice as a disciple of Christ, and such joy is
the prelude to the joy that is to come at the return of Christ (when his glory is
revealed).
“God had one Son without sin, but he never had a son without trial.” C. Spurgeon
v.13 –Believers can rejoice always because their joy isn’t based in
circumstances, but on God. Circumstances change, but God never changes.
“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in
much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to
all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6,7
v14,15 -“you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
This brings to mind the Shekinah glory cloud of God resting upon the OT
tabernacle and then upon Solomon's Temple. Today believers are God's temple
and God glory rests upon us! Note that rests is in the present tense indicating
continuous action.
v.16 – Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him
glorify God in that name.”
II. Suffering and God’s Judgment (v.17-19)
v.17 – Judgment begins in the house of God where the Lord purifies his people.
The judgment is not punitive, but purifying and cleansing. The suffering of God
people refines them (1 Peter 1:6,7).
v.18 – “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and
the sinner?”
scarcely – molis means ‘with difficulty’
v.19 – “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls
to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

"The purpose of good theology is to build and sustain great trust in God. In all
Christian suffering Satan is seeking to devour faith (1Peter 5:8-9). God is seeking
to test and refine faith. God's great purpose in all our suffering will be
accomplished when we do what Jesus did in the agony of the cross when he
cried out "Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit." He entrusted himself to a
faithful Creator. According to 2Cor 1:9 God's purpose in suffering is to cause us
to rely no longer on ourselves but utterly on him who raises the dead.” John Piper
III. Care for Those Suffering (5:1-4)
Shepherd – one who tended flocks like a shepherd and who carried out
oversight, protecting, leading, encouraging, discipling, guarding, guiding and
feeding ("feed and lead"). 
Exercising oversight – They are "overseers". They look out over the flock. God
holds them accountable for seeing the big picture and acting for the good of the
whole flock.
not under compulsion – not forced oversight, unwillingly or out of obligation
but willingly as God would have you - willing to do something without being
forced or pressured.
not for shameful gain - The shepherd must serve the Lord with a willing heart
because he loves Christ and the flock, and not simply because he has a job to
do. He must never serve for “sordid gain”, whether it be money, prestige, power,
or promotion
but eagerly - means a willingness to serve because of a readiness and an
eagerness within the heart
not domineering over those in your charge - means to dominate someone or
some situation and implies leadership by manipulation and intimidation
but being examples to the flock - refers to a visible mark or impression made
by a stroke or blow from an instrument or object
v.4 – “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown
of glory.”

IV. Conclusion

Those suffering need a right perspective and care