2020-09-20苦难中的祝福和喜乐（彼得前书4:12-14）

彼得前书4:12-14

12 亲爱的，有火炼的试验临到你们，不要以为奇怪，好像是遭遇非常的事。13 倒要欢喜，因为你们既然在基督的受苦上有分，就在他荣耀显现的时候，可以欢喜快乐。14 你们要是为基督的名受辱骂，就有福了！ 因为 神荣耀的灵，住在你们身上。

【引言：我们世界的破碎】我们有多少人喜欢苦难？没有人渴望、欣喜或急切地期待苦难。无论是锁骨骨折、感染新冠、慢性偏头痛，还是开始为亲人提供临终关怀，苦难都揭示了我们世界的破碎。然而我们相信，上帝在苦难中有着美好的意旨。

【关于世界的无用性】《长老信仰告白》—我们教会所有长老都致力于维护和教导的文档，它以下列方式说明：“5.3我们相信，上帝让受造物都服在虚空之下，整个人类理所当然地要承受疾病、衰败、灾难和损失等难以言说的痛苦。因此，世界上所有的逆境和苦难都是人类心中道德堕落极度大恶的回声和见证；生命的每一个新的日子都是上帝赐予的、仁慈的缓刑，免于即将到来的审判，指向悔改。”

【关于上帝的永恒意旨】我们的《长老信仰告白》也指出，上帝是万物的主宰，却从不犯罪，祂对万物的命定与所有人的道德责任是并行不悖的。它是这样说的：“3.2 我们相信上帝维护和管理万物—从星系到亚原子粒子，从自然力量到国家运动，从政客的公开计划到个人的秘密行为—都符合祂荣耀自己的永恒、全智的意旨，但祂从不犯罪，也从不会不公正地谴责一个人；但祂对万物的主权安排和管理与所有按祂形象创造的人的道德责任并行不悖。”

【痛苦的普遍存在性】我们相信，我们的世界在罪的普遍重压下呻吟，而神为了荣耀自己，正在世上工作。很多时候，我们想要简单明了的答案来解决我们的痛苦和苦难。我为什么会受苦？为了什么？虽然我们不能总是从痛苦到具体的目的之间画一条连线，但在今天早上的经文中，我们确实可以看到神如何在信徒的生命中使用苦难。

【约瑟论他的苦难】就像约瑟一样，在他的兄弟们差点杀了他，把他卖为奴隶后，他被冤枉地扔进了监狱，现在终于有机会报复他的兄弟们，他对他的兄弟们说了这样的话：“你们不要害怕，我怎能代替 神呢？从前你们有意要害我，但 神有美好的意思在其中，为要成就今日的光景，使许多人的性命得以保全。”（创世记50:20）

【要点】在我们今天早上的经文中，彼得重新审视了苦难，并作了最后的说明（4:12-19）。他的目的之一是帮助他的读者理解他们为耶稣所受的苦难。彼得在这段话中提出了一个惊人的说法。【要点】神为了耶稣的缘故，使用并救赎信徒的苦难，以加强他们在神里面的喜乐。*他们所经历的恶意中伤、诽谤、与周围文化的疏远，是神祝福的标志。在重温这些真理的时候，彼得希望他的读者能够不动摇，坚定不移。就像浇筑混凝土地基一样，他正在把这些钢筋棒插入他们的信仰之基。

【计划与语境】彼得开始了新的，也是这封信的最后一个部分。在我们这段经文中，彼得提醒他的读者注意苦难的两个方面。

1. 神使用苦难：对苦难不要以为奇怪（第12节）

2. 神救赎苦难：在苦难中喜乐（第13-14节）

第一部分、神使用苦难：对苦难不要以为奇怪（第12节）

彼得前书4:12亲爱的，有火炼的试验临到你们，不要以为奇怪，好像是遭遇非常的事。

【“亲爱的”】彼得称他们为“亲爱的”，再次提醒他们的身份。这不是对他们的惩罚、愤怒、或审判。他们是神所爱的。谎言之父撒旦射出炽热的飞镖，告诉我们，我们是被谴责、被遗忘、不被爱、无可救药、太过破碎、太过无能、太不健全，我们活该承受我们所经历的痛苦。但彼得把第一根钢筋扎了进去：信耶稣的人心里都写着“被爱的”。逆境并不意味着神不同在，神无能，或神愤怒。

【“不要以为奇怪”】彼得接着吩咐道：“有火炼的试验临到你们，不要以为奇怪。”这与他在1:6-7的劝告相呼应：“你们现今在各种试炼中或许暂时会难过，是要叫你们的信心经过试验，就比那被火炼过，仍会朽坏的金子更宝贵，可以在耶稣基督显现的时候，得着称赞、荣耀和尊贵”（彼得前书1:6-7）。苦难和试炼考验我们的信心。彼得描绘的意象是金匠通过在火中加热再加热来去除贵金属中的杂质。正如箴言27:21说的：“用锅炼银，用炉炼金；人的称赞也试炼人。”

【玛拉基书中的炼净之火】在玛拉基书中，神自称为炼净之火：“[2] 可是，他来的日子，谁能当得起呢？他显现的时候，谁能站立得住呢？因为他像炼金之人的火，又像漂布之人的硷。[3] 他必坐着，像熬炼和洁净银子的人；他必洁净利未人，炼净他们像炼净金银一样。这样，他们就会凭公义献礼物给耶和华。”（玛拉基书3:2-3）利未人，也就是祭司，就是被炼制的人，使他们“凭公义献礼物给耶和华”。 另一种说法是：“一旦我的子民得炼净，他们就可用于服侍我。”

【炼净——不是森林大火】上帝并不像加州的森林大火，吞噬一切挡路的东西。神以信徒所经历的如火试炼作为完美校准的精密仪器，来完成祂的目的。神在信徒的生命中使用苦难来净化，而不是毁灭。我们在彼得前书1:6-7中已经看到了这一真理，因此彼得提醒他的读者要对试炼和苦难不要感到惊讶。

【并不稀奇】不要把痛苦看成“好像是遭遇非常的事”。为什么我们不应该把苦难当作非常的事情呢？在某个层面上，它是非常的—这不是上帝创造完美世界时应有的方式。但罪进入世界，现在信徒应该期待今生的苦难，我们是 “蒙拣选的寄居者”，这个世界不是我们的家。信徒的苦难有两种：患难之火和舍己之火（如“背起你的十字架跟从我”）。彼得的关注点主要在患难之火上。我们在雅各书1:2-4等经文中看到了这一点。

雅各书1:2-4“[2] 我的弟兄们，你们遭遇各种试炼的时候，都要看为喜乐；[3] 因为知道你们的信心经过考验，就产生忍耐。[4] 但忍耐要坚持到底，使你们可以完全，毫无缺乏。”

【信心的忍耐】考验一个人的信心有一个目的，就是产生忍耐。忍耐是什么？这是我看到的一个定义：“面对艰难困苦时的忠诚”。你怎么知道你是否忠诚？只有当你经历过反对的时候，你才会知道。在那一刻，你会相信耶稣和祂的应许，还是会认输放弃？你会在苦难中紧紧跟随基督，还是会选择逃避针对基督跟随者的迫害？试炼通过检验人在基督里的信心而产生忍耐。试炼不只是考验我们的信心，而是通过试炼，帮助信徒看到并体会到一个真理，那就是基督是我们所需要的一切。基督是全备的、可靠的、可信的、信实的、真实的、仁慈的、温柔的、主宰的。神正在使用和救赎苦难，使我们看到基督是我们所需要的一切。祂是值得信赖的，当我们熬过试炼，我们仍然紧紧抓住祂。每一次试炼都是展示耶稣可信性的机会。

【撒种的比喻】就像马太福音13:20-21中撒种的比喻：“【20】 那撒在石地上的，就是人听了道，立刻欢欢喜喜地接受，【21】 可是他里面没有根，只是暂时的；一旦为道遭遇患难，受到迫害，就立刻跌倒了。”当患难或迫害来临，他就跌倒了。而这是听了道就欢喜接受的人。试炼不仅净化教会，也加强和深化了那些真正的耶稣门徒的根基。在每一次如火的试炼中，神都会证明祂的信实、祂的主权、祂的可靠、祂的良善和祂的爱。我们每经受一次试炼，就在信仰的混凝土地基上再打下一根钢筋。

【苦难是常态】苦难是不足为奇的，因为所有要跟随耶稣的人都会受苦。提摩太后书3:12说：“所有立志在基督耶稣里过敬虔生活的，都必遭受迫害。”这并不是说只有真正激进的门徒才会受到迫害，而是说所有的门徒都会受到迫害。也许不是明天，但总是会来的。当我们分享福音时，当我们坚持圣经的信念时，当我们培养门徒时，敌意就会到来。

【穆斯林背景的信徒】我记得几年前，我们在印尼做圣经培训时，认识了一位有穆斯林背景的信徒。这个人分享了他如何信主的见证。他是印度尼西亚国家武装部队的一名训练有素的军事专家，是一名虔诚的穆斯林。不仅如此，他还是一位伊斯兰法律和实践的教师。千百名学生向这个人学习，听他教导。但在40岁的时候，他信了耶稣。接下来是他以前的学生愤怒的迫害。这不只是刻薄的目光，而是身体上的攻击。有一次他被以前的学生捅了一刀（最后他把对方的胳膊给打折了）。有一次他的甜茶还被下了老鼠药。这种毒药永久性地损害了他的肾脏和肝脏，医生给他的预判是只能活一年。我们见面的时候，他正在赞美上帝让他活过了一年半。他得到的时间比预期的要多，不打算浪费。今天，这个人不断地分享福音，靠着借来的时间，带着紧迫感和不可思议的勇气生活在一个穆斯林国家。他的苦难证实了他的盼望，巩固了他信仰的基础，明确了他人生的重点。

【应用：蒙拣选的寄居者】今天早上，既然我们作为“蒙拣选的寄居者”、异乡人和旅居者，当我们经历一些苦难时，我们是否感到惊讶？或者我们是否把它看作是神净化祂的教会、巩固我们的根基、明确我们的优先事项和确认我们的盼望所在的方式之一？无论遇到什么，都要让我们的信仰经受考验，从而获得更大的纯洁、更大的忍耐和更大的勇气。

【过渡】这两个命令，一个是否定句，一个是肯定句。不要以为奇怪（那是消极的一面），相反信徒应该在苦难中欢喜（那是积极的一面）。

2. 神救赎苦难：在苦难中喜乐（第13-14节）

彼得前书4:13-14：13 倒要欢喜，因为你们既然在基督的受苦上有分，就在他荣耀显现的时候，可以欢喜快乐。14 你们要是为基督的名受辱骂，就有福了！ 因为 神荣耀的灵，住在你们身上。

【与基督一同受苦时的快乐】基督徒在与基督一同受苦时，要欢喜快乐。不但不以为奇怪，还要欢喜快乐。耶稣在登山宝训的“八福”中也有类似的说法：“11 人若因我的缘故辱骂你们，迫害你们，并且捏造各样坏话毁谤你们，你们就有福了。12 你们应该欢喜快乐，因为你们在天上的赏赐是大的；在你们以前的先知，他们也曾这样迫害。 ”（马太福音5:11-12）

【受虐狂？以苦为乐？】前面我们说过，没有人喜欢苦难，除非是神经错乱，比如受虐狂。耶稣是叫我们做受虐狂吗？我不这么认为。他给了我们一个目的从句：“就在他荣耀显现的时候，可以欢喜快乐。”这就是在苦难中欢喜的目的。

【欢喜受苦的理由之一：确认我们的珍宝】信徒们欢喜，因为在与基督一同受苦时，意味着他们真正属神。这证实了耶稣是他们的珍宝，他们是真正的神的儿女。我们不是假冒的门徒。我们不是私生子，而是被爱的孩子。

【假冒的门徒】愿意忍受苦难，是确认“真基督徒”的印记。这就是使徒行传5:41中彼得和约翰因传讲基督而被打的情况。“使徒欢欢喜喜从公议会里出来，因为他们算是配得为主的名受辱。”苦难证实了耶稣是他们的珍宝，尽管有代价或苦难。神救赎苦难—祂不浪费苦难—而是用苦难来证实我们心中的信念：“耶稣是更好”。我们真的是蒙神保守。这又是一根钢筋打入我们信仰的地基。

【彼得不认耶稣】在我们本周的读经计划约翰福音第18章中，彼得想摆脱看起来很糟糕和被人认为很糟糕的痛苦。他不承认认识耶稣，也不承认是祂的门徒。他以耶稣为耻。我们以耶稣为耻吗？我们是否以宣告基督为耻？在工作、学校或你的邻居中，你是否害怕承认自己是基督的跟随者？你是否愿意与耶稣保持一致，不屈服于一方或另一方文化上可接受的东西？

【欢喜受苦的理由之二：荣耀显露】。第二个理由是，信徒蒙应许在基督再来时有未来的喜乐。现在为耶稣的缘故和为祂的名受苦，使我们与基督认同，也就是说，当耶稣再来时，我们会分享和欢喜祂荣耀的显现。想想在西奈山，当上帝的荣耀从摩西身边经过时，祂的手遮盖了摩西。他脸上尚且反射着神的荣光。在耶稣里，当祂来的时候，我们将看到祂丰盛的荣耀。当我们看到那未经过滤，未经衰减的荣光时我们甚至不会死。

【例证：维京人队赢得超级碗】假设你是维京人队的球迷，你相信，毫无疑问，他们会赢得今年的超级碗。其他人都是反对者，他们认为你疯了。但如果维京人队赢得了所有的胜利，在超级碗的游行中，你会为他们的胜利而庆祝和欢呼。现在，大家都认为信徒是疯子。他们是否定论者：上帝已经死了，没有神，你怎么能相信这种无稽之谈。但是，当耶稣在祂的荣耀中归来时，我们将带着无法估量的、震撼人心的、从心爆发的喜乐欢呼。想象一下那一天的情形。到了那一天，随大流的粉丝们就无地自容了。你要么愿意和基督一同受苦，要么就什么都没有。

【无比的喜乐】现在与基督一同受苦，是为了确认，当基督在祂全然的荣耀中归来，统治和统管属于祂的东西时，我们将分享无比的喜乐。尘世的苦难不能与基督再来时我们所经历的荣耀和喜乐相比，我们的信心得称为义。

【希伯来书与摩西】在希伯来书中，我们在11:26中得到了一个关于摩西的类似的例子。“在他看来，为着基督受的凌辱，比埃及的财物更宝贵，因为他注视将来的赏赐。”在为耶稣受苦的时候，目光要放长远，知道自己会得伸冤，得奖赏，得永远的喜乐和荣耀，与神同在直到永远。启示录2:10说：“你要忠心至死，我就把那生命的冠冕赐给你。”保罗在罗马书8:18中说：“我看现在的苦难，与将要向我们显出的荣耀，是无法相比的。”现在的苦难比不上将来的荣耀。神荣耀地救赎苦难，使我们在祂里面的喜乐更强更大。

【受辱的有福了】​彼得就用“要是/就”结构举了一个很具体的例子。“你们要是为基督的名受辱骂，就有福了！ 因为 神荣耀的灵，住在你们身上”（彼得前书4:14）。我们又看到，这如火的试炼是为基督的名受辱。彼得又给了一句惊人的话：你为基督受辱是有福的。这就是神国度的颠覆性。当我们受苦的时候，世人说你们是被诅咒的，然而上帝却说我们是蒙祝福的。为什么说我们是蒙福的？它说：“ 因为 神荣耀的灵，住在你们身上。”

【住在弥赛亚身上的灵与信在信徒身上的灵是同一个 | 指向以赛亚书11:1-2】“神荣耀的灵住在你们身上”这话是指向以赛亚书11:1-2：“从耶西的树干必生出一根嫩芽，从他的根而出的枝条必结果子。耶和华的灵必停留在他身上……”以赛亚书这段经文是说耶稣要从耶西的血统出来，耶和华的灵要停留在祂身上。所以，神的灵使先知们，像以赛亚一样，能够讲论弥赛亚即将到来的苦难和随之而来的荣耀。这荣耀的灵和神的灵—即圣灵，就是住在耶稣身上，赋予祂能力，使祂在地上传道的灵，也是让祂从死里复活的灵。而彼得说，这同一个灵现在正住在所有神的信徒身上。

【洗礼的意象】当耶稣受洗时，发生了什么？路加福音告诉我们：“圣灵仿佛鸽子，有形体地降在他身上；有声音从天上来，说：‘你是我的爱子，我喜悦你。’”圣灵降在耶稣身上，这是上帝眷爱耶稣的明显标志，表明祂是上帝的爱子。现在，彼得把同样的意象应用到耶稣的所有门徒身上。当你因基督的名而受到侮辱时，你是有福的，因为圣灵正住在你身上，就像住在耶稣身上一样，表明你是神所爱的儿女，祂很喜悦你。

【我必不离弃你】这对我们来说意味着，当我们为耶稣的缘故经历苦难时，就意味着神以祂的灵与我们同在。圣灵在扶持我们，支持我们，赋予我们力量，保守我们，替我们呻吟，在我们最需要的时候赐给我们话语。上帝永远不会离弃我们，不会抛弃我们，因为祂已经把祂的灵赐给了我们。

【怎样才算够？】怎样才能使受苦变得可接受或可持续？是什么让我们能够忍受恶意、诽谤和敌意？如果我们有这样的保证和应许，神看顾我们，听我们的祷告，与我们同在，扶持我们，使我们有能力坚持下去，使我们有能力为祂的名作见证。这就够了吧？如果那使耶稣从死里复活的灵—三位一体中第三位格的神—就在你身边，住在你里面，在你忍受的时候，用力量、信心和盼望充满你？这就够了吧？而这正是今天早上神对我们的应许。神荣耀的灵住在你们身上！

【过渡】神用苦难来考验、坚固、加深我们的信心。所以不要以为奇怪。而神救赎我们的苦难，用它来证实耶稣是我们的珍宝，用它来加强我们在神里面永远的喜乐，因为我们已经得到了祂的圣灵。

应用与结语

【蒙拣选的寄居者】如果你觉得今生已经是好得不能再好，那你选择与基督一同受苦就会显得不可理喻。彼得在这封信中不断提醒我们，我们在这地上是蒙拣选的寄居者，是异乡人，也是客旅。这里不是我们最后的家园，也不是我们现在最美好生活的地方。这就是露营、流浪的旅居，因为我们急切地等待着天上永远的家园，与耶稣永远同在。

【给不信者的话】今天早上，如果你活着是为了榨取今生所有的快乐、满足和愉悦，我们想叫你去做更好的事情。此生可以给你一些快乐：事业成功、感官的愉悦和欣喜。但这些并不持久，更多的时候，都伴随着心痛、痛苦，最终死亡。但今天早上耶稣给你提供了一条更好的道路。向基督降服的生命意味着风暴中的平安，死亡中的永生盼望，苦难中的喜乐，在一个宝血所赎的新家庭中的爱，以及永生和不断增加的喜乐的保证。如果你今天早上还没有决定，我们很想和你谈谈你永恒的命运。

【应用】信徒可以经历喜乐和欢欣，因为神为了祂永恒的意旨，使用和救赎我们的苦难，祂要把我们的忧伤变成永远的喜乐。不仅每一滴眼泪都会被抹去，我们的喜乐欢欣也不会停止。

【看那奖赏】那我们怎么能好好地受苦呢？期待你能得到更大的奖赏。我们要在神的荣耀中亲眼见祂。我们必分享那荣耀，我们必得伸冤，我们必不羞愧，而当耶稣再来时，我们必将经历无限的、不断增加的、倍增的喜乐。默想圣经不仅仅是知道圣经说了什么，而是让这些真理来揭穿谎言，重塑我们的心灵，调整我们的优先次序，渴望耶稣的再来和祂荣耀的显现。我们有多渴望祂的再来？

【圣灵住在我们身上】而我们能好好受苦的另一个方法，就是知道我们是神所爱的，现在圣灵正住在我们身上，神永远不会离弃我们，也不会丢弃我们。查尔斯-司布真曾说过：“在苦难之海中潜水的人，会带出稀有的珍珠。”作为基督徒，在苦难中喜乐不仅是可能的，而且可以检验我们的信心，证实基督是我们的珍宝，向世人显明“耶稣更”，证明基督的可赞可贵。

【基督教快乐主义】基督教快乐主义定义了我们教会对神的信仰这一方面。我们相信，当我们以神为最大满足的时候，神就在我们身上得着最大的荣耀。当我们以神为乐，渴望祂的再来，当祂被证明是有价值的，是宝贵的，当我们说耶稣比苦难更好的时候，神就得到了所有的荣耀。而我们得到了所有的快乐满足。而我们的生命就是活生生的见证，证明基督是更好的，祂是全备的，祂是满足所有的，祂是伟大的，祂是可信的，祂是宝贵的，祂是我们的一切。我祈求我们—在痛苦、苦难和忧伤中—体验到耶稣的喜乐和欢喜胜过一切。

讲道讨论问题

讲道标题：苦难中的祝福和喜乐

讲道经文：彼得前书4:12-14

要点：神为了耶稣的缘故，使用并救赎信徒的苦难，以加强他们在神里面的喜乐。

纲要：

1. 神使用苦难：对苦难不要以为奇怪（第12节）

2. 神救赎苦难：在苦难中喜乐（第13-14节）

引言中的问题：你有没有被一些难听或刺耳的话语吓到过？这让你感觉如何？

讨论问题：

1. 为什么彼得在这一部分开头用“亲爱的”？他为什么要强调这个事实呢？

2. 为什么信徒对苦难不要以为奇怪？这苦难的目的是什么？

3. 为什么信徒在与基督一同受苦时可以欢喜快乐？

4. “在他荣耀显现的时候”是什么意思？未来的荣耀如何影响我们看待现在的苦难？

5. 信徒因基督的名而受辱就有福，因为神荣耀的灵，住在你们身上，这是什么意思？以赛亚书11:1-2如何帮助我们理解这一点？

应用问题：

1. 如果我们要在如火的试炼中不感到意外，如何培养那种不会措手不及的心态、态度和观点？

2. 哪些真理能帮助我们在为基督的名受苦时也能欢喜快乐？

3. 信徒如何以基督再来时未来的荣耀为背景来看待地上的苦难和地上的快乐？这可能会改变我们的观点和愿望？

4. 在哪些情况下，你可能会因为基督的名而受到诽谤？当步入这些情境时，你是否犹豫、焦虑或恐惧？我们如何互相提醒，为基督受辱所得的祝福？

5. 未来荣耀的应许和永恒的盼望如何帮助我们克服目前的焦虑、挣扎和考验？

祷告焦点：

感谢神，虽然我们生活在这个世界上，作为神的子民，我们会经历如火的试炼，但祂并没有让我们自生自灭，而是赐给了我们喜乐、欢乐、祝福和神的灵。承认任何因害怕被侮辱或受苦而退缩不与基督联合的地方。承认任何恐惧或焦虑的想法，这些想法使你无法为耶稣站起来，与不认识基督的家人、朋友和同事分享福音。感谢神的宽恕、恩典和圣灵的力量。求神在未来如火的试炼中，赐下坚定、坚韧和正确的属天视角。

The Blessing & Joy of Suffering

Steven Lee

1 Peter 4:12–14

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.

[Introduction: Brokenness of our World] How many of us enjoy suffering? No one desires, relishes, or eagerly anticipates suffering. Whether a fractured collar bone, contracting COVID-19, chronic migraines, or beginning hospice care for a loved one, suffering reveals the brokenness of our world. Yet we believe that God has a good purpose in suffering.

[EAF on Futility of the World] The Elder Affirmation of Faith—the document all the elders are committed to uphold and teach—states it in the following way: “5.3 We believe God has subjected the creation to futility, and the entire human family is made justly liable to untold miseries of sickness, decay, calamity, and loss. Thus all the adversity and suffering in the world is an echo and a witness of the exceedingly great evil of moral depravity in the heart of mankind; and every new day of life is a God-given, merciful reprieve from imminent judgment, pointing to repentance.”

[EAF on God’s Eternal Purposes] Our Elder Affirmation of Faith also states that God is sovereign over all things, yet never sins, and his ordaining of all things is compatible with the moral accountability of all persons. It states it in the following way: “3.2 We believe that God upholds and governs all things – from galaxies to subatomic particles, from the forces of nature to the movements of nations, and from the public plans of politicians to the secret acts of solitary persons – all in accord with His eternal, all-wise purposes to glorify Himself, yet in such a way that He never sins, nor ever condemns a person unjustly; but that His ordaining and governing all things is compatible with the moral accountability of all persons created in His image.”

[The Pervasive Problem of Pain] We believe that our world groans under the weight of the pervasiveness of sin and that God is at work in the world in order to glorify himself. Very often we want easy and clear answers to our pain and suffering. Why am I suffering? What is its purpose? While we can’t always draw a straight line from pain to a specific purpose, in our passage this morning, we do get a glimpse of how God uses suffering in the lives of believers.

[Joseph on His Suffering] Like Joseph, after his brothers nearly killed him, sold him into slavery, he was unjustly thrown into prison, and now had the opportunity to repay his brothers, he said this to his brothers: “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20).

[Main Point] In our passage this morning Peter revisits and gives a final word on suffering (4:12–19). One of his aims is to help his readers make sense of their suffering for Jesus. Peter makes a startling claim in this passage. [Main Point]*****God is using and redeeming the suffering of believers for Jesus’ sake to intensify their joy in God.* Their experience of maligning, slander, and estrangement with the surrounding culture, is a sign of God’s blessing. In revisiting these truths, Peter wants his readers to be unshakeable and steadfast. Like a poured concrete foundation, he’s inserting these rods of rebar into the foundation of their faith.

[Plan & Context] Peter begins a new and final section that takes us to the end of the letter. In our passage Peter reminds his readers of two aspects of suffering:

1. God Uses Suffering: Be Unsurprised at Suffering (12)

2. God Redeems Suffering: Rejoice in Suffering (13–14)

Part 1: God Uses Suffering: Be Unsurprised at Suffering (12)

1 Peter 4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

[“Beloved”] Petercallsthem“beloved” to remind them of their status once again. They are not being punished, under wrath, or being judged. They are God’s beloved. The Father of Lies, Satan, shoots fiery darts that tell us we are condemned, forgotten, unlovable, beyond hope, too far broken, too inept, too dysfunctional, and that we deserve the suffering we experience. But Peter sticks that first piece of rebar in: believers in Jesus have beloved written on their hearts. Hardship does not mean God is absent, impotent, or angry.

[“Don’t Be Surprised”] Peter then commands “do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you.” This echoes his exhortation from 1:6–7, “you have been grieved by **various trials****, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is *tested by fire****—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6–7).* Suffering and trials test our faith. Peter is painting the image of a blacksmith removing impurities from precious metals through heating and reheating it in a fire. Like Proverbs 27:21, “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.”

[Refiner’s Fire in Malachi] In the book of Malachi God himself is described as a refiner’s fire: “[2] But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For [the Lord] is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. [3] He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.” (Malachi 3:2–3). The Levites, the priests, are the ones being refined so that they will “bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD.” Another way to put it is “once my people are purified they will be useful in serving me.”

[Refiner—Not Forest—Fire] God is not like a raging forest fire in CA, devouring everything in its way. God uses the fiery trials that believer’s experience as a perfectly calibrated precision instrument to accomplish his purpose. God uses suffering in the lives of believers to purify, not destroy. We’ve seen in 1 Peter 1:6–7 this truth, and therefore Peter reminds his readers to be unsurprised at trials and suffering.

[It’s Not Strange] Don’t view suffering “as though something strange were happening to you.” Why shouldn’t we think of suffering as strange? At one level it is strange—it’s not the way things should be when God created the perfectly. But sin entered into the world, and now believers should expect suffering in this life; we are “elect exiles,” this world is not our home. There are two types of suffering for believers: the fire of affliction and the fire of self-denial (e.g., “pick up your cross and follow me”). Peter’s focus has been mainly on the fire of affliction. We see this in verses like James 1:2–4.

James 1:2–4 “[2] Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, [3] for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. [4] And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

[Steadfastness of Faith]Testing of one’s faith has a purpose, namely to produce steadfastness. What is steadfastness? Here is one definition I came across: “Loyalty in the face of trouble and difficulty.” How do you know if you are loyal? The only way you’ll know is when you experience opposition. Will you trust in Jesus and his promises in that moment, or will you throw in the towel and give up? Will you cleave to Christ in tribulation, or will you choose to avoid persecution for being a follower of Christ? Trials produce steadfastness by testing one’s faith in Christ. Trials don’t just test our faith, but through that testing, helps believers to see and experience the truth that Christ is all we need. That Christ is all-sufficient, reliable, trustworthy, faithful, true, kind and gentle, and sovereign. God is using and redeeming suffering so that we will see that Christ is all that we need. He is trustworthy, and we emerged on the other side still cleaving to him. Every trial is an opportunity to display the trustworthiness of Jesus.

[Parable of the Sowers] Like the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:20–21, which says, “[20] As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, [21] yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.” When tribulation or persecution arises, he falls away. Yet this is one who heard the word and received it with joy. Testing purifies the church, but it also strengthens and deepens the roots of those who are true disciples of Jesus. In every fiery trial, God proves his faithfulness, his sovereignty, his trustworthiness, his goodness, and his love. With each trial we endure another strand of rebar is laid in the concrete foundation of our faith.

[Normal to Suffer] Suffering is unsurprising because it is assumed for all who will follow Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” It doesn’t mean the really radical disciples will be persecuted, but rather all. Perhaps not tomorrow, but it will come. Hostility will come as we share the gospel, as we hold to biblical convictions, and as we make disciples.

[Muslim Background Believer] I remember meeting a Muslim background believer in Indonesia a few years ago when we were doing a Bible training. This man shared his testimony of how he came to faith. He was a trained military expert for the Indonesia National Armed Forces, and was a practicing Muslim. Not only that, but he was a teacher of Islamic law and practice. Hundreds of students learned from and listened to this man. But at 40-years of age, he came to faith in Jesus. Next came persecution at the hands of his angry former students. This was not mean glares, but physical attacks. He was stabbed by a former student at one point (he ended up breaking the other guys arm), and was poisoned with rat poison mixed in with his sweet tea. This poison permanently damaged his kidney and liver, and doctors gave him a prognosis of one year to live. When we met, he was praising God for sustaining him a year and a half so far. He had been given more time than was expected and wasn’t going to waste it. Today this man shares the gospel constantly, living on borrowed time, with urgency and uncanny boldness—in a Muslim country no less. His sufferings confirmed his hope, strengthened his foundations, and clarified his priorities.

[Application: Elect Exiles] This morning, as we live as “elect exiles,” aliens and sojourners, are we surprised when we experience some suffering? Or do we see it as one of the ways God is purifying his church, strengthening our foundations, clarifying our priorities, and confirming our hope? Whatever may come, let the testing of our faith result in greater purity, greater steadfastness, and greater boldness.

[Transition] These two commands function as a negative statement and a positive statement. Don’t be surprised (that’s the negative side), but instead believers should rejoice in suffering (that’s the positive side).

God Redeems Suffering: Rejoice in Suffering (13–14)

1 Peter 4:13–14 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.

[Rejoice in Sharing Christ’s Sufferings] Christians are to rejoice and be glad as they share in Christ’s suffering. Not only unsurprised, but rejoice. Jesus said similarly in the Beatitudes, “11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11–12)

[Masochist? Joy in Pain?] Earlier we stated that no one enjoys suffering unless they are deranged, like a masochist. Is Jesus calling for us to be masochists? I don’t think so. He gives us the purpose clause, “that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” That is the purpose of rejoicing in suffering.

[Reason #1 to Rejoice in Suffering: Confirms Our Treasure] Believers rejoice because in sharing in Christ’s suffering, means they truly belong to God. It confirms that Jesus is their treasure and that they are truly children of God. We aren’t counterfeit disciples. We aren’t illegitimate children, but beloved children.

[Counterfeit Disciples] Willingness to endure suffering is a stamp of authenticity that says “true Christian.” This is what takes place when Peter and John are beaten for preaching Christ in Acts 5:41, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” Suffering confirms that Jesus is their treasure, despite the cost or suffering. God redeems suffering—he doesn’t waste it—to uses it to confirm in our hearts that “Jesus is better.” We are really being kept by God. It’s another piece of rebar being laid down into the foundation of our faith.

[Peter Denying Jesus] In our Bible reading plan this week in John 18, Peter wants to escape the suffering of looking bad and of being thought of poorly. He denies knowing Jesus or being his disciple. He was ashamed of Jesus. Are we ashamed of Jesus? Are we ashamed to claim Christ? At work, school, or in your neighborhood, are you afraid of admitting that you’re a follower of Christ? Are you willing to align yourself with Jesus, and not give in to what is culturally acceptable on one side or the other?

[Reason #2 to Rejoice in Suffering: Glory Revealed] The second reason is that believers are promised a future joy when Christ returns at his second coming. Suffering for the sake and name of Jesus right now identifies us with Christ, that means when Jesus returns we partake and rejoice in the revelation of his glory. Consider God’s glory that passed by Moses as he was covered on Mt. Sinai. He glowed with the reflected glory of God. In Jesus, when he comes, we will behold glory in all of his fullness. Unfiltered and undiminished, and we won’t even die as we behold it.

[Illustration: Vikings Win Super Bowl] Let’s say you’re a Vikings fan and you believe, without a doubt, that they will win the Super Bowl this year. Everyone else is a naysayer and they think you’re crazy. But if the Vikings win it all, at the Super Bowl parade, you will celebrate and rejoice at their victory. Right now, everyone thinks believers are crazy. They are naysayers: God’s dead, there is no God, how could you believe in such fables. But when Jesus returns in all of his glory, we will rejoice with immeasurable, mind-blowing, heart-exploding joy. Imagine that day. In that day there will be no room for bandwagon fans. You were either willing to suffer with Christ, or not.

[Incomparable Joy] To share in suffering now serves to confirm that we will partake in the incomparable joy and celebration when Christ in all of his glory returns to rule and reign over what is rightfully his. Earthly suffering will not compare with the glory and joy we will experience when Christ returns, and our faith is vindicated.

[Hebrews & Moses] InHebrewswe get a similar illustration regarding Moses in Hebrews 11:26“He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” Take the long view when it comes to suffering for Jesus, knowing that you will be vindicated, rewarded, and receive everlasting joy and glory with God forever. Revelation 2:10 says, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Paul writes in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Present suffering does not compare with future glory. God gloriously redeems suffering to intensify and maximize our joy in him.

[Blessed to be Insulted] Peter then gives a very specific example in a If/Then construction: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Peter 4:14). Again we see that this fiery trial is suffering insults for the name of Christ. Peter again gives a stunning word: you are blessed to be insulted for Christ. This is the upside down nature of the kingdom. When we suffer the world says you’re cursed, and yet God says we are blessed. Why are we blessed? It says “because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

[Spirit on Messiah is same on Believers | Allusion to Isaiah 11:1-2] This phrase “Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” alludes to Isaiah 11:1–2“There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him…” This Isaiah passage is speaking about Jesus that would come from the line of Jesse, and the Spirit of the Lord would rest upon him. So the Spirit of God enables the prophets, like Isaiah, to speak of the coming sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. This Spirit of glory and of God—namely the Holy Spirit, is the same Spirit that rested upon and empowered Jesus for his earthly ministry, and is the same Spirit that caused him to rise from the dead. And Peter says this same Spirit is now resting on all of God’s believers.

[Baptism Image] When Jesus was baptized, what happened? Luke’s gospel account tells us: “and the Holy Spirit descended on [Jesus] in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” The Spirit rested upon Jesus as a visible sign of God’s favor upon Jesus, and that he is God’s beloved Son. And now, Peter takes that same image and applies it to all of Jesus’ disciples. When you’re insulted for the name of Christ, you’re blessed because the Holy Spirit is resting upon you like it rested upon Jesus to indicate that you are God’s beloved children in whom he is well pleased.

[I Will Never Leave You] What this means for us is that when we experience suffering for the sake of Jesus, it means that God is with us by his Spirit. The Holy Spirit is upholding us, sustaining us, empowering us, keeping us, groaning on our behalf, and giving us words in the moment we need them most. God will never leave us nor will he forsake us because he has given us his Spirit.

[What Would Be Enough?] What would make suffering palatable or sustainable? What would allow us to endure maligning, slander, or hostility? If we had the guarantee and promise that God sees us, hears our prayers, in present with us, sustaining us, enabling us to persevere, and empowering us to testify to his name. Would that be enough? If the very Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead—God himself in the third person of the Trinity—right by your side and indwelling you and filling you with power, faith, and hope as you endure? Would that be enough? And that is precisely what God promises us this morning. The Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you!

[Transition] God uses suffering to test, strengthen, and deepen our faith. So do not be surprised. And God redeems our suffering, using it to confirm that Jesus is our treasure, and uses it to intensify our everlasting joy in God because we have been given his Holy Spirit.

Application & Conclusion

[Elect Exiles] Choosing to suffering with Jesus in this life only seems crazy if you believe that this is as good as it gets. Peter reminds us throughout this letter, we are elect exiles, aliens and sojourners, here on earth. This is not our final home, and it is not where we have our best life now. This is camping, nomadic sojourning, as we eagerly await our eternal home with Jesus in the heavens.

[Word to Unbelievers] This morning, if you’re living to squeeze out all of the joy, satisfaction, and pleasure that you can in this life, we want to call you to something better. This life can offering a few pleasures: prosperity, physical pleasures, and exhilaration. But it does not last, and more often than not, comes with it heartache, pain, and eventually death. But Jesus offers you this morning a better way. A life surrendered to Christ means peace in the storms, eternal hope in death, joy in suffering, love within a new blood-bought family, and the guarantee of everlasting and ever-increasing joy. If you’re undecided this morning, we’d love to talk with you about your eternal destiny.

[Application] Believers can experience joy and gladness because God us using and redeeming our suffering for his everlasting purposes, and he will turn our sorrow into everlasting joy. Not only will every tear will be wiped away, our joy, gladness, and rejoicing will never cease.

[Look to the Reward] How then can we suffer well? Look forward to the greater reward that you will receive. We will behold God in all of his glory. We will share in that glory, we will be vindicated, we will not be ashamed, but we will experience infinite, ever-increasing, multiplying joy when Jesus returns. Meditating on the Scriptures is not just an exercise of knowing what the Scriptures say, but it’s allowing these truths to undo the lies, to reshape our hearts, and to reorient our priorities to long for the return of Jesus and the revelation of his glory. How much do we long for his return?

[Holy Spirit Rests Upon Us] And the other way we can suffer well is to know that we are God’s beloved, that the Holy Spirit right now is resting upon us, and that God will never leave us nor will he forsake us. Charles Spurgeon once said that “they who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls.” Suffering with joy as a Christian is not only possible, but it tests our faith, confirms that Christ is our treasure, reveals to the world that “Jesus is better,” and proves the praiseworthiness and preciousness of Christ.

[Christian Hedonism] Christian Hedonism has long define this aspect of what our church believes about God. We believe that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. That when we delight in God, long for his return, rejoice with gladness when he’s shown to be worthy and precious, and when we say Jesus is better than suffering, God gets all of the glory. We get all of the joy. And our lives function as a living testimony that Christ is better, he is sufficient, he is all-satisfying, he is great, he is trustworthy, he is precious, and he is everything to us. I pray that we would—in the midst of pain, suffering, and sorrow—experience the joy and gladness of Jesus over and above all else.

Sermon Discussion Questions

Sermon Title: The Blessing & Joy of Suffering

Sermon Text: 1 Peter 4:12–14

Main Point: God is using and redeeming the suffering of believers for Jesus’ sake to intensify their joy in God.

Outline:

1. God Uses Suffering: Be Unsurprised at Suffering (12)

2. God Redeems Suffering: Rejoice in Suffering (13–14)

Intro Question: Have you ever been on the receiving end of some hard or harsh words that caught you off guard? How did that make you feel?

Discussion Questions:

1. Why does Peter begin this section with “beloved?” Why might he want to reinforce this truth?

2. Why should believers we unsurprised at suffering? What is this sufferings purpose?

3. Why can believers rejoice and be glad when sharing in Christ’s sufferings?

4. What does it mean “when his glory is revealed?” How does future glory put into perspective present suffering?

5. What does it mean to be blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God to rest upon believers 6. when they are insulted for the name of Christ? How does Isaiah 11:1–2 help us understand this?

Application Questions:

1. If we are to be unsurprised at fiery trials, how can we cultivate the type of heart, attitude, and perspective that won’t be caught off guard?

2. What truths help us to rejoice and be glad even as we suffer for the name of Christ?

3. How are believers to view earthly sufferings and earthly pleasures against the backdrop of future glory when Christ returns? How might this change our perspective and desires?

4. What are some situations where you might be maligned for the name of Christ? Are you hesitant, anxious, or fearful when stepping into those situations? How can we remind each other of the blessing of being insulted for Christ?

5. How does the promise of future glory and eternal hope help us overcome our present anxieties, struggles, and trials?

Prayer Focus:

Thank God that though we live in a world where we will experience fiery trials as God’s people, he has not left us to our own resources, but has given us gladness, joy, blessing, and God’s Spirit. Confess any areas of shrinking back from aligning yourself with Christ in fear of insults or suffering. Confess any fearful or anxious thoughts that keep you from standing up for Jesus and sharing the gospel with family, friends, and coworkers without Christ. Thank God for forgiveness, grace, and the enabling strength of the Holy Spirit. Ask God for steadfastness, perseverance, and the right heavenly perspective in the midst of future fiery trials.