SUFFERING FOR CHRIST

IOI CHRISTIAN MORNING MEAL

TOPIC: SUFFERING FOR CHRIST

TEXT: 1 PETER 4:12-19

let us find out why we need to suffer for Christ and what we can do to cope.

Our passage says that early believers were surprised at the painful trial they suffered and thought that it was as though something strange were happening to them.

What kind of sufferings were Peter’s readers experiencing?

1. Suffering for doing what is good because one is conscious of God. (1 Peter 2:19)

It is obvious that people do not appreciate your good deeds because you are conscious of God. They think that you simply want to impress others and make them look bad. Others thought that you are self-righteous and critical of their behaviors.

2. Suffering for being a Christian. (1 Peter 4:16)

Not everyone recognize the identity and intention of Christ when He died on the cross. A lot of people insulted him and Jesus said that if this happened to him then we must prepare ourselves for the same destiny.

Peter said “don’t be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering as though something strange were happening to you.”
Why would Peter’s readers not be surprised at the painful trial they were suffering?

1. Sufferings prove the genuineness of our faith (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Suffering is not to be regarded as something foreign to Christian experience but rather as a refining test. As gold is extracted and refined by fire so is our faith being refined by trials and sufferings.

The genuineness and strength of faith can be proven by subjecting it to trials and sufferings. God wanted us to have faith that will pass every type of testing. We must have faith that outlived the sufferings and trials of life.

ILLUSTRATION Christians are like tea; their real strength is not drawn out until they get into hot water.

2. Sufferings are part of God’s calling. (1 Peter 2:21-23)

Jesus said, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first" (John 15:18). Let us realize that suffering is part of the package that Christianity offers.
Sufferings are instrument of Satan to discourage us. But be strong and believe that and end will surely come to your suffering and you shall be glorify in Jesus.

LET US PRAY
DEAR LORD JESUS, LET MY SUFFERING TURN TO JOY THIS MONTH IN JESUS NAME.

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Good morning friends