Welcome Suffering as a Part of Life: Fiery Trails (Part 2) - 1 Peter 4:12-19

1:31I don't know what's in store this semester. I don't know what's in store for you the rest of today. I don't know what's in store in the next few weeks, a few months. I don't know where God is going to take you or what circumstances you are going to face, but I am sure of this: that you are going to be tested. If you are in Christ, if your faith and trust is in Christ, and you are a follower of Him, and you have set your heart on things above, it's going to show up in the way you live, and there will be times of testing.

2:10This is what was going on in 1 Peter. The whole book is about encouraging a group of people, a group of churches scattered far and wide through suffering. How to encourage the church through suffering. That's what Peter is doing. And if you and I live in the face of eternity, we're going to be marked as different people. You're going to be known by who you are not. You'll be known for who you are by who you are not.

2:46And so, out of this situation, fiery trials can come. Certainly, for Peter's audience, it did. And what Peter wants to do is he wants to encourage these scattered believers. To maintain their faith through these fiery trials. And we're in the second part of this series or this two-part sermon. First part, you remember we looked at what you can expect. No matter who you are, if you are in Christ, you can expect fiery trials to come. It's what it says. Verse 12. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing as though some strange thing were happening to you. Expect them. Fiery trials are going to come.

3:38But also, rejoice in fiery trials. Peter says to rejoice. Look at verse 13. But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of his glory you may rejoice with exaltation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. Your fiery trials, those moments where your faith is tested because you stand for the things of God, because you follow Christ, those moments are times to rejoice. They are cause for rejoicing because of the future glory that awaits you. Because Christ's sufferings in this world are not going to be separated from the Glory to come. In other words, if you partake of one, you will partake of the other. And so suffering is an indication of what's ahead for you on the glory side of things.

4:44But also, fiery trials are cause for rejoicing because of the present glory. Because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. Verse 14. Throughout Scripture, the Spirit of glory and of God is the evidence of His presence, His power, His blessing, and His purpose. So the Spirit of God rests upon those who do what is right because they love the name of Christ. That is where the Spirit of glory resides. So there is reason to rejoice. And as this church, these churches were facing the trials and the persecution under Nero, Peter is saying, expect them and rejoice in them. And then he goes on. And let's just pick up there in verse 15, and I'll read to the end of the chapter. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler. But if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify. Glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, those who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

6:32So expect fiery trials, rejoice in fiery trials, and glorify God in fiery trials. So how do you glorify God in fiery trials or in the midst of your fiery trial? And I want to just say, chances are you're not going to experience a fiery trial to the degree that this church or these churches here in 1 Peter were experiencing. We may experience some ridicule, some scorn, some shame, we may be an object of derision. Chances are we'll probably just be a step out of our social group. Our social group may reject us, but you're probably not going to experience the catastrophic persecution like this church. But it's still real. And the exhortation, That was given to them applies to us as well. No matter how big of an ordeal you're going through, it is there to test your faith and to give you the occasion to glorify God in the midst of it. So, how do you glorify God in the midst of your trial? Well, you need to make sure that you suffer for the right cause. You need to make sure that if you're suffering, that it is for the right cause. And how do you know what the right cause is? Well, first thing Peter wants to make sure is that you understand what the wrong cause is. Okay? Look back at verse 15. This is how you don't want to suffer. This is the wrong cause. Verse 15: make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or a troublesome meddler. Now, a murderer, murderer in the Greek means somebody who kills somebody. Not that common, it was a capital offense. Somebody who killed, don't kill anybody. A thief. You know what that means? A klepto. Kleptomaniac. Somebody who steals things, right? That's the word, someone who steals or an evildoer. It's a criminal. He's already talked about that in 1 Peter 2:14. A criminal. This is a general term for all crimes, all kinds of crimes, but criminal, maybe even insurrectionists, don't suffer as a criminal. You know, pretty basic, right? That's what we tell people who get baptized here. The first thing is they come to Christ. Okay, three things. Now, don't kill anybody. Don't go rob any banks. And don't try to overthrow the government. You know, pretty basic Christianity, right? Well, that's kind of, he seems pretty extreme here. But it's the fourth one that Peter is putting the emphasis. It goes without saying, yeah, don't go kill people. Don't be a murderer. Don't be a thief. Don't be an evildoer. This is pretty basic. It's up here. Those are high crimes. And then he throws this one in there, and don't be a troublesome meddler. It's like he elevates that to the same degree as these others. And this is where his emphasis is. And it's a very rare word. It's only here in the New Testament, and it hardly shows up in Greek literature at all.

9:50And the word, it's a compound word, and it contains the word episcopos, which is the word we get bishop or episcopalian, or supervisor, a bishop, a guardian, an overseer, episcopos. And it also contains the word other. So the other bishop or the other episcopos. And Dionysius in the fifth century uses this word one time, and he refers to a bishop who encroached upon another's diocese. So the picture of a bishop who has gone outside of his own diocese and is in the affairs of another.

10:30It's a picture of somebody meddling in affairs that are not his or her own. I mean, you can think about this. I mean, how would you feel this morning? How would I feel this morning? If one of our pastors from our association came in and said, you know, Pastor Tom, can you step down for a minute? I've got a message that I want to deliver this morning. We say, well, wait a second, this isn't your, I want to address your congregation this morning. You step down. Well, that would be like, well, you know, that's kind of a little out of place. You know, this isn't your pastorate. You know, it'd be out of line. You're over here in a place where you don't belong. Now, think about it this way.

11:10Suppose I decided we need to start doing living room checks at everyone's house. And I decided I'd come to your house to make sure your furniture was positioned the way I liked it. Now, how would you feel if we started coming into your house and saying, you know what, I don't like whether you've arranged this furniture? You'd probably kick me out pretty quick, right? I mean, especially, how would you ladies feel if I started coming and saying, okay, this is where your kitchen, you know, out of a lot, let me change things around here. You'd say, you're out. In fact, we could probably give that advice to pastors that want to commit suicide, right? We can call it that PAS, you know, pastor-assisted suicide, right? Go in there and start doing this. You'll be out in no time, right? Well, that's the idea. Don't be meddling in affairs that are not your own. This is what Peter is holding up there in a very high sin because it's sure to bring suffering. But it won't be a kind of suffering that glorifies God. It'll be a kind of suffering because you were meddling in affairs that were not your own.

12:26See, there's a proverb. Proverbs 26:17 says this: like one who takes a dog by the ears is he who passes by and meddles with strife not belonging to him. In other words, taking a dog, a ravenous dog, by the ears is not a good idea, right? You're probably going to get bit. And that's the same picture of somebody who gets into somebody else's affairs. Stay out of them. And it's very important that we, as a church, stay out of affairs that do not belong to us. And this is what he's saying to the church there. Be careful about getting wrapped up and into issues that the church has no business being in.

13:16But also, on an individual level, make sure that you are not one who gets in the affairs of others where you don't belong. The only reason you should ever Get involved in somebody else's life is to help the situation. And this is incredibly liberating, by the way. If you had to insert yourself in everybody else's issues and everybody else's affairs that don't involve you, you would be running around pretty crazy. So make sure you suffer for the right cause. Don't suffer for the wrong cause. So how do you glorify in the midst of fiery trials? Well, you make sure you don't suffer for the wrong cause, but there is the right cause. Look back at verse 16. But if anyone suffers, let it be as a Christian. And look at the end of that verse. In this name. In this name, as a Christian. You see, early Christians didn't first call themselves Christians. This name was given to them and probably given to them by their enemies. They were first called Christians at Antioch, according to Acts 11:26. Agrippa also used this term to refer when Paul was making his defense at Caesarea. And he says, Paul, you know, in such a short time, do you think you persuade me to be a Christian? Kind of a term of derision. Well, the word Christian is very much like Herodian. Grammatically, a Herodian was those partisans of Herod, those followers of Herod, those political supporters of Herod. Herod. A Christian were those followers of Christ. Same construction. So a Christian was somebody that the outside world saw as a follower of Christ, and this showed up in the way they lived, the things they said, and the people who they were. And so they were identified and targeted as Christians. So as Christians, we are to make sure that if we suffer, let it be for the name of Christ. As a follower, I'm doing what Christ wants me to do. I'm following Him. Let my suffering in this world be because of that.

15:47You see, we must all stay true to our calling, true to our task, because there's no safety, no blessing anywhere else. But for those who suffer, because they are identified with Christ, there is where the Spirit of glory resides. There is where God's purpose is. There is where His Word is going forth. In fact, if I was John Piper, I might just say, don't waste your suffering. Don't suffer for the wrong thing, right? Suffer for Christ.

16:20So how? Let me come back to this question. So how do you glorify God in the midst of fiery trials? Well, first of all, you make sure that you are suffering for the right cause. But that's not enough. You could be suffering. For the right cause, but you can do it in the wrong way. So you must not only be suffering for the right cause, but you must suffer in the right way. And that's what Peter goes on to say. But if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. Two imperative commands: you must not be ashamed. You see, if you'll never glorify God if you're ashamed of him.

16:59The word for ashamed means embarrassed or disgraced or dishonored. Do you feel a sense of shame when your name is associated with Christ in your campus, in your work, wherever you are, in your family? Does the name of Christ some kind give you a little, oh, I don't want to be linked to that name in this setting? I'm sure if you've lived any kind of life as a Christian, you've experienced that feeling. I know I have.

17:31Paul's one desire in life in Philippians 1:20 was that, I hope, my earnest expectation and hope is that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now always and always be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. John's desire was the same as Paul's. Now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears, we may have. Confidence and not shrink away from him in shame at his coming. You see, the reality is most of us don't like to be singled out, do we? We don't like to be made an object of derision. And in those situations where we are ostracized from our social group because of the name of Christ, we tend to want to shrink back and maybe even not even be a voice or not even be associated with the name of Christ or do in our subtle ways to shrink away from being identified as Christian.

18:37And I can tell you, this semester, next few months, maybe even this week, you will meet with sarcasm if you are following Christ for sure. You're going to meet with sarcasm. You may meet with scorn. Some of it may even be to your face or ridicule. You may experience a form of isolation and contempt because of your faith. And there is going to be a temptation when that happens for you to be embarrassed and feel ashamed of the name of Christ. But don't be. And that's what Peter is saying. Don't be. This is no reason to be ashamed. He is King of kings. He is Lord of lords. All the world will see that. He will be revealed for who he is. And you will be revealed along with him. And there is no shame in that name. He is the most glorious, the most beautiful. Person that has ever walked this planet, and there is no reason at all to ever be ashamed of his name, or you being ashamed being called a follower of him.

19:43Now, the things you are to be ashamed of is to be a murderer, or anything in that family, even hating somebody, a thief, or anything in that family as coveting, or an evildoer of any sort, or a troublesome meddler. All of these things are reasons to be ashamed, but not the name of Christ. Do not be ashamed of the name of Jesus Christ. It is beautiful, and all the world is going to see it. Do not be ashamed of being identified as a follower of Christ. And don't be ashamed of your brothers and sisters in Christ when they are being singled out and going through fiery trials. Stand with them. Do not be ashamed of the body of Christ, because they too will be revealed for who they are.

20:38So the right way to suffer is for the right cause, in the right way. And instead of being ashamed, you must glorify God. You see, the opposite of being ashamed is feeling honored. Somebody puts the label Christian upon you, that's an honor. I pray that that be true of me in every sense of the word. Word to the very depth and core of my being. I pray when you call me a Christian, I pray that that is true to the very depth of my being, and I am honored.

21:13You see, when you live to please man, their scorn of Christ will make you feel ashamed. But if you live to glorify God, the scorn of man is an occasion to glorify God, and you will be honored for being identified as one of His. You see, being ashamed is going to turn you into a coward, but a love to glorify Christ's name will make you bold. So, what does glorifying God look like? Oh, in those fiery moments, those split seconds, usually they come upon you when you're not expecting it, kind of knock you off your feet. Acknowledge your faith in Christ without fear, regardless of the consequences. That's how you glorify God. To acknowledge your faith without fear, not as a troublesome meddler. Don't be a jerk. Don't insert yourself. Do so with graciousness and gentleness and kindness, but firmness.

22:25You see, you glorify God when you exhibit trust in Him. Glorify God when you exhibit a patience and a confidence that God is doing what he is doing, and I will glorify him in this circumstance, regardless of what happens. You remember Job's wife? Job curse God and die. Job wouldn't. He glorified God, though he went through a great struggle. Glorifying God is maintaining that courage and that identification with Christ and even giving him thanks, even though you may not understand what's going on in your world.

23:11So you need to welcome suffering as part of life because it is. And you will be brought through fiery trials. Expect them. Rejoice in them. And glorify God in your fiery trials. But also, as Peter goes on, trust God in those trials. And this is the exhortation that we come to in the last three verses. Let's just walk our way through it. First of all, it's important to understand that God is the one who judges. In fact, the language is that He is currently judging our situation. And He knows what He is doing. Verse 17: For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us first, What will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? The time to begin, the beginning of a process. A process is underway and it has begun. Judgment. The word for judgment speaks of a judicial process that renders a judgment or a decision, a judicial process that reaches a conclusion and a decision.

24:27And there is this season of judgment, is what he's talking about. A season, a judgment, that begins at the household of God and it ends, the outcome, with those who do not obey the gospel of God. It begins with us, the household of God. This is not speaking of the physical temple in Jerusalem. This is a metaphor, using that as a picture of the church. And that is why Peter lumps himself in there with the word us. We're not talking about 70 AD here. We are talking about the body of Christ, us. And Peter puts himself using that metaphor, the house of God. And he uses it and he links himself to all of us in that.

25:18Now, September 1 was an interesting day this past week. September 1 happened to be on Labor Day. A lot of people were not at work on Labor Day. Day. And for those of you hunters, do you know what September 1 is? It's the beginning of dove season, right? I didn't know that. I'm not a hunter. But I was in my study, and long before the sun came up, but just as that morning light was coming, it sounded like there was a war zone. Pow! Pow pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! Pow! You know, that's about the time the doves start to fly. And Nancy got out and was out for a walk. That's my wife. She was out for a walk. She started going down one road. Pow pow, pow, pow. She goes, wow, that's crazy. I'm going down this other road. Pow pow, pow, pow. You get the picture. Everybody's at home, September 1. Everyone thought they'd be there for opening day. Well, that's opening season, right? Or that's the idea here, a season of judgment. Just like dove season begins and it ends. So judgment is seen as one piece, and it begins with the household of God in this life, and it concludes at the great white throne judgment when all of those who disobey the gospel, all of those angelic beings, and Satan himself, and even death, is thrown into the lake of fire.

26:50So he is currently judging the household of God, and he is judging them by taking them through trials, through suffering. In fact, if you turn back to... Chapter 1 and verse 6, he's been talking about this throughout. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith being more precious than gold, which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Interesting to note that it is the proof of your faith that is more precious. Not just your faith, but the proof of your faith. And trials, only trials, are going to bring out that proof.

27:43And throughout the letter, the members of the household of God are those who are characterized by obedience. In fact, chapter 1, verse 2, it is the sanctifying work of the Spirit to sanctify God's people so that they will obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood. So those of the household of God are those who obey him. And God's judgment, it's important to understand that God's judgment upon his people involves a disciplining judgment, not a condemnation judgment, but a cleansing judgment, a purification process. In fact, in Malachi 3, 1 through 5, there's this picture of Christ, the refined.

28:30Who comes to his temple and he uses fire. He is a purifier, like a smelter, one who sanctifies and purifies his people so that they will be able to give offerings that are acceptable and pleasing to God. And that is what Christ does: he refines those people of his. In fact, suffering is profound, profound in Hebrews. Hebrews chapter 2 and 10. Let me read to you what is somewhat of a difficult passage to understand. Chapter 2, verse 10 says, For it was fitting for him, speaking of God, for whom are all things, and through whom all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. Now, how is Christ going to be perfected through sufferings? He is the Son of God, perfect in his being. And yet, here the writer of Hebrews is saying he had to go through in his humanity, through the sufferings, to bring him to perfection. It's a deep thought. But the important thing to note here is that God uses suffering, even in the life of Christ, in his humanity, to perfect him, to make him a perfect high priest.

30:00Very profound and deep thought. But if he used suffering for him, guess what he's going to use for us? Also, while you're there, Hebrews 12, 7, and 8. Let me just read this to you. Hebrews 12, 7 and 8. What does he say? It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. I guarantee you, none of you came to Christ and were perfect on the spot so that no discipline was needed. I haven't had one perfect child yet in my family. All of them need some way, shape, or form of discipline. Some of them a lot more than others. But all of us, all of us. And Jesus promised that we would have tribulation in this world, but such judgment is not to condemn us. Romans 8:1 says, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. But that judgment prepares us for heaven, that purifying work of our Redeemer. 1 Corinthians 11, 32 says this, But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

31:24See, God is the one currently judging us. This promises are not true for those who disobey the gospel. They don't have any of this. There is a future for them, a future judgment. Look back. He will judge. He is currently judging his people in a refining sense, but he will judge those who do not obey the gospel. And look back, verse 17. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel?

32:04The answer is: this judgment here is for condemnation. And it's condemnation for those who disobey the gospel. And those who disobey the gospel have already been revealed as those who disobey his word. In chapter 2, and verse 8, and 3, verse 1. These are the ones who disobey. And this is a horrible, horrible designation. Don't let this be you. Don't let your life be one who, the final judgment. This is one who disobeyed the gospel. You see, if you continue, you will never have the promises and the hopes that come along with the gospel. If you disobey the gospel, you refuse the promises. You lose the hopes. And all the good things that go along with it. They're not for you because you disobeyed it. It is a horrible designation.

33:07What about you? Are you characterized by one who is obeying the gospel or one who disobeys it? So, what is the gospel? It's a good question. What is the good news? Well, I can tell you in our society, we've got a lot of different gospels going around. There is the politically correct gospel, and this is the one that says there is no such thing as sin, only diversity. Put a lot in that Trojan horse. That's the politically correct gospel. But then there's the secular gospel. It goes something like this: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die and rot. There is no judgment. For them, the good news is that there is no judgment to come. That's the gospel, according to the secularists. But that's not the gospel, according to Scripture.

33:58Then there's that fire ensuring that fire insurance, conscious, calming gospel that says, go ahead and do whatever you want, and you can have all of your sin and all of heaven too. And it is characterized by faithless prayers and fruitless lifestyle. All of that is not the gospel. What is the gospel? Well, it begins in truth. And it comes to you, first of all, telling you the truth about sin. Sin is bad for you. Sin is bad for you. Being disconnected from God is bad for you.

34:36America, your sexual sin is destroying your sons and daughters. That's how the gospel comes. In truth, about your sin. Sin is bad for you. But the good news of it is, you don't have to live under the penalty and power of your sins because of the work of Christ. You don't have to live under the penalty, God's wrath upon it, and you don't have to live under the power because of his sanctifying and redeeming work as your high priest.

35:16That's the gospel. Therefore, repent and believe. Turn away. You don't have to live under the guilt of your shame and your sin any longer. Turn away. Put your faith and trust in Christ and be forgiven. Well, judgment begins with the household of God, but it doesn't end there. It ends with the final great white throne judgment. So trust God in your fiery trials. Listen, you don't want to switch places with the godless. Look at verse 18. And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Peter is quoting Proverbs 11:31 here, and he's two proverbs. Two parts to this proverb. First, if it is difficult that the righteous is saved, it is with difficulty that they are saved. And the idea of difficulty is the word that is used in Acts 27 to speak of the difficulty of the ship making its way in the water.

36:21Well, the salvation of the righteous is a difficult thing. And now, in 1 Peter, the reality of the final salvation of God's people is never in question. That's a theme throughout, that they will be saved. They will rejoice. God will keep them firm to the end. Yet it is an extremely difficult thing for the righteous to be saved. And if you think about it, what does it take for the righteous to be saved? Well, first of all, it takes a perfect sacrifice. Wow. That sure limits things down. Not only that, a perfect sacrifice that was willing to suffer. It takes a perfect sacrifice that was not only willing to suffer, but had to be able to endure the excruciating pain, the intolerable ridicule, and the public rejection, and the temptation to walk away from it all. It's with difficulty that we would find someone ready, willing, and able to do that. And that is Christ. He comes on the scene. But there's more. There must be a believing heart, which implies that ears hear, which implies. Implies that mouths have spoken, which implies that feet have gone.

37:35And then there's the sustaining ability to get through the fiery trials of life, the unjust suffering, the purging fires that separate true and false conversions, and the fires of God's discipline. It's with difficulty that anybody finally arrive to that final glorified salvation. This is why Matthew 7:14, Jesus says, only few find it. It's a difficult thing. But in Christ, all things are possible, even your salvation. But the godless have none of this going for them. And so that's why Peter says, if it's with difficulty that the righteous are saved, what's going to become of the godless sinner who has none of this? It's a rhetorical question. And the answer is they're not going to be saved. In fact, they're going to come under the condemnation and full wrath and fury of a holy God. And none can deliver from that.

38:42But I want you to see the two terms that are used here to describe those who are going to be condemned. The first word, verse 18, godless. Who is a godless person? A godless person is somebody who lives as if there is. Is no God. Well, they're not as bad as they could be, maybe. It doesn't have to deal with the degree of their sin, but just the fact that they go through life as if there is no God. Who are you?

39:14Do you go through life cognizantly aware of God and prayerfully in communion with Him, or do you go through your practical day-to-day life as if there is no God? And the second word is a sinner. And this is one who breaks God's laws. He's the one who crosses the line and violates His commands. So if you live as if there is no God and you cross those lines, what do you think is going to be your outcome? Do you think there's something other than a perfect sacrifice that's going to save you?

39:51It's a mass of humanity running off a cliff. Well, the season of judgment has begun, and God is the one who judges. And so we can trust Him. We can trust Him. In verse 19, there are three ways that I want to show you real quick how you demonstrate your trust in God. First of all, you need to know that your suffering is the will of God. Look at verse 19. Therefore, those who suffer according to the will of God, your suffering is the will of God. And if it is God's will, then it is good. You can rest in that. Second thing, Second way to demonstrate your trust in God is to resign the outcome to God. Therefore, those who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator. Luke 23, 46. Let me just read that to you to give you an idea of what that scene is. Here's Jesus on the cross. What does entrust mean? Same word right here. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. And having said this, he breathed his last. That's what it means to entrust your soul. Entrust your soul, give it over. As Christ dying on the cross, I trust you. I give my soul over to you. So resign the outcome to God. And recognize that God is described as your Creator. He made you, and He is faithful to sustain you. He didn't just make you so that He could wreak misery on your life, but that He would give you the good life so you can trust Him. And what He is doing in your life is preparing you for that eternal glory. So trust Him. So know that your suffering is the will of God. Resign the outcome to God. And third, continue to do what is right. Notice how you entrust yourself to God. Entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

42:00In the midst of your fiery trials, because of the name of Christ, because you are doing what is right, and it brings ridicule, it brings scorn, it brings whatever, stay on the path, is what Peter is saying. Stay on the path. This is how you demonstrate faithful, that you trust God, is by continuing to do what is right, regardless of the outcome. Well, I don't know what's ahead for the church of the United States. I don't know what's in store for you this semester, but I do know that all of us are going to face a range of trials this fall. Peter's exhortation is: welcome the suffering as part of life.

42:44You see, if you can love God in the midst of the fiery trials of life, you will love him anywhere, anytime, all the time. And you will be ready for that eternal, eternity of profound blessing with him. But you just have these moments here to be tested in these fires of life. Glorify Him in them. And why does God allow these trials? Well, for His sake? Not really. He knows what's in your heart. For the world's sake? Yes. He's got redemption on His mind, and He wants a true witness. And sometimes you'll be put in the Crucible, so that the truthfulness of your faith will come out, and others will see, and they will turn to the Lord that you serve.

43:43But that's not all. You're not just some pawn. And so the fiery trial is more than that. It's for our sakes. It's for his sake? No. The world's sake, yes. For our sake, yes. And for our joy. You see, we need the proof of our faith ourselves. It is the proof of our faith that gives you that confidence before the Lord that will bring about an exaltation and a rejoicing and a joy indescribable at his revelation.

44:19He puts you these things for your joy, that you may know what's truly in your heart. So welcome suffering for righteousness' sake as part of life. They are given to you for your joy and for his glory. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for this church, for these many churches scattered in Asia Minor, and the message that you, by your Spirit, spoke to and forever preserved that we might be able to look into these things and see your heart.

45:00And hear your voice and what you're saying to us today. Father, help us to glorify you. Forgive us where we have sensed and felt shame because of your name, for we know you are glorious. And Father, I just thank you this morning for your people. Now I ask by your Spirit to make us more obedient, sanctify us with your gentle hand, and your strong hand, and your firm hand, and your disciplining hand. Father, help us to be a people that will welcome it. In Jesus' name.