Sunday, Oct 16, 2016
When You Suffer for Your Faith (Part 1)
Speaker: Sherwood Graham
Passage: 1 Peter 4:12-14
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  1. Do not be shocked when you suffer for your faith (1 Peter 4:12)
    1. Suffering is God’s will for those whom He loves (1 Peter 1:22, 2:11, 4:8; 2 Peter 1:16)
    2. Suffering for Christ is not a strange thing to His followers (2 Timothy 3:12; John 15:18-21; Matthew 5:10-12, 10:14, 17, 21-36; Acts 5:41, 7:58, 11:24-25, 14:22; 1 Corinthians 4:9; 2 Corinthians 6).
    3. Suffering is intended to test and purify our faith (1 Peter 1:7; 4:17-18; Hebrews 5:8; Psalm 66:10, Malachi 3:1-4)
  2. Rejoice when you suffer for your faith (1 Peter 4:13)
    1. Suffering for Christ requires a renewed commitment to rejoice (Matthew 5:10-12; Philippians 4:4; James 1:2-3; 1 Peter 1:6; Acts 5:41, 16:25; Romans 5:3)
    2. Suffering for Christ is a fellowship in His sufferings (1 Peter 3:18; John 15:18-19; Acts 9:4-5; Philippians 3:10; Colossians 1:24; Romans 8:17; Galatians 6:17)
    3. Suffering for Christ is a pledge of future glory with Him (1 Peter 1:6-7, 13; Luke 6:22-23; Matthew 20:20-23; 1 Peter 1:11, 5:1; John 16:20-22; Romans 8:18-30; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18)
  3. You are blessed when you suffer for your faith (1 Peter 4:14)
    1. Suffering for Christ includes bearing reproach for His name (Mark 15:32; Matthew 5:10-11; Psalm 42:10; Psalm 69:9; Psalm 89:50-51; Hebrews 11:26, 13:13)
    2. Suffering for Christ is a privilege and not a punishment (Matthew 5:3-12, 11:6; John 20:29; Acts 5:40-41; Romans 4:7-8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 3:14; Psalm 32)
    3. Those who suffer for Christ are the beneficiaries of God’s special grace (Isaiah 11:1-2; Acts 2:32-36, 6:15, 7:54-56; John 14:16-17)