Embracing Suffering: Finding Peace in Christ

Suffering and trials are not foreign to the Christian life; in fact, they are to be expected. When we follow Christ and proclaim His gospel, we will encounter pushback—sometimes mild, sometimes severe. Yet, in the midst of these fiery trials, we are called not to despair but to rejoice, because we are sharing in Christ’s sufferings and His glory will be revealed. The story of Pastor Tilahoon in Ethiopia reminds us that persecution, even unto death, can become a catalyst for greater faith and boldness among believers. The peace that God gives in the midst of suffering is a profound blessing, one that surpasses understanding and testifies to the reality of Christ in us.

We must remember that following Jesus is not a promise of an easy life. Rather, it is a call to spiritual battle, to put on the armor of God, and to stand firm in faith. The world may tell us that being a Christian should make life easier, but Scripture tells us otherwise. Our hope is not in the absence of hardship, but in the presence of Christ with us through every trial, granting us peace, strength, and joy that defy our circumstances.

At the heart of our faith is the truth that salvation is found in Christ alone. It is not Jesus plus our good works, church attendance, giving, or any other religious activity. These things are important as acts of obedience and love, but they do not save us. We must guard against adding burdens to the gospel, both for ourselves and for others, remembering that it is only by grace through faith in Jesus that we are saved.

As we grow in Christ, we are called to leave behind our old ways and live as new creations. This transformation is not the basis of our salvation, but the fruit of it. We are to pursue holiness, not to earn God’s favor, but because we have already received it in Christ. Our obedience flows from love and gratitude, not from a desire to earn what has already been freely given.

Finally, we are called to be active participants in God’s kingdom—sharing the gospel, serving others, and building up the church. The kingdom of God is not just a future hope, but a present reality. We must ask ourselves if we are being obedient to King Jesus, not out of fear or obligation, but out of love for the One who gave everything for us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Expect Suffering, Embrace Peace: Trials and persecution are inevitable for those who follow Christ. Yet, God promises a peace that surpasses understanding, even in the midst of grief and loss. This peace is not the absence of pain, but the presence of Christ sustaining us through it. Our suffering, when endured faithfully, becomes a testimony to the world of God’s power and love. [12:36]
• 2. The Blessing in the Pushback: When we face opposition for our faith, God often uses it to strengthen the church and advance the gospel. The story of Pastor Tilahoon’s martyrdom in Ethiopia shows that even the most severe persecution can lead to greater boldness and forgiveness among believers. The real blessing is not just perseverance, but the supernatural peace and love that God gives in the midst of adversity. [08:40]
• 3. Salvation Is in Christ Alone: It is easy to slip into thinking that our good works, church attendance, or religious rituals contribute to our salvation. But Scripture is clear—salvation is found in Christ and Christ alone. All our acts of obedience flow from the grace we have received, not as a means to earn it. Guarding the simplicity of the gospel protects us from legalism and sets others free to experience God’s grace. [22:52]
• 4. Transformation Is the Fruit, Not the Root: As new creations in Christ, we are called to leave behind our old sinful patterns and pursue holiness. This transformation is evidence of God’s work in us, not the basis of our acceptance before Him. We fight sin and grow in obedience out of love for Jesus, not to earn His favor, but because we already have it. [29:08]
• 5. Kingdom Living Requires Obedience and Introspection: The kingdom of God is not a democracy; Jesus is King, and He calls us to obey Him. We must regularly examine our lives to see if we are living in obedience—not to earn salvation, but to honor our King. Our mission is to build up His kingdom, celebrate new life in Christ, and be vessels of His love and truth in our community. [35:00]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:46] - Introduction to Suffering and Trials
• [02:10] - Recap: The First Church and Acts 4
• [04:01] - Proclaiming the Gospel Brings Pushback
• [05:15] - The Story of Pastor Tilahoon in Ethiopia
• [08:40] - Blessing in Persecution and Forgiveness
• [11:20] - The Christian Life: A Call to Battle
• [12:36] - God’s Peace in the Midst of Grief
• [15:16] - Personal Reflections on Loss and Faith
• [17:14] - Blessings Through Obedience and Persecution
• [18:29] - The Holy Spirit Empowers Our Witness
• [19:38] - Salvation in Christ Alone
• [22:52] - Avoiding Legalism and Extra Burdens
• [29:08] - Transformation: Living as New Creations
• [35:00] - Kingdom Living and Obedience
• [37:38] - The Gospel Invitation
• [42:06] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal

Bible Reading

1 Peter 4:12-19 (ESV) — > 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. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And
>
> “If the righteous is scarcely saved,
> what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
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> Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Acts 4:1-12 (ESV) — > And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.
>
> On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Peter 4:12-13, what attitude are believers supposed to have when they face “fiery trials” or suffering for Christ?
2. In Acts 4:4, what was the result of Peter and John’s boldness in preaching the gospel, even after being arrested? [17:14]
3. What does Peter say in Acts 4:12 about the way of salvation? Who is it found in?
4. In the sermon, what was the response of Pastor Tilahoon’s church after his martyrdom in Ethiopia? [08:40]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Peter tells believers not to be surprised by suffering, but instead to rejoice? What does this reveal about the Christian perspective on hardship?
2. The sermon mentioned that suffering for Christ can actually strengthen the church and lead to greater boldness. Why might persecution have this effect on believers? [08:40]
3. The pastor emphasized that salvation is in Christ alone, not in our good works or religious activities. Why is it so easy for people to start adding requirements to the gospel? [22:52]
4. The sermon talked about transformation as the “fruit, not the root” of salvation. What does this mean for how we view obedience and change in our lives? [29:08]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said that suffering and trials are to be expected for Christians. Can you think of a time when you faced pushback or difficulty because of your faith? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [04:01]
2. Pastor Tilahoon’s church responded to his death with forgiveness and boldness. Is there someone in your life who has wronged you because of your faith, or a situation where you need to show forgiveness? What would it look like to respond with Christlike love? [08:40]
3. The pastor shared about the peace that God gives in the middle of grief and loss. Is there an area of your life right now where you need to experience God’s peace? What steps can you take to lean on Him in that situation? [12:36]
4. The sermon warned against adding extra requirements to the gospel, like church attendance or giving, as if they save us. Are there any “extras” you’ve been tempted to add to your faith or expect from others? How can you guard the simplicity of the gospel in your own life? [22:52]
5. Transformation is the fruit of salvation, not the way we earn it. Is there an area of your life where you’re trying to “clean yourself up” to earn God’s favor, instead of living out of gratitude for what He’s already done? What would it look like to shift your motivation? [29:08]
6. The pastor challenged everyone to be active in building up God’s kingdom—sharing the gospel, serving others, and celebrating new life in Christ. What is one specific way you can participate in God’s kingdom this week? Who is someone you can reach out to or serve? [35:00]
7. The sermon ended with a call to examine our obedience to King Jesus. Take a moment to reflect: In what area of your life is God calling you to greater obedience—not to earn His love, but to honor Him? What is one step you can take this week? [36:20]