Finding Hope and Joy in Suffering Together
Summary
In today's gathering, we celebrated the profound impact of our Disability Ministry and the incredible work of Kathy Kowalczyk and her team. This weekend was a testament to the power of community and service, as we hosted over 700 participants at our Special Friends Prom. As we continue to embrace and serve those whom society often overlooks, we are reminded of the eternal significance of our actions. Our focus today is on the theme of suffering and trials, as outlined in 1 Peter 4. Peter's letter to the early church, written during a time of persecution, encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith despite the fiery trials they face. He reminds us that suffering for Christ is not strange but expected, and it is through these trials that we are drawn closer to Him.
Peter's message is one of hope and encouragement, urging us to trust God in our trials. He emphasizes that while we cannot always trust our trials, we can always trust God. This trust is rooted in the understanding that God is sovereign and is working all things together for our good and His glory. As we navigate our own fiery trials, we are called to respond with joy, recognizing that our suffering binds us to Christ and brings us into a deeper fellowship with Him. We are also reminded to examine the reasons for our suffering, distinguishing between suffering for our faith and suffering as a consequence of our actions.
In the midst of our trials, we are encouraged to entrust our souls to our faithful Creator, knowing that He is with us in the fire. Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not alone in the furnace, we too are not alone in our suffering. God is present with us, refining us and drawing us closer to Him. As we prepare for Easter, let us continue to seek God in prayer, trusting in His sovereignty and faithfulness.
Key Takeaways:
1. Trust in God's Sovereignty: In the midst of trials, we are reminded that while we cannot always trust our circumstances, we can always trust God. His sovereignty assures us that He is working all things together for our good and His glory. This trust is foundational to our faith and enables us to navigate suffering with hope. [42:09]
2. Joy in Suffering: Peter encourages us to respond to suffering with joy, recognizing that it binds us to Christ and brings us into a deeper fellowship with Him. This joy is not based on our circumstances but on the assurance of God's presence and purpose in our lives. [47:54]
3. Examine the Reasons for Suffering: It is important to discern whether our suffering is a result of our faithfulness to Christ or a consequence of our actions. This understanding helps us to respond appropriately and seek God's guidance in our trials. [52:19]
4. God's Presence in the Fire: Just as God was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the furnace, He is with us in our trials. His presence provides comfort and strength, reminding us that we are not alone and that He is refining us through our suffering. [01:01:45]
5. Entrusting Our Souls to a Faithful Creator: In our suffering, we are called to entrust our souls to God, who is described as a faithful Creator. This trust is rooted in the knowledge that He is the author and sustainer of our lives, and He will see us through from beginning to end. [01:05:36]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction and Weekend Recap
- [02:15] - Special Friends Prom Celebration
- [04:00] - Disability Celebration Sunday
- [06:45] - Offering and Generosity
- [09:30] - Preparing for Easter
- [12:00] - 1 Peter 4: Suffering and Trials
- [15:45] - Trusting God in Trials
- [20:00] - Responding to Suffering
- [25:30] - Reasons for Suffering
- [30:00] - God's Sovereignty in Suffering
- [35:00] - Joy in Suffering
- [40:00] - God's Presence in the Fire
- [45:00] - Entrusting Our Souls to God
- [50:00] - Invitation to Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 4:12-19
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Peter mean when he refers to "fiery trials" in 1 Peter 4:12? How does he suggest believers should respond to these trials? [42:09]
2. In the sermon, how does the pastor describe the connection between suffering and joy for a believer? [47:54]
3. What distinction does Peter make between different types of suffering in 1 Peter 4:15-16? How does this relate to the sermon’s message? [52:19]
4. How does the pastor use the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to illustrate God's presence in our trials? [01:05:36]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of trusting God's sovereignty in trials challenge or affirm your current understanding of suffering? [42:09]
2. What does it mean to find joy in suffering, and how can this perspective change a believer's approach to difficult situations? [47:54]
3. How can distinguishing between suffering for faith and suffering due to personal actions help believers navigate their trials more effectively? [52:19]
4. In what ways does recognizing God's presence in the midst of trials provide comfort and strength to believers? [01:05:36]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How did you respond, and how might you respond differently in light of Peter's encouragement to trust God? [42:09]
2. Consider a situation where you experienced joy despite suffering. What role did your faith play in that experience, and how can you cultivate this joy in future trials? [47:54]
3. Think about a time when you suffered as a consequence of your actions. How did you discern the reason for your suffering, and what steps did you take to address it? [52:19]
4. Identify a current challenge where you feel alone. How can the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego encourage you to seek God's presence in your situation? [01:05:36]
5. How can you actively entrust your soul to God during a trial you are currently facing? What practical steps can you take to demonstrate this trust? [01:05:36]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence during a difficult period. How did this experience shape your faith, and how can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness in future trials? [01:05:36]
7. As you prepare for Easter, how can you use this season to deepen your trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, especially in the midst of suffering? [42:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God's Sovereignty in Trials
In the midst of life's trials, it can be challenging to find stability and assurance. However, the understanding that God is sovereign provides a foundation of hope and trust. This sovereignty means that God is in control, orchestrating all things for our good and His glory. Even when circumstances seem chaotic or painful, believers are encouraged to place their trust in God's perfect plan. This trust is not blind but is rooted in the knowledge of God's character and His promises. By focusing on His sovereignty, we can navigate our trials with a sense of peace and assurance, knowing that nothing is outside of His control. [42:09]
"For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?" (Isaiah 14:27, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific trial you are currently facing where you need to trust in God's sovereignty? How can you remind yourself of His control and purpose in this situation today?
Day 2: Finding Joy in Suffering
Suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience, yet it is through these trials that believers are invited to experience a unique joy. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is rooted in the relationship with Christ. As believers endure suffering, they are drawn into a deeper fellowship with Him, sharing in His sufferings and experiencing His presence in profound ways. This joy is a testament to the transformative power of faith, allowing believers to rise above their circumstances and find hope in the midst of pain. By embracing this perspective, suffering becomes an opportunity for spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God. [47:54]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of joy in the midst of your current challenges? What practical steps can you take to focus on your relationship with Christ during these times?
Day 3: Understanding the Reasons for Suffering
It is crucial for believers to discern the reasons behind their suffering. Not all suffering is a result of faithfulness to Christ; sometimes, it is a consequence of personal actions or decisions. By examining the root causes of their trials, believers can respond appropriately and seek God's guidance for growth and transformation. This discernment requires honesty and humility, allowing individuals to learn from their experiences and align their lives more closely with God's will. Understanding the reasons for suffering helps believers to navigate their trials with wisdom and grace, ultimately leading to spiritual maturity. [52:19]
"Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!" (Lamentations 3:40, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. Was it a result of your faithfulness to Christ or a consequence of your actions? How can you seek God's guidance to learn and grow from this experience?
Day 4: Experiencing God's Presence in the Fire
In the midst of trials, believers are not alone. Just as God was present with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, He is with His people in their suffering. This presence provides comfort, strength, and assurance, reminding believers that they are not abandoned. God's presence in the fire is a refining process, drawing individuals closer to Him and transforming their character. By recognizing and embracing His presence, believers can find peace and courage to endure their trials, knowing that God is working in and through them for His purposes. [01:01:45]
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." (Isaiah 43:2, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's presence in your recent trials? How can you become more aware of His presence and rely on His strength during difficult times?
Day 5: Entrusting Our Souls to a Faithful Creator
In times of suffering, believers are called to entrust their souls to God, who is described as a faithful Creator. This act of entrusting is an expression of faith and reliance on God's character and promises. It acknowledges that God is the author and sustainer of life, and He is committed to seeing His people through their trials. By entrusting their souls to Him, believers can find peace and assurance, knowing that their lives are in the hands of a loving and faithful God. This trust is not passive but involves actively seeking God's will and aligning one's life with His purposes. [01:05:36]
"Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." (1 Peter 4:19, ESV)
Reflection: What does it mean for you to entrust your soul to God in your current circumstances? How can you actively demonstrate this trust in your daily life?
Quotes
"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." [00:41:39] (31 seconds)
"For our conversation today, I'm going to ask us some questions. I think they can be understood as diagnostic questions, questions of understanding. Because when we seek to discover what God is doing in the midst of our fiery trials, we want to be best prepared to not only understand it, but to embrace it and then to ask God how he wants to use it for our good. And ultimately what we see is for his glory." [00:42:47] (33 seconds)
"Peter says, beloved, again, this term of endearment, he loves these people. His tone has now changed in this particular text. He says, 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. He says, but instead rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." [00:45:03] (31 seconds)
"And remember that when we are not prepared for suffering, and instead we're surprised when it shows up, it renders us ill-equipped to learn from it and to steward the glory of God in the middle of it. So when we're all of a sudden persecuted for being a follower of Jesus Christ, and we'll talk about our persecution as it compares to global persecution for the church, but inevitably, when there are consequences for you and I being men and women of conviction for our faith in Christ, and we are surprised by that, then we're immediately ill-equipped to learn in that, and we're not ready to steward the way God might desire to use that for our good and ultimately his glory." [00:46:43] (52 seconds)
"And so that's the fellowship of suffering. And that's how we find joy because the moment that we are persecuted for the name and the fame of Christ, then we share in his suffering. Then we are bound to Jesus. We are connected to Christ in a profound new way. And so we must not be surprised, but instead we must rejoice. So how do I, Connor, respond to suffering?" [00:50:29] (31 seconds)
"Peter acknowledges there is general suffering in the world because our world has been fractured through the introduction of sin and the way God designed and ordered for everything to work doesn't always do so because our world is broken because we are broken. It's the reason why we need a redeemer. And Peter acknowledges that. But the majority of the suffering that he is referencing in this letter of encouragement, when he leans in and calls these people beloved, is the suffering they are experiencing, the persecution that they are enduring for remaining steadfast in their faith in Christ." [00:52:49] (39 seconds)
"Because in that application of extreme heat, the impurities that are not part of that rare mineral can melt away. They can be burned off so that what remains can be clearly seen. Now, fam, listen, here's what I'm saying. When you are a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, you've got to expect the heat is going to come. Right? Like the heat's going to come. You're going to see it in your workplaces. You're going to see it in your schools. We're going to see it in our communities. We're going to see it online." [00:55:33] (32 seconds)
"Peter's helping his audience to realize this profound biblical truth. Are you ready? Are you listening? God's got this. God's got this. And if you are in Christ, then God's got you. He's got this. And notice where Peter says that this work of God through suffering begins. Did you pay attention to that? In the household of God, he starts in his church. He begins the refining in his church. He's using suffering to make you and I look more and more like Christ." [01:00:01] (44 seconds)
"He's always at work in our trials. In verses 17 and 18, Peter says, God is working through hardship specifically within his church and the people who belong to him. In fact, it's our suffering, specifically our faith in Jesus that serves as an evidence of our belonging to Jesus. I have said this to you many times before. If you don't understand God's workmanship in all of our suffering, that which hurts the most, if you don't see his sovereignty, then you can't truly trust his word because Romans 8 28 says that God works all things together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose." [01:00:52] (41 seconds)
"Now, if you mark in your Bibles, and of course you should, highlight or underline verse 19. Because Peter says, therefore, in other words, in light of the fact that God is always working, therefore, let those who suffer according to God's will, what does he say? Entrust their souls to a faithful creator while doing good. The instruction here is to entrust our souls to God, who I think is very interestingly described by Pastor Peter as a faithful creator." [01:03:09] (39 seconds)
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