Rejoicing in Suffering: Embracing God's Present Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Rejoicing in Suffering as a Pathway to Joy

In times of suffering for Christ, believers are encouraged to embrace their trials as a pathway to future joy. This suffering aligns them with Christ's own sufferings, promising a future revelation of His glory. The presence of the Spirit now is a foretaste of that future joy, encouraging believers to rejoice even in the midst of trials. This joy is not just a distant hope but a present reality, as the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon them now, offering strength and assurance. [01:30]

1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV): "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What is one specific trial you are currently facing? How can you choose to rejoice in it today, trusting that it aligns you with Christ and promises future joy?

Day 2: Insults as a Sign of Blessing

Being insulted for Christ often results from a refusal to engage in worldly behaviors. This is not a cause for despair but a sign of the Spirit's presence, marking believers as blessed. Their changed behavior, though misunderstood, is a testament to God's work in them. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5, where He assures a great reward in heaven for enduring persecution. The Spirit's presence now is a profound blessing, offering strength and assurance in the face of trials. [03:34]

1 Peter 3:14 (ESV): "But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt insulted or misunderstood for your faith. How can you view this experience as a blessing and a sign of the Spirit's presence in your life?

Day 3: Experiencing Present Glory

The Spirit of glory rests upon believers now, offering a present experience of future glory. This presence allows them to rejoice with a glorified joy, even amidst suffering, as they participate in the glory of Christ. This experience is not just intellectual but deeply experiential, enabling them to see, taste, and feel the glory of God as supremely valuable and satisfying. [06:14]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek to experience the Spirit's presence today, allowing yourself to see, taste, and feel God's glory in your daily life?

Day 4: Assurance of God's Help in Persecution

In times of persecution, the Spirit's presence assures believers of God's extraordinary help, enabling them to endure and remain steadfast. This experience involves seeing God's glory as real and valuable, tasting it as supremely satisfying, and feeling assured of eternal joy in Christ. The passage assures that the glory to come is already resting upon them, empowering them to face trials with confidence and hope. [09:59]

2 Thessalonians 1:5 (ESV): "This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering."

Reflection: Reflect on a current challenge you are facing. How can you rely on the Spirit's presence to assure you of God's help and empower you to endure with confidence?

Day 5: Assurance of Eternal Joy

The Spirit's presence provides assurance of eternal joy in Christ. This assurance strengthens believers to face trials, knowing that God's glory is already resting upon them, guiding them to the end. This experience of the Spirit's presence is not just intellectual but deeply experiential, enabling them to see, taste, and feel the glory of God as supremely valuable and satisfying. [11:30]

Colossians 1:11-12 (ESV): "May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of the Spirit's presence today, allowing it to assure you of eternal joy and guide you through your current circumstances?

Sermon Summary

In this session, we delve into 1 Peter 4:14, exploring how God personally aids us during persecution, ensuring we are never left to endure alone. The passage encourages us to rejoice in our sufferings, as they align us with Christ's own sufferings, promising future joy when His glory is revealed. This joy is not just a distant hope but a present reality, as the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us now. This presence is a profound blessing, offering us strength and assurance in the face of trials.

Peter illustrates that being insulted for Christ's name often stems from our refusal to partake in the sinful behaviors of the world. This refusal can lead to being labeled as judgmental or out of touch. However, this is not a cause for despair but a reason to rejoice, as it signifies the Spirit's presence in our lives. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5, where He assures us of a great reward in heaven for enduring persecution. Yet, Peter adds a unique dimension by emphasizing the present blessing of the Spirit's presence.

The Spirit of glory resting upon us now is a foretaste of the future glory we will fully experience. This presence allows us to rejoice with a glorified joy, even amidst suffering. Paul echoes this in Ephesians, praying for believers to have enlightened hearts to know the hope and riches of God's glory. This experience of the Spirit's presence is not just intellectual but deeply experiential, enabling us to see, taste, and feel the glory of God as supremely valuable and satisfying.

In times of persecution, the Spirit's presence assures us of God's extraordinary help, enabling us to endure and remain steadfast. This experience involves seeing God's glory as real and valuable, tasting it as supremely satisfying, and feeling assured of eternal joy in Christ. The passage assures us that the glory to come is already resting upon us, empowering us to face trials with confidence and hope.

Key Takeaways

1. Rejoicing in Suffering: Embrace suffering for Christ as a pathway to future joy. This present suffering aligns us with Christ, promising a future revelation of His glory. The Spirit's presence now is a foretaste of that future joy, encouraging us to rejoice even in trials. [01:30]
2. Insults as Blessings: Being insulted for Christ often results from our refusal to engage in worldly behaviors. This is not a cause for despair but a sign of the Spirit's presence, marking us as blessed. Our changed behavior, though misunderstood, is a testament to God's work in us. [03:34]
3. Present Glory: The Spirit of glory rests upon us now, offering a present experience of future glory. This presence allows us to rejoice with a glorified joy, even amidst suffering, as we participate in the glory of Christ. [06:14]
4. Experiencing God's Glory: The Spirit's presence enables us to see, taste, and feel God's glory as supremely valuable and satisfying. This experience assures us of God's help in times of persecution, empowering us to endure with confidence. [09:59]
5. Assurance of Eternal Joy: The Spirit's presence provides assurance of eternal joy in Christ. This assurance strengthens us to face trials, knowing that God's glory is already resting upon us, guiding us to the end. [11:30]
** [11:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - God's Personal Help in Persecution
[00:47] - Connections Between Verses
[01:11] - Prayer for Understanding
[01:30] - Rejoicing in Suffering
[01:59] - Breaking Down the Verse
[02:35] - Insults for Christ's Name
[03:34] - Concrete Illustration of Insults
[04:29] - Comparison with Matthew 5
[05:16] - Present Blessing of the Spirit
[06:00] - Future Glory Revealed
[06:37] - Present Experience of Glory
[07:14] - Glorified Joy
[08:06] - Paul's Prayer for Enlightenment
[09:59] - Experiencing Glory in Persecution
[11:07] - Assurance of Eternal Joy

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 4:14
- Matthew 5:11-12
- Ephesians 1:17-18

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Observation Questions:

According to 1 Peter 4:14, what is the significance of being insulted for the name of Christ? How does this relate to the presence of the Spirit of glory and of God? [02:18]
In the sermon, what behaviors are mentioned that might lead to being insulted for Christ's name? [02:55]
How does the sermon describe the connection between present suffering and future glory as mentioned in 1 Peter 4:13-14? [06:00]
What does the sermon suggest is the present experience of the Spirit's presence, and how is it described as a foretaste of future glory? [06:14]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the sermon interpret the blessing of being insulted for Christ's name in light of Matthew 5:11-12? What is the difference between the future reward and the present blessing? [05:16]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Spirit's presence during persecution is a tangible experience rather than just an intellectual understanding? [08:06]
How does the sermon explain the concept of "glorified joy" in the context of suffering for Christ? What does this mean for believers today? [07:41]
What does the sermon imply about the role of the Spirit in helping believers endure persecution? How does this assurance impact a believer's perspective on trials? [09:30]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you felt insulted or misunderstood for your faith. How did you respond, and how might the understanding of being blessed in such situations change your response in the future? [03:47]
The sermon mentions refusing to engage in worldly behaviors as a reason for being insulted. Are there specific behaviors or situations in your life where you feel pressured to conform? How can you stand firm in your faith? [03:12]
How can you cultivate an awareness of the Spirit's presence in your daily life, especially during challenging times? What practices might help you experience this "glorified joy"? [07:14]
Consider the idea of seeing, tasting, and feeling God's glory as supremely valuable. What practical steps can you take to deepen your appreciation and experience of God's glory in your life? [09:59]
The sermon emphasizes the assurance of eternal joy in Christ. How does this assurance influence your approach to current trials or challenges? What specific actions can you take to remind yourself of this truth? [11:30]
How can you support others in your community who are facing persecution or trials for their faith? What role can you play in encouraging them to see the Spirit's presence as a blessing? [09:15]
Reflect on the concept of "glorified joy" during suffering. How can you share this perspective with others who may be struggling to find joy in their circumstances? [07:41]

Sermon Clips

Rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. So rejoice now in your sufferings so that you can rejoice in glad later 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. [00:20:00]

With respect to this lifestyle that you now are giving up with respect to this they are surprised when you don't join them, you don't join them in the same flood of debauchery so this they're not doing anymore result insult. So this is the concrete illustration in the context of what Peter means by when you are insulted. [00:03:06]

You're not living with them in their sensuality and passions and drunkenness and orgies and they're calling you names like legalist Square uncool out of it judgmental that's what the maligning looks like in first Peter in this context so you're insulted because the name of Christ has driven you to change your your behaviors and they don't like it. [00:03:43]

You love them, you do many good and beautiful things and God willing they will give glory to your father in heaven someday if you are insulted this way you are blessed which sounds so much like Matthew 5:11 with a very big difference remember that text Matthew 5 blessed are you when others revile you. [00:04:20]

Rejoice in that day and be glad for your reward is great in heaven so you are blessed Jesus said because you've got a a great reward in heaven so put your eyes on the future and take heart and be glad in that glorious reward which is not what he says here here he says something also wonderful. [00:04:56]

You are blessed because the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you now let's go back here to these here's verse 13 rejoice and be glad no let's see rejoice when you share Christ's sufferings so that you will be able to rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed that's the great reward. [00:05:35]

The spirit of glory rests now on you now there's the great and glorious new that's being said in verse 14 he's not telling us that we're blessed because we have some future rewards he's telling us that we're blessed because because now rests present rests upon you the spirit of glory the Spirit of God. [00:06:32]

The divine spirit of glory which we saw back in verse 13 was the chlorine that's coming at the end of the age now what does that mean that presently we experience the future glory of Christ here's a here's a hint here's chapter 1 verse 8 though you have not seen him you love him though you do not now see him. [00:06:52]

You believe in him and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorified joy what's that mean you now rejoice with inexpressible and glorified joy well wouldn't at least one possible and likely answer be that when the spirit of glory rests upon you your joy in your hope is presently participating in that glory. [00:07:19]

May God give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him having the eyes of your hearts and lightened that you may know know with the eyes of your heart not just with the mind know with the eyes of your heart what is the hope which he's called you what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance. [00:08:06]

The great truth of this passage is that it goes beyond verse 13 which says you've got great glory coming this verse ads and that glory that is coming is resting on you in the moment of your greatest need with the ability to see it as real and valuable and the taste of it as supremely satisfying. [00:11:02]

A strong assurance that it means you're gonna make it to the end and enjoy God for ever. [00:11:27]

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Rejoicing in Suffering: Embracing God's Present Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Rejoicing in Suffering as a Pathway to Joy

Day 2: Insults as a Sign of Blessing

Day 3: Experiencing Present Glory

Day 4: Assurance of God's Help in Persecution

Day 5: Assurance of Eternal Joy

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Rejoicing in Suffering: Embracing God's Present Glory

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