Rejoicing in Trials: Living the Cruciform Life

Devotional

Day 1: Fiery Trials Are Not Strange—They Are the Normal Christian Life

Trials and suffering are not unexpected detours for the Christian, but rather a central part of the journey of faith. Instead of being surprised or discouraged when difficulties arise, believers are called to recognize that God uses these fiery trials to refine and purify, much like a metalsmith uses fire to remove impurities from gold. These hardships are not a sign of God’s absence or displeasure, but an opportunity for growth, transformation, and deeper dependence on Him. In the midst of suffering, Christians are invited to rejoice, knowing that God is at work, shaping them into something more beautiful and Christlike. [25:44]

1 Peter 4:12-13 (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.

Reflection: When you face a difficult situation today, how might you intentionally shift your perspective from “Why is this happening to me?” to “How might God be refining me through this?”

Day 2: Suffering for Christ Brings Blessing and Dignity

When believers are insulted or ostracized for the name of Christ, they are not to feel shame, but rather to recognize the blessing and dignity that comes from sharing in Christ’s sufferings. The Spirit of glory and of God rests upon those who endure hardship for their faith, marking them as participants in the cruciform life of Jesus. This suffering is not for wrongdoing, but for living in a way that reflects Christ to the world, and it is through this that God’s glory is displayed. Christians are called to examine the reasons for their suffering, ensuring it is for the sake of Christ and not for their own faults, and to glorify God in the midst of it. [33:58]

1 Peter 4:14-16 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: Is there a place in your life where you are tempted to feel shame for your faith? How can you instead embrace the dignity and blessing of belonging to Christ in that situation?

Day 3: God’s Judgment Begins with His People—Suffering as Evangelism

God’s refining judgment starts with His own household, not as punishment, but as a clarifying and purifying work that reveals His justice and mercy. The way Christians endure suffering becomes a powerful witness to the world, showing the reality of salvation and the hope found in Christ. By entrusting themselves to a faithful Creator and continuing to do good, believers display the glory of Jesus and invite others to see the difference He makes. This suffering, lived out with hope and integrity, is itself an act of evangelism, pointing others to the suffering and resurrected King. [41:47]

1 Peter 4:17-19 (ESV)
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?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Reflection: How might your response to suffering today serve as a testimony to those around you about the hope and justice of Jesus?

Day 4: Our Identity Is Hidden in Christ’s Suffering and Glory

The Christian’s identity is not defined by the world’s standards or by present suffering, but by being united with Christ in both His suffering and His coming glory. Even when misunderstood or maligned, believers are called to keep their heads up, knowing their dignity is secure in Jesus, who has already won the victory. This cruciform life—shaped by the cross—means living with hope, humility, and a willingness to be misunderstood for the sake of Christ, trusting that ultimate vindication and joy await when His glory is revealed. [48:16]

Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV)
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to seek validation from others rather than resting in your hidden identity with Christ? What would it look like to “keep your head up” in Christ today?

Day 5: Suffering Together Unites Us as God’s Family

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are reminders that believers belong to God’s family, united by Christ’s suffering and sacrifice. In the church, suffering is not faced alone; it is shared, understood, and transformed into a source of deeper community and belonging. As each member brings their own trials and stories, the body of Christ is strengthened and encouraged, finding hope and purpose in the shared journey of faith. This unity is a sign and seal of God’s covenant love, inviting all to the table of grace and reminding each one that they are beloved and never alone. [58:52]

Romans 12:15 (ESV)
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Reflection: Who in your church family is experiencing suffering right now? How can you come alongside them this week to share in their burden and remind them they belong?

Sermon Summary

Trials and suffering are not foreign to the Christian life; in fact, they are woven into the very fabric of following Jesus. Our culture, especially in the West, often views comfort and convenience as rights, and we tend to see suffering as something to be avoided or explained away. Yet, God intends to grow us through trials, not in spite of them. The apostle Peter urges us not to be surprised by fiery trials, but to see them as opportunities for refining, much like a metalsmith purifies gold by fire. These moments are not punishments, but invitations to participate in the life of Christ—a cruciform life, shaped by the cross, marked by both suffering and the hope of glory.

When we encounter suffering, especially for the name of Christ, we are called to rejoice, not because pain is good, but because it unites us with Jesus and reveals his glory in us. The story of Pastor Goma in Nigeria, who rejoiced even after his church and home were burned, illustrates a faith that sees beyond material loss to the deeper reality of being the true church—God’s people, not a building. His suffering enabled him to shepherd his people with greater empathy and authenticity, embodying the very heart of Christ.

It’s crucial to discern the nature of our suffering. Not all hardship is for righteousness’ sake; sometimes we suffer because of our own wrongdoing or meddling. Peter challenges us to examine whether our trials are the result of living out Christ’s love or from embodying the world’s ways. Our response to suffering should not be shame or retaliation, but dignity rooted in our identity in Christ. Even when misunderstood or ostracized, we are called to keep our heads up, knowing our worth and future are secure in Jesus, who has already won the victory.

God’s judgment begins with his own people—not as punishment, but as a clarifying, purifying work that displays his justice and mercy. Our endurance in suffering becomes a witness to the world, showing the reality of the suffering, resurrected King. We are not the heroes of our own story; Jesus is. Our role is to entrust ourselves to our faithful Creator, doing good, and living out the hope of the gospel. In baptism and the Lord’s Supper, we are reminded that we belong to Christ, united in his suffering and his glory, and called to live together as his people.

Key Takeaways

1. Suffering Refines and Unites Us with Christ Trials are not anomalies but essential to spiritual growth. God uses suffering to purify us, much like a metalsmith refines gold, burning away impurities and shaping us into Christ’s likeness. This process is not a sign of God’s displeasure, but of his deep commitment to our transformation and union with Jesus. [29:06]
2. Discern the Source of Your Suffering Not all suffering is for righteousness’ sake. We must honestly examine whether our hardships arise from following Christ or from our own wrongdoing, pride, or meddling. True Christian suffering is marked by love, humility, and a refusal to retaliate, reflecting the character of Jesus even in adversity. [35:57]
3. Rejoice in Trials as a Witness to the World Our response to suffering—rejoicing rather than shame or retaliation—bears powerful witness to the reality of Christ. When we endure with dignity and hope, we display the glory of Jesus to a watching world, offering a living testimony of the gospel’s transforming power. [41:47]
4. Entrust Yourself to the Faithful Creator We are not in control of the outcome; Jesus has already secured the victory. Our calling is to entrust our souls to God, continuing to do good even when misunderstood or maligned. This trust frees us from anxiety and empowers us to live boldly and sacrificially for others. [44:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[21:26] - Western Blind Spots on Suffering
[23:47] - Peter’s Call to Rejoice in Trials
[25:44] - Fiery Trials: Not Strange, But Normal
[27:03] - Keep Your Head Up in Hardship
[29:06] - Suffering as Refinement and Union with Christ
[31:39] - Pastor Goma’s Story: Rejoicing Amid Loss
[33:58] - Empathy Through Shared Suffering
[35:57] - Good Trouble vs. Bad Trouble
[38:11] - Examining Our Witness in Suffering
[40:18] - Our Identity Hidden in Christ
[41:47] - Dignity, Not Shame, in Trials
[44:27] - Suffering as Evangelism
[45:58] - Jesus Takes the Winning Shot
[48:16] - The Trinitarian Work in Our Suffering
[54:32] - Christ the King: Baptism and Communion
[57:13] - Hallie’s Baptism and First Communion
[61:30] - Closing and Transition to Communion

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Suffering, Trials, and the Cruciform Life

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### Bible Reading

1 Peter 4:12–19 (ESV)
12 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.
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
17 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?
18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

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### Observation Questions

According to Peter, what should be the Christian’s attitude when facing “fiery trials”? ([23:47])
What are some specific reasons Peter gives for why Christians might suffer, and which reasons does he say are not valid? ([35:57])
In the story of Pastor Goma, what actions did his church take during and after the attack, and how did he interpret the burning of the church and his own house? ([31:39])
What does Peter say about shame and dignity for those who suffer as Christians? ([41:47])

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does Peter compare suffering to the process of refining gold, and what does this suggest about God’s purpose in allowing trials? ([29:06])
How does suffering for Christ’s sake differ from suffering because of our own wrongdoing, according to Peter? ([35:57])
What does it mean to “entrust your soul to a faithful Creator while doing good” in the context of suffering? ([44:27])
How does the story of Pastor Goma illustrate the idea of being united with Christ in suffering and hope? ([33:58])

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### Application Questions

The sermon mentioned that our culture often sees comfort as a right and suffering as something to avoid. In what ways do you see this mindset in your own life? How might it affect your response to trials? ([21:26])
Peter urges us to rejoice in suffering for Christ, not because pain is good, but because it unites us with Jesus. Can you think of a time when a difficult experience brought you closer to Christ or helped you understand him better? What was that like? ([29:06])
The sermon challenged us to discern whether our suffering is “good trouble” (for Christ) or “bad trouble” (from our own actions). Is there a current hardship in your life that you need to examine more honestly? How can you tell the difference? ([35:57])
Pastor Goma’s story showed a refusal to retaliate and a focus on being the church, not just having a church building. How might you respond differently in a situation where you feel wronged or misunderstood, in light of his example? ([31:39])
Peter says not to be ashamed but to keep your head up and live with dignity, even when suffering for Christ. Are there places in your life where you feel tempted to hide your faith or feel shame about following Jesus? What would it look like to “keep your head up” in those situations? ([41:47])
The sermon said, “We are not the heroes of our own story; Jesus is.” How does this truth change the way you think about your role in times of suffering or difficulty? ([45:58])
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper remind us that we belong to Christ and to each other. How can remembering your identity in Christ help you endure trials or support others who are suffering? ([54:32])

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Sermon Clips

He says, keep your head up, because you're actually being tested. And this is important, because tested in this context is not an exam. This is language of a metalsmith, making gold and silver pure by burning off the dross, beautifying precious metals, making it even more valuable. And it's part of the trials of the hammer and the fire to bring use into something more beautiful. He burns the gunk away in these trials. He's turning up the heat so the impurities seep out. And he's chipping away at the enamel of our lives to make him more and more like himself. [00:29:05] (40 seconds) #RefinedByFire

And this is not because he doesn't already value us. The scripture is clear that he bought us with a great price, and it's really clear in 1 Peter. He didn't buy us at a great price like it was a good deal. The great price was to himself. We are already precious to him. But these fiery trials purify metal. They show off exactly who he is and what he's doing to human beings that will yield to him. This is where this next verse comes in, which is a little mysterious. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. [00:29:45] (46 seconds) #PricelessInChrist

And sharing in Christ's sufferings, you know this is kind of like my one sermon, that our life is hidden in Christ. We're united to Christ. We live our lives in him. So that we are like stuck in him and his suffering as we participate in the fire trials that we're in. It is what they call a cruciform life, a life formed after the cross. This is how we live this side of glory. And yet, we do that awaiting when his glory will be revealed. So it's like what we're doing now in light of the glory that will come when he's fully revealed. [00:30:31] (36 seconds) #CruciformLife

Every human being suffers. That is given in the fallen world. We live on the dark side of Eden. And our specific suffering in the name of Christ is a subset of that. But he is talking about that subset. And he is saying, hey, check yourselves. Put your head up. Are you suffering because of good trouble or bad trouble? Why are you suffering? For the good life you live for others? Or for the ways you have completely embodied the ways of oppression or evil or meddling? Because we can all suffer, Christian and non-alike, for being a jerk, a name-caller, a mocker, a judgy onlooker. [00:35:29] (54 seconds) #LiveLikeJesus

We still have a lot to talk about. I'm not absolving them. I'm getting after us. I don't care that media skews things. Social media skews everything. News alert. They have algorithms to help it skew it more for you. But I do care that the morsels of truth in those things, we embrace and repent of and live differently by. And I am just like any of you. But our identity is hidden in that cruciform Christ. Just like when we die with him, our identity is tied with him into the glory which will come. We don't need to be understood. We need to live more like he did. [00:39:00] (53 seconds) #TrustTheWinningShot

``Who cares if people misrepresent the majority of Christians? We have the greatest opportunity in several generations to show what Jesus is like, who Jesus is to the world, who Jesus is to the world. It's better to die misunderstood than live as one who cooperates with evil, the outrage of this world. Who cares if everybody's doing it? We don't take sides in these wars. We have a different thing we're all about. We are not defined by them, but by Jesus who said, if you call someone a fool, you're a murderer. If you covet something of someone else, you're a thief. [00:39:53] (44 seconds)

Because what this is calling us to is a type of dignity and not a shame. These Christians had been feeling their lack of dignity. They've been ostracized in certain ways. They've been shut out of certain things. They're tempted to feel the shame. They're tempted to retaliate as they, as has been done to them. And he says, yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed. But glory in God and in the name of Christ. Yeah, you'll be tempted to put your head down. But do not be ashamed. Keep your head up, even as you're injured by these trials. [00:41:34] (43 seconds)

This is it, that we live in a manner as a people who display the glory of Jesus as the suffering service who's resurrected from the dead with the dignity that he gives us because we are hidden in him. This is it. Now, here's the other sweet deal about this by being on the winning team. Guess what? Ain't none of you taking the winning shot. That was Jesus. You, I mean, I don't know how good your jumper is, but you're not taking that shot. We're not in control. He is the one to whom we entrust our souls, the faithful creator. That's why we can do good. [00:45:06] (46 seconds)

Jimmy or the solo, right? Jimmy looks at the team and says, I'll make it. Of course he does in kind of beautiful Larry Bird Hoosier style. All right, Jesus is Jimmy. Gene Hackman is the father. And we are second string on the bench celebrating our tails off. Here's what it means to be a Christian. Jesus took this shot on the side and his hands and his feet. He resurrected from the dead and our dignity is secured in him. And then our life then shapes after his cruciform being. And we get to wear the state championship medal that he earned for us. [00:46:35] (52 seconds)

You go back and back again because Jesus made the shot. And it will end in the glory of our rejoicing over who he is. This is the word of God given to you. And again, if you don't believe me that it is not tied to you, this is one of these very few passages in scripture. There's eight verses and there are eight mentions of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is a Trinitarian work. That team is going to win. So we're not in control of it. We abide in it. We live out of it for the sake of our neighbors and for the beautiful reality that we're going to be scarcely saved. [00:48:23] (43 seconds)

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