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1 Peter 4:12-19
(Lesson 10)

​
Introduction:

         1. The apostle Peter wrote 2 of the 21 New Testament "epistles" [letters addressed to groups of Christians
             or individual Christians].
         2. In his first letter,:
             a. Peter addressed a number of responsibilities that God has given to His people
             b. Peter showed how Christians must fulfill these responsibilities, even while suffering persecution from
                 unbelievers
             c. Peter emphasized how Christ suffered unjustly for doing the Father's will.
         3. This lesson is a study of the information presented in 1 Peter 4:12-19.
         4. In these verses Peter revealed additional instructions that relate to the persecution that would be faced
             by the Christians living in Asia Minor (1:1).
             a. The faith of these Christians was being tried (1:6-7).
             b. According to 4:7a, they would soon be facing a great calamity.
             c. In 4:7b-11, Peter listed a variety of responsibilities that would help them.
             d. While fulfilling these responsibilities, they would have to face persecution correctly.

Discussion:


I.           (vs.12) THIS  "FIERY  TRIAL"  WAS  NOT  TO  BE  CONSIDERED  "STRANGE"


         A. Persecution of Christians was foretold by:
             1. Christ (John 15:20)
             2. Paul (2 Timothy 3:12).
         B. Rather than consider this trial to be a strange event, . . .

II.          (vs.13) PETER  INSTRUCTED  HIS  READERS  TO  "REJOICE"


         A. This instruction is also given in Matthew 5:12; Philippians 4:4; and James 1:2-3.
         B. To rejoice as Jesus, Paul, James, and Peter teach, persecuted Christians must remember that:
             1. they are "partakers of Christ's sufferings"
             2. they will experience "exceeding joy" when Jesus returns.

III.         (vs.14) THOSE  WHO  ARE  "REPROACHED  FOR  THE  NAME  OF  CHRIST"  ARE  "HAPPY"
             [BLESSED]


         A. Reproach: to speak evil against
         B. Peter mentioned several times that his readers were being tried in this way (2:12; 3:16).
         C. Jesus also taught that such people are "blessed" (Matthew 5:11).
         D. To be blessed as Jesus and Peter teach, persecuted Christians must realize that:
             1. God's Spirit abides with His children
             2. the reproach of God's people provides an opportunity for Him to be glorified.

IV.         (vs.15) CHRISTIANS  ARE  NOT  TO  SUFFER  BECAUSE  OF  SINFUL  ACTIVITIES


         A. Peter showed earlier that Christians are:
             1. to be holy (1:14-16)
             2. to obey civil laws and that the state is responsible for punishing law breakers (2:13-14).
         B. God's people are not to suffer in the sense of receiving punishment for murder, stealing, doing evil,
             and meddling in the affairs of other people.

V.          (vs.16) THOSE  WHO  SUFFER  FOR  BEING  CHRISTIANS  MUST  "NOT  BE  ASHAMED"


         A. Rather than be ashamed, persecuted Christians are to "glorify God."
         B. The apostles provided examples in this regard (Acts 5:40-42; 2 Timothy 1:12).

VI.         (vs.17-18) THE  TIME  HAD  ARRIVED  FOR  THE  CHURCH  TO  BE  TRIED


         A. This "judgment" [trial] would be so severe that even the righteous would find salvation difficult.
         B. If God allowed His church to be tried, there will be no hope for sinners who do not obey the Gospel.

VII.        (vs.19) THOSE  WHO  "SUFFER  ACCORDING  TO  THE  WILL  OF  GOD"  ARE  TO  "COMMIT
             THE  KEEPING  OF  THEIR  SOULS  TO  HIM  IN  WELL  DOING"

Webmaster Gary L. Wade
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