1 Peter 4:12-19

Divinely loved ones, stop thinking that the smelting process which is (operating) among you and which has come to you for the purpose of testing (you), is a thing alien to you, but insofar as you share in common with the sufferings of Christ, be rejoicing, in order that also at the time of the unveiling of His glory, you may rejoice exultingly.  In view of the fact that you have cast in your teeth as it were, reviling because of the name of Christ, (spiritually) prosperous (are you), because the Spirit of The Glory, even the Spirit of God is resting with refreshing power upon you,.  Now, let no one of you continue to be suffering (reproach) as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a self-appointed overseer in other men’s matters.  But if he suffer (reproach) as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God because of this name, for the time is now, of the judgment beginning at the house of God.  But if it starts first with us, what shall be the end of those who are not obeying the gospel of God?  And if he who is righteous is with difficulty being saved, he that is both impious and a sinner, where shall he appear?  Therefore, also let those who are suffering according to the will of God, commit the safekeeping of their souls by a continuance in the doing of good, to a faithful Creator.

The first thing that needs to be established in relation to the message from Sunday is, “Are YOU a member of the family of God?” 

Andy started by talking about the benefits of having membership in different organizations, list some of the benefits of being a member of the family of God.

 Hint:  John 1:12, John 15:15, Rom. 8:14, 15, Rom. 8:17; 1Cor. 6:17; 2Cor. 5:17, 18, 19; Gal 4:6, 7; Eph. 2:10, Phil. 3:20; 1Thes. 1:4, 1Pet. 2: 5, 9, 10; 1John 5:18

AND Rom. 5:1, Rom. 6:1-6, Rom. 8:1; 1 Cor. 2:12; Eph 1:3-8, Eph. 2:18; Col. 1:27, Col. 2:10-11; 2 Tim. 1:7; Heb 4:16; 2 Peter 1:4, etc……

For membership in any form of club, i.e. Costco, Block Buster, Pinehurst, 24 Hour Fitness, there is a cost that must be paid, list the costs to being a member of God’s family? 

Hint: read Daniel 3; 2 Chron. 36:16; Ps 31:13; Matt. 10:17, 24:9-10; John 12:10; Heb. 10:34; Acts 2:12; Acts 6:9-15; Phil. 1:12-14; Rev. 2:8-13

Use your lists of Benefits and Costs to do an evaluation as you would list pro’s and con’s to make a decision.  Don’t just jump to the ultimate end, i.e. heaven!

Andy asked “Should North Americans suffer for the cause of Christ?”  Key word in this question is “SHOULD”. 
What do you think?  Explain you answer.

Fiery Trials has been defined as: a painful experience intended to determine the performance, quality, and usefulness of a person. 

What is your response to that definition?

Check out:  Rev 18:9, 18

Prov. 27:21 – smelting process

Ps 66:10

Believers should expect trials and suffering and prepare their minds for it since Christ suffered. Suffering is not foreign to faith read 1 Jn. 3:13.

We should see our sufferings as forming a bond of fellowship with Christ vs 13-16.  Deuteronomy 8:5; Psalms 119:75; Proverbs 3:12; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Hebrews 12:6, 7; Revelation 3:19

Pliny, the Roman governor in Asia Minor during the second century, was puzzled by the Christians who were brought before him for trial.  He recorded his experiences as perplexing.  When threatened with four would-be punishments:  banishment, death, loss of possessions, and total loss of friendship the Christians would respond that they couldn’t be banished since the whole world is their Father’s house; could not be blotted out from eternity because their life is hidden with Christ in God; couldn’t take away their possessions because their treasure is in heaven; and can’t drive away all their friends because their best Friend is unseen and cannot be separated from!

What form of persecution do you fear the most?

Have you prepared your heart and mind to be able to stand up to that type of persecution?  John 16:33; Acts 14:22

What are some “fiery trials” that you personally have experienced or someone close to you?

Explain how trials develop genuineness in faith.  Does genuineness automatically develop through trial?

What response on our part promotes the development of faith through trial?

Christ suffered and gave believers a pattern for following His example.

In this way our sufferings become occasions for joy vs 13.

1 Peter 1:6-9, Job 5:17; James 5:11

Peter says that in view of the fact that they are being reproached, they are happy.  The word “happy” is the translation of the same Greek word which means “prosperous.” As in Matt 5:3-11 where it is translated “blessed.”  Psalms 126:5-6; Isaiah 61:2, 3; 1 Peter 4:13, 14

Do you feel “blessed” when you undergo suffering for the name of Christ?

Ponder the fact that if the world persecutes a Christian, that is an indication of the spiritual prosperity of this life.  The world does not persecute worldly Christians, only spiritual ones. It is spirituality that rubs its fur the wrong way. 

Matthew 24:9; John 15:21; 2 Timothy 3:11, 12

So once again, should North Americans suffer for the cause of Christ?

If we aren’t ….

Why not?