Purposeful Suffering (Pt. 2)

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - There are good reasons for our suffering.

TEXT - 1 Peter 4:1-19

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. ~ 1 Peter 1:13

OUTLINE: Some advice when suffering:

1. Keep suffering’s transience in perspective.

* 1 Peter 4:7-8

* 2 Corinthians 4:17

* Romans 8:18

* 1 Peter 5:10

2. Keep suffering’s goal in perspective.

* 1 Peter 4:12-13

* 1 Peter 1:6-7

* James 1:2-4,12

3. Keep suffering’s companions in perspective.

* 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

* Psalm 34:18

* Isaiah 43:2

* Psalm 23:4

* Daniel 3

NEXT STEPS

1. Meditate on the Biblical view of suffering.

2. Remember - Jesus is Lord of all.

GO DEEPER - Purposeful Suffering (Part 2)

More verses for reflection to help you in times of suffering.

Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Romans 5:3-5 - Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Romans 8:1 - Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…

Philippians 1:6 - …being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.