Thank you, Judy, for that music ministry and the voices that come along to help. We're picking up from last week when Peter reminded us that the end of all things is near. Peter, from God's word, challenges us to exercise sound judgment, self-control, to love and show hospitality, and to serve one another with our gifts. This week, we're going to be challenged by Peter regarding the realities of suffering. I don't know if you're familiar with a book that was published in 2001. It was authored by Jan T. Gross, titled Neighbors. It shares the story of a tragic event of suffering. For centuries, as far back as the 1300s, Jewish and non-Jewish families had lived side by side in a Polish town of Jedwabne, sharing daily life, commerce, and a long history of coexistence. By the early 20th century, Jews comprise about 60% of the population of that city, deeply integrated into the town's economy and culture, while still maintaining their distinct religious traditions. This fragile harmony unraveled during World War II as a Nazi occupation exploited underlying anti-Semitism and stoked tensions. On July 10th, 1941, local Polish townspeople, incited by the Nazis' authorities, turned on their Jewish neighbors, rounding up men, women, and children. And the victims were beaten, humiliated, ultimately driven into a barn, which was set ablaze, killing nearly all inside. Many perpetrators looted their homes of their murdered neighbors, shattered generations of shared history in a single day. This is the world unrestrained and unmasked with its hatred towards God and His chosen people. Let us not think for a minute that such atrocities have stopped suddenly in the world. Suffering is happening right now, which is why we pray for our brothers and sisters around the world each week. Suffering is the historical norm of Christianity, and what we have in America is an exception to that rule. And may we never take that for granted, right? May we continue to proclaim the gospel so that the lost might see the light of Christ and be saved. So this morning, let us consider three commands in light of suffering for the Lord so we don't fail our faithful creator. Our three commands from the text are as follows. Don't be surprised, don't be ashamed, and entrust your soul to the creator. So if you would, please turn to 1 Peter Chapter 4, verse 12. By the way, I've been using that color. Is that easy to read or should it be brighter next time? It's okay? I was wondering about that because when I look at it, I can barely see it on the other TV. Okay. So 1 Peter 4, starting at verse 12 and 13. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of his glory you may rejoice with exaltation. What makes this passage challenging is not that it's a difficult truth to understand, but that it is a truth that we don't typically experience here in America right now. It seems distant to us to talk in these terms. As I said before, we have a soft persecution in America. You may have been passed over for a promotion, censored online, or something else along those lines. But it would be an exception here to suffer violence for your faith. Regardless of the level and degree of persecution we might experience, these principles from God's word apply to all believers, regardless of time, culture, or situation. And Peter begins tenderly in this passage with the word beloved. It's an adjective derived from the verb to love, agapao, right? It's to describe believers. We are the beloved. Peter next follows with the command, do not be surprised. However, the underlying Greek word here and the other word in this verse, strange, are usually connected to hospitality to strangers, entertaining one in the home, allowing one to lodge in your home. There wasn't Hilton's and and Hampton Inns and so forth back at the time they were writing these letters. You were a stranger in a town, someone would have to open their home. However, Peter turns this concept on its head to convey the idea that in the world, they will not show hospitality to you, a stranger, a pilgrim in the world. This rejection, this persecution by the world, is not to be seen as something extraordinary or foreign, yet it is to be expected. And that's what Peter is trying to convey. This is the norm. And the expression fiery ordeal describes not only an intense and painful experience, but draws from the imagery of fire. Years ago a chaplain took me into a hospital burn ward. It was a very disturbing experience. I witnessed individuals all bandaged up who had suffered third and fourth degree burns. It was excruciating. They were literally on morphine drips 24-7. And the heat from the fires, of course, destroys the skin, but it penetrates deep into the muscles, the bones, the nerves, leaving scars that permanently disfigure the body. Like I said, all the patients were on pain morphine and so forth. And then the recovery is just as brutal, learning to restretch the skin and the muscles. This is a picture of what fire can do to the body. And the underlying word in the Greek is a fiery ordeal, which is actually similar to our word pyro. And this fiery ordeal, this trial that comes to believers, helps us understand how such trials of faith sear deeply into a believer's life, stripping away the superficial comforts. Not to scar, because these trials are to refine us. to strengthen us, to mature us, to make us a vessel to be useful for God's purposes. The purpose of these trials is not to hurt and harm from God's perspective, but is to refine you in your walk before the Lord. It's to make you holy. The scripture describes this truth in many places. Malachi is probably what Peter is probably drawing the imagery from. Behold, I'm going to send my messenger and he will clear the way before me. This is speaking of the Isaiah. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple and the messengers of the confident in whom you delight. Behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But then listen to this, But who can endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire, like a fuller's soap. He will sit at the smelter and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord, offerings and righteousness. This is a picture of that tribulation period where Israel look upon whom they pierced their only son and repent. Zechariah 13, 9 also shares this imagery, same event. I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name and I will answer them and I will say, they are my people and they will say, the Lord is my God. Even Psalm 66, 10, for you have tried us, O God. You've refined us as silver is refined. Don't ever think for a minute that a trial in your life is without purpose. Remember Peter's earlier words that we read in 1 Peter 1.6, in this you greatly rejoice, even though now, for a little while, if necessary, you've been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold, which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. These trials are custom made for you to strip away those things that are hindering your walk and your faith. They're never pleasant, are they at first? But when you get on the back end and you look back, you're like, you're blessed because of that. If you embrace the lesson that was to be learned. I should point out that the trials Peter describes in this context are directly from unbelievers. That's right, God is gonna use sometimes unholy vessels in your life. So this does not reference other types of life trials, such as medical, mental, or financial, et cetera, though these principles would apply for those too. These are specific trials brought about through the persecution of the lost towards the believer. Notice how Peter reveals that such trials are for purpose. They're designed for testing, like an examination. Just to share some good news, on a side note this week, last Wednesday, my professor finally approved my paper for my dissertation. So I mailed off this week, and then we set the, I call it the inquisition. the examination when I defend my paper in the next probably 60 days. So thank you for all your prayers. I don't think that's going to be a fiery ordeal like this is describing, but you never know, right? But the purpose of this examination, all right, is that it's going to reveal your true character. It's going to expose where you are in your faith, where your trust begins and ends, and where your obedience begins and ends. It's a trial to remove sin. It's to increase obedience. It's to develop biblical convictions. And it's to grow your faith in Christ. These are truly good things. But the process to go from beginning the trial through the trial to end the trial is a fiery ordeal. It is difficult. And this is why Peter says, you know, as though some strange thing were happening to you. You know, when these trials come into your life, there's a part that we always say, Lord, why is this happening to me? Right? What did I do to deserve this? That thought comes and that's natural. Let's just try to get that thought out of our mind as fast as we can because we need to come back to the truth that this is not something strange that's happening to you. It's not extraordinary. It's not some rare occurrence like the planets are aligning and they're out to get you. In fact, it's expected. That's something I've learned in my life is that when I'm not in a trial, I thank the Lord that I'm not in a trial. And then I try to grow in that time so that a trial is not needed. But that is life. And we got to come to embrace these lessons that the Lord is ready to teach us. It's a difficult truth. It could make you start to feel anxious, right? Thinking trouble is just around the corner. But that's not how we should be thinking. Peter's exhortation, like last week, reminded us, sound judgment, right? Sober spirit. Be self-controlled. God is sovereign, and he is, if he brings a trial into your life, he is gonna supply everything necessary for life and godliness. Remember Paul's words of encouragement, Romans 8, 28? For we know God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. Remember Joseph? I mean, it seemed like one thing after another went wrong, but it was serving a greater purpose to deliver Egypt and his people from the great famine in the world. Peter in verse 13 takes an interesting turn. Listen to this, But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of his glory you may rejoice with exaltation. So it's not only should you expect the trials, but you should rejoice in the trials. Peter links our suffering, though, at the hands of unbelievers to Christ's suffering at the hands of unbelievers. This is the link that Peter wants us to see. In fact, Paul made the same link in 2 Corinthians 1.5, for just as the sufferings of Christ are ours, and by the way, in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ, which is why I read that passage today. God is the God of all comfort. It is linked because it falls under the same conditions. As Christ obeyed the Father and suffered, so we obey the Father in Christ and so we too will suffer. And when suffering is tied to faith, and the key is obedient faith to God as Word, then and only then are we sharing in the sufferings of Christ. So this is key. It's another way of saying we're gonna have a shared experience. Think about it. If you suffer for Christ, when you meet him at the judgment seat, he had suffered for you. You're gonna have a shared experience. John 15, 18 through 20, Jesus said this to disciples and speaks to us even today. If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you're not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, and because of this, the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, a slave is not greater than his master? If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also. We suffer because we're associated with Christ, and here's the key, we're obeying Christ. It's one thing to profess, right? But do you possess faith that's a faith that results in a changed life, where now you are obeying the word, not disobeying the word. However, Peter continues to challenge our view on suffering with the following command, keep rejoicing. In other words, be glad, be delighted, have joy. How many of you, when you experience a trial, the first thing you're gonna do is crack a smile? It's usually on your knees praying, end this thing now before it gets any worse, right? But there's a, I will have to say this because Devin can confirm this. There's times when a trial hits and I'm just like, I got to pep my step because I know the Lord is at work. Something is about to happen. There's change that's coming and he is personally involved. That is something to celebrate. It doesn't always work out that way, but That's the key, that's what Peter's getting at. There's an understanding deep down that this is something good's gonna come out of this. You might be thinking, how is that even possible, right? First, I think we have to center on Christ and not on ourselves. Second, we focus on our future with him, not our present suffering. And third, we await our heavenly reward and are not concerned with our earthly loss. Our suffering does not earn salvation. That's not what Peter's getting at. But such suffering, if we're believers, is rewarded. And keep in mind, Peter speaks from experience. This is not someone who's just, hey, talking a good game. Peter has lived it. Acts 541, so they, Peter and the disciples, went on their way from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for his name. Will that be your attitude? Do you consider it worthy to suffer shame for Christ's name? Or do you consider it shameful to suffer for Christ's name? It can be in some situations to be obedient. It can be embarrassing. It can look, it can feel awkward, especially if the group and the context you're in doesn't love Christ nor appreciate it, or just doesn't respect you. Obedience to Christ and His Word has always had a cost. Christ called us to deny ourselves, to carry our cross, and to follow Him. However, many Christians are still stuck at the first step. Instead of denying themselves, they are indulging themselves. Instead of serving others, they expect others to serve themselves, to serve them. And if we're not willing to be obedient in the minimal things, then should we expect to be able to be obedient in the substantial things? Hebrews 11 is a sober testament to the truthfulness of Peter's words. You know, Hebrews 11, the hall of faith, When you get to that, first it starts off with these amazing victories of faith, kingdoms conquered, and so forth. But then you get to the other side. Hebrews 11, 35 through 40, others were tortured, not accepting their release. So they might obtain a better resurrection. And others experienced mockings, scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned. They were sawn in two. They were tempted. They were put to death with the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated. And in parentheses, men of whom the world was not worth. wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us, they would not be made perfect." In other words, there's things that sometimes we just don't get right now, because God is saving it for all of us to get it at once. Let's finish this verse and look what follows. Keep on rejoicing. 1 Peter 13 says, so that also at the revelation of his glory, you may rejoice with exaltation. This just takes it to another notch higher. Peter is giving us this incredible perspective. When we're suffering, we can rejoice because our suffering has this future purpose in mind. That's why we endure. We endure for our Lord. Peter's revealing that Christ will return to rule and to reign. That is what he means by the revelation of his glory. When he comes back in the second coming in all his glory, that's the revelation of his glory. And it will be glorious. Jesus described the conditions surrounding his glorious return back in Matthew on Olivet Discourse. Remember this? So think about all that darkness, all that chaos, all that mayhem. And then it says this, and then the sign of the son of man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, these are the unbelievers, and they will see the son of man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And who's gonna be behind him riding some horses? The church, us. And when Christ returns, the believers, who amazingly suffered and endured and survived the tribulation, they will literally be rejoicing with exaltation. Think about it. You're waited seven years. The rapture happens. You hadn't believed. You then believe. You're running from the Antichrist, running from persecution. You're probably living in caves in goatskins. And finally, seven years comes, and here comes your Savior, literally, to rescue you. We, like I said, the Christ bride will return and we will be rejoicing as well. I hope you can see Peter's point. To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing. In other words, the more you suffer, the more you rejoice. Because every time you do that, as you do it in faith, the Lord is pleased and he will reward you for that faithfulness. God uses that suffering not only to sanctify you, but it becomes a witness to those around you that God is real and that they too need to repent and believe. There is a day when our Lord Jesus will return to rule and reign with righteousness. Not right now. He's ruling from above. But there's a day when he will rule and reign here. And at that time, he will no longer have to suffer for righteousness sake, because the King of righteousness is ruling and reigning. Now, let me ask you, will you allow God's good purposes in this age to grow and change you? Will you allow the Lord to mature you to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ? Do you desire that, to be more Christ-like? Are you annoyed with yourselves, with the ways you fall short in small ways? Maybe there's a big sin you're struggling with and you want deliverance from that. Are you willing to allow Christ to work in your life to remove that? so that you and I aren't children being tossed here and there. Should we be surprised at a fiery ordeal for our faithfulness to the Lord in our day? Maybe, like I said momentarily, but let us quickly recognize that the hand of God is upon you in those moments and let our faith in Christ reveal our trust and our obedience to our King Redeemer, His word and to the promises no matter what degree we share in Christ's sufferings. Let our hearts not be troubled in those moments. So don't be surprised. Now let's continue to point number two. Let's also not be ashamed. Let me read verses 14 through 16. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory and God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or a troublesome meddler. But if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. I'm so glad Peter included this passage. It's not only an important reminder, but offers a critical contrast. Peter begins with encouragement and insurance. If you're reviled, in other words, if you're insulted, reprimanded, mocked for the name of Christ, which includes your association with and obedience to Christ, you are blessed. The emphasis here is not physical violence, it's verbal. Peter is echoing the words of Christ. Do you remember on the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus said the following, Matthew 5.11, blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad for your reward in heaven is great. For in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you, And so this is the idea. We're not the first to experience this. We're part of a long chain of events. When Jesus was crucified, do you remember at first both thieves were just hurling insults at Christ at first? Why? Think about it. What did Jesus do to them? They hadn't even met Jesus up to this point. What else was going on? I think this is why Peter adds this insight. You are blessed because the spirit of glory and of God rests on you. There was something about Christ that set him apart from all others. Even unbelievers could see that. We can see that in the Bible. As born again believers, we are permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit. He is the spirit of glory and of God. And that word rest means abides, he remains. The Holy Spirit has sealed us, he has set us apart in the world, he sanctifies us, he helps us, and he comforts us. And when we yield to the spirit and we are filled with the spirit, because that's what it means to be filled with the spirit. It means to yield, let the flesh take second seat to the spirit, to the word of God. We obey God's word. We love others sincerely. And at that point, people sense something is different. At least they should. And when we act this way, for some, it can be very refreshing. They're like, wow, I've never met someone with hope and joy. But for others, they can recoil. They can revile. They start to suspect maybe there's an ulterior motive. Or they just don't like it. Peter affirms that if your obedience and faithfulness to Christ is that apparent to the world, you are blessed if they revile. This is a portrait, another way of describing someone who's obedient, loving, thankful, and grateful in their faith. But there is a contrast to this behavior. And Peter surprisingly lists four unrighteous behaviors, going from the most extreme criminal activity to the least criminal activity. But all are criminal activities and all are sinful, and no Christian should ever be involved in them. The list is not, I don't believe, to indict someone in the church that Peter's writing to, but it's a way of contrasting the unbeliever's criminal behavior with Christian behavior. The word for suffers is the same word Pierre has been using throughout this book. However, in this context, the suffering is for unrighteousness and sin and is just a punishment. No Christian should be this disobedient and this worldly. That's part of Peter's point here. However, this list is not a checklist. Okay, I didn't murder anyone today. I didn't steal today, right? I'm not a meddler today. All right, I'm doing good. That's not how this would be looked at. The greater principle is that our suffering should never be a result of our sin and disobedience. Christian suffering should only be the result from faithful, obedient living. That's what Peter's trying to contrast. He's just using these extreme examples. It's quite a shocking list. Murderer, that violates the sixth commandment. Thieving, that violates the eighth commandment. You shall not steal. Evildoer, Peter has used this several times in 1 Peter. It's just a general word for criminal. And this word, troublesome meddler, Only Peter uses this in the Bible. It's a unique word. It literally means one who acts as an overseer in matters that belong to another. They're meddling. In Peter's day, it included a political agitator, someone who was anti-government, anti-establishment. It can also include someone who's mischievous, meddling, infringing upon others, taking advantage of others, and even spying on others with evil intentions. I'm sure it's obvious to you that such behavior is completely inappropriate for a believer, and it's never justified. However, for a Christian under extreme, hostile, persecuting conditions, there is. Is there not a temptation for us in the flesh to maybe lash out, to maybe retaliate, maybe to avenge? But that is not the way of our Lord, is it? He uttered no threats. And we are commanded to leave room for God to avenge us if that is his will. So under these difficult circumstances, we must guard our hearts, trust the Lord, and pray for enemies and even love our enemies. Now with this contrast and backdrop, Peter returns to his main point in verse 16. If anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed. but it's to glorify God in this name. So the glorifying God in the Christian name. That any suffers is italicized and inserted for clarity. This is the, by the way, the third and final use of the word Christian in the Bible. I don't know if you know that, it's only mentioned three times. It was first coined in Antioch. Then Agrippa used it with Paul as Paul tried to evangelize him, and now Peter uses it. Remember, Peter's writing towards the end of the New Testament time. This word has become a description of a true born-again believer following Christ faithfully. It's our identity, and our identity is Christ. Now, Peter next issues two commands. One's a put-off and one's a put-on. the put off command, he is not to be ashamed. In other words, not to be disgraced, not to be embarrassed over your identity and obedience to Christ. This verb is in the passive voice. This means that you, the believer, and I, we must reject this feeling of embarrassment and ashameness when we suffer. We are to guard our hearts and minds against those who attempt to shame us. We must not internalize or entertain such thoughts. Because that can happen. You can be broken by your trial and your circumstances and start to feel embarrassed. This happens, I think, when we evangelize. Oh, I don't know. Should I say something? What if they respond? We get a little bit of taste of that. What would they think? How would they respond? Just focus on being faithful. The put on command, which is, but is to glorify God in this name. This is to glorify, is to praise, to honor, extol, to worship. Here is the faith response to suffering. And this is where we thank the Lord. Keep in mind in this context, your suffering is not from sin, it's from obedience. Did you notice how pride plays no part in this context? It's not, look at me, I'm suffering for the Lord. Instead, it's, look at my Lord. That's the idea. You see the trial now as a vehicle for God to be exalted and you, frankly, to be lowered. Paul said it this way, I'll glorify God in my weaknesses, right? Do you remember when Jesus asked Ananias to go to Paul and lay hands on him? Let me read that portion from Acts, Acts 9, 10. Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, here I am, Lord. By the way, you'll see that throughout the scriptures. Anytime the Lord shows up, the first expression is, here I am, Lord. They know who he is, and they respond with submission. Lord said to him, Get up, and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. For he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay hands on him, so that he might regain his sight. But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name. How did Ananias know that? The word was on the street. But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel. And here's the key point. For I will show him how much he must suffer for my name's sake. Paul got a personal invitation from the Lord. You're gonna suffer for my namesake. But each of us have been given the same invitation. Different times, different places, different situations. The last sentence is key. I will show him how he will suffer for my namesake. We too, to different degrees, have been called to suffer for Christ's namesake. Any suffering we experience for faithfulness must be on behalf of Christ. We suffer for His namesake, not our reputation's namesake. May we never lose sight of this critical focus. As you endure, and the Spirit will help you endure, praise God. Focus on Christ. Exalt His name. And if you struggle to endure, remember 1 Corinthians 10 31, whatever then, whatever you eat, Whatever you drink, whatever you do, do all for the glory of God. Come back to that central theme, how can I glorify God in this situation? And that hopefully will give you the focus you need. So, don't be surprised at suffering for Christ. Don't be ashamed. But now let's turn to our final point, and that is, but entrust your soul to the Creator. 1 Peter 4, 17 through 19. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. Peter moves to the topic of judgment. Makes sense, right? You deal with the situation, there's going to be an accounting, a reckoning at some point for how we respond and behave. We learn that judgment begins with the household of God. This is all about God's holiness and God's dealing with sin among his people. This is a father over his house and we are his children. Up to this point, Peter has been focusing on being faithful, being obedient, and suffering for the sake of Christ and his gospel. Now Peter turns to discuss actual sins in the church. The term judgment is a legal decision. It's a verdict. Many passages in scripture reveal God chasing his children for their sin and rebellion. Hebrews 12, 7 and 8. It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with sons. For what son is there whom the father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. You ever wonder why some unbelievers seem to just skate through life with no consequences, no matter how evil they are? It's because they're not God's son. So he doesn't chase in them. Although our sin debt has been paid and we are secure in our salvation, there is the matter of our sanctification. the life we have lived in Christ since we've been saved. When we repeatedly sin, when we stop growing in Christ, when we run from our spiritual responsibilities because our Heavenly Father loves us, He will bring us back in. He will help us, He will discipline us, and He will chasten us. All for our good and all for His glory. Hebrews 12, 6, for those whom the Lord loves, he disciplines, and he scourges every son whom he receives. Have you had some scourging from the Lord? Hopefully not too much, but probably all of us a little bit. The uncomfortable truth is that most of the suffering we experience in America is due to our sin, not our obedience. And God's chasing not only has the purpose of correcting us, but conforming us to the image of Christ. Consider the words of Christ in John 15, that famous vine passage, I am the true vine, and my father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, he takes away. And every branch that bears fruit, he prunes it. Not exactly the most comfortable experience. So that it may bear more fruit. You may think you're fruitful today, but if you allow the Lord to work in your life, believe it or not, you'll bear even more fruit. Now, I don't want you to miss this next point. God's chastening, as I said, is to help us bear fruit for him. But it's also a testimony to the world that God is dealing with sin, starting first with his people. As the world looks in, and they do look with an eye of judgment upon us, They unfortunately, many times, fail to see that God is a righteous judge judging his church. And they fail to see that one day they too will be judged. So there's a bigger picture going on here. As God is making his church more holy, yes, that's for us to bear fruit and become more like Christ, but it is a testimony to the world, I'm God, I deal with sin, you're next. This is why Peter says, what will be the outcome, the end result for those who do not obey the gospel of God, which is another way of saying they reject Christ and the gospel unbelief. Now, God wants to see them saved. And he does that by showing the seriousness of sin. And although we are judged and chastened for our sins, we have been redeemed. We can't lose our salvation. But for the unbeliever, They have no such security. They are not redeemed, and their judgment awaits them at the great white throne judgment. I think it's a good reminder to read this passage, Revelation 20. It shows us that after Christ's millennial reign, his thousand-year reign, This is the final judgment. Then I saw a great white throne, and him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged from these things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. Yes, it's true, you've got your own set of encyclopedias of your whole life. Everything you've thought, everything you've said, everything you've done. But there's another book, the Book of Life, and if you repent and believe, you're in that. And it goes on to say, and the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them, and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Now let me pause here. This white throne judgment is for unbelievers. We have already been judged through the cross, that's our sins are forgiven. We have the judgment seat of Christ, which is actually a seat of rewards. We're going to be here at the judgment, but not to be judged. We will be with Christ co reigning and co ruling. This is all the unbelievers of all time that are being judged. And I believe anyone who hasn't been judged, that would be someone who survived the tribulation millennial kingdom. Now death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he or she was thrown into the lake of fire. This is what is the end for those who don't repent. Unbelief in the lake of fire. Peter repeats his point even with stronger terms. 1 Peter 4, 18, and if it is with difficulty the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and sinner It's almost like he's putting his hand over his mouth and just say, I don't even want to think about the consequences. The difficulty is focusing on all the work that God has accomplished to justify, to sanctify, and ultimately glorify lost souls. This is not about you and me and the difficulties of our trials as we work through these. This is not about us saving ourselves. This is about the difficulty of the Lord trying to redeem man from the cross and in all the providential things he's doing. And as God, through Christ and his spirit and providence, does bring many sons to glory, there are many, and most, who don't repent and believe. And what will be the outcome for them? The sober reality is that it is a miracle any of us are saved. Maybe you're part of a family and you're the only believer. Maybe, you know, you're the only one in your neighborhood. Maybe you're the only one in your workplace. The numbers of saved are small. The numbers of the unsaved are great. We have our work cut out, don't we, to evangelize. But those of us who are saved, this life in Christ is, at times, times of suffering. There is suffering for righteousness, which pleases the Lord when we're faithful in those situations. And suffering for unrighteousness displeases the Lord and results in chastening by His loving hand. Let me offer a word of caution. Should you find yourself truly suffering for the Lord for righteousness sake, whether verbal or violent, you are going to have moments of doubt. Consider Jeremiah the prophet, which I believe is a picture of Christ, getting some insights in the mind of Christ. He suffered for the Lord. Listen to what he says in Lamentations 3. I am the man who has seen affliction because of the rod of his wrath. He has driven me and made me walk in darkness and not in light. Surely against me he has turned his hand repeatedly all the day. He has caused my flesh and my skin to waste away. He has broken my bones. He has besieged and encompassed me with bitterness and hardship. This is Jeremiah. It's not easy being a prophet of God in a place that God says, no one is going to listen to you. You're a hammer, they're a rock. Good luck with that. But even Jeremiah, in his suffering, in his prayer to the Lord, towards the end of this very chapter, he turns back to the Lord, to the one whom he has entrusted his very soul and life. Listen to the end of the chapter, verses 19 through 26 of Lamentations 3. Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness. Surely my soul remembers and is bowed down within me. This is worship. This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's loving kindness indeed never ceases, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. So when Judy shot me an email over the weekend, she's like, hey, I'd like to change this song. She had no idea that it was part of this message. That's God's providence working. Therefore I have hope in him, the Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the person who seeks him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the Lord. Ultimately, all trials are to bring you back to a place of worship. And there you can openly and introspectively examine your heart, see the lessons that you need to learn, and ask God to help you make those changes. Jeremiah and other godly men and women in the Bible, like those in Hebrews 11, each entrusted themselves to the Lord in their suffering." This is Peter's primary point. Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful creator in doing what is right. Now, don't miss this. The suffering, we probably have used this expression. In fact, I remarked this to my wife. I'm suffering for the will of God. We think of this as just a general God's decrees in life, okay? But that's not what Peter's saying. He's being very specific. You're suffering according to the will of God, which is another way of saying you're suffering for obeying God's word. This is not some trial God just throws in you like James is talking about. You're actually obeying God's word. You're obeying his will, and now trials come because of that. This is not about some general trial or difficulty in life. It has nothing to do, it has everything to do with your obedience to God's word. That's why Peter adds at the end of the passage, in doing what is right. Because doing what is right in this world sometimes results in suffering. And the word and trust, it's a command. It takes spiritual discipline and spiritual maturity to obey in faith when there is suffering for obedience. It's not easy. Just as it takes discipline to go to the gym, work out, and change your diet to get fit, in the beginning, there's a lot of pain. And if those of you have taken the New Year's resolution, you're probably in pain right now. And at first it seems like there's very little reward. But faithful perseverance with this discipline is the only way to improve. There's still pain, but what happens? You're able to handle more pain. You're able to endure more. Think about it. Faith and obedience are inextricably tied to one another. In faith, we obey God's word. In faith, we entrust our souls to a faithful creator who's not only with us every step of the way, but loves us, has secured our salvation, and he will bring us home to glory in his perfect timing. David in Psalm 86 says something very similar. Preserve my soul, for I'm a godly man. Oh, you my God, save your servant who trusts in you. Paul says it this way, for this reason I also suffer these things, but I'm not ashamed for I know whom I believed and I'm convinced he is able to guard what I've entrusted to him until that day. Have you entrusted your very soul to Christ and the Father? No matter what happens, you're secure in Christ if you repented and believed. But is that your thought in your trial? Sometimes we don't think that way, but sometimes we have to say this. I am entrusting you, Lord, in this trial. So let me ask, how are you doing in your walk with the Lord? Are you pursuing his word? Are you denying yourself? Are you carrying the cross? Are you following him? Is it difficult? Are you persevering? And interesting, it's not by accident that in the parable of the sower of the seed, the four soils, the hard one that rejects God right away, the last one is someone who embraces salvation and they have an abundant life, a fruitful life to the Lord, but the middle two, right? They grow up with rocky soil, shallow, trials and tribulations come and they don't produce a crop or they're choked up by thorns and they don't produce anything, some immature fruit. Those middle two, is what happens when testing comes and they discover they didn't have faith. But we, if we truly are saved, we will thrive. So my prayer for you and me is that when suffering comes, we won't be surprised, we won't be ashamed, and we will entrust ourselves, our very soul, to our creator. Which, by the way, that's the only passage in the Bible that describes God as the creator. that actual title is given to him. So may these commands, these three commands serve you well in light of suffering for the Lord. We don't know what the year has for us, but the Lord knows. And as he helps us to entrust him and not fail him, our faithful creator and the Lord Jesus Christ will help us through the trial. And one day we will exalt his name to his face. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for Peter's words and the reminders and the challenges. In America, we just don't understand this fully. We certainly aren't asking for it, but Lord, help us should it come to our door that we will respond in a way that would honor you, that would please you. We pray in this upcoming year that all of us would be witnessing and sharing and serving and growing in holiness and obedience. And Lord, help us when the trial comes, not to be surprised. Help us not to be ashamed, and help us to entrust you, our faithful creator. In Christ's name we pray, amen. Well, thanks for joining us this week. We're gonna be picking up in 1 Peter chapter five next week. We're almost done with 1 Peter, and then sometime in February, we're gonna kick off 2 Peter chapter, yeah, 2 Peter. Have a great week and a blessed week. We'll see you soon.