LEARNING TO LIVE GOD'S WAY - PART # 9
I Peter 4:12-19

3   Kinds of Suffering:
"COMMON" suffering - because I am a human being
"CARNAL" suffering - because I sin
"CHRISTIAN" suffering - because I am a believer

1. REALIZE IT'S BOUND TO HAPPEN.
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering,
as though something strange were happening to you."   1 Peter 4:12 (NIV) 
 (Jesus) "No servant is greater than his master.  If they persecuted me,
they will persecute you also."   John 15:20 (NIV)
"We are not fighting against human beings, but against wicked spiritual forces."  
Ephesians 6:12 (GN)

2.   REJOICE WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN.
"But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ ..."  - 1 Peter 4:13a (NIV)

Reasons to Rejoice
It  draws me closer to Christ!
these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering,
and afterwards you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory." 
1 Peter 4:13b(LB)

It means God's Spirit can be seen in my life.
"When people insult you because you follow Christ, you  are blessed,
because the Spirit of God is with you."  1 Peter 4:14 (NIV)

It means God can trust me.
The apostles (were) full of joy that God considered them  worthy to suffer  
disgrace for Jesus' name."  Acts 5:41 (GN)

3.   REFUSE TO BE ASHAMED.
"If you suffer as a CHRISTIAN, do not be ashamed, but praise God
that you bear that name."  1 Peter 4:16 (NIV)
"Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what
God requires; the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them ."   Matt. 5:10 (GN)

Antidote To Fear Of Rejection:
                1.  Realize you don't need the approval of people to be happy in life.
                2.  Be more concerned about what God thinks about you, than others .
                3.   REMEMBER THE REWARD I'LL RECEIVE.
"These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won't
last very long.  Yet this short time of distress will result in God's richest
blessing upon us forever and ever !"    2 Cor. 4:17 (LB)
"Since we are God's children ... if we share in Christ's suffering,
we will also share in his glory ."  Romans 8:17 (GN)

4.   REMAIN FAITHFUL TO GOD !
"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves
to their faithful Creator and continue to do good ."  1 Peter 4:19 (NIV)
                ?  Do people notice Christ in my life ?
                ? Have I been ashamed to take a stand ?
"I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.  It is God's powerful method
of bringing all who believe it to heaven ... everyone is invited to come to God in 
 the same way."   Romans 1:16 (LB)