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"Be glad with exceeding joy"

Text: 1 Peter 4:13

THE PERSPECTIVE OF FAITH

Faith in the Lord can offer a very strikingly different perspective concerning suffering. Peter’s personal experience of suffering was changed as he employed his faith.

“Beloved, do not think it strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened to you;
but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings,
that when His glory is revealed,
you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
1 Peter 4:12-13

1. “Beloved”

a) Peter loved his congregation.

b) He had developed a good shepherd’s heart of affection for the brethren.

c) Thus, he wrote this epistle gently and with great kindness of heart.

2. “Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you”

a) The fiery trials

i) This is a reference to persecution.

ii) Many believers were scattered (Acts 8:1-4).

b) A negative perspective of fiery trials.

i) Some may have wondered why God had allowed persecution to occur.

ii) Some thought it “strange” and found it hard to accept such suffering.

c) Tackling this negative perspective.

i) Peter had to address this feeling of “strangeness”.

ii) He sought to assure the believers that suffering need not sound “strange” at all.

iii) The persecution that had happened need not faze them at all.

iv) A correct and strong perspective may be obtained.

3. “But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings”

a) A perspective of “rejoicing” is more than possible.

b) To suffer for the sake of faith was to share (partake) of Christ’s sufferings.

c) This was a wonderful perspective to possess.

4. “That when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy”

a) Glory revealed

i) This is a reference to the day when Christ Jesus returns.

ii) It would be a wonderful day.

iii) The great glory of Christ would be manifested and wonderfully revealed.

b) On that day

i) The believers who are presently suffering would also be very glad.

ii) There would be exceeding joy.

iii) This special joy comes from having been partakers of Christ’s sufferings.

c) This dynamic perspective

i) It comes from knowledge.

ii) It comes from faith.