"The Fiery Trials of Christianity"

In the village of Miango, Nigeria, there is a guest house and a small church called Kirk Chapel. Behind the chapel is a small cemetery with 56 graves. Thirty-three of them hold the bodies of children of Christian missionaries.

The stones read: "Ethyl Arnold: September 1, 1928–September 2, 1928." "Barbara J. Swanson: 1946–1952." "Eileen Louise Whitmoyer: May 6, 1952–July 3, 1955." This was the cost of taking the gospel of Nigeria for many families.

A fella, by the name of Charles White, told his story about visiting this little graveyard and ended it with a tremendously powerful sentence. He said, "The only way we can understand the graveyard at Miango is to remember that God also buried His Son on the mission field." And when He raised Him from the dead, He called the church to follow Him into the same dangerous field called… "all the world."

The question we must answer is "are we willing to follow?"

Are you willing to follow Christ when it is difficult? Will you follow Him when it is dangerous? Will you follow Him if it causes pain, suffering and even death?

One of the most common questions that people ask is… “Why do bad things happen to good people”? We find ourselves in the midst of a time of trial or tribulation and we cry out to God and ask Him why???

As we go through our text today, I am hoping to shed a little bit of light on the answer to that question. In this letter from Peter, suffering is a constant theme… And now as he nears the end of the letter he provides some insight as to why God allows His children to suffer… So today, we will look at… “The Fiery Trials of Christianity”

1 Peter 4:12-19 (Read)

Meat:

This morning we are going to look at 4…

Aspects of Fiery Trials:

And the first aspect that I want you to see is the…

1. Trials are Inevitable

I made this same point as we were studying through chapter 1…

Peter says here… 1 Peter 4:12 “12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;”

The NASB words it like this… “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you...”

This means that… No matter who you are there will come a time when you face pain, troubles and trials. There is no escape, because we live in a world plagued with sin.

In a perfect world we wouldn’t have to deal with any trials… and when we are able to enter into that perfect world, where we will be in the presence of our Living Hope, Jesus Christ, we won’t have to deal with trials any longer!

But until then… I believe that we will deal with 3 different types of trials…

First of all… there are…

1.1 Common Trials

These are trials that everyone faces, regardless of your background, race, religion, or even your age… at some point we are all going to have a bad day…

Matthew 5:45 (NASB95)

45 … for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Theologians, when talking about the part that says “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good...” call this “Common Grace” (or common blessing).

We know that every morning we wake up with breath in our lungs, it is a blessing from God. But, even the people who have a hatred toward God and would use that breath to blaspheme His Holy Name, still also receive that same blessing…

Like wise… when Scripture says that He “… sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” it is talking about “Common Trials” (or Common Suffering)...

Consider for a moment, the 3 crosses of Calvary. I know that there were 2 sinners and Jesus. But one of the sinners was saved in his final moments of life… So, for sake of the illustration, I will say that there was a Saint, a Sinner and a Savior crucified that day.

All three of them suffered and died, whether they deserved it or not. None of them were exempt from suffering and death. .

Our minds have a hard time comprehending why bad things happen to "good" people. And we may also question why good things happen to evil people. Though we may not understand it, there is such thing as “common grace” and “common suffering”.

Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, said…

Ecclesiastes 7:15 NASB95

15 I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness.

All over the world people are dying from starvation. Droughts leave people thirsty and cause crops to fail. Hurricanes, Tsunamis & earthquakes that ravage the land. Harsh chemicals that are released into the air we breathe...

Many people live in the middle of war zones. Terrorism is on the rise. Millions of people suffer from different diseases. Unemployment, lack of healthcare and rising costs of utilities and food are a problem for many. This is common suffering that takes place all over the world. None of us are exempt.

There is another type of trial that I would like to consider and that is:

1.2 Carnal Trials

Carnal refers to that which is not spiritual… I know we are skipping a little for a minute, but look at v.15… Peter says…

1 Peter 4:15 “15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.”

Here Peter speaks of suffering trials for doing things that are wrong. Many people are suffering because of the choices they have made. If you fail to pay your taxes your assets may be seized and your wages may be garnished. If you drink and drive you will get a DUI and possibly lose your license. If you rob someone you will be arrested and spend time in jail. If you murder someone you will go to prison... possibly for the rest of your life...

Bad choices and sinful actions bring severe consequences.

Many times when people face this type of suffering they blame God. When in fact they are suffering because of their own choices. They drink a half a case of beer a day and when they get cirrhosis of the liver it is God's fault.

They consume illegal drugs and blame God when they lose their job and all of their possessions in order to support their habit. Some abuse their spouse or commit adultery and then ask why God allowed their marriage to fail.

Choices have consequences and the consequences may bring severe, carnal trials.

There are also…

1.3 Christian Trials

This is the suffering that is perhaps the hardest for us to understand. But I can testify that CHRISTIANS DO SUFFER!! We are not suddenly immune to pain and problems when we surrender to Christ.

In fact, that may be the point in your life when troubles seem to intensify. We have many examples of Christ followers in the Bible who suffered greatly AFTER their conversions.

1) James was beheaded by Herod.

2) Then Herod apprehended Peter and imprisoned him intending to do the same.

3) Stephen was stoned to death.

4) Paul was in and out of prison for preaching Jesus. (not to mention his physical harm and eventual death for his faith)

At the time Peter wrote this letter, Nero was the King. Nero was notorious for taking Christians, soaking them in combustible liquid and using them to light his gardens at night. For sport, Nero would also clothe Christians in the hides of wild animals and they would be torn to death and eaten by lions or dogs.

All over the world today men and women are being persecuted for their faith. They are being arrested, beaten and killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. We may not have experienced the physical persecution that some Christian martyrs have faced, but we do know about troubles, trials and tribulations.

Many of us have experienced first hand the reality of Christian Trials. Christian people have to bury their babies. Christian marriages sometimes fail. Christian husbands have to stand by the bedside of their dying wives. Christian wives have to plan the funerals of their husbands.

Christians lose their jobs. They have bills that they cannot pay. The repo man comes and takes the car. The bank forecloses on the house. Christians are diagnosed with terminal diseases.

Some of you have rebellious children who are involved in sin and living in wickedness. They have made choices that will bring serious consequences into their lives… and you lay awake at night worrying and praying for them.

This has affected you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You are hurting, you are suffering and you just want to know WHY??? And you have asked the Lord time and time again "WHY MUST I SUFFER??"

As we look at v.13 we will see the second aspect of these fiery trials and that is…

2. The Reason for Trials

1 Peter 4:13 “13 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.”

Do not think that the trails you are facing are something that surprised God. What you are facing is no accident...IT HAS A PURPOSE!

When you experience suffering it may seem that God is a million miles away. It is actually in these times that God is the closest! He is working on you molding you and making you into what He would have you to be. Even in the midst of trials, God is working out His purpose in your life.

Back in 1 Peter 1:6-7 we read… “6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,”

As we were going through Chapter 1 I gave you two reasons for our trials…These are not the 2 on your outline today, I just want to give you a review… you can right these down somewhere in your notes if you’d like… Back in Chapter 1, I said…

Trials Prove Us - The trials that we go through are there to prove “the genuineness of our faith”

Peter uses the illustration of Gold... Gold is proved to be Gold by being put to the fire. If the matter is put to the fire and it does not lose its nature, weight or color then it is the real deal.

So to is the Christian who is put to the fire of suffering and trials. Genuine faith is proved by adversities…

I also said that…

2. Trials Purify Us - Trials are designed to "test our faith". Again, going back to the illustration of Gold...

Gold is refined by fire... The intense heat melts the metal. When this happens the impurities come to the top. Those impurities are then skimmed off... and this results in a gold that is a more pure and valuable metal than it was before going into the furnace.

These "fiery trials" will remove the impurities from our lives. And this will bring us into a closer more pure relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

This morning, I want to give you two more reasons for our trials… these are the 2 that are in your notes… first of all…

2.1 Trials Prepare Us

The ultimate reason that we go through these fiery trials is to form a Christ-like character. As we live out what we say we believe, we will go through the process of sanctification.

Sanctification is the ongoing supernatural work of God to rescue justified sinners from the disease of sin and to conform them to the image of his Son: holy, Christlike, and empowered to do good works.

Trials are a part of that “ongoing” sanctification process. This means that it will be a part of our lives until we go home to glory. We must endure these fiery trials in order for God to accomplish His purpose in our lives. They prepare us to be more like Christ tomorrow, than what we are today.

Not only do they prepare us… I want you to also notice…

2.2 Trials Protect Us

Sounds a little strange doesn’t it… How could trials protect us? … They protect us in a very important way… Trials protect us from pride!

The Apostle Paul gives us an example of this In 2 Corinthians…

2 Corinthians 12:7–8 ESV

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

3 times he asked the Lord to remove that "thorn from his flesh". However, this thorn in his flesh was an instrument allowed by God to help him maintain a spirit of humility and dependence. “To keep him from becoming conceited” or prideful...

Sometimes trials come so that we will not become confident in our own abilities. Trials remind us that God is all powerful and in control! There are many reasons that God allows these “fiery trials” in our lives. One of those reasons is to protect us from getting the very same attitude that got Satan kicked out of Heaven… the attitude of pride…

But the ultimate reason is so that He can make you into what He would have you to be… which is, more like Jesus.

Peter mentions another aspect… and that is…

3. Our Reaction to Trials

1 Peter 4:14, 16 “14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”

There are many different reactions to suffering through trials. Some run away from the trouble. Some become angry, resentful and blame God for allowing this to happen to them. Some remain steady in the fire and are purified and proved.

Remember Peter says that…

3.1 We are to Rejoice!

1 Peter 1:6 “6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,”

Peter says if you are persecuted for your faith… rejoice! And when we face fiery trials in this life we too can and should REJOICE!!

Paul was honored to suffer for the cause of Christ. 2 Cor. 12:9

2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB95

9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Peter and John…

Acts 5:40–41 (NASB95)

40 … and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.

41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.

When we suffer harm for doing what is right, we should rejoice. We can rejoice because God is with us. We can rejoice because God has a plan for us. We can rejoice because of the benefits that these fiery trails bring to our lives.

Charles Spurgeon said: "They who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls."

When you persevere in the midst of trials… you will grow in your faith…

The last aspect that I want you to see this morning is…

4. Our Dependency During Trials

1 Peter 4:17-19 “17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Peter is basically saying “ if God so strongly and painfully judges His church… which He loves, what will be His fury on the ungodly?”

18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

Peter is quoting from Proverbs 11:31… and is asking the same question again… “that if the justified sinner is saved only with great difficulty, suffering, pain, and loss—what will be the end of the ungodly?” We know the answer to that… and it is an eternity in Hell.

And then finally v.19

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”

Hopefully this is where your dependence lies… not just during the fiery trials of life, but always…

“Commit their souls to Him” means to “entrust” our souls to Him. The idea here speaks of a banking term meaning “to deposit for safe keeping.” No matter what we may face in this life we must depend on our Living Hope, Jesus Christ.

Stop trying to fix your problems yourself. Look to the One who is all powerful and trust Him. Even if He doesn't remove you from the fiery trial, we know that He will walk through it with us!

Closing:

The Fiery trials of Christianity…

Are inevitable

There is a reason for them… even when don’t what it is right away…

We need to face them with the proper response…

And we need to make sure that we are not depending on ourselves or some sort of substance abuse to get us through these trials… But we need to depend on Jesus Christ and the promises of Scripture.

If you think your suffering is bad, it is nothing compared to what those who do not obey the gospel will experience. If you are here and you do not know Christ, I urge you to repent of your sins, ask for forgiveness and let Jesus Christ guide your life.

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

Your judgment is sure, but you now have a chance to escape by trusting the One who has the keys to death, hell, and the grave. Surrender this temporary life to Jesus, so that you can spend an eternity with Him in Heaven.

The fiery trials that we face as Christians should serve as a great motivation to share Christ... Peter says, continue to be faithful as you suffer under the will of God, knowing that it is far better than the alternative.

Are you willing to follow Christ, even when it is difficult? Will you follow Him when it is dangerous? Will you follow Him if it causes pain, suffering and even death?

“if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”