Steadfast
“Prepared for Suffering”
1 Peter 4:1-19

Theme of the book: Suffering

The word “suffer”
The Greek word for suffering can also be translated, adversity, affliction, pain, trouble, sorrow, or trial.

John 16:33

Peter suffered.

The Big Idea: Prepare for suffering. Arm yourself. Don’t be caught unprepared when trouble, or adversity or pain comes your way.

Jesus suffered. – 1 Peter 4:1-2

Isaiah 53:2-10

Jesus’ followers will suffer. – 1 Peter 4:12-13, John 15:20, 2 Timothy 3:12, Philippians 1:29, Romans 8:17

2 Timothy 3:12

Let Jesus’ way of thinking become your armor against adversity and trouble.
Suffering has a purpose beyond what we can see. – Romans 5:3-5
Face suffering head-on. – Matthew 26:26-42
Know that you are never alone. – John 16:32
 
Philippians 2:5 

Arm yourselves with Jesus’ way of thinking, and be prepared to follow Him into suffering. 

Because we are united with Jesus.
 
Romans 6:3-5

Jesus suffered. He died. He was raised from the dead.
We are united with him in his death, so that we might be united with him in his resurrection. 

Because we've already wasted enough time. – 1 Peter 4:3
 
The high cost of living for the flesh
Why have I wasted so much time?
Why did I mess up my life?
Why did I forfeit the promises of God?
	
1 Corinthians 15:33 

Who are “they”? – 1 Peter 4:4-5

That’s not your life, and they're not your friends.
They're surprised … and angry!
They malign you. (revile, slander, malign, defame)
They must give an account.

Because the end is near. – 1 Peter 4:7-11
Be vigilant.
Use your gifts.
Persecution is coming.
Judgment is coming.

Mark 13:32-37

Because He is worthy. – 1 Peter 4:11b

Like Daniel, Nehemiah and David before him; like Paul, John, and Jude, Peter ends his treatise on suffering with his heart full of praise and his eyes on eternity.