Christians Experience Hardships
February 2, 2025
1 Peter 4:12–19 (NLT) 12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
13 Instead, be very glad (Rejoice)—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” 19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
When Christians Experience Hardship
Hardships, Trials, Suffering are topics that are not popular to talk about.
It’s not something we look forward to.
It’s not fun stuff in Christianity.
We like to hear about:
the Blessings, the Love of God, the Grace and Forgiveness of God.
Peter wrote to Christians who were confused and discouraged.
They were suffering persecution:
-Because they gave their life to Jesus.
-Because of the faith in Jesus.
-For Standing for the Truth of the Gospel.
These Christians began to doubt if they were truly in God’s favor.
They wondered why a loving and just God
would allow such pain and suffering.
Peter, who denied the Lord three times,
-Understood about suffering for Jesus,
-Brings Reassure and Guidance to these believers.
Peter explains some principles that all Christians need to hear today.
How to Handle Hardships.
1. Don’t be Surprised. It’s not Strange.
1 Peter 4:12 (NLT) Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.
Some Christians may think that being saved
will lead to no problems or hardships.
Jesus said the road to heaven is difficult.
Matthew 7:13–14 (NLT) 13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.
Christians have trials and hardships because:
a. We live in a sinful world.
Full of greed, violence, pride, selfish.
1 John 2:15–17 (NLT) 15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.
16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
Understand, we live in an ungodly world.
The world is opposed to Christ message of repentance.
b. The world is controlled by Satan.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT) Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
Satan looks for ways to attack you:
-So you can backslide
-To keeo you from being a growing, mature Christian
Ephesians 6:11–12 (NLT) 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Example of Job:
Satan attacked Job:
-All of his livestock had been stolen.
-All his servants had been murdered
(except for a few witnesses who escaped)
-All 10 of his children had been killed.
Job lost all his Wealth and Children
but he did not lose his Loyalty to God.
Job 1:21–22 (NLT) 21 He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”
22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.
Stay Loyal to Jesus and His Church:
Don’t backslide
Become a Growing, as a mature Christian
Abide in the Vine. Remain connected to Jesus.
John 15:5–8 (NLT) 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
How to Handle Hardships.
1. Don’t be Surprised. It’s not Strange.
2. Be Glad, Rejoice.
1 Peter 4:13-14 (NLT) 13 Instead, be very glad (Rejoice)—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
“Be Glad”, “Rejoice”: (Greek, chairō) means:
to be cheerful, calmly happy, well-off.
Understand that The Christian’s trials are different:
a. Hardships means we are partners with Jesus.
We participate in communion, fellowship and close relationship
with Jesus.
We are fighting the same battle Jesus fought:
-To defeat Satan.
-To bring people the Good News.
1 Peter 4:1–2 (NIV) 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
Trials leads to Growth and Maturity:
James 1:2–4 (NLT) 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
b. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to Be a Christian.
14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ,
you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.
Hebrews 12:2–3 (NLT) 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
c. Trials leads to knowing Christ Better:
Philippians 3:10 (NIV) I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
How to Handle Hardships.
1. Don’t be Surprised. It’s not Strange.
2. Be Glad, Rejoice.
3. Don’t Bring Hardships Upon Yourself.
1 Peter 4:15-19 (NLT) 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” 19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
Sometimes, Christians entertain habits or practices that cause suffering:
Murder,
1 John 3:15 (NLT) Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.
Stealing,
Making trouble,
Prying into other people’s affairs.
Suffering and Hardships come from backsliding.
If you do suffer for doing wrong, Receive the discipline from God.
Hebrews 12:6–7 (NLT) 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?
Conclusion:
The Reality is, We will suffer Trials and Hardships as Christians.
But the Good News is, Jesus gave us a great Promise to Lean on:
John 16:33 (NLT) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (NKJV) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
There is a Reality of Suffering.
But There is also:
A Promise of Peace
An Assurance of Victory.
How are you going to handle Hardships?
Trusting in the Strength and Victory from Jesus
Or, Trusting in self and the world.
Suffering is not the end,
but a part of the journey towards a deeper relationship with God.