1. Christian Hope in Suffering
1 Peter ; ;

2. Peter’s audience

3. The problems: All kinds of trials (1. 6)
Unjust suffering for slaves (2.19)
Suffering for doing good (3. 14)
Insulted for being a Christian (4.14)
Anxiety (5.7)

4. Their context: Date: about 62AD Peter in Rome (‘Babylon’)
Uncomfortable time for Christians
“Jesus is Lord!”

5. Our context: Most people ‘don’t do God’! Occasional flashpoints
Sometimes uncomfortable
Most people ‘don’t do God’!
Occasional flashpoints
‘Strangers in the world’

6. Christian hope in suffering
We have hope because we’re promised an inheritance
We have hope because adversity strengthens us
We have hope because we identify with others and with Jesus

8. We have an inheritance…
The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 5. v.10

9. Adversity helps us grow…
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (Paul)
The testing of your faith produces perseverance (James)
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed (Peter)

10. Adversity – a warning…. Neither criminal nor meddler…
Don’t tell people how to run their lives
Commit yourself to your faithful creator and continue to do good (4.19)

11. Suffering links us to other Christians:
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. ( )

12. The world comes to us..