Concerning The Fiery Trial
CONCERNING THE FIERY TRIAL
Join your Calvary Chapel family on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the main sanctuary or online via our website (www.calvaryinv.com
), Facebook, or YouTube (Calvary Inverness). We will gather to exalt Jesus, encourage one another in love, and prepare to share the gospel as we continue our detailed study of 1 Peter (4:12-19).
When Christians are persecuted, there is always the thought that they have done something wrong and are paying the consequences for it. This can wreak havoc on one's thoughts and emotions. Because too much time is spent trying to figure out what went wrong.
Peter, knowing how easy it is for Christians to fall into that trap, writes to shift their focus once again. Easier said than done. When you're in pain, everything centers on how to alleviate it. Everything else falls to the wayside. All that matters is, "life going make to normal."
So the first thing Peter wants his fellow believers to know is Christ's compassion for their suffering. His eyes are not blind, nor are His ears deaf to their cries. Even if they don't realize it, He is watching over them and protecting them from imploding under constant pressure.
Second, he writes that they should expect to experience trials. Just because they're a Christian doesn't exempt them. Instead, they need to understand that trials are a normal part of their spiritual lives, as Jesus uses them to refine and strengthen their faith.
In fact, the Apostle writes that Christians should rejoice when they realize they are being persecuted, for there is a blessing in suffering for the cause of Christ. When the Lord returns, they will be removed from this fallen world and will never know sorrow or suffering again. And they will be richly rewarded for reflecting God's glory in their character.
Third, Peter challenges his fellow believers to examine their lives to ensure that the trial they endure stems from living for Christ, not from a sinful life, because the latter would weaken their testimony of a transformed life, causing their fellow believers to stumble and put an obstacle in the sinner coming to faith in Christ.
Finally, the suffering believer is called to entrust their soul to a faithful God. One who has never lied, failed, or misled His people. The effect is that, even while being persecuted, one continues to fulfill the calling to exalt Christ, share the gospel, encourage fellow believers, and live every day as if it were the day He returns.
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
Join your Calvary Chapel family on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the main sanctuary or online via our website (www.calvaryinv.com
When Christians are persecuted, there is always the thought that they have done something wrong and are paying the consequences for it. This can wreak havoc on one's thoughts and emotions. Because too much time is spent trying to figure out what went wrong.
Peter, knowing how easy it is for Christians to fall into that trap, writes to shift their focus once again. Easier said than done. When you're in pain, everything centers on how to alleviate it. Everything else falls to the wayside. All that matters is, "life going make to normal."
So the first thing Peter wants his fellow believers to know is Christ's compassion for their suffering. His eyes are not blind, nor are His ears deaf to their cries. Even if they don't realize it, He is watching over them and protecting them from imploding under constant pressure.
Second, he writes that they should expect to experience trials. Just because they're a Christian doesn't exempt them. Instead, they need to understand that trials are a normal part of their spiritual lives, as Jesus uses them to refine and strengthen their faith.
In fact, the Apostle writes that Christians should rejoice when they realize they are being persecuted, for there is a blessing in suffering for the cause of Christ. When the Lord returns, they will be removed from this fallen world and will never know sorrow or suffering again. And they will be richly rewarded for reflecting God's glory in their character.
Third, Peter challenges his fellow believers to examine their lives to ensure that the trial they endure stems from living for Christ, not from a sinful life, because the latter would weaken their testimony of a transformed life, causing their fellow believers to stumble and put an obstacle in the sinner coming to faith in Christ.
Finally, the suffering believer is called to entrust their soul to a faithful God. One who has never lied, failed, or misled His people. The effect is that, even while being persecuted, one continues to fulfill the calling to exalt Christ, share the gospel, encourage fellow believers, and live every day as if it were the day He returns.
In His Strong Love,
Pastor
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