Sunday, August 17, 2025
Lead Pastors
People Under Pressure
Glorious Suffering
1 Peter 4:12-5:5

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And ‘If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’ Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”1 Peter 4:12-5:5


Main Idea: People Under Pressure Can Bring Glory to God in Seasons of Suffering

Two factors that make suffering as a Christian very different

I. Posture Toward Suffering (1 Peter 4:12-19)
We have a different posture towards the seasons of suffering in our lives. We see things differently, as God is at work around us.

a. Don’t Be Surprised - 12
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

We don’t know what trials are coming our way, but we see two things in verse 12.
1) The word “when” - the trials ARE coming. Whenever they come, don’t be surprised. It’s not a strange thing.
2) “Fiery trials” - the word used here is used similarly earlier in the letter and in Proverbs and Psalms referring to refining fire, purifying gold and silver.

b. Rejoice in it All - 13
“But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”John 15:18–20a

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”James 1:2–3

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18

c. You are Not Alone - 14
“If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20b

When you suffer for Christ and lean on Him, His presence is noticeable in your life like the glory of His Spirit resting on you!

“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”Acts 7:54-56

d. Don’t Suffer for Evil - 15
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.”

Don’t bring suffering on yourself. We respond differently to trials or to being mistreated.

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all."Romans 12:17

e. Suffer for the Glory of God - 16-19
“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And ‘If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’ Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed to suffer for the sake of Christ. Live in such a way, in good times and bad, so that Christ is glorified in us.

“For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”Luke 9:26

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16

Judgment of sin begins within the household of faith. Because of Jesus, we are free from sin’s power and free of the punishment for sin. But we are not yet free from its presence. It still affects us.

He is shaping us to be like Jesus, for our good and His glory!

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”Philippians 1:6

When you face hardships, persecution and pain in this life while you are following God’s will, entrust yourself to your Creator who is the sovereign Lord over all! Keep doing good, and bring glory to God even in seasons of suffering.

II. Leadership In Suffering (1 Peter 5:1-5)
"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

If the church is to thrive even under persecution then the leadership will set the tone

“Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.”Ezekiel 34:2b-4

Elders are to have oversight - the authority and responsibility to lead. Not to do it under compulsion but willingly. Not for power or influence or money or any personal gain. They are not to be domineering or oppressive, but to lead by example.

Three Things to Take Away
1) Accountability - As Elders our ultimate accountability is to Christ Jesus when we see Him face to face. So we ask you to keep us accountable to it.We also need your encouragement; we covet your prayers; and love the opportunities to serve the Lord alongside you.
2) Partnership - Verse 5 - “Likewise, you who are younger,” (or younger in the faith) “be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” - God calls us to humility, to submit to the leadership of others that He has placed in authority. We glorify God and experience His grace when we mirror His humility.
3) Lead – We all have people that we have been entrusted by God to lead. Do this by sharing the gospel message, loving people practically, and living as an example of life in Christ.

Who has God called you to shepherd on His behalf?

Main Idea: People Under Pressure Can Bring Glory to God in Seasons of Suffering

Suffering is not meaningless. It is not wasted.

Our lowest moments can often be our loudest testimony for the glory of God.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Trust your Creator, and let the Lord show up and show off in your life, for His glory and our good!

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.’” John 17:1–2

God would be glorified as Jesus was raised up as the perfect sacrifice for sin, and then raised up from the dead, to give eternal life to all who place their trust in Him. I hope that is you today! See the goodness of God on display at the cross and receive His forgiveness and life today.




Sources and Further Reading Opportunities:
● The Bible Exposition Commentary – Warren Wiersbe (1996)
● ESV Study Bible – Crossway (2008)
● The Bible Knowledge Commentary – Walvoord & Zuck(1983)
● Tyndale NT Commentaries - 1 Peter – Wayne Grudem (1988)
● The Expository Notes on the Epistles of James & Peter – H. A. Ironside (1947)
● New Bible Commentary – D.A. Carson (1994)
● Holman Concise Bible Commentary – David S. Dockery (1998)
● Baker Commentary of the Bible – Walter A. Elwell (1989)