Fires of Purification
1 Peter 4:12-19
Pastor Jerry Koller

Today’s Scripture begins with this statement: Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you…
· The term beloved has to do with being divinely loved.

The word surprised means surprised, shocked, bewildered, startled.

· Peter identified the reasoning behind the fiery ordeal. The fiery ordeal ...comes upon you for your testing...
· Testing is used in a positive sense.
· It is a testing to validate something or someone.

· These sufferings are a validation that we are in Christ Jesus.
· Exultation has to do with extreme joy. It is a joy that is so great, it makes one want to jump in celebration.

To be in Christ is a privilege.

The saints are God’s elect

· Murder is a reference to homicide.
· Stealing is taking what does not belong to you.
· Evildoing has to do with one who maliciously does evil—like a criminal.
· A meddler is one who interferes in the lives of others.

There are only three places in the New Testament in which the title Christian is used: Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16.

The word judgment here has to do with the condemnation of wrong, or the decision (whether severe or mild) which one passes on the faults of others.

· There is no justification for sin.
· The ends do not justify the means.
· God will not allow sin to rule in the lives of His household.

· The phrase is saved is better understood as is being saved.
· Salvation has a beginning.
· Salvation has an end.
· Salvation also has an in-between time. It is called sanctification.
· I was saved, I am being saved. I will be saved.

· Sanctification is hard work.
· It is not easy living a holy life.
· It is not easy purging ourselves of sin.
· It is not easy resisting it.
· It is not easy participating in the sufferings of Jesus.

· Let us view the ill treatment, the persecution or the suffering we face, or may face, as a sign that we are truly His.
· Let us avoid suffering that comes as a result of sin by forsaking it in the first place.
· Let us give God praise because we bear the title Christian—follower of Christ.
· Let’s rejoice when the Holy Spirit brings us through the fires of purification.
· Let us live as a Christ follower should live, by continually doing what is right in the eyes of God.

· John & Susan Seitz and their family upon the loss of Susan’s mother, Loretta Pollard, on 3/16.
· Nancy Scott and her family upon the loss of her mother, Evelyn Semand, on March 5. A memorial service will be held on May 20 at 2:00pm at FBC.
· Sue, Kyle & Sarah McKamey and their family upon the unexpected loss of Sue's grandson and Kyle's nephew on 3/2.
· Caroline Bocock has been terribly ill as she is dealing with a Lyme Disease outbreak. Some of her symptoms included being in excruciating pain, having blackouts, issues with sleeping, darkening vision, random skin issues, a constant headache since 11/5, and so much more. She is taking a regiment of medications to get it under control.
· Nolan Marshall (son of Dan & Tracy) is receiving outpatient therapy but hasn’t found an even keel yet. He has been allowed to return to the school environment with many boundaries in place. The Marshall family is still very much in crisis mode and continued prayers are appreciated as they try to adjust medications and work with Nolan to manage his diagnoses.
· Marge Benham is doing well. She is working with physical therapy on weight bearing activities.
· Joyce Bocock has completed chemo and radiation; praise God that both tumors have shrunk significantly more than expected; evaluating additional treatment options.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com