Sundays at Home
This page has the notes for the sermon and links for songs used during children’s music time each week. Scroll down to the bottom for the children’s info.
Trust and Do Good
Sunday, November 1, 2020
Pastor Jojo Ma
Watch the live stream on YouTube here.
You can download the weekly bulletin here.
Pages for children can be downloaded through this link.
Lyrics for Sunday can be downloaded here
1 Peter 4:12-19
1 Peter 4:12-19
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. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 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? 18 And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Do you have a truly biblical view of suffering? Are trials and hardships things you avoid at all costs in your life? Do you craveonly a comfortable and convenient lifestyle? Have you bought into the false teaching of the prosperity gospel that God only wants health and wealth for you and anything less is due to lack of faith? Are you ashamed to suffer for Jesus? Is your understanding of suffering taken from the world or the Word?
I. Expect hard times [v12]
II. Stay joyful [v13]
III. Don’t be ashamed [vv14-16]
IV. Obey the gospel [vv17-18]
V. Trust and do good [v19]
I. Expect hard times [v12]
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.
Do you have a truly biblical view of suffering? Are trials and hardships things you avoid at all costs in your life? Do you crave only a comfortable and convenient lifestyle? Have you bought into the false teaching of the prosperity gospel that God only wants health and wealth for you and anything less is due to lack of faith? Are you ashamed to suffer for Jesus? Is your understanding of suffering taken from the world or the Word?
Big persecution or small persecution, don’t be surprised by it. Expect it, expect hard times being a follower of Jesus in this world.
Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Hebrews 11:36-38 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated, of whom the world was not worthy, wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth
Those views are all anti-gospel, anti-good news. And they happen to be worldly, culture-destroying philosphies.
Martin Luther: “Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill: God's truth abideth still; His kingdom is forever!”
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.
It is vital you have a truly biblically informed view of suffering. If you take your cues from the world, or the health and wealth false teachers, suffering will surprise you, it will shock you, it will seem strange to you.
II. Stay joyful [v13]
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Hebrews 10:32-34 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
III. Don’t be ashamed [vv14-16]
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
IV. Obey the gospel [vv17-18]
17 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? 18 And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
When is Christ coming back? Christians are infatuated with that question. But the real question we should be asking is this: Are you ready for Christ when he comes back? Are you prepared?
Peter is urging true believers to stay the course, persevere in faith, and keep obeying (believing) the gospel. Don’t turn away from Christ in trials and don’t disobey the gospel of God.
V. Trust and do good [v19]
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Suffer, trust, and don’t stop doing good to others. Don’t grow weary in doing good. Trust and do good.