“...do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you…” 1 Peter 4:12

Peter Teaches About Trials First: Receiving spiritual gifts. “As each one has received a gift…” 1 Peter 4:10a A spiritual gift is a special ability God gives to each of us

Gifts Used To Serve Others 1 Peter 4:10c “...minister it to one another, as good stewards…” Now As good stewards (managers) expect to have troubles and trials.

Trials Follow Acts of Faith Throughout Old Testament Abraham Moses Elijah David Jesus

Abraham - Father of all who believe left his homeland left his kindred (family) in obedience to God Fiery trial - a famine!

Promised a son by God “through whom …all earth shall be blessed” He waited for twenty four years Abraham, 99, Sarah,89 Isaac born God asked Abraham to sacrifice him Faith sustained him through fiery trial Abraham

Moses - Deliverer and Lawgiver Israel was in slavery to Egypt God called Moses to deliver them Israel rejected him. He had to flee 40 years in desert in exile Moses knew fiery trials

Elijah - God’s Preaching Prophet At God’s command Rebuked King Ahab Hid from King near stream Stream of water dried up Widow and her son too poor

His faith did not falter Called down fire from heaven Turned Israel to God Had to run for his life God honored him Elijah’s Faith

Jesus was baptized by John Not for cleansing of sin Pictured cleansing by His death Immediately was taken to wilderness 40 days tempted by Satan Jesus God In Human Flesh

As Boot Camp strengthens soldiers Trials strengthens faith 1 John 5:4-5 “this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.” Trials Strengthen Our Faith

Trials Develop Patience James 1:3 “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” Faith tested produces maturity

Trials Equip Us To comfort others “… That we may be able to comfort…” “…With which we ourselves are comforted” 2nd Corinthians 1:3, 4 Preachers learn to comfort and empathize by going through fiery trials

Trials Prepare Us To Serve Joseph is a chief example: hated by his brothers sold as a slave and bought by Potiphar lied about by Potiphar’s wife spent 13 years in jail Prisoner to deliverer in one day

Trials Purify Our Faith Job understood this principle “When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10 Gold ore is put to the fire. Dross is removed, gold becomes pure.

Faith Is Rewarded Job’s faith stood the trial God blessed him with twice as much He lived another 140 years He is example to all of us Faith conquers the fiery trials