1. Faith in the Crosshairs 1 Peter (Unsurprised, 1 Peter 4:12-19) (Unsurprised, 1 Peter 4:12-19)

2. Review Anxiety and Escapism vs. Prayer Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins

3. Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

4. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

5. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

6. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

7. So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

8. Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come upon you

9. Surprised- xenizo- think it strange/ foreign, something that doesn't belong

10. − Disillusioned Expend energy and focus trying to "get back to normal"Expend energy and focus trying to "get back to normal" Miss the growth that can come from the testMiss the growth that can come from the test

11. Surprised- xenizo- think it strange/ foreign, something that doesn't belong − Unprepared React rather than actReact rather than act Our strength rather than Christ's powerOur strength rather than Christ's power No plan to be faithfulNo plan to be faithful

12. Resolve: No matter what happens, I will trust Christ, hold strong to the faith and live in such a way as to bring him glory

13. Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. Test- Peirazo

14. …has come on you to test you… Test- Peirazo − Enemy tempts to bring failure − God tests to bring about growth and maturity

15. Test- Peirazo − Enemy tempts to bring failure − God tests to bring about growth and maturity − The test is the same. The issue is the expected outcome- and how I handle it

16. Don't be surprised…But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Identifying with Christ in our suffering brings the joy of his presence as we press in and trust him

17. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.

18. They produced false witnesses, who testified…All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel - Acts 6

19. I will never know Jesus as well or as closely as when everything is stripped away and he's all I have left to hold on to

20. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. No self-deception

21. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. What's implied here?

22. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. Shame vs. Praise= my reaction tells me whose approval I'm seeking Suffering for the faith is always an opportunity to glorify God

23. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? Why would God judge his people?

24. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household… Hallowed be your Name… We bear the Name of Christ. God is zealous for his Name. His ultimate goal is to purify his bride= peirazo/test

25. And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Who'll deal with the people who would hurt us?

26. And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” How does that give us peace?

27. And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” How does that give us mission?

28. So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good If I suffer for living my faith, I have to know that God has allowed it

29. …commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good God has allowed itGod has allowed it My response: Entrust myself to God and continue to do the very thing that got me in trouble- continue to do good

30. …do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you… God's tests are never pass/fail. They are always about learning to trust and to glorify him commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good

31. Takeaways Resolve: Will I trust Christ, remain faithful and glorify God, no matter what happens?Resolve: Will I trust Christ, remain faithful and glorify God, no matter what happens? Do I expect trials? Or expend all my energy trying to get "back to normal"?Do I expect trials? Or expend all my energy trying to get "back to normal"?

32. Takeaways Have I given up on religion and placed my faith in Jesus?Have I given up on religion and placed my faith in Jesus?