May 31, 2026

“BE HOPEFUL”

“BENEFITS OF A BLEEDING HEART”

1 PETER 4:12-19

Have you ever got to the point where you thought, “What did I do to deserve this?”

*The Benefits Of Suffering:

1.  In Suffering We Are Conformed To God’s Will For Our Life- 1 Peter 4:12

1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you”

God will take the suffering in your life and work it to bring great benefits in your life:

John 15:20 “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. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”

2 Timothy 3:12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

Suffering is going to happen, we need to be ready for it.

vs.12- “that trial is there to try you”

1 Peter 1:7 “That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”

Job 23:10 “But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Romans 8:28-29 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Paul says, God’s purpose of the trial is to be conformed to the image of Christ.

2.  In Suffering We Are Consoled By God’s Joy- 1 Peter 4:13

1 Peter 4:13 “But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

Philippians 3:10 “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”

Acts 5:40-41 “And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

God takes the suffering and turns it into joy.

Romans 8:17 “and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

2 Timothy 2:12 “If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”

Romans 5:2-5

What is your attitude in trials? Gripper, complainer? God wants to console you with His joy.

3.  In Suffering We Are Crowned With God’s Spirit- 1 Peter 4:14-16

1 Peter 4:14-16 “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”

Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Stephen was an example of this- Acts 7:59-60

Acts 6:15 “And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

God takes us through suffering because He loves us and wants to mature us to be like Him.

4.  In Suffering We Are Conscious Of God’s Judgments- 1 Peter 4:17-18

1 Peter 4:17-18 “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

Ezekiel 9:6 “Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.”

Proverbs 11:31 “If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.”

Psalm 73:3-5,12, 17 “For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. 5They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men. 12Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. 17Until I went into the sanctuary of God; Then I understood their end.”

2 Thessalonians 1:8 “In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

5.  In Suffering We Are Consecrated To God’s Care- 1 Peter 4:19

1 Peter 4:19 “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”

“Commit”- turn over your money to a trusted friend or your possessions.

“Faithful Creator”- If He made you and He did, He can and will take care of you.

Luke 23:46 “And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.”

Acts 7:59 “And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 

No matter what you are suffering you need to commit your soul to the care of God.