DON’T THINK IT SO STRANGE MY BROTHER

 

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

1 Pet 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 

I.                   WHEN YOUR FAITH IS TESTED.

James 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Acts 27:25  Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

 

II.                WHEN YOUR FRIENDS FORSAKE YOU.

1 Pet 4:4  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Psa 31:11  I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

Psa 41:9  Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

 

III.             WHEN YOUR RELIGIONS FAIL TO ESTEEM YOU.

John 16:2  They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

 

IV.              WHEN YOU THINK DEFEAT IS UPON YOU.

Job 1:13  And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

Job 1:14  And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

Job 1:15  And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Job 1:16  While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Job 1:17  While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

Job 1:18  While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

Job 1:19  And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

 

NOTE---IN ALL THESE AFFLICTIONS JOB SINNED NOT , NOR CHARGED GOD FOOLISHLY.

 

V.                 WHEN MISTREATED TRYING TO SERVE GOD.

Acts 16:22  And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

Acts 16:23  And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

Acts 16:24  Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

Dan 3:20  And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Acts 7:59  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.