Triumph In Life's Trials
May 17, 2026. 1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11. Pastor Leslie Nolin
1 Peter was written, while he was in Rome, to encourage multiple churches in Asia Minor who were suffering persecution from Roman and Greek neighbours.
How does this relate to us who live at a time and in a place where we live with relative safety and freedom from persecution?
How should we look at the trials of life we do face and needfully endure?
Chapters 5-7 in Matthew are known as, “The Sermon on the Mount.” In Matthew 5:11-12, Jesus says, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who went before you.”
Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
Peter, in 1 Peter 4:12 wrote, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery trials that has come on you to test you, as though something strange is happening.”
The followers of Christ had been forewarned, beginning with Jesus' teaching. James also described the purpose and blessing of suffering, James 1:2-4; “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Many see suffering as a sign of God's absence rather than His purifying presence.
Peter continues to encourage the Church in verses 13 and 14, we can rejoice and be glad because His glory is revealed, “...the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”
The parable of the sower in Matthew 13:18-23 describes 4 different types of soil receiving God's Word. Some hear but do not understand, allowing the enemy to quickly snatch it away. Some receive it with joy but don't allow God's Word to take firm root, quickly fall away with trouble and persecution. Others hear the Word but life's worries and deceitfulness of wealth chokes out the Word, making the person unfruitful. The seed falling on good ground is someone who not only hears the Word but understands it and puts the Word into practice in their lives by obeying it (James 1:22), producing a fruitful life.
Peter continues in 4:17-19 to admonish believers not to take their salvation lightly. He basically warns believers that, though they are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, they are still to walk in the fear of the Lord.
Acts 5 describes the event of Ananias and Sapphira, a couple who schemed to make it look like they were surrendering more to the church than what they actually were. They lied about how much they sold their land for and pretended to give it all, while they actually held some back. If they had been honest and said they held back, they would have been okay but since they wanted the appearance rather than the reality, they were both struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit. This created a holy fear to fall on the believers.
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians (2:12-13); “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Paul further wrote (Phil.3:13-14) that he pressed on toward the goal of Christ likeness. Not just the outward appearance but the inward reality. This is not working for our salvation but yet having a healthy fear of offending God and not quenching the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 5:19) as He convicts us of sin, of God's righteousness and the coming judgment (John 16:8).
God does discipline those He loves (Heb. 12:5-6) but unlike the unbeliever who is already condemned because they refuse to believe in Christ (John 3:18), the purpose of God's judgment with His house is to cleanse and purify it.
It is hard, even for the righteous because we no longer live according to the standards of the world but by the standards God set in His Word. We now enter the narrow gate rather than the wide gate or walk the broad road that leads to destruction with the many. Instead we walk the narrow, difficult path, through the narrow gate that few find (Matt.7:13-14).
Even in the face of opposition and trials, we are admonished to commit ourselves to our faithful Creator and not be weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Gal.6:9).
1 Peter 5:6-11 reminds us that the battle is not ours but the Lord's.
The religious leaders hated Jesus and wanted to kill Him because He revealed their hearts and told them they were of their father, the devil (John 8:44-45).
We need to humble ourselves, cast our worries and cares on Him.
We do need to stand firm in trust and faith because we have the same enemy the hates Jesus and the devil wants to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) like a prowling lion looking for someone to devour.
Peter reminds us that this is not a surprise and others throughout the world who have submitted to Christ suffer as well.
We are also reminded that this is temporary, we humble ourselves under God's mighty hand, that He may lift us up in due time.
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be thee power for ever and ever (4:10-11).”
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