I. THE PERSECUTION OF THE SAINTS

•Acts 14:22: strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."

•The trouble with people today is that they want to get to the promised land without going through the wilderness.

I. THE PERSECUTION OFTHE SAINTS

A. THE INTENSITYB. THE INQUIRY

“WHY?”Not exemption from suffering that we want – it’s explanation

• Isaiah 50:10 Who is among you that fears the Lord,That obeys the voice of His servant,That walks in darkness and has no light?Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.

• 1 Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

I. THE PERSECUTION OF THE SAINTS

A. THE INTENSITYB. THE INQUIRYC. THE IMPACT

• Matthew 5:16 "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

• 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

II. THE PROTECTION INSUFFERING

A. THE SOVEREIGN• 1 Peter 1:5

who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

• 1 Peter 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, [7] casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

II. THE PROTECTION INSUFFERING

A. THE SOVEREIGNB. THE SAVIOUR (2:21;

I Thess.3:3-4; I Pet.2:23; 4:13;

Ac.5:41; Heb.2:18)

II. THE PROTECTION INSUFFERING

A. THE SOVEREIGNB. THE SAVIOURC. THE SAINTS

• 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. [9] But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

III. THE PROMISE OF SALVATION

A. THE RETURN (1:7, 13; 4:13; 2 Thess.1:7)Apocalypse =

uncovering, unveiling

• Acts 17:31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."

• Acts 1:11 They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."

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• 1 Thes. 4:16-17 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

• 2 Thes. 1:6-9 For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, [8] dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. [9] These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

III. THE PROMISE OF SALVATION

A. THE RETURN B. THE RELIEF

•2 Thes. 1:7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,

•Preachers, elders, deaconsAnd when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (I Pet.5:4)

•Fellow-workers, boss, schoolmates

•Married to an unbeliever•Conflicts between Christians

•Situations of suffering & sorrow

III. THE PROMISE OF SALVATION

A. THE RETURN B. THE RELIEFC. THE REJOICING

• Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. [12] "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

• 2 Thes. 1:10 when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed.

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• 1 Peter 1:8 • and though you have not seen

Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

• 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.

THE SOUL WOULD HAVE NO RAINBOWIF THE EYES HAD

NO TEARS

“BUT THAT WAS FRIDAYAND SUNDAY WAS COMING”

• 1 Peter 1:3-4 All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead. [4] For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for his children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.