"Even If"

1 Peter 1

BIBLE STUDY

…6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer various trials, 7 so that the authenticity of your faith — more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire —may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy …

NOTES:

The LOST see the very things GOD allows us to experience as evidence that there is no God;

The Lost World may see your pain as evidence that there is no God;

The Lost World may see illness as evidence that there is no God;

The Lost World may see moral failure as evidence that there is no God;

The Lost World may see that financial success is evidence that no God is needed;

The Lost World may see that worldly power & influence is evidence that no God is needed;

“Sometimes you win some, sometimes you don’t”

1 Peter 5:10

The world says to avoid suffering & “If there is a God, why…”

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

2 Peter 2:9

The world says just go with what feels good.

Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,

1 Peter 4:12-13

The world says if there really was a God, he wouldn’t….

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

1 Peter 4:19

The world says every person decides what is right for them…

Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

1 Corinthians 3:12

If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.…

Matthew 13:20-21

The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.

James 1:2-4

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Romans 5:3-4

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

Isaiah 48:10

"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Psalm 66:10-12 

For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins. You made men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water, Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.

Genesis 22:1-2

Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."

Deuteronomy 8:2-5

"You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. "He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.

"Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years.

"Thus you are to know in your heart that the LORD your

God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.”

Disciplining doesn’t always mean spanking or punishing. Disciplining can also mean causing the son to become DISCIPLINED and KNOWLEDGIBLE in the ways that will lead the SON to success, SALVATION, SAFETY, and ETERNAL LIFE.