IF JUDGMENT BEGIN...

1 Peter 4:12-19

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE JUDGMENT OF SUFFERING [v. 12-16]

1. DON'T BE SURPRISED AT SUFFERING [v. 12]

2. LEARN TO EMBRACE CHRIST'S SUFFERING [v. 13-14]

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

3. DON'T FAIL TO UNDERSTAND ALL SUFFERING IS NOT THE SAME [v. 15-16]

II. THE JUDGMENT OF BELIEVERS [v. 17-19]

1. BELIEVERS ARE JUDGED SEPARATELY FROM UNBELIEVERS [v. 17]

Rev. 20:4-6, II Cor. 5:10-11

2. BELIEVERS JUDGMENT IS NOT BASED ON THEIR GOODNESS [v. 18, I Cor. 3:10-15]

3. BELIEVERS CAN REST IN THE GOODNESS OF GOD [v. 19, 1:3-7]

III. THE JUDGMENT OF UNBELIEVERS [v. 17-19]

1. THEIR END IS UNPLEASANT [v. 17, I Th. 1:9-10, II Th. 1:5-10]

2. THEIR END IS BEFORE GOD [v. 18, Rev. 20:11-15]

3. THEIR END IS INEVITABLE [v. 19]

Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Preached in the Wednesday night service of the Bradford Baptist Church on Jan. 21, 2009