The Fiery Furnace

Main Point

The most important quality Christ-followers can have if suffering comes is endurance. Peter loves the community that he is writing to, he calls them beloved. He does not sugarcoat their current circumstances he understands that they are facing difficult times and he tells them not to be surprised but tells them to keep on rejoicing. Peter’s main focus is that when we face persecution it should be for following Christ and not for following the world. Our response is to glorify God and praise him in Worship.

What to do when under fire:

• Don’t be surprised
• It is for testing
• It is following Christ’s example
• Keep on rejoicing
• Being reviled is a mark of the Spirit in your life
• Respond in worship
• Put our trust in God

Scripture

• 1 Peter 4:12-19
• Dan. 3 (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) 
• Luke 6:22-23
• 1 Thessalonians 4:11
• Hebrews 12:7-8
• Psalm 31:24

Questions

• What does Peter mean by fiery trial?
• What is the purpose of a school test? What about a spiritual test?
• Read Daniel 3. How do you think you would respond to their situation?
• What are some trials that you are facing? What is God teaching you in those trials?
• Why does Peter want to make sure that they suffer for being a Christian?

Application

• Consider the tests you are facing. Commit to endure the trial. Find a way to worship this week.
• Memorize Daniel 3:16-18:

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”