I. THE PURPOSE OF SUFFERING (4:1–11, 15, 17–18)
A. To cleanse and purify the spiritual believer (4:1–11)
1. The triumph (4:1–3): Suffering causes sin to lose its power.
2. The testimony (4:4–6): The unsaved friends of a new Christian marvel that he does not desire to share their wicked lifestyle as he once did.
3. The tenderness (4:7–9): Suffering should develop our love for other believers.
4. The talents (4:10–11): We should faithfully employ all of our God-given spiritual gifts.
B. To chasten and punish the carnal believer (4:15, 17–18): God will judge his people.
II. THE PRIVILEGE OF SUFFERING (4:12–14, 16)
A. It is to be expected (4:12): All believers will be allowed to suffer.
B. It is to be esteemed (4:13–14, 16)
III. THE PATIENCE IN SUFFERING (4:19): We are to do two things in the hour of pain.
The outline used for this study came from H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), 1 Pe 4.
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