Suffering tempts us to believe that God is against us.

Verse 18 is designed to show us that God is for us in Jesus.

How does God strengthen us during times of suffering?

In this episode of Light and Truth times of suffering.

In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper turns to 1 Peter 3, 18 to 22 to explain

why suffering does not mean that God has forsaken us.

This sermon was originally preached at Bethlehem Baptist Church on September 25, 1994.

In this text, it seems to me that what Peter is doing is giving strength and encouragement and support for those of us who might now or in some future time be called upon to suffer for doing what is right.

So let's look at five ways that this text strengthens us for that. Number one, he

insist that we not forget that Christ our great king and champion and leader and

savior suffered.

Verse 17 and 18, let's put them together. leader and savior suffered.

Verse 17 and 18, let's put them together.

It is better if God should will it so that you suffer for doing what is right rather than doing what is wrong.

For Christ also suffered.

Let's stop right there because that's the first point.

Be ready and willing to join him because he suffered. This is the mindset of the New Testament.

You remember Paul from two sunny nights ago?

Oh, that I might know him, and the fellowship of his sufferings being conformed to his death,

that's the mindset of early Christianity.

Or Hebrews, he himself suffered outside the gate, therefore let us go with him outside

the camp and bear his reproach. That's the mindset of early Christianity. Or Jesus

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