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BIG IDEA:

III. SUFFERING (FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LIVING FOR ETERNITY AND IN THE CONTEXT OF COMMENDABLE CONDUCT) FULFILS GOD’S WILL AND FINDS VINDICATION AND VICTORY (3:13-4:19)

A. INTRODUCTION — TRIUMPH OF SUFFERING (3:13-17)

1. Suffering Should Be the Exception Rather Than the Rule in the

Context of Commendable Conduct

Note: “all who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution”

but not as the dominating factor throughout their whole life.

There normally will be some correlation between commendable conduct and prosperity

2. Suffering Finds Victory — Promise = “you are blessed”

3 Responses:

a. Don’t fear their fear (i.e. what the world fears)

b. Glory in the Lordship of Christ

c. Keep a good conscience

3. Suffering Finds Vindication (:16)

4. Suffering Fulfills the Will of God (:17)