The Heat's On

Transcripts for Dr. Wiersbe's sermons are forthcoming. Below is an outline of his message.

When it is easy to be a Christian, the Gospel gets watered down and the church becomes filled with people who aren’t really saved. 

One day we will face a fiery trial that will test our faith.

Peter is telling people how they can deal with persecution.

It’s easier to handle trials if you know they’re coming, have people with you, know the purpose, and can trust the one who is in charge.

The furnace of trials can benefit us rather than ruin us.

Four principles that enable and encourage us as we face the fiery trial:

-       We can take trials because we know they are coming (1 Peter 4:12).

• Trials are a part of everyone’s life.
• The godly can expect persecution.

-       We can take trials because we have people alongside us.

• We can rejoice because we don’t go through suffering alone.
• Christ shares our suffering with us.
• We can’t get to the glory without the suffering.
• If we’re not rejoicing in the Lord now, we won’t be rejoicing with Him in eternity.

-       We can take trials because we know the purpose.

• Times of persecution are times of purification and revival.
• Our ultimate purpose in suffering is to glorify God.
• A Christian glorifies God the most when He is going through circumstances over which they have no control.

-       We can take trials because we trust the One who is in charge.

• We are valuable to God, and He wants to make us more valuable by polishing us in the fire.
• The Creator of the universe has your life in His hands.

We can take trials by the grace of God.

Face suffering with courage.