Calvary Chapel Reston Station, Reston, Va

Message #319 "Growing Strong Through Suffering" - 1 Peter 5:6-14 Sunday, April 15 2018 Jesus told Simon Peter (in Luke 22:31-32) that though he was about to be "sifted like wheat," Jesus had prayed for him, "that your faith may not fail." Jesus added, "And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Jesus knew that in God's strength, we not only can endure, but we can grow strong and come through our suffering better equipped to strengthen our brothers. Some thirty years later, Simon- then known as Peter- wrote a letter to scattered believers suffering more and more persecution. He did not have to persuade them that persecution might come, because they already were experiencing it. We sometimes need to be reminded that we can expect suffering during our lifetime. (Acts 14:22.) Wanting the believers to be equipped to live victoriously despite their suffering, Peter gave them a series of reminders on how they (and we) can grow stronger in the midst of suffering. In short, Peter was doing just wha