Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo
Artwork

Content provided by Ryan Zook and Jenny Zook, Ryan Zook, and Jenny Zook. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Ryan Zook and Jenny Zook, Ryan Zook, and Jenny Zook or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

1 Peter 4 | Christians Shouldn’t Be Surprised by Suffering

16:24
 
Share
 

Manage episode 509881563 series 3430915
Content provided by Ryan Zook and Jenny Zook, Ryan Zook, and Jenny Zook. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Ryan Zook and Jenny Zook, Ryan Zook, and Jenny Zook or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Send us a text

Christians are called to live differently, and in 1 Peter 4 we see a powerful reminder that following Jesus means embracing a life set apart. Peter makes it clear that believers should not return to old habits, sinful lifestyles, or the empty pleasures of the world. Instead, we are to live for the will of God, walking in holiness, and using our spiritual gifts to glorify Him. This episode emphasizes the tension between living in a culture that mocks faith and the call to live faithfully no matter the cost.

A major theme in this chapter is suffering. Peter explains that trials and persecution are not accidents, but part of the Christian journey. We should not be surprised when hardships come, but instead view them as an opportunity to share in Christ’s sufferings. In fact, he calls suffering for Christ a blessing because it shows God’s Spirit rests on us. This flips the world’s perspective, reminding us that difficulty for Christ’s sake is actually evidence of His presence and work in our lives.

Another highlight of 1 Peter 4 is Peter’s teaching on spiritual gifts. Every believer has received a gift from God, and those gifts are meant to be used to serve others and build up the church. Speaking, serving, leading, encouraging—each of these is only effective when done in the strength that God provides. The episode emphasizes that our call is not to sit back, but to engage fully with the gifts God has entrusted to us. When we live this way, people around us see Christ through us.

Peter also encourages believers to live with urgency: “The end of all things is near.” That means sober-mindedness, self-control, and above all, love. Love covers a multitude of sins, and hospitality reflects the heart of Christ. In a world full of selfishness and division, this is the radical difference Christians are called to embody—loving deeply, serving faithfully, and glorifying God with every action.

The final verses remind us to entrust our souls to God as a faithful Creator. Even in persecution, God is purifying His people, shaping us to look more like Christ. When believers embrace suffering as part of God’s refining work, it changes everything. Instead of discouragement, there’s joy in knowing that God is making us holy and using our lives for eternal purposes. This chapter calls us to boldness, faithfulness, and endurance, knowing that God is always trustworthy and His glory will be revealed.

#BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #JesusSaves #DailyDevotional #FaithOverFear #1Peter4 #NewTestamentJourney #GodsP

Support the show

We use Logos Bible Software for our show prep.
Get 5 Free Digital Books and 10% Off- HERE.
Get the Logos 10 Fundamentals for Just $50- HERE.
Check out Ryan's other podcast, God's Whole Story.

Ryan works for Men of Iron, an organization committed to changing a culture one man at a time. If you'd like to get involved, click HERE.
Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
YouTube | Rumble | Medium
Contact us at [email protected]
Thanks so much for listening to the show. We'll See you tomorrow.
-Ryan and Jenny

  continue reading

592 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 509881563 series 3430915
Content provided by Ryan Zook and Jenny Zook, Ryan Zook, and Jenny Zook. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Ryan Zook and Jenny Zook, Ryan Zook, and Jenny Zook or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Send us a text

Christians are called to live differently, and in 1 Peter 4 we see a powerful reminder that following Jesus means embracing a life set apart. Peter makes it clear that believers should not return to old habits, sinful lifestyles, or the empty pleasures of the world. Instead, we are to live for the will of God, walking in holiness, and using our spiritual gifts to glorify Him. This episode emphasizes the tension between living in a culture that mocks faith and the call to live faithfully no matter the cost.

A major theme in this chapter is suffering. Peter explains that trials and persecution are not accidents, but part of the Christian journey. We should not be surprised when hardships come, but instead view them as an opportunity to share in Christ’s sufferings. In fact, he calls suffering for Christ a blessing because it shows God’s Spirit rests on us. This flips the world’s perspective, reminding us that difficulty for Christ’s sake is actually evidence of His presence and work in our lives.

Another highlight of 1 Peter 4 is Peter’s teaching on spiritual gifts. Every believer has received a gift from God, and those gifts are meant to be used to serve others and build up the church. Speaking, serving, leading, encouraging—each of these is only effective when done in the strength that God provides. The episode emphasizes that our call is not to sit back, but to engage fully with the gifts God has entrusted to us. When we live this way, people around us see Christ through us.

Peter also encourages believers to live with urgency: “The end of all things is near.” That means sober-mindedness, self-control, and above all, love. Love covers a multitude of sins, and hospitality reflects the heart of Christ. In a world full of selfishness and division, this is the radical difference Christians are called to embody—loving deeply, serving faithfully, and glorifying God with every action.

The final verses remind us to entrust our souls to God as a faithful Creator. Even in persecution, God is purifying His people, shaping us to look more like Christ. When believers embrace suffering as part of God’s refining work, it changes everything. Instead of discouragement, there’s joy in knowing that God is making us holy and using our lives for eternal purposes. This chapter calls us to boldness, faithfulness, and endurance, knowing that God is always trustworthy and His glory will be revealed.

#BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #JesusSaves #DailyDevotional #FaithOverFear #1Peter4 #NewTestamentJourney #GodsP

Support the show

We use Logos Bible Software for our show prep.
Get 5 Free Digital Books and 10% Off- HERE.
Get the Logos 10 Fundamentals for Just $50- HERE.
Check out Ryan's other podcast, God's Whole Story.

Ryan works for Men of Iron, an organization committed to changing a culture one man at a time. If you'd like to get involved, click HERE.
Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
YouTube | Rumble | Medium
Contact us at [email protected]
Thanks so much for listening to the show. We'll See you tomorrow.
-Ryan and Jenny

  continue reading

592 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play