1 Peter 1:3-6 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

A. The Causes of Suffering

1. Sin’s entrance into the world

Genesis 1:31, Genesis 3:16-19, Job 14:1-2

2. Human sinfulness in action

Galatians 5:13-15

B. Types of Suffering

1. Suffering common to all of humanity

Job 5:6-7, Ecclesiastes 4:1

2. Suffering as a Christian for correction

Psalm 23:4, Hebrews 12:5-11

3. Suffering as a Christian for conformity

1 Peter 2:21, Romans 5:3-4

4. Suffering as a Christian for being a Christian

1 Peter 4:16, Philippians 1:29