Grace and Glory for Suffering Sojourners - 1 Peter 5:10-14
Grace and Glory
for Suffering Sojourners
(1 Peter 5:10-14)
For the bulletin in PDF form, click here.
Recommended Books on Suffering - Wilson
How Long, O Lord, Reflections on Suffering and Evil - D.A. Carson
The Secret to Preparing for Suffering - Kristin Wetherrell
4 Reasons to be of Good Courage in Suffering - Kristin Wetherrell
Don’t Peter Out - Swindoll
6 Pillars of a Christian View on Suffering - D.A. Carson
Stott on Suffering and Glory in the Cross - John Stott
INTRODUCTION: All Scripture is Profitable
A Final Perspective on Suffering
Christian suffering is temporary and purposeful.
• Temporary: Your suffering will not last forever. (5:10a).
• Sovereign: Our gracious God has a long term plan for our glory (5:10b).
• Purposeful: God uses suffering to restore, establish, strengthen, & ground us (5:10c).
• Praise - God’s sovereign purpose and grace prompt our praise (5:11).
A Final Perspective on Partners and Peace
God’s grace is where we stand when times are tough.
• The Letter: A message about the true grace of God (5:12a).
• The Exhortation: Stand firm on the foundation of God’s grace in suffering (5:12b).
• The Greetings: Partners in ministry care for one another (5:13).
• The Benediction: Be affectionate and rest in the peace of God (5:14).
In the final analysis, when Christians suffer
they can trust that God is sovereign, suffering grows us,
and God’ grace is sufficient for everything we experience.
Suffering Speaks
But pain insists upon being attended to.
God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience,
but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
C.S. Lewis (The Problem of Pain)
Home Church Questions
1. Temporary Suffering
Peter says that we “suffer for a little while.” Share a story or two of people whose suffering puts your own suffering in perspective as “for a little while.” Think about missionaries in persecuted areas who live their
whole lives under threat, or someone like Joni Eareckson Tada, who has walked faithfully with the Lord for 76 years now, almost 60 of those years as a quadriplegic.
2. Restored, Established, Strengthened and Grounded
God has a purpose for our suffering, and it is not always to alleviate it. How has God used suffering in your life to accomplish the purposes set forth in this passage? How have you been equipped, solidified, bolstered,
and grounded?
3. To Him be the “power” forever, Amen.
Usually, we would expect the word “glory” where we read “power” or “dominion.” Why is “power” appropriate? Karen Jobes claims that God’s eternal might “makes Roman glory look like a withered flower.”When have you experienced this?
4. Stand Fast in the True Grace of God.
Peter says his purpose was to encourage his readers. Have you been encouraged by this book? How? How do we “Stand fast in the true grace of God?”
5. A Final Look Back:
As we finish the book of 1 Peter, think back over the messages and flip through the passages. What encouragements have you taken with you? In what way does 1 Peter provide a unique message that you need?
UPG FOCUS: The Amma Kenanga in India
The Amma Kodaga are a small Hindu people group living in the hilly regions of southern India, where they farm crops like coffee and spices and live in close-knit, tradition-rich communities. Though the New Testament is available in their language, there are no known believers among them. Pray that they would be drawn to Jesus, that disciples would be raised up among them, and that workers would go to share the gospel.
Finances
Weekly Budget 34,615
Giving For 04/12 22,618
Giving For 04/19 40,027
YTD Budget 1,453,846
Giving 1,776,190
OVER/(UNDER) 322,344
Easter Offering
At Fellowship, we’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as a van can open doors for ministry—serving students, supporting outreach, and making it easier for people to connect and belong. For years, we’ve relied on rentals, but the need has been clear: having our own van would expand what’s possible in powerful, practical ways. This is an opportunity to invest in something that will be used again and again to serve others. Every mile driven will represent lives reached, needs met, and community built. You can give online, or place a check or cash in an envelope by the baskets by any of the doors.
New to Fellowship?
We are so glad that you chose to worship with our Fellowship Family this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift.
Stoby’s Pancake Fundraiser
Support this year’s Czech Republic Mission Team and enjoy an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at Stoby’s TODAY after both services! The team will be serving a delicious breakfast—dine in or take it to go—until 1:00 p.m. All donations will go directly toward supporting our team of 23 youth and college students as they prepare to serve overseas this summer.
Fellowship on the Lawn
Join us TODAY at 4 PM as we come together as one united faith family here at Fellowship! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and be part of this annual church-wide gathering—you won’t want to miss it. Enjoy a live band, organized family games with prizes, delicious food trucks, and Kona Ice. Adults can jump into Baggo, Pickleball, and more.
Fellowship Kids VBS - There’s No Place Like Rome…
That’s why we want your kids to join us for an exciting Bible-times adventure with the Underground Church in ancient Rome! They will explore authentic Marketplace shops, visit the Apostle Paul (who’s under house arrest), sneak to the cave where the Underground Church meets, take part in games, dance to lively Bible songs, and sample tasty tidbits as they discover more about the early church. Join us June 22-26, 9:00 am- 12:00 pm. This is for kids currently in Kindergarten through 4th grade. Register by May 24 at fellowshipconway.org/register.
FSM 2026 Fellowship Graduates
We’re excited to celebrate our 2026 high school seniors! If Fellowship Bible Church is your home, we’d love to honor you during our Sunday morning services on May 17 at fellowshipconway.org/register. Send five photos for the senior slideshow to Casey Goode at cgoode@fellowshipconway.org by May 1.
Fellowship Women’s Bible Study - Knowing God
Join us for “Knowing God,” a 4 week study of The Trinity by Rebecca Carter & Heather Harrison. We’ll meet Tuesday nights at 6:30pm, beginning June 2nd at Fellowship. Register at fellowshipconway.org/women. Text Shanna at 336-0332 to reserve free childcare by May 25th.
Fellowship Baby Dedication
Fellowship is honored to partner with parents as they dedicate their children to the Lord. On Sunday, May 10, during both services, we will have a special time for parents to dedicate their children before the Fellowship family. If you would like to participate, please email Lisa at lgerdes@fellowshipconway.org and include your preferred service time.