Thursday, 1st October 2026
主題經文「倒要歡喜；因為你們是與基督一同受苦，使你們在他榮耀顯現的時候，也可以歡喜快樂。」——彼得前書 4:13
彼得前書第三章把信仰帶進家庭，特別講到丈夫與妻子怎樣在神面前生活。到了第四章，彼得把眼光再拉闊。
他開始讓我們看見，一個屬神的人，當他活在這個世界裡，知道自己只是寄居者的時候，究竟應該怎樣生活。
彼得所寫信的信徒，正面對一個不明白他們的世界。
他們信主以前，可能與周圍的人過著一樣的生活；但是信主以後，他們不再跟從以前的邪淫、惡慾、醉酒、荒宴、群飲和拜偶像的生活。
所以彼得說：
「他們在這些事上，見你們不與他們同奔那放蕩無度的路，就以為怪，毀謗你們。」
——彼得前書 4:4
這是一個很真實的處境。
當一個人真正開始按照天國的價值生活，世界有時候反而會覺得他很奇怪。
因為他不再做大家都做的事，
不再追求大家都追求的東西，
也不再用世界的方法去處理人生。
所以一個寄居者，很可能會被人不明白、被人不認同，甚至被人毀謗。
但是彼得沒有叫信徒把焦點放在人怎樣看自己。
他反而把他們帶回神面前。
所以今天我們要問：
基督徒的喜樂究竟從哪裡來？
是不是來自環境順利？
是不是來自別人的認同？
是不是來自沒有苦難？
彼得前書第四章讓我們看見，基督徒的喜樂，不是建立在外面的環境，而是建立在我們與神的關係、彼此的關係，以及我們屬於基督這個身份裡。
所以第一：
一、喜樂從警醒禱告而來
「萬物的結局近了。所以，你們要謹慎自守，警醒禱告。」
——彼得前書 4:7
彼得講到末世的時候，他沒有叫信徒恐慌。
他也沒有叫他們去猜測主甚麼時候回來。
他第一個提醒是：
謹慎自守，警醒禱告。
這是一個很重要的提醒。
「自守」就是讓自己的思想保持清醒，不被世界拉著走。
「警醒」就是知道自己正在過一個怎樣的人生，不讓環境、情緒和慾望控制自己。
而最後，彼得把這一切都帶到禱告。
越接近末後，
不是越忙亂，
而是越清醒。
不是越恐懼，
而是越靠近神。
不是越看環境，
而是越知道自己的盼望在哪裡。
因為基督徒真正的喜樂，不是建立在世界會不會越來越好。
而是建立在：
無論世界怎樣改變，我仍然可以回到神面前。
當一個人的心重新回到神面前，他就不再完全被環境牽動。
世界可以混亂，
但裡面可以安定。
環境可以有壓力，
但裡面仍然可以有盼望。
所以基督徒的喜樂，第一個來源就是：
在末後的日子，仍然知道怎樣回到神面前，警醒禱告。
當我們越靠近神，就會開始改變我們與人的關係。
所以第二：
二、喜樂從彼此相愛而來
「最要緊的是彼此切實相愛，因為愛能遮掩許多的罪。」
——彼得前書 4:8
彼得說：
「最要緊的是。」
這句話很重。
因為當教會面對外面的壓力、誤解和毀謗時，最容易發生的，就是裡面的人彼此消耗。
外面的世界已經不明白我們，
如果神的家裡面仍然彼此傷害，
我們就會更加疲倦。
所以彼得說：
最要緊的是彼此切實相愛。
不是表面的愛。
不是口頭上的愛。
而是願意付代價的愛。
彼得接著說：
「你們要互相款待，不發怨言。」
——彼得前書 4:9
又說：
「各人要照所得的恩賜彼此服事，作神百般恩賜的好管家。」
——彼得前書 4:10
所以彼得所講的愛，非常實際。
是彼此款待，
彼此服事，
彼此接納，
彼此承擔。
這就是一個寄居者群體應該有的生命。
因為我們知道自己不屬於這個世界，所以我們更加珍惜神所給我們的屬靈家庭。
我們不再只是問：
「別人有沒有愛我？」
而是開始問：
「我今天可以怎樣愛人？」
我們不再只是問：
「別人為我做了甚麼？」
而是開始問：
「神給我的恩賜，可以怎樣服事人？」
這裡讓我們看見：
基督徒的喜樂，不只是從神而來，也在彼此相愛、彼此服事的關係裡被經歷出來。
一個只為自己而活的人，很難真正有屬天的喜樂。
但是當我們開始愛人、服事人、承擔人，我們會發現，神的喜樂也會在其中臨到我們。
可是彼得知道，信徒即使警醒禱告、彼此相愛，苦難仍然可能來到。
所以第三：
三、喜樂從屬於基督而來
彼得說：
「親愛的弟兄啊，有火煉的試驗臨到你們，不要以為奇怪。」
——彼得前書 4:12
這一句非常有意思。
第四節說，世界看基督徒覺得奇怪。
到了第十二節，彼得反過來說：
你們不要覺得苦難很奇怪。
因為當我們真正按照基督的方式生活，世界不一定會認同我們。
但是彼得在這裡作了一個很重要的分別。
他說：
「你們中間卻不可有人因為殺人、偷竊、作惡、好管閒事而受苦。」
——彼得前書 4:15
這裡提醒我們：
不是所有的受苦，都叫作為主受苦。
有些受苦，是因為自己的錯誤。
有些受苦，是因為自己的罪。
有些受苦，是因為自己好管閒事。
這些苦，不應該被包裝成屬靈的苦難。
所以彼得提醒我們，受苦也要分辨。
我要問自己：
我今天受苦，是因為自己的錯誤，還是因為我忠於基督？
如果是因為自己的錯誤，就要悔改、調整。
但如果是因為持守真理、持守聖潔、忠於基督而受苦，彼得說：
「若為作基督徒受苦，卻不要羞恥，倒要因這名歸榮耀給神。」
——彼得前書 4:16
這裡就帶我們回到今天的主題。
為甚麼基督徒在苦難裡仍然可以有喜樂？
不是因為痛苦本身值得高興。
而是因為：
即使在苦難裡，我仍然知道自己是屬於基督的。
人可以不認同我，
人可以誤解我，
甚至人可以毀謗我，
但是有一件事沒有改變：
我是屬耶穌基督的人。
所以彼得才會說：
「倒要歡喜；因為你們是與基督一同受苦。」
——彼得前書 4:13
真正的喜樂，不是沒有苦難。
真正的喜樂，是在苦難中仍然知道：
我沒有失去基督。
最後彼得說：
「所以，那照神旨意受苦的人要一心為善，將自己靈魂交與那信實的造化之主。」
——彼得前書 4:19
這就是寄居者的生命。
不是在苦難中停止行善。
而是在苦難中仍然選擇行善。
因為我們知道，我們的生命不是掌握在人手裡，而是在那位信實的神手裡。
總結
彼得前書第四章讓我們重新思想：
基督徒的喜樂從哪裡來？
不是從環境。
不是從人的認同。
也不是因為人生沒有苦難。
第一，
喜樂從警醒禱告而來。
當末後越近，我們越要把心重新帶回神面前。
第二，
喜樂從彼此相愛而來。
當世界越不明白我們，我們越要在神的家裡彼此相愛、彼此服事。
第三，
喜樂從屬於基督而來。
當苦難臨到，我們要分辨自己為甚麼受苦。
如果是自己的錯誤，就悔改。
如果是因基督的名受苦，就不要羞恥。
因為那時候，我們不是失去榮耀，
反而是在把榮耀歸給神。
所以基督徒真正的喜樂就是：
無論環境怎樣，我仍然知道自己屬於基督。
這就是為甚麼彼得可以說：
「倒要歡喜。」
因為一個真正知道自己屬於誰的人，即使仍然寄居在地上，即使面對不明白、反對甚至苦難，仍然可以帶著從神而來的喜樂繼續走下去。
Key Verse
“But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
— 1 Peter 4:13, NKJV
In 1 Peter chapter 3, Peter brings our faith into the home, especially into the relationship between husbands and wives.
In chapter 4, Peter broadens the picture.
He now helps us see how a person who belongs to God should live in this world when he understands that he is only a sojourner here.
The believers Peter was writing to were living in a world that did not understand them.
Before they came to faith, they may have lived in the same way as the people around them. But after coming to Christ, they no longer followed the same pattern of lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and idolatry.
Peter says:
“In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.”
— 1 Peter 4:4, NKJV
This is a very real picture.
When a person truly begins to live according to the values of the kingdom of God, the world may begin to think that person is strange.
You no longer do what everyone else is doing.
You no longer pursue what everyone else is pursuing.
You no longer handle life in the same way as the world.
So a sojourner may be misunderstood, rejected, or even spoken against.
But Peter does not tell believers to focus on how people see them.
Instead, he brings their attention back to God.
So today we need to ask:
Where does the joy of a Christian really come from?
Does it come from a smooth life?
Does it come from the approval of people?
Does it come from having no suffering?
First Peter chapter 4 shows us that Christian joy is not built on outward circumstances. It is rooted in our relationship with God, our relationship with one another, and our identity in Christ.
So first:
- Joy Comes from Watchful Prayer
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”
— 1 Peter 4:7, NKJV
When Peter speaks about the end times, he does not tell believers to panic.
He does not tell them to calculate when the Lord will return.
His first reminder is:
Be serious and watchful in prayer.
This is very important.
To be serious means that our minds are clear and self-controlled, not being carried away by the world.
To be watchful means that we understand how we are living and do not allow circumstances, emotions, or desires to control us.
And Peter brings all of this back to prayer.
The closer we come to the end,
the more we should not become confused,
but clear-minded.
Not more fearful,
but closer to God.
Not more focused on circumstances,
but more aware of where our hope truly is.
Because Christian joy is not built on whether the world becomes better or worse.
It is built on this truth:
No matter how the world changes, I can still come back to God.
When a person brings his heart back to God, he is no longer completely controlled by his circumstances.
The world may be in confusion,
but there can still be peace within.
There may be pressure around us,
but there can still be hope within us.
So the first source of Christian joy is this:
Even in the last days, we know how to return to God and remain watchful in prayer.
And when we draw closer to God, it begins to change the way we relate to people.
So second:
- Joy Comes from Loving One Another
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’”
— 1 Peter 4:8, NKJV
Peter says:
“Above all things.”
These words are very strong.
When the church is facing pressure, misunderstanding, and opposition from the outside, one of the greatest dangers is that believers begin to hurt and exhaust one another on the inside.
The world outside may already misunderstand us.
If we also wound one another inside the family of God, we will become even more weary.
So Peter says:
Above all things, have fervent love for one another.
Not superficial love.
Not love only in words.
But love that is willing to pay a price.
Peter continues:
“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”
— 1 Peter 4:9, NKJV
And then:
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
— 1 Peter 4:10, NKJV
The love Peter describes is very practical.
It means welcoming one another.
Serving one another.
Accepting one another.
Carrying one another.
This is the kind of life that should mark a community of sojourners.
Because we know that this world is not our final home, we learn to value the spiritual family God has given us.
We stop only asking:
“Does anyone love me?”
And we begin to ask:
“How can I love someone today?”
We stop only asking:
“What has the church done for me?”
And we begin to ask:
“How can I use the gift God has given me to serve others?”
Here we begin to see:
Christian joy does not only come from God directly; it is also experienced as we love and serve one another.
A person who lives only for himself will find it difficult to experience true heavenly joy.
But when we begin to love, serve, and carry others, we discover that the joy of God meets us there.
However, Peter knows that even when believers pray, love, and serve, suffering may still come.
So third:
- Joy Comes from Belonging to Christ
Peter says:
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you.”
— 1 Peter 4:12, NKJV
This is very interesting.
In verse 4, the world thinks Christians are strange.
But in verse 12, Peter says to Christians:
Do not think suffering is strange.
When we truly live according to Christ, the world will not always agree with us.
But Peter makes a very important distinction.
He says:
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.”
— 1 Peter 4:15, NKJV
This reminds us:
Not every kind of suffering is suffering for Christ.
Sometimes we suffer because of our own wrong choices.
Sometimes we suffer because of our own sin.
Sometimes we suffer because we interfere in matters that do not belong to us.
We should not make those kinds of suffering sound spiritual.
So Peter teaches us to examine ourselves.
We need to ask:
Am I suffering because of my own mistakes, or because I am being faithful to Christ?
If it is because of my own wrong choices, I need to repent and change.
But if it is because I am holding on to truth, holiness, and faithfulness to Christ, Peter says:
“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”
— 1 Peter 4:16, NKJV
This brings us back to today’s theme.
Why can a Christian still have joy in suffering?
Not because pain itself is enjoyable.
But because:
Even in suffering, I still know that I belong to Christ.
People may disagree with me.
People may misunderstand me.
People may even speak against me.
But one thing does not change:
I belong to Jesus Christ.
That is why Peter can say:
“But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings.”
— 1 Peter 4:13, NKJV
True joy does not mean the absence of suffering.
True joy means that in suffering I still know:
I have not lost Christ.
Peter ends by saying:
“Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”
— 1 Peter 4:19, NKJV
This is the life of a sojourner.
We do not stop doing good because suffering comes.
Instead, we continue to do good in the middle of suffering.
Because we know that our lives are not ultimately in the hands of people.
They are in the hands of our faithful Creator.
Conclusion
First Peter chapter 4 causes us to ask again:
Where does the joy of a Christian come from?
Not from circumstances.
Not from the approval of people.
Not from a life without suffering.
First,
Joy comes from watchful prayer.
As the end draws near, we bring our hearts back to God.
Second,
Joy comes from loving one another.
When the world does not understand us, we love and serve one another more deeply in the family of God.
Third,
Joy comes from belonging to Christ.
When suffering comes, we need to discern why we are suffering.
If it is because of our own wrong choices, we repent.
But if it is because of the name of Christ, we are not ashamed.
Because in that moment, we are not losing glory.
We are giving glory to God.
So the true joy of a Christian is this:
No matter what happens around me, I still know that I belong to Christ.
That is why Peter can say:
“But rejoice.”
Because when a person truly knows whom he belongs to, even while living as a sojourner in this world, even in misunderstanding, opposition, or suffering, he can still continue walking with joy that comes from God.
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