A Practical Theology of Suffering, Finding Purpose in Pain

·1 hr 8 min·5 clips

Emperor Nero blamed Christians for Rome's great fire, unleashing a wave of brutal torture and persecution.

The episode is a sermon by Pastor Chad Wiles from The Field Church, focusing on developing a practical theology of suffering through 1 Peter 4:12-19. Wiles begins by reading the scripture passage, which advises believers not to be surprised by fiery trials and to rejoice in sharing Christ's sufferings. He provides historical background, detailing how Emperor Nero blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64, leading to brutal persecution like using Christians as human torches. Wiles explains that Peter wrote this letter to Jewish believers exiled in modern-day Turkey to prepare them for worsening persecution over 200 years. He defines suffering as immense pain due to evil and sin, then outlines five categories: suffering and human sinfulness (where sin causes suffering to others and oneself), suffering and the world (from sinful worldviews like postmodernism and hedonism), suffering and the devil (Satan's deceptive half-truths), suffering and the pain of others (bearing others' burdens), and suffering and confusion (limited human understanding). Wiles emphasizes that suffering is a promised part of the Christian life, countering modern views that faith brings only blessing. He structures the sermon around four points: the right expectation of suffering (do not be surprised, as trials test and refine faith), the right response (rejoice and share in Christ's sufferings, with examples from Acts 5 and James 1), the right reason for suffering (not for one's own sin like murder or theft, but as a Christian to glorify God), and the right one to trust (entrust souls to a faithful creator). Throughout, he references other scriptures like Romans, Matthew, and Revelation to support his teachings, and concludes by pointing to Christ as the ultimate example of suffering without sin. The sermon aims to equip listeners to navigate trials biblically and find hope in eternal perspectives.

As heard by us

A sober 1 Peter sermon that leaves room for grief while calling faith to endure.

Chad Wiles turns to 1 Peter 4:12-19 with a steady focus on the command not to be surprised by the fiery trial. The sermon gives that charge a humane weight: sorrow and grief are not treated as failures of faith, yet suffering is not allowed to define God's love or dislodge…

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Why you'd press play

You want a sermon that treats suffering as grievous without letting it become a surprise to your faith.

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