Text: 1 Peter 4:12
Nobody really enjoys suffering.
Perhaps there are some wicked and perverse individuals who take delight in the sufferings of others, but even they do not like to personally suffer in their own body. The Apostle Peter, however, speaks of a radical new way of approaching suffering in this life when he actually urges his readers to be joyful about their sufferings!
Let me qualify this by pointing out that Peter does not endorse suffering in general as a way to have a great time. Instead, he says that to the degree you share in the sufferings of Christ you should be joyful.
This means that when you suffer persecution for the sake of Jesus Christ—for doing what Jesus has commanded, or refusing to do what Jesus has prohibited—then you can rightly rejoice that you are sharing in his sufferings.
[podcast]http://www.download.covenantfamilychurch.net/2008/mp3/2007_07_08_sharing_in_the_sufferings_of_christ_part1.mp3[/podcast]
Covenant Family Church is a conservative, Bible-believing, and elder-governed congregation located in Wentzville, MO which seeks to evangelize the lost and equip those who have been converted to walk worthy of their calling in Christ. 
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church continues to be vigorous in its defense and propagation of the historic Christian faith, particularly as it was articulated by the Protestant Reformers of the 16-17th centuries. 
What led you to visit our website today? What are you seeking? Can we talk about that? Why don't you 
Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him...