Extreme Faith, Joy, and Love amidst Extreme Suffering

Travis Burks

Sermon • Submitted a year ago • Presented a year ago

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1 Peter 4:12-19 (ESV)

Context: Peter is writing to the church in Rome (Gentiles). The church was being heavily persecuted because of their faith in Jesus. Peter is reminding them that their suffering is a blessing; to remind them of their Identity, Sanctification, Unity, and God’s power.

Let’s read the text:

1 Peter 4:12–19 (ESV)

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

‌Notes on the text:

1 Peter 4:15: What credit is it if you suffer for bad? (sometimes our suffering is not for righteousness sake but for selfishness sake) But if for good, then this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. Jesus is our example. He suffered to the point of death, yet He did not revile, but entrusted Himself to God.

1 Peter 4:16: Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian (there is the key phrasing!), let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. (NCC Q#6: How can we glorify God? We glorify God by enjoying Him, loving Him, trusting Him, and by obeying His will, commands, and law.)

We as Christian’s are blessed to be afflicted first because it is to the glory of God.

Suffering is a part of being a Christian (or being human).

· As Christian’s, we are targeted by the enemy and the world because of Jesus’ name (Jesus said “they hated me first”)

(Hebrews 12:4: You have no struggled to the point of shedding blood) Not all bad things are persecution. Not all social media posts that you don’t agree with are persecution. Someone disagreeing with me on a theological or political subject is not always true persecution. All persecution is suffering but not all suffering is persecution.

· Blessed are those persecuted for my name

Matthew 5:10–12 ESV

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

· Do not be ashamed of the gospel (Don’t appease the culture) but stand firm:

2 Timothy 1:8–12 ESV

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

Context: (Maria Romanov). 1908-1918.

Extreme Letters

Russia: Maria

Dear Mom and Dad, I greet you with the love of Christ. I am doing well and feel very blessed. One of my schoolmates, Varia, is a member of the communist Youth Organization. I have been witnessing to her, and I think I am finally starting to get through to her.

Recently she said, “I cannot understand you at all. So many of the students insult and hurt you, and you love them anyway.”

I told her that God has taught us all to love, not only those who are kind to us, but especially those who are unkind—that they might see God within us.

Varia has been one of the ones to join in the mocking and insults, but that has only made me pray for her even more.

Today she asked me if I could really love her too! We embraces and both began to weep. I believe she is very close to receiving Christ. Please pray for her.

When you listen to those who loudly deny God, it seems like they meant it. But life shows that many of them really have a great longing in their hearts. And you can hear the groaning of the heart; they seek something and try to cover their inner emptiness with their godlessness.

I will write soon. Please send my love to everyone at home. Maria

God created human beings with a spiritual space within them that can only be completely filled by Him. When we run across someone who is hostile to Christianity, we can remind ourselves of the tremendous needs in that person’s life. Imagine a cavernous space in the chest cavity of your enemy—a body without a heart. This inner emptiness is what drives many people to a spiritual search. They either respond in faith, wanting to accept Christ’s offer to fill the void, or they respond with bitterness, rejecting Christ altogether. Often, a Christian’s presence simply reminds those who reject Christ what they are missing in their own lives. They are not resenting you personally. They resent whom you represent.

Joy during suffering.

· We don’t have to like the suffering.

2 Corinthians 1:8–9 ESV

8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

Jesus said, “take away this cup.”

· See also,

Psalm 13 ESV

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

“How long, O Lord?”

“Life is despair and God hasn’t answered me and maybe He doesn’t care!”

There are two answers to this: an apologetic answer and pastoral answer.

> Apologetic: If we are feeling defeated (lacking hope, frustrated, angry, bitter, towards God and people) during our suffering, then we have lost sight of who God is and whose glory we’re after.

Search my Heart, Lord: If I am treating others poorly, and am neglecting my relationship with You (while in the middle of my suffering and trials), then my attitude reveals my heart; it is inclined towards my glory and not yours. I want to be lifted up out of the muck of life so I’m not dirty, so I’m not hurting, so I can be seen as better than others.

> Pastoral: “I’m sorry you’re going through what you’re going through. I can’t imagine the frustration, the pain, the heartache you must be feeling. You must feel so hopeless.” That shows understanding and acknowledgement of their pain, and doesn’t offer any opinion to ‘fix it’ but merely to be present.

· But we are called to rejoice amidst the suffering.

Matthew 5:10–12 ESV

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

· Christ had joy

Luke 10:21 ESV

21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Extreme Joy Siberia: Paulus. 2016(?). Devout muslim turned Christian

It was getting late, and the Soviet officer had beaten and tortured Paulus for many hours.

“We are not going to torture you anymore,” he said, grinning cruelly when the Christian looked up. “We will send you instead to Siberia, where the snow never melts. It is a place of great suffering. You and your family will fit in well.”

Paulus, instead of being depressed, smiled. “The whole earth belongs to my Father, captain. Wherever you send me I will be on my Father’s earth.”

The captain looked at him sharply. “We will take away all you own.”

“You will need a high ladder, captain, for my treasures are stored up in heaven.” Paulus still wore a beautiful smile.

“We will put a bullet between your eyes!” shouted the captain, now angry.

“If you take away my life in this world, my real life of joy and beauty will begin,” answered Paulus, “I am not afraid of being killed.”

The captain grabbed Paulus by his tattered prison shirt and screamed into his face, “We will not kill you! We will keep you locked alone in a cell and allow no one to come see you!”

“You cannot do that, captain,” said Paulus, still smiling. “I have a Friend who can pass through locked doors and iron bars. No one can separate me from the love of Christ.”

Despite an uncertain future, we can be sure of one thing: Christ will face it with us. Whether we are going through a private trial or a public grieving, we are never alone. In contrast, every human companion will fail us at some point. There will be places in life’s journey where they cannot walk with us—the water will be too deep and their understanding would be murky at best. Only Jesus has the ability to pass through the “iron bars” on our suffering hearts and share these difficult times. Although, in His wisdom, He may not choose to deliver us from our circumstances, His sure presence will see us through them. Smile, knowing you have a Friend from whom you can never be separated.

God will rescue the righteous

Psalm 34 ESV

Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. 1 I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. 11 Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. 17 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. 20 He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. 21 Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. 22 The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

· God has redeemed us! We are saved! (Romans 3:21-25; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

· God rescues the righteous out of trouble (Psalm 34:17)

· God is near the broken hearted (Psalm 34:19) Affliction will slay the wicked and anyone who hates the righteous will be condemned (Psalm 34:21)

· God doesn’t rescue us always physically

Luke 22:42 ESV

42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

· God’s reasons for suffering have eternal implications.

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Extreme Confidence Nigeria: Rose, roughly 1999

“Hurry, get into the closet. Do not make a sound unless you hear my voice. Do you understand?” Rose heard the two small voices of her preschool children say “Yes, mommy,” then she bolted out the door and headed toward her daughter’s school, praying that it was not too late.

At the proclamation of Sharia, or Islamic law, by the Nigerian government, pockets of violence broke out against Christian groups because they had opposed the laws. Rose’s oldest daughter was still at school during the rioting, and Rose was sure she would not be safe there.

When she arrived at the school, she learned her daughter had been taken to a military base for safety. Eventually, Rose found her, and they returned home where the two younger children were waiting safely.

The following day, when her husband left for a Christian gathering, it was the last time she saw him alive. Roughly 260 churches were destroyed during these riots, and more than 460 Christians were killed.

In the months since her husband’s murder, Rose has drawn comfort from the book of Acts. She said, “The same God who allowed Stephen to be stoned also allowed Peter to escape from prison,”

“God has been faithful, and His grace has been sufficient.” Today, Rose continues to work in the church where her martyred husband pastored, and she busily raises her three children.

It has been said God will never lead us where His grace cannot keep us. We must realize that sometimes His place does not include a miraculous deliverance from illness, death, or oppression. Yet His grace is sufficient, and He has not abandoned us. We must trust that God would not lead us to a place of ministry or work without an adequate measure of His grace to make it. Sometimes His place involved simply seeing us through an ordeal instead of delivering us from it.

Have you come to a point where you are willing to entirely rely on Him?

You’ll likely never say that God’s grace is all you need until His grace is all you have.

God uses suffering for His glory:

Romans 8:17-18

Romans 8:17–18 ESV

17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:28–29 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

1 Peter 1:7 ESV

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:7–8 ESV

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

Extreme Example Nazi Concentration Camp: Mary Skotsobaugh. 1939-1942

“…seven, eight, nine---you! Step out!” The Nazi guard yelled at the woman. The commandant had order every tenth prisoner executed as punishment for two women’s escape the previous night.

“Please have mercy on me! I have a child!” the tenth woman pleaded. Mary Skotsobaugh stood next in line. In her heart, Mary heard, “Step forward and say you with to die in her place.”

She replied to the inner voice, “Why? She is not a Christian. She is a Jewish Communist. When the Nazis are overthrown and the Communists come to power, they will be as bad as the Nazis.”

Then Mary remembered with was Good Friday. The voice said, “On this day I died not for the good ones but for the bad ones, for sinners.”

Mary then stepped forward. “I wish to die.” The officer laughed. “If you are stupid enough to die in her place, all right, you come forward. Her turn will come soon enough.”

As Mary went to be executed and burned in the ovens, she told them, “When God took His people out of slavery in Egypt, it is written in our Bible that He walked before them in a column of fire. I pray when my body burns it would be a column of fire that will you show you the way to God.”

One step forward can make all the difference. Christians often live their lives precariously balanced on the ledge between safety and the unknown. Those who have taken the small step forward into the unknown have always founds the faithfulness of God. Noah, Moses, Abraham, Deborah, Ruth, Mary, and Paul. The list of biblical examples goes on and on, not to mention a host of history’s hall of fame. One step of faith changed their lives from ordinary to extraordinary.

Is God calling you to step forward in faith today?

Do you hear His voice in your heart?

Listen up. Prepare to move. Your small step of obedience could show others the way to God.

How to Overcome suffering:

Hebrews 12:2–3 ESV

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

1 Peter 4:19 ESV

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

· Repent; literally, change your mind.

Philippians 3:8–16 ESV

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Extreme Love North Korea: Pastor (Hyeon Soo Lim) 2015

“You may destroy my body, but not my soul,” the brave Korean pastor responded to the invading Communist army of North Korea. “I will not pur Marxist propaganda in my sermons. I know you have taken other pastors at night from their homes and tortured them for not obeying your orders, but I do not care what you do to my body.”

The officer’s anger grew as Pastor Im spoke. Then he said with disgust, “If you do not care for yourself, then think of your family. They will be killed also.”

Pastor Lim hesitated. He expected to be hurt but had not considered his family. He knew the choice he must make.

He calmly replied to the Communist officer, “I would rather have my wife and babies die by your gun, knowing that they and I stood faithful, than to betray my Lord and save them.”

“Take him away,” the officer commanded. Pastor Lim was kept in a dark prison cell for two years where he was not allowed to shave or change clothes. He kept up his courage by reciting a Bible verse that was precious to him.

Every day from his small isolated cell, others could hear Pastor Lim recite in a loving, calm voice John 13:7, where Jesus promised: “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

The North Korean Communist soldiers kept Pastor Lim locked in an isolated prison cell for two years for preaching to others about Christ and for refusing to change his sermons into pro-Marxist propaganda.

In September, 1950, the United Nations regained the occupied territory. When the UN troops arrived, Pastor Lim felt certain he would be a free man again.

Unfortunately, they mistook him for a Communist and three him into another cell with the Communist captives, despite his pleadings.

Being a compassionate man and accepting the situation as God’s will, Pastor Lim witnessed to the Communist prisoners. Many were converted to Christ.

“We keep hearing about this prison camp preacher,” said an American missionary to his friend visiting Korea as a chaplain. “Since he knows the prisoners so well, I wonder if he would help us organize an evangelistic service?” questioned the chaplain.

God answered their prayers. The American missionaries were able to get permission to have access to Pastor Lim. And the “prison preacher” faithfully helped and preached to prison camps all over South Korea.

Thousands of Communists accepted Christ. Within a year, twelve thousand prisoners were rising each morning for dawn prayer meetings.

Pastor Lim never saw his family again, yet thousands became his brothers in Christ in the prison camps.

“What’s the point?” This is the question on everyone’s mind when we see unjust suffering and violence. However, we cannot always know God’s purposes. We can only know they are great and they are ultimately for our good. We are like individual puzzle pieces spread out over a table. We strain our eyes from side to side and see that the pieces immediately around us do not seem to fit. We feel frustrated and frightened. Yet God is the puzzle Master—the only one who see the whole picture. He can see all the pieces in your life at once. He knows how they fit together for His greater purpose.

Will you look with trust into the eyes of the Master, content wherever He places you?

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