Hope-Filled Sufferors

Background: 1 Peter is written to believers dispersed throughout the world and were under intense persecution. What qualified the apostle Peter to write about persecution? Peter had been beaten, punished, threatened, and jailed for preaching the Gospel. He knew what it took to endure suffering, without being bitter, without losing hope, and having faith and living a victorious and godly life. How did he know how to endure? He had knowledge of the living hope found in Jesus Christ, One who had suffered, and One whose example was the One to follow.

Key phrase: Count it a privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ, as your Savior suffered for you.

Illustration. We all have experienced suffering in some way or another. Some have lost parents, siblings, children, friends. Suffering isn’t new to us. But is it possible to remain hopeful in suffering? It’s not just Peter or these Christians who can be Hope-filled Sufferors, but by God’s grace and strength you and I can be as well.

‌1. Hope in Suffering (v.13-15)

Peter reminds these believers of God’s grace in suffering. He reminds them that no one can truly harm them, nor are they able to harm them. For even if they are harmed, they will be blessed for suffering for righteousness sake. Peter tells these believers to not fear, or be troubled. We Fear or Troubled? As Christians we are faced with struggles, and we are tempted to give in to our fears and make the wrong decision. But if we “honor Christ” in our hearts, we never need to fear men or the circumstances we face. Our enemies may hurt us, but they cannot harm us. We are only harmed if we fail to trust God. Generally speaking, people don’t harm us for doing good; but if they do, it is better to suffer for righteousness sake than to compromise our testimony. We can either experience fear as we face the enemy, or we can experience blessing, if Jesus is the Lord of our hearts. When Jesus is Lord of our lives, each difficulty becomes an opportunity to witness. Why? Because we are “always being prepared to make a defense.” Our English word for “apology” comes from the Greek word “answer”. This Greek word could be defined as “a defense presented in court.” “Apologetics”: is a branch of theology that deals with the defense of our faith. If we are able to suffer for righteousness sake, have no fear, not be troubled, and in our hearts honor Christ then surely we can be prepared to defend our faith! Every Christian should be able to give a reasoned defense of his hope in Christ, especially in hopeless situations. 1 Cor 2:2 “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” A difficulty presents an opportunity to witness when a believer responds with faith and hope, because the unbelievers will then sit up and take notice. Many of you have had that happen! A difficulty comes your way, and in response to your faith so comes many opportunities to share the Gospel. People are searching for hope and the easiest way to see hope is when someone should be feeling hopeless, but they have complete hope! How confusing that in to an unbeliever! No wonder they ask!

However, we make a defense for the hope, when we respond to why we have this hope, Peter gives us instructions on how to do it. V.15 “do it with gentleness and respect”. He doesn’t say to be all puffed up and arrogant. He doesn’t ask you how you know it all! We must remember that we are witnesses, not some prosecuting attorney! Peter does not suggest for us to argue with lost people, but to present to the lost what we believe and why we believe it, in a loving manner. If we cannot we hurt the image of the Gospel! Not only does Peter instruct us how to respond, but He always deals with our lives. We must also be sure our lives back up our defense. Coworker, leaving work, gives me hug and starts crying thanking me for my godly example in the workplace, this man was christian but worse acting coworker, he had somewhere in the process become fearful of men and his heart did not honor Christ. His life did not live up to his defense! Our purpose in presenting a defense of our hope is not to win some argument, but to win lost souls to Christ!

What does it mean to have a heart that honors Christ? It means to turn everything over to Him and to live only to please Him and glorify Him. It means to fear displeasing Him rather than fear what men might do to us. This approach wonderfully simplifies our lives! It is Matt. 6:33 and Rom. 12:1-2 combined into a daily attitude of faith that obeys God’s Word in spite of the consequences from this world. It means being satisfied with nothing less than the will of God in our lives.

Apply: Your life evidenced by hope? Are you suffering for righteousness sake? Do you stand up for Biblical principles at work? Do you stand up for Christ in school? Do you stand up for your faith to your family? If you are living right, you should be suffering for righteousness sake. Some may mock you for not participating in certain social events, not saying certain words, not telling certain jokes. Do you suffer for doing good? Do you have hope in suffering or are you afraid of man?

‌2. The Good in Suffering (v.16-17) Maintain a good conscience

Our word “conscience” comes from two Latin words con: “with” scio: “to know”, the conscience is that internal judge that witnesses to us, that enables us to “know with” either approving our actions or accusing(Rom. 2:15). Our conscience may be compared to a window that lets in the light of God’s truth. If we persist in disobeying, the window gets dirtier and dirtier, until the light cannot enter. This leads to a defiled conscience(Titus 1:15). a “seared conscience” is one that has been so sinned against that it is no longer sensitive to what is right and wrong(1 Tim. 4:2). It is even possible for the conscience to be so poisoned that it approves things that are bad and accuses when the person does good. This the Bible calls an “evil conscience”(Heb. 10:22). For example a criminal feels guilty if he squeals on his friends, but happy if he succeeds in his crime.

Conscience depends on knowledge, the “light” coming through the window. As a believer studies the Word, he better understands the will of God, and his conscience becomes more sensitive to right and wrong. A “good conscience” is one that accuses when we think or do wrong and approves when we do right. it takes “exercise” to keep the conscience strong and pure(Acts 24:16). If we do not grow in spiritual knowledge and obedience, we have a “weak conscience” that is upset very easily by conflicts.

How does a good conscience help a believer in times of trial and slander? For one thing, it fortifies him with courage because he knows he is right with God and men, so that he doesn't need to be afraid. Inscribed on Martin Luther’s monument in Worms, Germany are his courageous words spoken before the church council on April 18, 1521, “Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen.” His conscience, bound to God’s Word, gave him the courage to defy the whole established church at that time. A good conscience also gives us peace in our hearts, and when we have peace within, we can face battles without. The relentnesses of an uneasy conscience divides the heart and drains the strength of a person, so that he is unable to function at his best. How can we boldly witness for Christ if our conscience is witnessing against us? A good conscience also removes from us the fear of what other people may know about us, say against us, or do to us. When Christ is Lord and we only fear God, we need not fear the threats, opinions, or actions of our enemies. Psalm 118:6 “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” It was in this matter that Peter failed when he feared the enemy and denied the Lord. Peter made it clear that conscience alone is not the test of what is right and wrong. For a person to disobey God’s Word and claim it is right simply because his conscience does not convict him, is to admit that something is radically wrong with his conscience. Conscience is a safe guide only when the Word of God is the teacher. More and more in today's society are christians going to be accused and lied about. Our personal standards are not the same as the unsaved world. Joseph served Potuiphar’s house and refused to sin, he was falsely accused and thrown into prison. The government official in Babylon schemed to get Daniel in trouble because his life and work were a witness against them. Jesus by the very life He lived on earth revealed the sinful hearts and deeds of people, and that is why they crucified Him. 2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” If we are to maintain a good conscience, we must deal with sin in our lives and confess it immediately. We must keep the window clean. We must also spend time in God’s Word and “let the light in.”

A strong conscience is based on obedience based on knowledge, and a strong conscience makes for a strong christian witness to the lost. It also gives us strength in times of persecution and difficulty. No christian should ever suffer for evildoing, and no christian should be surprised if he suffers for well doing. our world is so mixed up that they call evil good and good evil. The religious people of Jesus’ day called him a person of evildoing.

As times of difficulty come to the church, we must cultivate christian love, for we will need one another’s help and encouragement as never before. We must also maintain a good conscience, because a good conscience makes for a strong backbone and a courageous witness. If we fear God, we need not fear men. “Shame arises from the fear of men,” said Samuel Johnson. “Conscience, from the fear of God.”

Apply: Do you see the good of suffering? Do you maintain a good conscience in suffering? Does your conduct put those to shame who might slander you? Would you rather suffer for doing good or not suffer and do evil? The day of choosing between those is approaching. We have some opportunities for that now. Do you take them now?

‌3. Christ in Suffering (v.18)

‌Verse 17 Peter writes about suffering for well-doing rather than evil-doing, and now he gives the example of Jesus. Jesus was the “just One” and yet He was treated unjustly. Why? That He might die for the unjust ones and bring them to God! He died as a substitute(2:24) And He only died once. Jesus suffered for well-doing; He did not die because of His own sins, for He had none(2:22). The phrase “bring us to God'' is a technical term that means “gain audience at court.” Because of the work of Christ upon the cross, we now have open access to God(EPh. 1:18). We may come boldly to His throne! We may also have access to His grace to meet our daily needs! When we read verse 18, how can we not praise God! He suffered for you! He brought us to God! He brought us true life! He brought usd true hope! Christ suffered immensely for you, will you suffer for Him?

‌Conclusion: One way to identify with Christ is to share in His suffering. To us that would be to endure insults and slurs from those who call us "goodie two shoes" or "holier than thou." This is so minor compared to what Christ suffered for us on the Cross. Stand up for what you know and believe is right and rejoice when the world and Satan aim to hurt you.‌

When you suffer are you filled with hope?

Do you suffer for doing good?

Do you maintain a good conscience?

Are you prepared to make a defense for the hope that is in you?

Illustration: When he was 10 years old, his father and two of his brothers were killed in a plane crash. Young Stephen was the only child still at home with his mother in the years immediately following. When asked how he could experience such losses and not become angry or bitter, the GQ interview explored Colbert's faith:

‌

"I was left alone a lot after Dad and the boys died. … And it was just me and Mom for a long time," he said. "And by her example I am not bitter … She was … broken, yes. Bitter, no." Colbert said that even in his mother's days of unremitting grief, she drew on her faith that the only way to not be swallowed by sorrow, to in fact recognize that our sorrow is inseparable from our joy, is to always understand our suffering, ourselves, in the light of eternity.

Colbert described a letter from J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote, "What punishments of God are not gifts?" Colbert's eyes filled with tears as he said, "So it would be ungrateful not to take everything with gratitude. It doesn't mean you want it. I can hold both of those ideas in my head." He was 35, he said, before he could really feel the truth of that. He was walking down the street, and it "stopped me dead. I went, 'Oh, I'm grateful. Oh, I feel terrible.' I felt so guilty to be grateful. But I knew it was true."