1 Peter 2:21-15
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A Call to Suffer
A Call to Suffer
Main Idea: We suffer because Jesus did it and if Jesus did it then we do it.
Intro
Good morning Church, my name is Zach Klundt, I am one of the pastors here at FW.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to preach this morning.
I love being about to communicate God word and I pray that this morning as we dive into the text that we are challenged, convicted, and ultimately encouraged.
This morning we're gonna be hitting kind of a subject that I don't think a lot of us really enjoy talking about that we don't enjoy thinking about, and we definitely don't enjoy going through it, and that's suffering.
This morning, we're gonna talk about suffering.
and on a much more in a deeper level, we're gonna talk about suffering and a call to suffer, but not just to suffer, but to suffer well.
And so just brace yourself this morning because that's where we are going.
We're gonna be in first Peter chapter two, this morning as we kind of uh finish out chapter two and uh jump into chapter 3 next week.
It's kind of coming on the the coat tails of of Pastor Robert as he spoke last week about uh obedience and submission and different relationships we have mainly to the government and some of that really stuck out from what he said last week that I I jotted down
obey an earthly authority until obedience to earthly authority requires disobedience to heavenly authority.
I thought that just summarized his message really well last week I had a chance to listen to that.
I would encourage you to listen to that because we're gonna be kind of uh kind of jumping a little bit back and forth because uh his passage definitely relates to this passage and vice versa.
And this is a this is a really challenging text I think, because there's really not a whole lot of room for separate interpretation.
It really is kind of a very standard Text this morning.
While it may be pretty straight forward applying the truth of this text is really difficult.
So as we get ready and we get prepared this morning, let's go to God and let's go to him in prayer and just ask him to open up our eyes and our hearts to hear his truth this morning will you join me in prayer.
PRAY
ME:
Growing up when I was a young wee lad and my grandparents, had a basketball court and I remember going out to the basketball court and I would pretend to be any famous basketball player you could think of, right I would I would take off from well, my free throw line, which was way closer than a normal free throw line, as I would take off of Michael Jordan.
I would drive the lane and throw the ball up really high and yell, Tony Parker.
I would take a setback and fire away, yelling Kobe. I'd take off and do the rib rattle and dunk asipper on James did.
I would imitate these athletes.
I would follow their movements.
I would do what they would normally do.
And for some of you in this room, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Maybe you were out there playing football.
I see all these young junior high in high school kids that are playing football on Sunday nights here for youth group, and they're all pretending to be Patrick Mahomes because Patrick Mahomes is the greatest thing ever you know, uh kind of Tom Brady's better.
But you know, I'm not here to get in debates, okay?
We're talking about role models. and imitating other people.
And while I would do that with sports figures, I also did it with other people too.
I would imitate these people and I'm sure you have found yourself doing that as well.
or maybe even now as I listen to other preachers talk and how they communicate and how they do it so efficiently and effective.
My man, I want to communicate like that.
We have these different role models in our lives, where maybe it's someone that you look up to because they' marriage is incredible.
You know what I want my marriage to imitate that.
I want to be a father who imitates that guy.
I think we have different role models in our lives, right?
People that we connect with, people we look up to, people who we follow the example of.
And I think it's important that we have these different people.
I think it's important that we have these different role models in our lives.
As we continue in our passage of 1 Peter today— we are looking at another example— one that transcends sports, speeches, artist and movie stars.
And we look to Christ as our ultimate role model, not just in how he lived, how he acted, how he behaved, how he loved people well regardless of who they were but he is our role model when it comes to suffering.
You see when Christ suffered, he left us an example that echoes through time.
He is One that shows us how to suffer well.
That’s right how do we suffer well.
Let us open our Bibles this morning to 1 Peter 2:21-25.
And this week is a building off of last week.
Robert stopped at verse 20 and Peter here is addressing slaves and how they are to submit to their masters.
We looked last week at how a slave would find favor with the Lord when they endure not just the good masters but also the cruel masters as well.
So Peter is writing and telling these slaves to suffer for good.
Don’t suffer because of a bonehead decision you made but suffer for something good.
Peter is saying Don’t sin your way into suffering—
Peter is address many slaves here as we pick up in verse 21:
For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth; when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Pray with me this morning.
PRAY
God:
Let’s break down these verses and see
We suffer because Jesus suffered and if Jesus did then we do it.
V21: The Calling
For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Peter starts here saying that you were called to this?
Peter is talking to slaves or bondservants here.
And when we hear that word slave— it strikes us very differently then it would have 1st century readers of Peter’s letter.
Slavery was very different then the slavery that was part of the new world.
When we hear slavery we see it as a terrible time in history.
Families were ripped apart, men, women, and children of race were put into horrible conditions to work, without being paid and have next to zero freedoms.
That is the not the same slavery that Peter is referring to here.
1 Peter Bridging Contexts
Central features that distinguish 1st century slavery from that later practiced in the New World are the following: racial factors played no role; education was greatly encouraged (some slaves were better educated than their owners) and enhanced a slave’s value; many slaves carried out sensitive and highly responsible social functions; slaves could own property (including other slaves!); their religious and cultural traditions were the same as those of the freeborn; no laws prohibited public assembly of slaves; and (perhaps above all) the majority of urban and domestic slaves could legitimately anticipate being emancipated by the age of 30.
To help us bridge this culturally— we can look at slavery that Peter is mentioning as an employee to employer relationship.
Some employees have bosses that they don’t like, who are not believers, who do not treat their employees well and of course you have some great bosses who treat everyone well, and people want to work for them.
We totally get this.
This is the who Peter is talking about here.
And the this in verse 21, “ For you are called to his”
It is suffering, but not any suffering, unjust suffering.
We see this back in verse 19.
For it brings favor if, because of a consciousness of God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly.
Now with the target audience being slaves— does this mean this text is irrelevant to us?
Yes—No I’m kidding.
This text is very relevant to us today.
I believe we can learn a lot about suffering from this passage and how we, as believers in Christ, can suffer well, because of how Jesus suffered.
We are called to suffer— why?
Because Jesus suffered.
Jesus is our example in suffering.
What does suffering look like to Jesus?
Silent Perfection--
Jesus is this perfect example of what to do when we suffer.
Jesus was able to suffer well because he knew who was the ultimate judge.
Jesus was perfect— Peter even make this abundantly clear.
He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth;
Why do we have a perfect example?
Because Jesus lived perfectly.
I know we have all had role models that we look up too and there are times where they let you down.
We talked about those people we imitate earlier— every single one of them will let you down.
Maybe you look up to a favorite married couple who end up getting divorced, or a friend who seems like they have it all together, only to find out later they are an alcoholic.
I don’t know about you, but the people I look up or see an example of how to live my life, I want them to have be creditable.
I want them to not be perfect— I get they are going to let me down.
But I want them to be at a place I want to be at in the next 5 years.
Here is some great news today.
Our example is Jesus.
and He is the perfect example of what to when unjust suffering comes.
It is important to note that Peter is talking about unjust suffering.
Not the kind of suffering that are caused by our actions.
While that stinks— we call that a natural consequence.
We often time do this to our self— but there are plenty of times where we suffer unjustly.
And he lived it out perfectly.
Jesus was 100% innocent.
I have thought about Jesus more this week as Christmas has been fast approaching, and Jesus came to this earth as a little baby and he was 100% innocent.
Verse 22, says that He did not commit sin and no deceit was found in him.
Jesus was 100% perfect in every way.
And he is our perfect example.
He is the one we can look to as our example.
And not a ton of people are going to fight me on this one.
But the question we all might be thinking now is— well how did Jesus respond to the injustice.
when he was insulted, he did not insult in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten but entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.
You know what Jesus did when the accusation came against him?
Nothing.
You know the sound Jesus made when they paraded him from place to place to find some to give him a trial?
Silence…….
And when those guards started to hit him, and place a crown of thrones on his head— what did he do?
Silence?
Or when they brought Jesus out to be whipped— he did not beg them to stop.
He did not plead his innocence, which he could have but he was there to fulfill a purpose that God had for him— so he could be our perfect example.
So when he stood before Pilot and Pilot is willing to let him go— The crowd revolts against Christ— the same crowd that just welcomed him into the city a week ago who chanted HOSANNA HOSANNA blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
It has changed into a chat of death and rage, the chant has now begun to chant “Crucify him, Crucify him.”
And as we read from Isaiah 53 to start the service— this is what our savior was to do in these situations.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of suffering who knew what sickness was.
He was like someone people turned away from;
he was despised, and we didn’t value him.
Jesus was very much rejected and he suffered silently as the people threw their insults and their threats at him and Jesus never said a word.
Jesus trusted that God would take care of them.
Not in a mean, Godfather type of way— but that those who brought on the suffering, Jesus trusted that the Lord would bring justice to them.
This is what Peter is telling his audience here— you are called to suffer because Jesus suffered and when you do suffer, know that you have an example in Christ on how your conduct should be in your suffering.
Could you imagine being put on trail for something that you did not do?
Jesus was put on trail for things he did not do.
Have you ever been accused of something you didn’t do?
My family were heading to a wedding, my mom and dad, little brother and little cousin were all going on a trip to a wedding.
We were piled into a Chevy Lumina.
And as we were driving hours away— you can imagine the three boys got bored.
So we started picking on each other—and of course my cousin starts to cry.
We probably made fun of him or something— who knows.
He was always crying.
So my parents like any good parent would do— they told us to knock it off.
Me being the first born rule follower I was and still am— I stopped.
Mom said stop so you should stop.
My brother— you know the last born, always up to something.
He keeps poking and prodding my cousin.
And then he starts to cry.
I am minding my own business until I felt this white hot pain for across my face.
I had just been slapped!
My mom heard the crying and she turned around and just slapped the first person she could reach— ME.
Now I’m crying.
And trying to plead my cause of innocence.
I’m pleading with my mom— to have her understand it was not me.
And that my brother Matthew— deserved the punishment.
That he should be slapped.
It is pretty hard for us, when we know that we are innocent to be quite about isn’t it.
When we have been wronged we want others to know about the injustice we are now suffering!
But here is the deal— we may not be guilty of that one time where we are innocent— but there is for sure a time where I am guilty but I am not found out.
Jesus was 100% innocent and never plead his case.
Jesus did not open his month— he never argued— he was silent at the injustice that was taking place against him.
Jesus left us a perfect silent example of what to do when we suffer unjustly.
It is very counter to our world and our culture isn’t it.
Jesus is counter cultural.
This does not make sense to us because our world tells us to fight and get even— and when we look to Jesus— he says stay silent and give it— over to God.
I believe that how we respond to suffering says a ton about our heart.
The way we suffer tells the world how we view Christ.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
The tree that was made into beams for a wooden cross was now a symbol of salvation to all who will surrender their lives over to Christ.
This is the heart of why Jesus came to earth as a little baby— this is why Jesus lived a perfect life— for this moment.
That he would go on to live a perfect life and would be turned against— and that he would be lead to Calvary’s hill.
Where Jesus who had never sinned would become sin.
He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
This was all planned before the dawn of time.
The plan was always for Jesus to bear our sin so that we can die to sin and live in righteousness.
This is what Jesus did for us.
He came to this earth as a baby.
He would live a perfect life, one that knew no sin— so that he could break the cruse on the tree that— needed to happen.
Jesus took our place— it is by his wounds that we are healed.
But he was pierced because of our rebellion,
crushed because of our iniquities;
punishment for our peace was on him,
and we are healed by his wounds.
And when Christ died to those sins— he took our place— he took the place and faced the wrath that we deserved.
Through his wounds we were able to be healed.
Our sin separated us from God but Jesus made a way.
So that we could live in eternity with him.
We just have to accept his free gift of salvation.
That is the Gospel— it is good news— but one has to believe it in order for it to change their life.
maybe today that is where you are at.
Maybe today you are not going through suffering but you don’t have a relationship with Christ.
I would encourage you to turn from your own ways of doing life and give it over to Christ.
This is how Peter wraps it up— a reminder to those who have already accepted Christ— a call back to their salvation—
Peter wraps up this chapter in 1 Peter 2:25
For you were like sheep going astray, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Sheep are funny animals.
They go all over.
The Shepard has to make sure that the sheep are kept in order.
And Peter is again quoting Isaiah 53:6
We all went astray like sheep;
we all have turned to our own way;
and the Lord has punished him
for the iniquity of us all.
Peter says that everyone has gone their own way.
Our natural tendencies is to do our own thing.
Far to often I do what I want not what I should do.
Prior to coming to Christ this is where we all line-up.
We didn’t know any better.
You all were going astray.
Notice that this is past tense.
You were straying like sheep, but you have now returned.
at first glance when we read that— it sound like a believer, who strayed away— yet that word in the greek could be better translated, and is in other places in NT to mean turn from, to repent, to correct.
He is calling the Christian who has come to salvation to remember that you were a slave to sin and you have died to sin because of Jesus who died for your sin so that you can live in righteousness as his sheep.
He has called you in to the flock, he is now your shepherd and guide over your soul.
This is what Peter is communicating— You were lost but now you are found.
It is in the Gospel of Luke chapter 15 where we read about how Jesus responds to those who are lost.
And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So he told them this parable: “What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’ I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.
This is why Jesus came.
To save the lost.
And every person in this room who has surrendered their lives to Christ and is now a Christian, was at one point lost sheep— who did what they wanted and were under no guidance.
And then hard times in life come up, when you or a loved one is sick and dying, when you get hit by another car, when you get laid off, when you get no news from a doctor, and they can’t figure you out, when you have thrown your hand up in your marriage— when you lose everything to a fire, or a storm— and it is just you wondering around— like a stray sheep— you will be devoured by this world.
And maybe that is you today— you are a stray sheep— you are lost and at your end— There is hope for you.
There is a savior for you.
There is Jesus, who came to this earth as a helpless baby, who would grow up perfect, he would never sin, he would always answer and be perfect in everything he did.
He would go to that tree and on the way he would suffer, he was whipped and bruised and bloody, he suffered greatly— yet he was silent through it all.
He willingly hung on that cross and experienced sin— he received the wrath of God.
He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.
And as Jesus was nailed to the cross so was our debt.
This is what Jesus did for all the stray sheep, on his way to finding them.
He died for them— he suffered for them.
So this morning maybe that is where you are at.
Lost and in need to be found.
Believe that Jesus is Lord and make him Lord of your life— surrender yourself to him— repent and be saved.
Come to the Shepherd.
Maybe this morning that is what were you are at.
33 min.
We: How we handle suffering is a testimony to the world.
When you come to Christ, when we've accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, this isn't a good out of free jail, we get out of a free suffering card.
There's still gonna be suffering in our lives, but praise be in God that we have an example of what to do when we suffer, and when we suffer unjustly.
You know, this passage has spoken a lot to me this week.
Many of you guys know my wife, Brittni, she was in a car accident.
about two weeks ago.
And, you know, she was hit, she was following the law, she went through a green light and this car came and hit her, the other driver ran a red light.
and everything and um and uh, you know, why I'm very thankful and and very grateful that my family was safe and that they weren't hurt because she was with all three kids, uh and they were all fine, and they there was a little so for a couple days, but but overall they were fine.
I'm very grateful that they're fine.
If I can just be honest with you for a moment when you suffer unjustly, it really begins to expose your heart.
I believe that is a true test of what your heart condition looks like.
But over the last two weeks, if i am being honest mine was ugly.
I'm a sinner saved by grace. I'm still a work in progress— so please bear with me.
I was in a constant state of worry and panic.
I was so mad.
I was mad at the insurance company.
I was mad at this lady who ran a red light and hit my family.
Man, I was frustrated.
it consumed me.
It consumed me so much that my wife finally just said, what is your deal?
I was sitting on my couch.
Just worrying, not really being present.
What's wrong with you?
You're not my husband right.
Brittni sat down next to me and she went hey—
Why are you so worried?
Mind you my three kids are playing on on the ground.
grateful to be alive.
So, what are you worried about?
Have you given us over to the Lord yet?
and then that bitterness and that needing to control the situation I said, no, no, why would I do that?
My wife is a good wife because she got she grabbed me by the hand and we got on the ground and kneeled down our whole family together and We prayed.
And she prayed for me— she prayed for our situation and at that point the Lord began to work on my heart.
and I would like to tell you that I just immediately let it go.
I was so much better, no, the Lord had to continue to work on my heart and he has been showing me the ugliness of my sin.
And as I read that verse 23, where it says he was rivaled, he did not rival in return, when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
I don't know about you, but when suffering comes up my first response was to fix it and be in control.
When we suffer unjustly, we only have to look to the savior.
and see how he responded.
And all that happened one day with my wife, she got us on the floor to pray.
I was still a little bitter, still a little angry.
Until I sat down for breakfast the very next day, the group of men, I'm sitting down and I asked that guy across from me and said, hey, how how things going?
I know his wife is sick.
And he goes, oh, you know, Zac, uh, she's sick and but she's doing good and she has a good spirit and she's so blessed. We's so blessed.
And then said something that. talk about really get into your heart.
His wife is sick, and he goes, but you know what, Zac, there's probably someone else out there that has it way worse than I do.
The Lord pretty much humbled me in those moments.
I'm not trying to belittle any one who is suffering today.
It is hard and challenging to go through suffering and trying to make sense of it all.
I don't know what's going on in your life today.
but I am gonna tell you that there's someone who knows all about it.
Who will love you through it, who will encourage you through it, and he gave you the exactly the perfect example on how to do it.
And it is not my example but Christ example.
So this morning I pray for you and you're suffering.
that you're suffering will be received well.
That you can suffer well in those moments because how we suffer is a testimony to the world .
how we suffer is a testimony of how we see our savior.
What if today we laid it down at the feet of Jesus.
If we said: I’m done worrying.
I'm done being sick and nauseous about it.
I'm gonna give it over to the Lord.
And let him take care of it.
It’s what Jesus did— and If Jesus did then I do it.
Maybe today you have something that you just need to give over to the Lord and allow him to take care of it.
Our prayer team will be up here this morning after our last song— come up and pray with them— maybe today you need to surrender your life over to Christ— you can do that as well.
Let me pray this morning as the worship team comes back up and leading us in singing to our King.
Let’s Pray
