Called to Suffer

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SERIES DESCRIPTION: In this series on 1st and 2nd Peter, Pastor Shawn and Krista highlight how Peter is remind the church that they are CALLED OUT of the darkness. This week P. Shawn explores 2 Peter 4 as Peter reminds us that we are called out to Suffer.

Altar Instructions: Please come when I begin the last section “What should our focus be in suffering?” begin playing as soon as you get up there.

Series | Called Out

Pre-Message Welcome

Grace Place family! It’s awesome to have you here with us today, whether in person or online.

I’m Shawn, and along with my wife, we serve as the Co-Pastors of this incredible church.

At The Grace Place, our mission is clear: we are Caring People, Caring for People.

We pray that you experience God’s care in our time together and in your life.

Spanish Welcome - 2nd Service ONLY!

A nuestra familia de habla hispana .... Bienvenidos… es-pera-mos que usted… y…. su…. familia.. se-sien-tan bien a-tend-idos también.

To our Spanish speaking family... welcome, we hope you and your family feels cared for as well.

Transition: This week we are starting a brand new series called…

Series | Called Out

This series will be on the writings of 1st and 2nd Peter.

One of the key verse in these books that sums up his writings is this…

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who CALLED YOU OUT of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Peter is writing to a church facing lots of persecution and hardship. He is writing to encourage and remind them that God has called them to STAND OUT from the darkness around them. His words to this 1st century church speak directly into many of the challenges we face today.

Well... if you have missed any of the message in this series so far… you can catch up

o By listing on most Podcast sites

As well as

o Watch on our Youtube

Today we are going to be looking at….

1 Peter 4:1-19

New Living Translation Chapter 4

Living for God

***Feel free to encourage people to listen to the Holy Spirit speak to them personally as the message is preached

LETS PRAY

Transition: the title of our message today is...

Sermon Title | Called to SUFFER

Coming off the heels of the last 24 verses — Peter has talks about submission to authorities, including submission to masters, and within marriage — he keeps pressing the same point: that all of this is about being CALLED OUT to be a proper witness of Christ.

As representatives of God’s Kingdom, how suffer as believers - either strengthens or weakens the testimony of God. (Repeat)

Now, in chapter 4, Peter drills even deeper. He shifts from the call to submit…. to the call to suffer… He’s reminding us that following Jesus isn’t always comfortable. In fact, his telling us that suffering IS a part of the deal.

Well… Last week, during our message on submission to authority, some of you noticed the section of scripture titled “Slaves, obey your masters.” This is not part of the message for today… but it isn’t a topic that comes up often in Scripture often, so I want to make a few brief comments about it.

Here is the question

***Clay FYI-This is NOT really part of the message but I will take a moment to address it…

Does the Bible endorse Slavery?

***Clay when you bring this passage up… include the previous question on the slide to keep it all in view please.

Let’s look briefly at 1 Peter 2:18…. on the screen together… it say’s

1 Peter 2:18 You who are Slaves must submit to your masters with all respect.

At a first glance if we we’re to answer the question without any context - it looks like the answer is yes.

Again… .CONTEXT is WHAT? - KING -

Lets look at the greek word for slave as it was originally written

***Clay wait for me to mention us looking at the “Greek word for slave” before clicking to this same text w/ the greek word and definition.

1 Peter 2:18 You who are Slaves (Oἰκέτης(oiketēs), Household/domestic workers)must submit to your masters with all respect.

These household servant. These were domestic workers — people serving within a home or estate.

I want to point out that the kind of slavery Peter was addressing is not the same kind as the horrific Transatlantic Slave trade that began around the 1500’s

What we do need to understand is this..

In the Roman Empire, nearly half the population were slaves of some kind. Many were poor citizens or those paying off debts. They worked for food, shelter, and security. Some were even educated professionals — like doctors and teachers, — who remained under slave contract until debts were paid.

This was not race-based slavery as we know it today(This is not to say there we’re no abuses then)…

Peter isn’t endorsing slavery — he’s teaching believers how to Submit to authorities while keeping their witnesses even under unfair systems.

In today’s context, he’s saying…

“Be a faithful employee. Don’t be lazy… work hard to pay off your debts, Don’t be rebellious because your boss is difficult. Serve with excellence for the reputation of the Kingdom.”

I hope that was helpful you this morning..

Transition: We’re talking today about…

Sermon Title | Called to SUFFER

Well… In the last two chapters, Peter has addressed authority—between believers and governing officials, masters and servants, husbands and wives. We see that Christians were struggling to understand their new life in Christ and what it means to live faithfully in a pagan world, and even to get along with one another.

Peter reminds them: Life does not promise easy - It won’t always be rainbows, unicorns and good vibes. If we’re not careful… too much of our energy goes toward chasing financial comfort and a trial-free life, those things in themselves are not bad but when they become the center of our focus and message… we can easily find ourselves living for Idols rather than Christ.

For example:

The Property Gospel or sometimes referred to as the Word of faith moment - puts easy before suffering

The Core Idea is it’s Gods will for every beleiver to be healthy, wealthy and successful.

These are Unbalanced teachings on on things like Money, success, miracles, and the power of our Words.

If you just speak it, it will happen - Give to receive your miracle

It’s laced with some truth… but its steeped in superstition,

They have a lot in common and use a lot of the same methods as the “Spiritual moment today”

All of these believe strongly in the power of words… They are the KINGS of MANIFESTATION -

But this is NOT the FULL PICUTRE of the Call for believers…

Scripture is clear: just as Jesus suffered, His followers will too. Peter shows us that… “Faithful living will include godly suffering.”

Jesus is both the Suffering Servant and the Victorious King—fully God and fully man. Following Him means embracing both His glory and His suffering.

There are lots of ways we will suffer in this life… lets address a few of them… IN YOUR NOTES…

We will suffer PHYSICALLY v.1, 12

***Clay when you bring this passage up… include the previous point on the slide to keep it all in view please.

We see this in v.1 and 12 of our text… lets look at it on the screen together.

New Living Translation Chapter 4

So then, since

and by the way…

1 Peter 4:12 NLT

Dear friends, don’t be surprised … by any of this

Scripture is clear that following Jesus does not save us from suffering here in this life.

We must be careful when chasing the American Dream… if we’re not careful we might end up living a life that does not have space for the cross and a theology of suffering.

Even if it means suffering even unto Death.

We don’t see it much here in America, but ask our Christian brother’s and sisters from other countries what it is like.

Scripture is saying… DON’T be surprised by SUFFERING… but be ready for it… and I think too many of us are surprised when we or the body of Christ suffer’s… I have to admit… I find myself surprised -and I should NOT BE

Lets look at some Numbers from from a study out of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary that suggest...

Lets take a brief look at Martyrdom through the lens of History…

First let me defining Martyrdom… its is the willing suffering or death of a faithful witness to the Gospel, showing both inner conviction and public testimony, often killed “in hatred of the faith.”

Martyrdom through the lens of History

If you read scripture, study christian History (Which I gave you a few resources here at the end of the sermon notes) we will see that from the death of Jesus we see that only.

33-80 AD | 10 of the 12 disciples martyred

Judas hung himself & John died of Old age

We know that beginning around 64…

64-313 AD | 100,000 people martyred (DON’T READ THIS)

At the the hands of the Roman empire… 100k people we’re martyred… if fact this began to take place during the time this letters was written by Peter - So I’m sure you can see his urgency.

As we continue down history we see that before the end of the 4th century

349-379 AD | 300,000 people martyred (DON’T READ THIS)

It’s estimated that one of the largest mass persecution took place -numbering around 300k… at the hands of a New-Persian empire

Then from the 12th-18th century

1170–1700’s AD | ten’s of thousands (DON’T READ THIS)

ten’s of thousands we’re massacred… due to the early forms of the reformation and the reformation it self

And still today…

1900-Present | 30-45 million (DON’T READ THIS)

In just the last 125 years… an estimated 30-45 MILLION have been Killed for their faith due to the rise of Communism, extremism and terrorism.

Reports say that nearly 100,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since 2009, and more than 18,000 churches burned.

In the the recent weeks - Charlie’s Kirks was killed as a result of his Mission for Christ.

Let me remind you that Martyrdom is not about perfection… it’s about obedience to the call - if that was the case no one but Jesus would be called a Martyr

Here is the bottom line for those who decide to follow Jesus… IN YOUR NOTES:

Following Jesus doesn’t SPARE us from suffering; it PREPARE us for it.

There is no doubt that these words of Peter are still relevant today… they keep us focused and they keep us ready.

Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to consider today…

Question: Is there suffering you are trying to escape rather than embrace?

What if instead of trying to avoid every ounce of suffering… we paused and asked Jesus, “Lord, do You want to use this? How do You want me to walk through it?”

Transition: Today were talking about…

Sermon Title | Called to SUFFER

We need a theology of Suffering… that helps the modern Christian to understand that

We will suffer…

We will suffer physically… also IN YOUR NOTES …

We will suffer REPUTATIONALLY v.4b, 13-14, 1 Peter 2:23, Matt. 26:38

***Clay when you bring this passage up… include the previous point on the slide to keep it all in view please.

We see this in v. 4b

New Living Translation Chapter 4

4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they

You might lose your reputation amoung your friends… your family… your social affiliations…. becuase of your association with Jesus and His followers.

People will disagree with you… they will even disown you… and some will HATE YOU.

I have seen students from other countries who convert to Christianity being disown from their families.

****Let me remind you NOT every slander or loss of reputation/respect is directly related to the Gospel…If fact Peter say’s in v.15 some of you are suffering becuase of your own sin and bad choices.

Church..

Your allegiance for Christ will be tested.

People will walk away or mock you for your Kingdom standards.

People tried to Trap Jesus any way they could.. they tried to point out his rebellion towards Rome and his rebellion towards the law because He would NOT pledge allegiance to either above Christ

Here is the bottom line for those who decide to follow Jesus… IN YOUR NOTES:

Your REPUTATION may take a hit; but your RIGHTIOUSNESS is what heaven remembers.

So many of us are more concerned with our reputation than our rightiousness.

Yea… some people are more concerned with their earthy affiliations and reputation than their Kingdom affiliations.

This is a call for us to be action oriented believers…

Go be the Christian the word of God compels us to be… even if you reputation suffers.

Peter says this to the church… in 1 Pet. 2:23 lets look at it on the screen… speaking about Jesus he said…

1 Peter 2:23 NLT

He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

Friends… there is a time we need to put down our weapons… put our defenses… and be willing to losing you our reputation or respect…. it will not feel good… its part of suffering. It will not just hurt physically and reputationally… but it will bring inner conflict and you will suffer internally in your soul.

Remember what Jesus said in Matt. 26:38… lets look at it on the screen…

Let these words sink into your heart…

Matthew 26:38 NLT

He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

SUFFERING HURTS (Remember - its called suffering)

Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…

Question: How are you responding right now when your faith costs you your reputation, or relationships?

Are you armed with the same attitude of Christ and ready to take it head on?

Are you surprised when people slander you

We’re talking today about… being…

Sermon Title | Called to SUFFER

Lets get real practical here… as I ask this final quesiton…

What should our focus be in suffering?

Drawing from our Passage… here is how peter encouraged these churches that are applicable to us today… In your notes…

We should be focused on PRAYING v.7

We see this in v. 7 of our text… Peter say’s in light of our conversation on suffering… here is where I want your focus to be…

New Living Translation Chapter 4

Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers

Dig in with honesty before God in prayer

Dig in with discipline in your prayer life.

Some will be depressed like Jeramiah when facing persecution

Some will be charged and exhilarated like Peter….

Either way… our focus should be on prayer

We don’t just need a place to release our deepest griefs, but we need a frequent place to go… to slow down, listen and be lifted up by God -or calmed down by him…

Our focus should be on Praying… in times of suffering… also… IN YOUR NOTES…

We should be focused onLOVING v.8

We see this in v.8 of our text… lets look at it together… THIS IS A COMMAND TO THE CHURCH

1 Peter 4:8 NLT

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

This is a love for the church… a love that stur’s grace and a charitable spirit towards one another.

A grace for being pacient when people are not where your at in your faith journey.

***I am learning that in times of persecution… the church goes HAYWIRE… we see it today… we can see it in the way Peter wrote his letter…

Let me remind you of the words of Jesus - THEY WILL KNOW YOUR MY DISCIPLES BY YOUR LOVE

Here is how the world will identify you as MINE.

There is no doubt that biblical values are under attach like never before - there is not doubt that the world has reason to question who belongs to Jesus and who does not.

We should be focused when faced with SUFFERING

We should be focused on praying… on loveing

lastly… In your notes… Peter say’s in v.9 we should be..

We should be focused on CARING v.9

1 Peter 4:9 NLT

Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

Be a place of refuge for fellow brothers and sisters who are suffering

Look for simple ways to care for those who are struggling around you.

Ask them how they are doing… check in on them…

This FACE to FACE ministry with each other.

Care about the things they care about…

Wheep about what they wheep about…

Listen to their hearts… lift them up… speak life into them… be an encouragement to them.

Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…

Question: What might it look like for you to shift your focus from what’s hurting you to who you’re praying for, loving, and caring for?

Whats hurting you, whats frustrating you, whats angering you… to whats hurting others angring them…

Pray - love - Care

Communion: (SCREEN ONLY)

As we close today, I want to invite the ushers to come forward as we prepare to take communion.

If you did not receive the elements when you arrived please raise your hand and we will bring them to you.

Lets look at 1 Peter 4:13 on the screen together… it says…

1 Peter 4:13 NIV

But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

Peter reminds us that suffering isn’t something we face alone — it’s something we participate with Christ in.

Let’s remember today that: that we are united with Him — not only in His victory as one day we will be with him in eternity… but also in His pain.

The bread reminds us of His body that bore our wounds; the cup reminds us of the suffering He embraced for our salvation.

So when you suffer, you’re not abandoned — you’re walking a road He already walked.

Communion is our reminder that we do not suffer apart from Christ; we suffer with Christ.

And just as His suffering led to resurrection, so will ours.

Before we take communion let me remind you TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION - If Jesus is NOT your Savior and Lord the RULER of your life… today is a good day to surrender your life to Christ..

Prayer..

Lets take communion together

SONG

So today… if you do NOT know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is your day…

Salvation Altar Call

I believe Jesus is here today, and He wants to save you. Salvation simply means to deliver or to free. It’s not just about delivering you…

It’s about believing

Believing in Jesus means trusting what He say’s—about sin, and eternal punishment, thats the bad news.

The good news is this… that His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, making us right with God.

Ephesians 2:8 reminds us: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Salvation requires two things:

1. God’s Grace—His undeserved gift of forgiveness and life because of His love for you.

2. Faith—placing your trust in Him for salvation.

If you’ve never asked Jesus to save you, today is your day. If you’d like ask him… , raise your hand.

I want to invite you to Repeat a prayer after me

· There is nothing magical in this prayer.. it simply is a way of declaring to Jesus what has taken place in your heart.

Here is how I would like to end the service for everyone else….

Call to Action Altar Call

We’re going to end the service with A question as we do nearly every week.

ALL ACROSS THE ROOM – HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT spoken to you in anyway today?

Resources

Paper by | Magrath Institue for Church life article; Christian martyerdom a global demographic assessment

Book | Foxe’s Book of Martyrs by John Foxe (Easy Read)

Book | Christian history Make Easy Timothy Paul jones PhD (Easy Read)

Book | A Global Church History by Steven D. Cone, Robert F. Rea (Deep read)

Going Deeper

What stuck out to you the in this passage? v. 1-19

Is there suffering you are trying to escape rather than embrace?

How are you responding right now when your faith costs you your reputation, or relationships?

How am I following his directions, How might I be missing it? v. 9-13

What might the Holy Spirit be saying to you in light of this teaching?

How might the Holy Spirit want to transform you in light of this teaching?

What actions might the Holy Spirit want to take in light of this teaching?

Tongues & Interpretation

1. To STRENGTHEN the Church (1 Cor14:5)

For prophecy is greater than SPEAKING in TONGUES, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be STRENGTHENED.

Believers, God has operated through this gift today to strengthen you today. Let your faith be strengthened and know that God is in control and using supernatural measures to speak to us.

2. Is a SIGN for unbelievers. (1Cor. 14: 21a, 22)

1 Corinthians 14:21–22 (ESV)

In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

22 -  So you see that speaking in tongues is a SIGN, not for believers, but for UNBELIEVERS.

The Bible explains to us God has chosen to use this gift to be a sign for you. A sign for what? It is a sign of his realness for those of you who have been doubting or questioning the existence of God. He wants you to know he is REAL and he wants to bring you spiritual life and health. If you're in here today and you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior... he wants you to know he has gone to great lengths to show you his love today. (Great opportunity for a salvation altar call if it fits).