Rejoice in Suffering

English Standard Version Chapter 4

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.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Rejoice in suffering. Those two words don’t go together. Especially in our culture, do they? It’s like tuna and ice cream, black and blue, oil and water, toothpaste and orange juice. There are just things in this world that do NOT match or pair well together; like joy and suffering. However, in our two portions of text for this morning, Peter is going to show us how they do go together, and how even amid the worst of circumstances, as followers of Christ, we can always find joy. And with that being said, May God bless the preaching of this, His Most Holy Word!

Our text for this morning begins with, “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.” Our first point for this morning is, “Embrace the Expected Trials.”

Have you heard the expression, “When it rains, it pours.”? It is a common expression that means when one bad thing happens, it is usually accompanied by more. We can all probably recall a time in our lives when it felt like this. Maybe you are feeling this way today. Yet Peter tells us that when our lives are consumed by “fiery trials” do not be surprised. That can be difficult. Trials have a way of throwing us off track, distracting us, and even making us act different. You’ve heard someone say who may have a lot going on, “I’m sorry I’m acting this way, I’ve just got a lot going on.”Yet as Peter says, our trials shouldn’t cause us to be depressed, but on the contrary, should bring us joy. We’ll discuss this more in just a bit.

Yes, our lives can seem to overflow with trials. However, Peter, in the text for this morning is not talking about just any trial, such as stubbing your toe on the coffee table, being short on money, or complications with your spouse. No. Here, in particular, Paul is discussing persecution. Warren Wiersbe writes, “It is important to note that not all of the difficulties of life are necessarily fiery trials. There are some difficulties that are simply a part of human life and almost everybody experiences them. Unfortunately, there are some difficulties that we bring on ourselves because of disobedience and sin. Peter mentioned these in 1 Peter 2:18–20 and 3:13–17. However, the fiery trial he mentioned in 1 Peter 4:12 comes because we are faithful to God and stand up for that which is right. It is because we bear the name of Christ that the lost world attacks us. Christ told His disciples that people would persecute them, as they had Him, because their persecutors did not know God (John 15:20–21).” This, my dear brothers and sisters, are the types of fiery trails to which Peter is referring to. Not the trails of when I stub my toe on the coffee table or have a cold. Although those things can seem overwhelming at times. Persecution is what Peter is referring to. And it is in the midst of such that we as followers of Christ should find joy.

But Peter goes on to say, “do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” Peter almost seems to say that when trials approach our lives that others should not even be able to tell the difference. But how?

Well let’s keep reading. Verse 13, Peter says, “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” Embrace the Expected Trial. Have you ever tried to hug a cactus? That was the image that popped in my mind when reflecting upon this first point. Embrace the Expected Trial. It’s not comfortable, yet we are called to Rejoice! Why? Because our Savior, King Jesus, the Christ has endured the same persecution that the church is undergoing today, and even worse. So take heart! We are NOT alone!

Warren Wiersbe once again writes, “It is an honor and a privilege to suffer with Christ and be treated by the world the way it treated Him. “The fellowship of His sufferings” is a gift from God. Phil. 1:29 says, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake.”

Not every believer grows to the point where God can trust him with this kind of experience, so we ought to rejoice when the privilege comes to us. Acts 5:41 says, “And they [the Apostles] departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Christ is with us in the furnace of persecution. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” When the three Hebrew children were cast into the fiery furnace, they discovered they were not alone. The Lord was with Paul in all of his trials, and He promises to be with us “to the end of the age.” In fact, when sinners persecute us, they are really persecuting Jesus Christ. For when Christ called out to Paul, the persecutor of Christians, He asked him in Acts 9:4, “And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” So rest assured, children of the Most High God, yes, persecution is coming and in some ways is already here, but may we find joy in the persecution knowing that we are partaking in Christ’s sufferings. May the persecution serve as a reminder and a comfort that we are doing what is right and serving the One who will one day make all that is wrong right. Praise His Holy Name!

Our first point this morning was “Embrace the Expected Trial.” Our next point this morning is, “Endure with Heavenly Empowerment.” Verse 14 reads, “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” When I was in college at Union University, a religious institution, founded on Christian principles, I roomed with two guys who may have uttered two words to me the entire year I roomed with them and another gentleman who teased me for being a Christian. In his eyes I was a sissy to believe what I believe, attend church, sing hymns, and pray. I was ridiculed by him and teased.” No, i wasn’t beaten, spat upon, or whipped, but this was the first mild taste of persecution I had ever experienced. It was difficult and caused me to question if what I truly believed in was worth it. Yet our text for this morning, in particular, verse 14 tells us, “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” I tell you this story not to taut myself but just to serve as an example. I imagine that many of you here today have similiar stories of your own. Therefore, may we claim this verse, my dear brothers and sisters, knowing that anytime we are ridiculed for our faith, may we consider it a blessing. Because, as it says, “the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” May we see it as a blessing more than a curse. As James tells us in James 1:2–4, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Therefore, today, brothers and sisters, whatever persecution you may be enduring, stand strong, knowing that you never stand alone and that in the end, you will be blessed and are already blessed by the presence of the Spirit of glory. Rest in His presence today. Amen!

Our third point for this morning is, “Humble Hearts, Heavy Hands.” We now transition to 1 Peter 5:6–7, which reads, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” Peter begins by saying “humble yourselves.” I have always heard it said that it is better to humble yourself than to be humbled by someone else, and more importantly, by God. Humility is not a very sought after attribute of mankind today is it. We tend to seek after characteristics such as strong, determined, go getter, fighter, etc. Humility. eh. Yet, if we read God’s Word, we will find that in God’s eyes, humility is one of the most sought after characteristics.

The Bible Says Commentary brings this verse to life. It reads, “Peter makes an appeal, and all of you, referring to everyone in the church, including leaders. His appeal is specific, clothe yourselves with humility (v. 5). The idea of clothe yourselves means literally to tie around yourself like you would a tunic or robe. Just as people see your clothing rather than your skin, when people observe your life let them see humility. Is that what people see when they look at you?

What everyone in a local church is to clothe themselves with is humility, the attitude and action of putting others above yourself. Philippians 2:3 tells us, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” In this context, the attitude and action of humility is to be directed toward one another, meaning elders to members, members to elders, and members to members.” So I ask you Shiloh, how are we at practicing humility? How are we at considering the wants, needs, and opinions of others before our own? Or are we only interested in what I want and how I want it done? Only you can answer that. I remember when I was little there was this country song that came out of which some of the lyrics read, “I wanna talk about me, I wanna talk about I, I wanna talk about number one on my, me, my. What I think, what I like, what I know, what I want, what I see. I like talking about you, you, you, usually, but occasionally, I wanna talk about me.” This is the mindset of the culture in which we live. Yet Christ calls us to humility. May each of seek to be more humble and may we remember that it was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who knelt to wash His disciples’ feet. Would we be so willing?

This section ends with a wonderful reminder for us all. It reads, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” There is no better place for us to take our fears, worries, concerns, and anxieties than to the feet of Jesus. So whatever you may be carrying today, leave it with Jesus and allow Him to do what only He can do.

Our next point for this morning is, “Halt! Who Goes There?”

1 Peter 5:8–9 reads, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

These two verses begin with 2 commands coming from Peter. Be sober-minded or as some translations may put it, “Be alert and of sober mind.” This first phrase in the Greek is, “nēphō” and it means to be self-controlled. The second phrase, “be watchful” in the Greek is grēgoreō. This word means to be on the alert as well as awake. We are never to become lax in the ways of the enemy as I am afraid many have grown today. Instead we must be alert, of sound mind, and watchful. As the rest of verse 8 says, “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” And it is those who have become lax, lazy, and careless that the enemy will overcome. Plain and simple. Therefore, we must be on guard. Be alert! Look around! It is easy to see what has happened to those who have become lax. So, may we stay on guard, firm in the faith.

In verse 9, Peter continues with his instructions. He writes, “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” Peter tells us plain and simple that we are to resist the devil. Resist in the Greek is the word, “anthistēmi” which means to oppose as well as resist. It is so counterintuitive to the ways of world today where we applaud evil, parade it on the streets, pass it through legislation, wear it on shirts and welcome it into our homes. Pretend its okay and it will go away. NO! That is not what Peter says. He says, “Resist him, firm in your faith.” James says in James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” It is time we return to these commands and stop turning our backs on God and instead start turning our backs on the enemy. Knowing all the while that we are not alone. I know I keep saying that, but knowing that even if I stand alone in the faith, and am all by myself, that even then I am not alone, brings me comfort. For as Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” In addition, not only are we not only but may we find comfort in what Peter says in the last half of verse 9, “knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” We are not alone!

Our final point for this morning, is Hope in Heaven's Promise. Verses 10-11 of our text for this morning reads, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Hope! Praise the Lord that we have hope! Despite what happens in this world, we have hope. No matter how depressed our lives may be, we have hope. No matter how much sadness may fill our lives, we have hope. Praise the Lord!

Christ promises us, here in His Word, that after suffering, God himself, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself, restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” How beautiful is that!

May we, as followers of Jesus Christ, draw hope from this text. May we stake our claim in the truth and the promise of God’s that restoration awaits us. God Himself will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish those of us who endure. This assurance should provide us hope that suffering is temporary and ultimately leads to spiritual maturity and stability in Christ that will be everlasting. Remember that suffering is part of the journey to glory, and God's faithfulness is unwavering. During the trials of this life, may we as believers cling to God's promises, knowing that He is working towards our ultimate good and His glory. Keep the course and keep the faith!

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen!