Honoring God in Trials

Intro

Yesterday looked at God building a people for his mission

Peter sees that this is going to possible bring some trials and difficulties our way

This passage we are going to see how to be prepared and endure those trials in a way that honors God.

Preparing For Trials In The Church

English Standard Version Chapter 3

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For

“Whoever desires to love life

and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil

and his lips from speaking deceit;

11 let him turn away from evil and do good;

let him seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Explanation:

“Finally, all of you...” is from the context that he was just previously talking about husband and wives; instruction for all.

List of attitudes toward each other in the church

unity of mind-like minded, on the same page, share the same ideas and thoughts; live in harmony with one another.

sympathy- being understandable toward each other, walking in their shoes

brotherly love- a love toward family in the church

tender heart- compassion; a gut feeling of care about them.

humble mind- not thinking you are better than anyone, fighting prideful thinking.

This attitude is needed to keep from: (relationships with Unbelievers.)

repaying evil for evil, getting revenge on someone.

Reviling for reviling- means speech toward or about others for the purpose of hurting them.

Instead, Peter tells them to bless, which is their calling?

What could this be? What type of blessing goes to those who persecute believers?

The same gospel message that has blessed them!

We are to not get revenge and instead give the gospel to them

We will then be blessed by them coming to know Christ

Then he uses a psalm to further prove his point.

This psalm was written by David when he was running from King Saul

If you love life and want good days = keep from evil speech and lies

turn from evil and do good and seek peace

B/C this honors the Lord and he sees it

Just like God protected David when he did the right thing and was persecuted for it, he will also protect us.

Application:

For believers, how do you act toward other believers?

First generation to grow up after Christendom

Where “everyone” is a Christian

You more than others are more prone to have evil things done to you and be spoken negative about for doing what is right.

Peter is telling us how to act, when this begins to happen.

Illustration:

Culture of tolerance until there is something they don’t want to tolerate.

make us bigots, racist, stupid, narrow-minded, etc.

The Intolerance of Tolerance Miscellaneous Examples

In 2006, the wind ensemble of the Henry M. Jackson High School in Mill Creek, Washington

In 2006, the wind ensemble of the Henry M. Jackson High School in Mill Creek, Washington

students voted unanimously (everyone) to play Ave Maria for graduation, they had played it in the winter concert

superintendent turned it down - thought it would endorse religion

student sue, saying that all the students wanted to play it and had the right to

comment in the Seattle Times said, “the melody is very familiar to all of us, and when we hear the instruments play, the words are immediately heard in our brains, and that is a thought crime. We may not be singing about God, and we may not be hearing words about God, but the notes make us think of God, which is forbidden at graduation.”

Daniel Rohrbough, victim of the Columbine High School Shooting

4 years after the tragic events the school created a memorial

Father wanted to put something about his faith on it

The school forbid it, and fought it up to the supreme court and won.

Enduring Trials In Our World

English Standard Version Chapter 3

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Explanation:

if you are seeking good, who would harm you.

but we know people harm others with no reason at all, so Peter helps us see what to do.

this is all in the context of suffering for doing good.

be blessed = There is blessing that comes from doing the right thing even when it isn’t popular.

Don’t fear or stress over it, instead react in a way that honors Christ

There are sometimes Peter sees this suffering could bring about an opportunity to share Christ

Make a defense, defend why Jesus is worth believing in

Explain the hope in Jesus they have

All done with Gentleness and Respect

Knowing they have done everything in that situation that would honor Christ.

“Put to shame” no evidence for slander

Much better to suffer for doing good for Christ, then to suffer because of sin!

Application:

In what ways are you not seeking what is good, the will keep your from evil against you?

How do you act when you are criticized for doing good?

lash out?

be disrespectful

think what we know as believers is better than them?

ignore them, and miss an opportunity to share Christ if possible?

Are you ready to give a defense of why you believe in Christ?

If we continue to live lives based on following Jesus, we will have plenty of ways to share about Christ

The things we do.

The things we don’t do

Places we go and don’t go

our attitude in situation

our drive in school, athletics, etc

Be prepared to share!

Illustration:

Drew & Matthew fight

my attitude is controlled by Christ!