Just a Little Longer...
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Introduction
Introduction
Did you hear about the greedy preacher that was studying the Bible and learned that time to the Lord was different than what it was to mankind? He prayed and asked the Lord, “Lord is that true that to you that time is different to you so I guess that our thousands of years could be minutes to you.”
The Lord answered and said, “yes my son that is true.”
The greedy preacher said, “and is it true that you own everything so a penny to you would be worth millions to me?”
The Lord answered and said, “Yes my son that is true.”
The greedy preacher thought for a minute, then asked, “Lord if that is true can I have a penny?”
To which the Lord answered, “Yes in a minute.”
Sometimes you and I think that in this instantaineous world that we need to have our wants and desires immediately taken care of and we do not have time for suffering.
Our passage in 1 Peter today reminds of several things that we need to remember as we go through this thing called life. We will suffer in this life. We will have trials and struggles. Just this week I have talked with many who have lost loved ones....friends and family.
I have talked with folks that have had a diagnosis that wasn’t great. I have talked with folks that are having struggle after struggle and life is hard.
Peter in his unique way reminds his readers with some incredible encouragement.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
There are 5 distinct reminders in this passage that you and I would do well to learn or take heed today.
Expect Trials
Expect Trials
Verse 12 show us that trials and suffering are not strangers to the Christian life. They are expected and they are part of life. God does not use trials because we are disobeying Him, rather, they are God’s tools for perfecting His own.
It is not strange to experience trials. It is normal!
I have learned if I can normalize a trial, instead of saying “Oh Lord why is this happening to me?” You can normalize it and say, “Oh Lord, what is it that you need to teach me?”
Secondly,
Rejoice in Trials
Rejoice in Trials
vs. 13-14 remind us that when trials come, we are suffering for the sake of Christ and sharing with Him.
Philippians
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
Philippians
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
The suffering you and I endure now is a prelude to the glory that we will share in His coming.
Notice this phrase in verse 14 “for the Spirit of Glory and of God rests on you.” The literal translation here is that the Spirit of God “rests with refreshing power” on the suffering believer.
Have you ever seen a devout Christian suffering and as they are suffering you see that they have peace?
In when the 3 Hebrew children went into the fiery furnace, they had faith that God would and could deliver them. He not only delivered them, He walked with them!
We are to expect trials, rejoice in trials and thirdly, we are not to be ashamed in trials.
Do Not Be Ashamed in Trials
Do Not Be Ashamed in Trials
Verses 15-16 remind us that suffering for the believer is not the same as punishment that might fall on a thief, murderer or criminal.
Roman law required for each citizen to pledge his loyalty to the emperor. Once a year the citizen would be required to put a pinch of incense on the altar and say “Caesar is Lord!”
You and I as Christians need to confess that Jesus is Lord. If the Christian would refuse to bow before Caesar, he or she could be arrested, tried, or even put to death. By bearing the name of Christ, they were put to shame before there family and friends.
But what a glorious name to bear!
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
1 Peter 4:17
We are to expect trials, rejoice in trials, not be ashamed in trials, and fourthly, WITNESS IN TRIALS.
Witness in Trials
Witness in Trials
I have watched many of you suffer. I have seen your pain and heart ache. Yet I have also watched you persevere during those trials and you have been a witness for our Lord in doing so.
Verses 17-18 in the passage show us that if God sends trials to the church now, this is evidence that He will someday judge the lost. We have our trials now and our glory later; the lost have their glory now and their suffering later.
The only heaven the lost will know is on earth today!
If the righteous are saved “with difficulty” what hope is there for the ungodly?
If the righteous receive their due on earth,
how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
We are to expect trials, rejoice in trials, not be ashamed in trials, witness in trials, and lastly, we must commit ourselves to God.
Commit Yourself to God
Commit Yourself to God
The word commit here is actually a banking term. It refers to the act of leaving an amount on deposit for safekeeping. It ties in beautifully with the gold illustration in chapter one verse 7.
These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
God sends the fiery trial to help purify us…to burn away the dross. We commit ourselves to Him for safekeeping, knowing that He cannot fail us. God is Bigger!
Christians will go through trials before Christ returns. The world situation will not get better. Attitudes toward Christians will not get better. The world dislikes the name of Christ and will continue to do so!
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.
Trials are the norm for the Christian:
Expect them
Rejoice in them
Do not be ashamed in them
Witness in them
Commit yourself to God as a result!
God is bigger. He has overcome. He will see you through!
Application
Journal
Pray “Lord, what do you want me to learn?”
Be obedient!
Grow, Grow and when you get done, Grow some more!
You are almost there......just a little longer! You got this!