Suffering

One of the vibes we get from church sometimes is the hesitant vibe that we can’t ask question, the hard ones, that we’re thinking. Maybe we feel like if we ask them, people won’t take us seriously, or think something different about us? The church is not the place where anyone should feel like they cannot ask questions they are dealing with.

As a matter of fact, God through His Word gives us answers to our questions. The church is the place everyone should feel comfortable asking questions that deal with life, faith, and the Bible.

As a launch our Can I Ask That? series, we are going to tackle this question,

Q1: What does a person do if people make fun of them for being a Christian?

Q: What does a person do if people make fun of them for being a Christian?

(AKA - What if I’m ridiculed for being a Christian?)

A: There’s a greater reward.

Disclaiming Truth: Jesus suffered to the point of death (insults, name-calling, spat in the face, abuse, and crucifixion). And through His resurrection gave us redemption

TRUTH: Your affliction will not disappear.

We would all define this concept as suffering, correct Essentially when someone is made fun of, they experience suffering.

Essentially when someone is made fun of, they experience suffering.

I think one of the biggest temptation to overcome during these times is the temptation of unbelief; the unbelief that God is still there. This might be extreme, but I think it’s real, because it’s during times of hardship that questions arise in our hearts like “Is God there?” “Why would God allow this?” “I thought that God wanted good for me?”

So, for Christ-followers, how do we handle intentional insults towards us against Jesus? What does God’s Word say about this topic?

God’s Word

1 Peter 4:12–19 ESV

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. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

1 Peter 4:12-

Peter, the righthand disciple of Jesus, answers our question simply in his letter (): Peter is telling his hearers, who were currently being persecuted for Christ and struggling with the reality what was going on and how to deal with it.

Seven Answers/Responses to Insults

Don’t be surprised (12) This will happen to you as a Christian. Different shapes and forms. The world does not like Jesus.

This will happen to you as a Christian. Different shapes and forms

Rejoice (13) Rejoice because you are sharing in the sufferings of Jesus. This isn’t useless stuff. Sure, no one wants to experience being made fun of, but listen - there’s a sweet growth opportunity to grow closer to Jesus. Jesus suffered and was exalted by the Father. Rejoice that the God will exalt you one day with His glory.

Rejoice because Jesus is in you Jesus suffered and was exalted by the Father

You are Blessed (14) Promise - If anyone suffers, he/she is blessed. How??? Because the name of Jesus is exalted during times of suffering. It’s not your name being insulted, but His. Continue to be used by Jesus. If Jesus is for us, who can be against us??

Promise - If anyone suffers, he/she is blessed

The Spirit of God rests upon you (14b) You’re not alone, but the Spirit of God rests on and dwells in you. God, through His Spirit, will hold you fast. You will make it through.

You’re not alone, but the Spirit of God rests on and dwells in you. God, through His Spirit, will hold you fast.

Do not be ashamed (16) God’s judgment and punishment is just and perfect in their insults, people are insulting Jesus. Therefore, lift up His name all the more. Say, “Yes! Jesus is everything to me.”

Glorify God (16b) Don’t dwell in self pity, but glorify God in the midst of insults. God wants his glory to be exalted. Even in the midst of suffering.

God’s judgment and punishment is just and perfect In their insults, people are insulting Jesus Therefore, lift up His name all the more

During times of suffering,

Glorify God (16b) Don’t dwell in self pity, but glorify God in the midst of insults. God wants his glory to be exalted. Even in the midst of suffering.

Don’t dwell in self pity, but glorify God in the midst of insults. God is faithful

Entrust your soul to the faithful Creator God. (19) Do not trust yourself, but Him who is the Creator God and forever faithful.

Subpoint: We will not see suffering as normal until we see Jesus as everything.

1 Peter 4:19 ESV

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Q - Who are you trusting in times of being “made fun of?”

Q - Are you trusting yourself or Jesus?

“According to God’s will.” If anyone is being insulted because of the a name of Jesus, it’s according to God’s will. Encouragement - if you’re being made fun of, you’re in the will of God. You’re right where God wants you to be.

Jesus actually brought this up in shortly after he called his disciples in .

Matthew 5:10–11 ESV

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Jesus says “If you’re going to follow me, there will you experience insults from others, but know that the kingdom of heaven is yours. Listen students, people can dish out whatever they want, but you as Christian possess something greater! When we’re catching negativity from others for being Christian, we so easy want to throw in the towel and give up. It’s because we see that it might not be worth it. That’s only because we do not realize our true reality that’s ours in Jesus. Jesus said we the kingdom of heaven in ours. There’s nothing better than that students. So in the midst of suffering, remember that you belong to the kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Matthew 5:12 ESV

12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:11-12

The apostle Paul gives Christians experiencing affliction this truth,

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 ESV

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Do not trust yourself, but Him who is the Creator God and forever faithful

What’s the root of all of this.

Whose are you?

Your affliction, suffering, etc. is producing something bigger than you.

But it’s in these times when suffering tempts our minds to go everywhere. A lot of times we of feel alone and confused. We’re confused because we fall in the trap of believing that because I’m a Christian, life is supposed to be easy. Jesus never promised life was going to easy, but He did promise that He would be faithful and bring you through it. But not only that, but His desire is to take this and not allow the insults/suffering/affliction to disappear as if nothing happen, but instead use it.

Now, this is a bad thing. Think about it. Why would non-Christians understand? They are not a Christian! They can’t understand. Christians cannot expect lost people to act and know all things Christian. It’s not going to happen.

It’s during these times we need to understand that you belong to Jesus and He is faithful. Didn’t Jesus suffer? Didn’t the Father deliver the Son? Yes! In the same way, you too will be delivered. This is the main point of what Jesus & Peter is saying: “Snap out of it!

Think about it. Why would non-Christians understand? They are not a Christian! They can’t understand. Christians cannot expect lost people to act and know all things Christian. It’s not going to happen.

Peter is writing to Jewish converts to Christianity who have been scattered to cities and countries all over the world. Specifically, he wrote to believers living in what is now northern Turkey, some 800 miles from the hometown of God’s people and church. I can assume that these believers felt isolated and insignificant. Peter says to these people, “take courage.”

There’s one more truth we need to consider when it comes to this topic. It’s awkward and hard to do, but Christians are commanded by Jesus to pray for those who persecute us.

Matthew 5:44 ESV

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 5:

This is the gospel students. We were enemies with God. Through the gospel we were reconciled to God. No longer enemies, but children.

Conclusion

During insults and hardships for the sake of Christ, Christ followers must know that their affliction/suffering will not disappear, but produce something greater. God’s desire is for us to draw nearer to Him.

During these times:

Don’t be surprised

Rejoice

Know you’re blessed (in the midst of it)

Know God’s Spirit rests on you

Do not be ashamed

Glorify God

Entrust yourself to your faithful Creator

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