The Virtue of Suffering
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Introduction
Introduction
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Text -
1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.
4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;
5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
Title - The Virtue of Suffering
Title - The Virtue of Suffering
virtue - a quality considered morally good or desirable
Common views on Suffering
Suffering is for the weak
Suffering is for the sinner
Suffering is for the loser
Suffering is for the tribulation saints
What is Suffering
Suffer - to be affected or be subject to something; to undergo martyrdom
Suffering - the state of undergoing pain, distress or hardship
Grk. pascho, to undergo an experience
the word is almost always connected with painful experiences or occasions
Common responses to Suffering
Why is this happening to me?
We hide our suffering (by showing off)
We reject the idea of suffering
My Main Points
The Purpose of Suffering
The Penalty of Not Suffering
The Prize of Suffering
Suffer - to be affected or be subject to something; to undergo martyrdom
Suffering - the state of undergoing pain, distress or hardship
Grk. pascho, to undergo an experience
the word is almost always connected with painful experiences or occasions
to undergo an experience
The Purpose of Suffering
The Purpose of Suffering
Peter exhorts: “Arm yourselves with the same
Because Christ suffered in the flesh for us
Because Christ suffered in the flesh for us
1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
The worst form of suffering is death
1 Peter 3.17
Peters exhorts: “Arm yourselves with the same purpose (mind, way of thinking)”
Christ suffered for us. So why not we suffer for Him?
Christ’s suffering is for our sins. Our suffering is for the sake of what is right
Our suffering is for the sake of what is right
17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.
15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;
The word “arm” means “to prepare oneself, to make ready, equip”
Suffering is a tool, an instrument, even a weapon that we can use against the works of the enemy
Suffering should be part of our tools and instruments in the service of God
Because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin
Because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin
1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
To suffer in the flesh means to cease, to be dead to the forces of evil that capture the senses
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?
2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
7 for he who has died is freed from sin.
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
7 for he who has died is freed from sin.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5.24
5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
Colossians 3.5
To suffer is to not be driven or controlled by the desires of the flesh
some desires are sinful and evil
some desires are simply carnal, fleshly, but necessarily sinful
NOTE: THIS IS THE KIND OF SUFFERING THAT MANY CHRISTIANS ARE NOT AWARE OF. WE DO NOT WANT TO PART WAYS WITH THE DESIRES OF THE BODY.
Because it is time to live for the will of God
Because it is time to live for the will of God
2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.
1 Peter 4.2-3
We have lived long enough under the power of the senses (flesh)!
It is time to spend our days living out the will of God!
The Penalty of Not Suffering
The Penalty of Not Suffering
4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;
5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
The Gentiles will give account of their excessive lifestyle.
The Gentiles will give account of their excessive lifestyle.
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Dissipation - grk. asotia, lavishness; the act or spending or using something excessively, especially that that result in sinful license
The Gentile (non-believer) lifestyle is “excessive dissipation” - uncontrolled squandering of things, of worldly goods, resulting in sinful and wicked living before God.
The Gentile lifestyle is the opposite of suffering - they are enjoying, spending, and using, every thing they can for the pleasure of the senses, to the point of sinning!
To “not suffer” is to allow your senses and imaginations dictate your actions to the point where sin and wicked things abound.
Example No. 1 - The “rich man” ()
24 “And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’
25 “But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.
Note - the “place of torment” is a separate place from “Abraham’s bosom”; but it seemed the one side is visible or viewable to the other side.
Luke 16.
19 “Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.
Luke 16.19
Example no. 2 - Noah’s Generation
the antediluvian civilization was designed, developed, dictated by the fallen human senses to the point of excess
- they took wives for themselves whomever the chose
- the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great; every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually
The Gentiles will given account of their excessive lifestyle.
The Gentiles will given account of their excessive lifestyle.
Christ is ready to judge the living and the dead
Christ is ready to judge the living and the dead
5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
Christ
those who are dead - physically dead (verse 5), who once suffered for because of their faith in God and in His promises
the gospel was preached to the dead - when (?)
Christ preached to “spirits in prison”
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,
1 Peter 3.18-
Who were these “spirits”?
they were once disobedient during the days of Noah
disobedient - they were supposed to hear and obey God’s word for their day
Enoch was a prophet of God in their day
Noah was a preacher of righteousness in their day
These Sethites were possessed and influenced by the fallen angels to mix with the Cainites (Note, same as Satan did to the Serpent)
Christ “preached” to these spirits - but to convert them!
Note - Christ preached to 2 kinds of people when His body laid in the tomb for 3 days!
preach/proclaim - grk. kerysso, to announce, to make known
perhaps Christ “announced” -
His Person
His finished work on earth
His soon coming work to judge them
Christ also preached on the other side! -
the gospel was preached - grk. evangelizo, to proclaim the good news
Christ proclaimed the good news to these “dead” people
you were judged when you were alive, but not you will live by God’s will!
you have suffered because of your faith, your obedience, now you will be rewarded!
The Prize of Suffering
The Prize of Suffering
6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
The Prize for suffering is “life” - existence with God
The Prize for suffering is “life” - existence with God
The life that we receive is God’s OWN LIFE.
Those who “suffered in the flesh” will be rewarded with life in the spirit!
The “crown of life” is reserved to those who persevered under trial
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
The prize for your suffering is "glory together with Christ”
The prize for your suffering is "glory together with Christ”
3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Colossians 3.3
17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
no suffering - no glory!
Conclusion
Conclusion
How do you stand before God today?
Are a “sufferer with Christ” or a “pleasure seeker”?
To the “pleasure seeker” -
how long will stay on that path, until you realize that you can enjoy both God and the world?
Are you willing to “suffer now and enjoy later”?
Are you willing to “suffer now and enjoy later”?
To the “sufferer with Christ” -
Know that you have ceased from sin - sin has no more power over you! You are the “overcomer” of this generation!
Know that your sufferings will be rewarded!
Are you willing to “suffer now and enjoy later”? (Pastor, how can one “suffer” for Christ today?)
live out the holiness that God prescribes to you!
practice the godly disciplines! If it’s hard, that called “suffering”
let go of your money and give it away!
give up your friends in these world!
SONGS
Ako’y Magpapatuloy
Whatever It Takes!