Suffering as a Christian
Notes
Transcript
James and Peter
James and Peter
Suffer and death
Suffer and rescue
Both exactly where they should be doing what they should do.
Both rewarded, in death—ultimate, rescue for further ministry.
Suffering is real, it is common, and it is difficult.
So I want to talk with you this morning about suffering.
Peter endured suffering, I am sure much of his suffering is not recorded for us. People in the churches in Peter’s day were suffering too. Just like we are and they were experiencing some horrible persecution.
They wondered why. So he wrote them a letter and one of the main themes of the letter is suffering.
The word is used 11x in 5 chapters. 1/4 of all usages of the word are found in this short book. Then you would say that 1 Peter speaks of suffering more than any other book in the NT and that would be true.
6 major passages on suffering in 5 short chapters.
I would like for us to go through each of the 6 passages and discuss them together and as we do, we will find some encouragement in suffering, some reasons for suffering, and some relief from Christian suffering.
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1.6-
Rejoice in hope of salvation
1 Peter
various trials- persecution, but anguish, loneliness, anguish of the mind, rejection, disappointment, pain of the heart, suffering of the world.
a little while- Temporary (in light of eternity, season of life)
Tested- medical exam- pass the test to get medical degree.
Gold- dross, pure gold, fools gold, see face, that will one day perish—but our faith will remain-
praise and honor and glory at revelation of Jesus- our own yes, but that of others, who came to faith as a result of seeing your attitude while suffering, your testimony of suffering.
19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
The context of this passage is in reference to our jobs and other responsibilities.
God has a special place in his heart for those who suffer under unjust circumstances. In other words, when a person does something wrong and suffers for it, that person deserves exactly what they get. For example, a person over sleeps alot and is late for work every day and they finally get fired for it. That person can’t say, oh I am suffering for Jesus, I am being persecuted. I am a Christian and I lost my job.
I knew church staff member one time who named his bed “The Word.” So when he would roll 15 minutes late to the church office he would tell the pastor that he was spending a little extra time in the word that morning.
But as Christians we should not suffer because of our faults or our sins.
Rather we should follow in the steps of Jesus, who did no wrong yet he suffered unjustly.
We should be willing to suffer because Jesus suffered.
Sometimes, people are are just cruel—the world can be cruel---Christians can often get the brunt of that.
But when the world hits us with its worst, God is ready with His best.
1 Peter
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. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
Peter says look, when you go about doing good for people and obeying the laws, and being a good employee—who is going to harm you. You may not suffer. But sometimes, you may suffer for righteusness sake and if you do, you will be blessed. God has a special place in his heart for you.
Honor Christ as holy—in other word, don’t blame Jesus, God for your troubles—he is holy and good and does what is right. In fact, he lived a perfect life and endured suffering for one reason only, be loves you. So instead of blaming him, testify to his goodness amidst your suffering.
Be ready to give a defense, be his witness- people may look at you and say—your supposed to be a Christian, you spend all that time praying, all that time reading the Bible and hanging out at church, and look at you—you are suffering worse than I ever suffered. What a waste of time.
Opens a door to share the gospel.
My experience with testimonies of those at Elmcrest.
I was not strengthened by seeing a man or woman suffering. I was strengthened by seeing and hearing them glorify God in the midst of their suffering.
1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;
Again, since Christ suffered to pay the price for our sins we should suffer in our flesh as we discipline our selves to refrain from a sinful lifestyle. This phrase, those who have suffering in the flesh have ceased from sin-
I see this passage two ways—one- when a person goes through a suffering experience, it can lead to putting of some sinful behaviors. Especially those that might have lead to the suffering. But even more than that, sometimes a season of suffering reminds us our mortality and our dependence on God- 911.
But another way of looking at is that we can endure suffering just by disciplining our bodies to cease from sin—giving up the sinful lifestyle. For those with addictions to drugs, alcohol or pornography, or even unhealthy eating- breaking those addictions that we know are harmful to our bodies, harmful to our witness, harmful to our relationships, breaking them is very difficult and can lead to tremendous suffering.
And there can be social suffering to go with it—they are surprised, or think it is strange.
1 peter 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. 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.
They were asking why, we ask why.
Dont be surprised— dont think it is strange— You could be undergoing a test. Focus on passing the test. You could be purified---fiery trials, same word used for smelting Gold as we disucced earlier. Could be you are suffering like jesus just to have the honor of sharing in his sufferings. Rejoice!
You are blessed, spirit of glory rests and of God, rests on you.
God has a special place in his heart for you.
Dont be ashamed if you suffer as a Christian—but glorify God.
But search your heart---But be certain---is God judging you? is there sin in your life. Is there unconfessed sin in your heart. Is there someone who you need to seek forgiveness from or that you need to forgive. You suffering could stem from this, this is not suffering as a Christian—this is suffering because of your sins.
Is it time for judgement to begin at the house of God----get it right, this morning!
Entrust your souls to a faithful creator---he is holy and just and he is not surprised---he is soveriegn and he cares for you.
1 Peter
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.
Humble yourself under his might hand—the hand the potters hand. The hand that heals, the hand that lifts up. The nail scarred hand of the one who loves you.
Cast all your cares on him. he know you have them and he cares---he wants you to trust him—humble yourself---and cast them all on him.
Summary:
reasons
Should not be because of our sins
Should be willing because of example of Christ
To be tried and purified
to be strengthened
to be able to testify
to glorify God
Whether or not we understand why there is relief from Christian suffering.
Of course there is always healing and being lifted out of the suffering, but even in the midst there is relief:
remember the sufferings of jesus
remember the reasons for suffering
rejoice in the privivildge of sharing in the sufferings of Christ
rejoice in the temporary nature of suffering
rejoice in the beneficial results of suffering
God is glorified
We can testify
We are purified
we are made stronger with faith, broken with out it.
Notice, the idea of the devil seeking someone to devour—in the context of suffering. he is looking for the weak, the easy target---resist him, be ready, be prepared!
There is a common bond with believers all over the world, you are not alone in this.
a little while---he reminds us again—it is only for a season-
Look what he is going to do when you come through the suffering-
restore, confirm, strengthen and establish