Peter Message 13
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A shining light while suffering
A shining light while suffering
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
Intro: Peter writing to scattered Christians who were suffering persecution to encourage them.
Salvation. It couldn’t be taken away, they were chosen.
Submission: Government, those over them. (masters) . By submitting they would glorify God.
Last week we looked at having a blessed life.
Now Peter turns what life will be like for those who live as a follower of Jesus. (Elab living the life)
Suffering: He wants suffering Christians to continue taking a stand for their faith, keep moving forward and not give up the fight.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
In our country will are facing open persecution. (Not being beat or killed, it’s persecution in the form on opposition.
9 Year old 3rd grader in Mississippi (Elab her mask, “Jesus loves me)
2. Churches in New Mexico fined for too many people at a Christmas eve service. (This is the government tying to control churches.
3. Laws are being passed that go against Gods word. (elab Christian schools and collages, that stand with Gods word)
4. These a re the kind of things that we are facing today, and will continue to face.
5. Peter is saying there will be suffering.
VS 14 Suffer. Emotional suffering.
Bad thing happen to Christians, we are not exempt from. Car breaks down, AC goes out. Caner, Covid. Lose thier jobs. But, God does watch over us.
Suffering could be caused by a sinful lifestyle.
There is suffering because we live in a sinful world.
We will suffer because we are followers of Jesus. VS 14 tells us reason for Suffering, “suffer for righteousness” (Living a righteous life)
VS 17 “to suffer for doing good then going evil”
Our light need to shine, even while suffering.
Be Devoted. VS 13
Be Devoted. VS 13
13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?
Harm: Mistreat. There can be physical harm. People have been, beat, jailed, killed for the faith.
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
a. Harm may come to us in some type of way, but nothing can separate us from God. So no matter how bad things get for followers of Jesus, we must keep living a righteous life.
Followers: Zealous: Devoted, passionate. You are willing to go above and beyond to take stand, to let your light shine. No matter the cost. Which means no fear.
No Fear VS 14
No Fear VS 14
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”
BUT:
If you live a good (righteous) life , there will came a time where someone will oppose you.
a. In school, kids can be mean. Stay sexually pure, want drink, don’t cuss.
b. In the work place, neighborhood. They see you go to church every Sunday.
VS 14 When you suffer for righteousness sake; you are blessed”
KJV Happy. GW blessed.
c. You live for Jesus everyday, obey His word and you are persecuted for it. You are blessed.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Blessed: Highly favored. God applause you. God loves it when you obey Him even when means you are prosecuted for it.
Paul and Silas.
d. The world hates you. God knows this.
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
Jesus was rejected, if you live for Jesus you will be too. But, it will be a witness to those around you. First to those who are not Christians. Also to weaker Christians.
VS 14 “you are blessed” so we have no reason to fear. NASB don’t be afraid of their treats.
a. If you are living a righteous life, you do not need to fear their intimidation.
Be ready
Be ready
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
“Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” Means you make Him Lord of your life. You surrender your life to Him. Your marriage, your money, all your life, your talents.
a. Surrendering your life means you are dedicated, your share your faith, you love others. You can do this when you make Him Lord of your life.
2. Be ready: You are a suffering, you are doing what is right, you are making Jesus Lord of your life, people will see it.
a. We live in a darkened world. When does a light shine the brightest? When it dark. (Elan flash lights)
b. It is sad that our county is in a moral decline. But it get the church the greatest opportunity to shine the brightest.
READ REST OF VERSE STARING WITH “Always”
KJV the word defense here is “answer” Read it that way.
Answer: GW word means “apology” not like we use it as in an admission to an error. It’s speaking of a defence.
a. People like Ravi Zacharias, called Christian apologist. Someone who makes a defence for God word.
b. When the worlds see you living a righteous life, you are different then what you do, what you say, the way you act, they may want to know.
c. Why do you go to Church every Sunday? Why do you believe in the Bible? Why do you give money to your Church? Why do you believe on God?
d. Be ready to give a answer for the hope that is in you. Give your salvation testimony.
e. There is a way to do so. “Meekness an fear” Fear respect.AMP courteously and respectfully.
Elab how to do answer: Not in a mean hateful way. Why I give money to God, not to the loto like you, yo sinner. When your in hell you’ll know why I go to church.
Act right. VS 16
Act right. VS 16
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
Having good conscience means you know you are doing what is right, not by your own feelings, not by what others may say is right, but by Gods word.
a. The source of your shining light comes from Gods word. As long as our light is shining (having a good conscience) we can face whatever suffering comes our way.
16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
a. Paul was facing death, but he had noting to fear because he had done what was right in the eyes of God.
Be confident VS 17
Be confident VS 17
17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
We need to be in Gods will. Being is Gods will may mean suffering.
a. The disciples went through a storm while Jesus was in the boat with them. You may go through storms of suffering , but Jesus is with you.
b. Peter would have his head cut off, he would be at peace because he was in the will of God.
2. When suffering comes your way, how will you handle it? It will depend on where you are in the will of God. Sin will cause you to be out of Gods will. Repentance you get back in Gods will.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.