1 Peter 3.13-17
Testifying When it Hurts
1 Peter 3:13-17
12/27/98
Introduction:
By way of introduction this morning, I would like for us to open our Bibles to Luke 22:54-62 (read it slowly and pensively in a low voice).
In the confines of these few verses we read the account of probably the most dreadful night in the life of Peter. It was the night he denied His and our Lord. Thankfully this is not where the story ends.
Approximately 30 years later, Peter, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit penned some of the most courageous words this world has ever heard. This was a different Peter. No backing down this time. 1 Peter 3:13-16 (read it)
If anyone knew what it was to be fearful of suffering, fearful of standing up for Christ, it was Peter. However, Peter overcame his fears and went on to powerfully testify for Jesus Christ. Who else is a better authority on the subject of standing for Christ when it hurts?
Big Idea: Effective Witnessing Often Comes out of Unjust Suffering
1 Peter 3:13-16
I. The Blessing of Suffering (vs. 13, 14a)
II. The Best Defense While Suffering (vs. 14b-16)
III. The Reality of Suffering (vs. 17)
Before venturing into the meat of what he is about to say, Peter makes a general statement which helps clarify the rest of the passage.
He says that outward, intense, physical persecution is not the norm for the Christian. (look at verse 13)
He is speaking of direct, overt mistreatment as a result of being a Christian. That’s really what the whole passage is talking about. You’ll remember that the original audience was either undergoing or about to undergo some horrifying instances of persecution.
His point is this, if you make it your purpose to live a godly life, you will be less likely to be punished. When was the last time you got arrested for being kind? Not likely, though in this crazy in which we live, I suppose it’s possible.
So Peter says, rest assured, if you live a godly life, you will be less likely to suffer punishment.
But now he turns in verse 14 to talk about what happens when even though you are living a godly life, you still suffer. More accurately, you suffer because of your godly life.
That’s where we come to the first major point.
I. The Blessing of Suffering (vs. 14)
A. “but and if”- Somewhat of an awkward way of saying it.
1. The Greek construction here is such which indicates that it is rare but possible that something like this could happen.
2. It’s a rare thing to experience outward persecution
3. Peter says, “But in the unusual case that it does happen, here’s what to do,”
B. First of all, consider yourself “happy or blessed.”
1. One scholar translates this as spiritually prosperous. (Wuest)
2. Be aware that the time of this blessing is while suffering is taking place.
3. So on the one hand, in the eyes of the world, the suffering Christian is a downtrodden, miserable person. Someone to shun.
4. But the reality is that Christians who are suffering because they serve Jesus Christ are actually prospering.
5. Not long ago, (a matter of just a few weeks), Authorities in Egypt rounded up about 1,200 people who claimed to be Christians and began to rape, beat and even crucify them. Mothers were forced to lay their babies on the floor and watch while authorities beat them with sticks.
6. Now how can a Christian say with Peter, “If you suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye?”
It’s fine to say all these things on Sunday morning, in our warm sanctuary all dressed up and comfortable. But what happens when suffering knocks? How can we be blessed when this happens?
a. Those who suffer have God’s full attention. (3:12 read it) He see’s everything, He hears everything
I also believe that Peter very likely is referring to what Christ had to say on the subject.
b. Matthew 5:10- Those who suffer for serving Christ own the kingdom of heaven.
c. Matthew 5:11, 12- Their reward is great
d. Matthew 5:13, 16- God wants us to shine our light in the midst of persecution.
Life relevance:
Now it may be said “Pastor, we’re living in the United States of America!” We are living in a free country. We don’t have policemen breaking in and beating our children, and crucifying our men.” And that is exactly right. We live in a free country. We live in a society which prides itself in its toleration of religion.
But I want to share with you a little tid-bit of information. Just something on which to chew for a while.
Most cultural analysts would agree that we are living in what is known as a post-Christian world. It used to be that Christianity dominated and influenced the world scene. That is no longer the case. Christianity is now viewed with suspicion if not outright contempt. We have one, maybe two generations left who have been taught the basics of the gospel. Is outright, physical persecution around the corner? Quite possibly.
But Peter says, if you suffer for Christ, you’re blessed. You’ve got God’s attention, you own the kingdom of heaven, and your reward is great.
No suffering for Christ goes uncompensated.
That’s The blessedness of suffering.
II. The Best defense while suffering (vs. 14b-16)
Three things to do while suffering
A. Never be intimidated or fearful
1. “don’t be afraid of their terror” (vs. 14b)
2. “neither be troubled”- trouble hear literally means to get stirred up. Don’t let the fear of persecution stir you up. Don’t even let it get started.
a. Don’t be afraid of coming persecution
b. Don’t be afraid when it takes place
3. Remember that Peter knew what it was like to be fearful and intimidated. As he stood by that fire a servant-girl of all people came up and made him deny his Lord.
4. Fear tends to silence us. Fear of speaking up for Christ. Afraid of what people might think. Fear of what people might do. Fear of legal ramifications. A thousand other fears.
Peter says, “don’t let it happen!” Don’t be intimidated.
So that’s the first thing to do in view of suffering.
B. Determine that Christ alone will be your Lord. (vs. 15)
1. “sanctify”- set apart. The word was used to speak of a building that had been set aside for a specific purpose.
2. What Peter is saying is that the believer is to reserve the rights of Lordship for noone but Christ.
3. In the context, this is set in contrast to fearing men and being intimidated by them. Letting men be our lord, by caving in to fear of them.
Men become our lord when through fear of them, we silence our witness.
Quote: “The fear of the Lord makes a hero; the fear of men makes a coward.”
Illustration:
In 112 a.d. there lived a ruler in Bithynia and Pontus (do these sound familiar?) who didn’t know what to do with Christians. He had adopted a way of dealing with the Christians, and he wrote the emperor of Rome, (Trajan) to see if he was dealing properly with the situation. The following is an excerpt of that letter:
“It is my rule, Sire, to refer to you in matters where I am uncertain. For who can better direct my hesitation or instruct my ignorance. . . this is the course that I have adopted in the case of those brought before me as Christians. I ask them if they are Christians. If they admit it I repeat the question a second and a third time, threatening capital punishment; if they persist I sentence them to death.”
Pliny states that those who denied their Christianity were then called upon to perform a rite of worship to the gods of Rome and the emperor. He said that he had heard that “genuine Christians cannot be induced [to curse Christ].”
Concerning the sanctifying Christ as Lord, Peter Marshall says, “When Christians set apart Christ as Lord, they will do nothing that suggests they don’t reverence Him as Lord.”
4. verse 15 shows that one of the signs of someone who has Christ alone as Lord is that they are ready at a moments notice to explain their hope in Christ.
a. They are “spiritual minute men.“
b. The word “answer” here can refer to a courtroom setting, but is not limited to that setting
c. It’s a readiness to defend the faith. To give a logical, biblical outline of why you have such hope in Christ.
d. Notice that it is done with style and grace, aware of the proper time and the proper fashion. It is done in “meekness and fear.”
I remember a song as I was growing up. You’ve probably never heard it, because it really wasn’t popular. I heard it for a while and have never heard it since. I don’t even remember the title. But I do remember a line or two, and these are the words.
“Secret service Christians are not needed at this time.”
“Shouting hallelujah as they run behind the lines, secret service Christians are not needed at this time.”
Christians are not to be intimidated or silenced. In the face of possible suffering in one form or another, we are to be ready to give a defense in a graceful way.
Big Idea: Effective Witnessing Often Comes out of Unjust Suffering
C. Keep your conscience squeaky clean (vs. 16)
1. A clean conscience assures that what you are on the outside is indeed what you are on the inside.
Integrity is the priceless jewel of a genuine Christian whose Lord is Christ alone.
2. The integrity of the believer heaps shame upon the unsaved world.
Illustration:
The recent happenings in Washington have demonstrated the importance of integrity. The importance of a conscience that is clear. We would like to expect our national leaders to rule with honesty, honor and fidelity. That’s why we are disappointed and frustrated with what has taken place within the last few weeks. Often we are tempted to say, “Aw, those politicians, you can’t trust any of them.”
But what about the children of God? The ambassadors of Christ on this earth. We hold a position higher than any senator, any congressman, any president. An ambassador of the kingdom of heaven. Are we holding our positions with a pure conscience? We need to be in private what we say we are in public. Live up to the high calling we have received. We must be sure that our lives are saying the same things that our mouths are saying.
Life relevance:
Keep the conscience clear. Is there any thing on our consciences today that has not been taken care of? Something we know is not fitting for an ambassador of Jesus Christ?
Maybe it is that we have been silent. Have been intimidated and fearful. As a result, nothing has been said.
III. The Reality of Suffering. (vs. 17)
A. Sometimes it is God’s will that Christians suffer.
There is a large movement today which claims to be Christian in nature which claims that if you just have enough faith you will never get sick or suffer. One teacher blamed the death of his grandson on the lack of faith on the part of his son-in-law.
In this passage, Peter reveals that there are times when suffering is the will of God. In the context we know he is speaking primarily of persecution. But the point is this: God does not always desire to take His children out of suffering.
B. Sometimes God leaves is children in situations of suffering so that they may be a witness to those around them.
C. Big Idea: Effective Witnessing Often Comes out of Unjust Suffering
Conclusion:
So we’ve seen
I. The blessing of suffering
II. The best defense while suffering
III. The reality of suffering
Big Idea: Effective Witnessing Often Comes out of Unjust Suffering
I would like to close with the following story:
“The experiences of many East European Christians who lived under Communism portray a pattern of suffering transformed to opportunity and blessing. We need to remember how it was for them.
The experience of Volodia, a Russian believer, illustrates a Divine paradox. In his last year of medical school, when school officials discovered he was a Christian, Volodia was threatened with expulsion from school. ‘You choose—either God or diploma,’ the Communist authorities demanded.’
Volodia’s mentors tried to ensure that Volodia, the best student in his class, would choose to graduate. For several months they conducted indoctrination’s sessions intended to force the student to renounce his faith.
One day, unannounced, a Communist party official visited Volodia’s class and declared, ‘Strange things have been happening in our university. There is a rumor that some students are trying to believe in God. We want to find out if this is true. I am going to ask Volodia to come forward and clarify this rumor,’ the official concluded.
Struck by the shock of being summoned, Volodia understood. He was being offered a final chance to renounce his faith. ‘For twenty minutes I had the opportunity to tell my fellow students about Christ, ‘ Volodia, who was soon expelled from the university, later told Christians in the West.”
That is the heartbeat of what we are saying this morning.
Big Idea: Effective Witnessing Often Comes out of Unjust Suffering
Are you ready to give a defense of your faith.
Not just ready, but willing?