1 Peter 3:13-17 - How to honor God in Suffering

We have spent a month talking about how we need to walk into unjust suffering, but today I want to talk about:

2 errors people make with unjust suffering.

3 practical ways we can honor God in our suffering

Recap

1:3&4 - an inheritance that is imperishable

2:4&5 - Sight of God, chosen and precious- a holy priesthood via Jesus

2:9&10 - You are…

Then - 4 weeks on submission and acting like Jesus - 2:21-24

Then last week - 3:8-12.

VS 12 - God’s eyes are on you. His ears are on you

But then why are Christians and the church suffering?

1 Peter 3:13–17 ESV

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.

VS 13

Who is there to harm you if you are eager to do good?

Why does Michigan have snow trucks - stupid or sarcastic

It’s Just a cold son

Understanding Harm

FIRST error people make about unjust suffering - If God’s eyes were on me I wouldn't have suffering

Eager to do good

Looking for good - God’s definition of good, not societies

- submission to the government…but what about when I suffer for it?

VS 14

But even if you suffer for doing good you will be Happy & Gifted

How is that even possible? Happy for suffering?

Opposite of Fear & Troubled

Fear is a way people control you.

Persecution is a way of stifling the good news of Jesus

How do we disarm people's persecution? And lean into Blessing “Happiness” - Honor Christ

VS 15

Always be ready to Defend Him

Apologetics - All believers

How? Always be prepared

Men's 800m Finale

Bobby and Kieran Smith intersect in training three days per week, where they train for the 400 IM and 500 free together.

“It’s spectacular,” Smith said of training with Finke. “We have a really good environment. We are always pushing each other. Usually he gets me pretty good in long course but in short course I like to keep it close with him. He is a beast in training.”

Training

What shakes us? not being ready and comparing

Want to witness to that person - pray about it every day for a month.

Pushing yourself in daily discipline

Not just devos to make me a better me - devos to make me who God created - I want his eyes and ears

Logan Nash

Logan ministers in the capital city of Botswana at the local church and teaches at the bible college. One day he stooped at the grocery store to pick up a few items before heading home. As he walked down one of the aisles, he noticed two young men stocking shelves and as they conversed, he noticed one of them look at the other and nod his head. Logan smiled and proceeded down the aisle. Then the young man who nodded then jumped up in-front of him and said. “Hello Pastor.”

Now the capital has a population of over 300,000 and between the local churches, Bible college students, and his neighbors, Logan wasn’t able to place the young man, so he asked, if they had met before. The young man responded “No”. That was a surprise to Logan because the young man had called him Pastor. The young man went on to say, “We have not met before, but I know you are Pastor Logan.” Logan responded, “Why did you call me Pastor”

“I have seen you on my friends social media accounts and they spoke well of you.”

Logan, asked if he attended church and they young man said that he did in his home village, but since moving to the capital city to find work he had not been to church.

Logan then shared his phone number and told him that he would gladly give him a ride to church any Sunday that he wasn’t working and to call to setup a time to have tea - that is a customary way to have fellowship in Botswana.

Logan finished the conversation by asked if he could pray with him. The young man nodded his head and they prayed.

The next time Logan visited that store. He looked for the young man, but was told the young man’s father had gotten ill so he returned home to his village.

Logan’s reflection on the story was 1) he was grateful for the unexpected opportunity. And 2) he was reminded that sharing Jesus often takes place in the way you live your daily life. Sharing the good news of Jesus is our mission when the opportunity presents, because we might not get another chance.

Apologist - for anyone

Logan also had a good conscience about how he lived his life every day…

He also showed gentleness and respect

Here are the 3 practical things we can do to honor Christ.

1) You have to always be ready

2) You have to be trained to have your eyes and ears open

3) You have to have gentleness and respect

SECOND error people make about unjust suffering - I have survived suffering and I am not afraid of anything - because of what I have been through

don’t let it go to your head

VS 16 - Good conscience

Here is the thing - people will say crazy stuff but if you keep doing good it will be found out.

I am not doing good so people see and give me praise.

I am doing good because God sees and hears and I won't honor him

Eyes off your suffering - God’s eyes on you and your suffering rather than eyes on how God empowers you to not have fear because of who he says you are.

If you cant see how God loves you during suffering you are eating chips on the couch - You are bought with the blood and love of God and chosen by him. Start training your mind to see who you are in light of God. Royal…

1st Error - If God’s eyes were on me I wouldn't have suffering

2nd Error - I have survived suffering and I am not afraid of anything - because of what I have been through

The right attitude - I have endured suffering and allowed God to change me. Now i walk boldly (without fear) and with gentleness and respect no matter what people are saying or doing.

VS 17 Harm

if you suffer for doing what God says is good - through the bible - it’s better than doing evil.

People trying to read the tea leaves of spirituality.

Use the bible, gentleness, and respect to navigate doing good - not society

Challenge

Evaluate how you are training yourself to honor God

Then keep your eyes and ears open

and have gentleness and respect