Holding on in Suffering
Notes
Transcript
Holding on in Suffering
Holding on in Suffering
As President, on October 3, 1789, George Washington made the following proclamation and created the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the national government of the United States of America:
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
1 Peter 3:8–12 (NIV)
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Big Idea: Jesus gives us the ultimate hope in our suffering.
Suffering is necessary, as Christ suffered so do we. Suffering is to agonize, feel sorry, grieve, mourn, pity, lose, and it is even to have labor pains. However, we are to suffer together as brothers and sisters.
We should not wish for the suffering to end, just like we should wish for the day to be over. We have work to do.
1 & 2 Peter and Jude (Suffering for Doing Good / 3:8–22)
Peter knew that the believers would soon face persecution. Peter reminded these believers that they would need unity, and love and support from one another. Peter also assured the believers that no matter what sufferings they might have to face, God would vindicate them and punish their enemies. Rather than fear our enemies, we are to quietly trust in God as the Lord of all. We must believe that Christ, not our enemies, is truly in control of all events. When Christ rules our thoughts and emotions, we cannot be shaken by anything our enemies may do.
First Point today is We are called to live in harmony supporting each other.
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8
In saying finally Peter was not concluding the epistle, instead he was summing up his exhortations around submission. First he spoke to slaves, then wives, then husbands, and now he comes back around and says All of You.
Living like minded means we are to be in harmony, like a great choir or orchestra we are to compliment and support each other. This means being sympathetic in sharing the feelings of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Romans 12:15-16 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
We have to love one another, the Greek word philadelphos refers to a love not just in the family but a deep and special love that would draw us all closer as Christians. We must be compassionate with our brothers and sisters. Perhaps just as importantly we must be humble.
Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less,”
Rick Warren in The Purpose-Driven Life
Idea 2, We are called to love those that hurt us.
VIDEO FROM YOUTUBE
1 Peter 3:9–12 (NIV)
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Here specifically Peter is telling us how we should live and act toward those who are in a pagan culture, one that was already becoming hostile to Christians. Today we see these same types of hostilities rising up around us.
We must strive to be Christ like, to seek after Godly characteristics, instead of retuning insults and attacks we must love our attackers. Not just love them but we must bless them. When is the last time you brought a bag of candy to someone that offended you?
When Jesus was insulted, abused, reviled, He did not repay evil with evil. If we are to be Christ like then we pray for those who persecute, we should bless those who intend us harm, we should love those that hate.
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.
What is the greatest way to bless someone? Offer them the gospel, the same saving grace that you have recieved.
Big idea 3—If God is for you then who can stand against you?
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Who is going to harm you? Only a fool, but there are many fools in this world just as there was when Peter wrote this letter. That is why there is no guarantee offered by Peter, or Jesus for that matter, that our life will be pain free, there is no such thing as foolproof. But we are guaranteed that Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior will walk with us through the trouble bringing comfort as strength as God promises peace, comfort, and joy. So who can harm you, well in the worldly sense the cruel and heartless people of our world but we always come back to God’s promise:
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
The storm was raging. The sea was beating against the rocks in huge, dashing waves. The lightning was flashing, the thunder was roaring, the wind was blowing; but the little bird was sound asleep in the crevice of the rock, its head tucked serenely under its wing. That is peace: to be able to sleep in the storm! In Christ we are relaxed and at peace in the midst of the confusions, bewilderments and perplexities of this life. The storm rages, but our hearts are at rest. We have found peace—at last!
Billy Graham
Idea 4: Christ made the ultimate sacrifice and we faithful will suffer for sharing in the promise
For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Question: Are you willing to suffer for jesus and bless those who persecute with the Gospel?
Here’s how you can be ready to witness without needing to become theological scholars:
1. Pray, read the Bible, and review God’s promises every day. Then you’ll be ready to explain why you’re hopeful.
2. Make praising Christ your daily practice. If you focus on his power and glory, you will be fortified and courageous to speak to others.
3. Be as natural in witnessing as you are in conversation. Talk like you, not imitating anyone else. Find the clues in your life that help explain God’s Good News to others. If you are a plumber, talk about God’s love like running water. If you are a doctor, portray God’s love as a healing force.
4. Respond with care. Trust God to melt stony hearts. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1 niv).
Listen to your audience. Where are their heads and hearts? What burdens them? Listen long and hard. Frame your witness in the words and at the level your audience will understand
Action: Trust in the Lord our God, He has promised us good.