Sermon Tone Analysis

Several weeks ago we tapped the brakes on our 1 Peter Series to teach our ADVENT SERIES.

We will pick up where we left off and finish this series over the next 2 weeks.

But before we do, let’s do a quick fly-over of what we have covered so far.

We called this entire series: Hope for Suffering Saints as this is the focus of Simon Peter’s writing.

You can go listen to the entire series (and about 500 other teachings) on our website: at FOM.LIFE

After the intro to 1 Peter we considered whether our lives demonstrate that we appreciate the PRICE paid for us.

Then we are discovered how people who are part of the House of God should live & love.

Next we were reminded that being punished for doing what is right is exactly what happened to Jesus, and followers of Jesus better be ready to respond like Jesus did.

Then we discovered some practical ways to be faithful in REVEALING THE GOD WHO SAVES to our family, to our faith family, and to our community.

Finally, we reminded that we can best thank God for His good gifts by giving them to others.

And now we pick up where we left off in a teaching entitled Smiling While Suffering.

“If there really is a God, why do bad things happen to good people that believe in HIM?” That’s the question some teenagers asked of one another this past week, according to a parent’s post on Facebook this week.

How would YOU answer THAT?

Today we will seek an answer from a man who understood tough times.

The apostle Peter, along with other 1st century Christians often suffered, persecuted for their faith in Jesus.

YET...through it all, something strange occurred; they were Smiling While Suffering, because they had HOPE in the midst of the HURT.

HOW is that possible, and how can WE experience that kind of hope?

Today we find out.

PRAY

If Peter were writing to US today, I think the focus would be different.

Rather than encouraging us in the midst of suffering, I think he would tell us to prepare for the suffering that is coming as our culture continues to drift away from Christian principles & practices.

And when suffering comes, here’s how we should respond.

1 Peter 4:12–14 (NIV)

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

This is not theoretical for Peter.

He and the 1st century followers of Jesus knew what it was like to be insulted because of the name of Christ.

Beyond that they knew what it was like to face physical beatings and be thrown in jail.

And yet, they were able to Smile While Suffering.

They didn’t ENJOY the beatings & the persecution, but they did ENDURE the fiery ordeal for 2 reasons.

They understood that:

1) Christ Suffered = Christians Suffer

Based on what Jesus told His disciples, it shouldn’t come as a surprise when we are persecuted.

Just before Jesus was mocked, beaten, spit on, scourged, and crucified, He reminded His disciples of a truth many of us probably don’t memorize and marinate on.

John 15:20 (NIV)

Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’

If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.

If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

WHY IS THAT?

People don’t like to HEAR the TRUTH when it confronts their lifestyles.

Just turn to the person next to them and remind them: “Sometimes you’re wrong.”

You might like to SAY it, but you don’t like to HEAR it.

The same is true for everybody in this room and everybody on this planet.

Christians who share the good news of Jesus - that He has come to forgive sinners, also have to share the bad news of Jesus - that people who have sinned are doing WRONG - currently GUILTY in their sins, and need to turn from sin and turn to Jesus.

That message is offensive to many.

But it goes further than that.

While many people don’t like HEAR the TRUTH, some people don’t like to SEE the TRUTH lived out in front of their eyes.

WHY?

People who live in purity are often convicted by people who DO live in purity.

Maybe you’ve seen it happen.

People who cuss like a sailor around their friends who do the same, don’t think twice about it.

But when a real Christian shows up the person with the potty mouth either 1) simply cleans up their language or 2) often acts frustrated or angry that a Christian is around.

As we’ve said before - if others - like Christians - can do what is right, can’t lean on the LIE “I can’t help myself” to really justify their actions & words.

Christ Suffered and those who follow Christ will Suffer too.

However, there is a silver lining.

Look at HOW and WHY the Christian should respond.

1 Peter 4:12–14 (NIV)

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

There is a future day coming when when the present sufferings will fade into the past as the future glory becomes the present reality.

The apostle Paul put it like this:

Romans 8:18 (NIV)

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Peter and Paul both trusted a great truth that we must come to trust as well:

2) Future Hope > Present Suffering

[PAIN OF CHILDBIRTH, JOY OF THE CHILD]

Every mother and father who has been through birthing a baby understands this idea.

The woman is struggling, hurting, & experiencing anguish - thinking it will never end.

Husbands watch as their precious brides cry & hurt.

And regardless of how kind he is being - the husband holding her hand is likely having his fingers mashed in the vice grip of her contractions, or might be scolded for touching her…and told he will never touch her again....

BUT…once the baby is birthed, smiles permeate the room & the former pain is just a distant memory that fades away like an object that becomes smaller and smaller in your rear view mirror.

In that moment the that the glory was worth the suffering.

And the next pregnancy, the parents can keep this in mind, that although there will be more tears before the smiles, that the...

Future Hope > Present Suffering

We must remember that THIS is not heaven.

It’s a messed up place with messed up people.

Yes, there are glimpses of joy, beauty, and grace, but there is also pain, suffering, injustice, and death.

But one day, all of that will end!

No more hurts or hospitals, nor more abuse and theft, no more destruction or death.

Followers of Jesus will be in the presence of those we love who died as followers of Jesus…and… we will be in the Presence of our King - the One who died for us!

Oh that we could keep that moment on the front burner our our minds!

But until that day..

1 Peter 4:15–16 (NIV)

If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that Name.

If you deserve the punishment you are receiving God knows and God approves.

BUT…if you suffer as a Christian, you can be confident that God knows and applauds your obedience to not be ashamed of bearing the name of Jesus.

This is exactly what Peter and the other apostles did.

As you’ll remember, they had been told to stop teaching in the Name of Jesus.

When they refused, the religious leaders in Jerusalem...

Acts 5:40–42 (NIV)

...They called the apostles in and had them flogged.

Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

How could these men who had been hiding from these leaders just after Jesus’ death, now stand so boldly before the same leaders they were once so afraid of?

Just before Jesus was about to be arrested, Jesus warned His disciples that they would run away in fear, BUT...Jesus also encouraged them with these words.

John 16:33 (CSB)