Holiness in an unholy world... (16)

For the Spirit of glory and God rest on you

Over the past few months as we have been looking at the book of 1 Peter, we have been brought face to face with the topic of persecution.

I came across an illustration called:

REAL PERSECUTION

There's a cartoon that puts persecution in perspective.

In the four panels, we see people praying--first a New Testament Christian: "Lord, give me the courage to face this accusing mob."

Then a Reformation Christian: "Lord, help me declare Your truth despite the cost."

A 20th Century believer from Soviet Russia: "Lord may we persevere faithfully under these burdens."

Then finally, today's American Christian: "Lord, the Audi's been running rough lately."

From Robert Leroe's Sermon "Walking Fearlessly"

I believe that we are headed in uncharted waters in North America. In Canada and the USA, our countries were based and established on many Christian principles, no matter how skewed they were. We are kidding ourselves if we fail to believe that it was a perfect Christian society.

The 1860’s were riddled with civil war in the United States over the atrocity of slavery. Both of our countries, have a marked history with our First Nations and how both the government and the church treated. them.

Our world has had two World Wars in the past century and we have very uncertain days a head of us. We might ask ourselves, “Will there we another World War?” For anyone that remembers anything about it prays that we will never see it again.

We may ask ourselves as our society continues to move farther away from God, where does the church fit in? Will we face persecution as believers?

Yet with all of this uncertainty, Hebrews 13:8

Hebrews 13:8 NIV

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:5 NIV

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Even in uncertain times, I want to encourage you that you can still hope in God. Even in times of distress and discouragement, Psalm 43:5

Psalm 43:5 NIV

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

This morning, I want to encourage you with HOPE. Even in times of persecution and distress, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

Let’s read, 1 Peter 4:12-19

1 Peter 4:12–19 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. 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. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Fiery Trials

1 Peter 4:12 NLT

Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through.

Ephesians 6:10–12 NIV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Don’t be surprised if somebody comes against you. Don’t let it shock you if you feel like you are facing an attack. Your battle is not against flesh and blood. It is not a physical battle that you are facing, it is a battle in the spiritual realm.

Ephesians 2:1–2 NKJV

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

We can’t go into this battle with our shield down. We need to face this adversary with the Armor of God.

Romans 13:11–12 NIV

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

A good soldier doesn’t go into battle unprepared. A good soldier makes sure that they have everything that they need for battle. They make sure that their equipment is ready. They do their due diligence before the battle comes.

Ephesians 6:13–18 NIV

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Often when we look at the Armor of God we don’t spend much time on verse 18. Pray in the Spirit. Pray for God’s people. Pray on all occasions. Pray with all kinds of prayers and requests and supplications.

Be alert. Be aware of what’s going on around you.

Sometimes it can be so depressing and tiresome with what is going on in the news, or better stated, our world. It can be confusing because we often don’t know what the truth is, but we need to know what is going on around us so that we can pray on all occasions.

Rejoice that you can participate...

1 Peter 4:13 NIV

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

I want to make it clear that suffering for suffering sake has little to no value. My Mom suffered with severe osteoporosis. The pain was often very intense. She endured it, but it took away much of the quality of her life. There were times that she wished that she could go home to be with the Lord because the pain was so intense.

it breaks my heart to see people suffer. This kind of suffering brings much determination to just keep going from one day to the next. In many cases in Scripture, Jesus was moved with compassion for people that were suffering from sickness. We should also show extra care for those who are hurting.

This isn’t the kind of suffering that Peter is talking about rejoicing in. He is speaking about suffering for Christ.

Matthew 5:11–12 NIV

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Let’s rejoice that we can participate in His sufferings so that we can also rejoice when His glory is revealed.

The apostles

In Acts 5:40-42, Gamaliel had convinced the Sanhedrin let the apostles go and if it was of God, they wouldn’t be able to fight against it.

Acts 5:40–42 NKJV

And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

The apostles could have easily complained but they made a choice to rejoice that they could suffer for the name of Christ.

Let’s choose to participate in things that have an impact on eternity. Let’s not get sidetracked on things that have no lasting impact.

Cause and effect

1 Peter 4:14 NIV

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

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ…You are blessed. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad that you are worthy to be insulted for the name of Jesus.

I watched a show, and there were very few swear words, but when there were, they c hose to use “Jesus.” Part of me wondered why Jesus? Why do you have to insult the name of Jesus? Why is it His name that you use?

I only have one answer. Satan hates the name of Jesus and he knows that there is power in that name.

The Spirit of glory and of God

You are not alone when you are insulted. You are not alone when Satan uses people to bring reproach on the name of Jesus.

When Jesus was baptized, as He came out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove, and God the Father said, “This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

John 20:19–23 NIV

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

What’s the difference?

Do want to know what the difference of being immersed in the Holy Spirit is?

Some will say that you will speak in tongues or other languages, but if that was the only impact, what would be the value?

One value would be that you could pray to God in the Spirit. Another would be that there could be messages of tongues and interpretation in church services.

The difference of a life that is filled with the Holy Spirit is power for witness, and that there is fruit.

If you speak in tongues and there is no power, you need to ask yourself if there isn’t something more. If you speak in tongues and there is no fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life, you need to ask yourself if there isn’t more.

Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Ladies, make it part of your schedule to join Donna as she teaches about the Fruit of the Spirit.

No medals

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.

You don’t get a medal around your neck for suffering for something that you deserve. When we get punished for doing evil, we get what we deserve, but if you suffer for Christ, don’t be ashamed but praise God that you bear/carry His name.

It was Peter in Acts that rejoiced that he was worthy to suffer for the name of Christ.

Judgment to begin with God’s household

1 Peter 4:17–19 NIV

For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Discipline

I don’t know if I’ve ever met anybody who enjoyed discipline. You may have heard it said, “It hurts me, more than it hurts you.”

I really never knew what that meant until I was a father.

Hebrews 12:7–11 NIV

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Let’s not have stubborn hearts when we are disciplined by the Lord. It breaks God’s heart to chasten us, He does it because He wants to see us rooted and established in HIm.

The church has long been accused for being hypocritical. It doesn’t have to been that way. I’m not sure if the world is looking for perfect Christians, but christians that are real and authentic. People that are humble enough to admit when they are wrong and want to make it right.

Last week we spoke about the Judgment. If it’s hard, if the righteous have to go through much hardship, how can the sinner be saved? The blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 11:6 NIV

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

To close, 1 Peter 4:19

1 Peter 4:19 NIV

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Let’s commit ourselves to God and keep on doing good. In other words, this is faith accompanied by works.

Close in prayer