Make It Count!

1 Peter 4:1-11

There is a story that I want to share to start off this morning. Now I did not come up with story this is something that I had read somewhere at some point, but it is about a man who found a cocoon of the emperor moth and took it home so that he could watch it emerge. One day a small opening appeared, and for several hours the moth struggled but couldn’t seem to force it’s body past a certain point.

After watching this take place the man decided that something must be wrong, so he took scissors and snipped the remaining bit of cocoon. The moth emerged easily, it’s body large and swollen, the wings small and shriveled. The man looked and thought to himself, surely in a few hours the wings will spread out in their natural beauty, however, they did not. You see instead of developing into a creature free to fly, the moth spent its life dragging around a swollen body and shriveled wings.

What this man did not realize at the time was that the constricting cocoon and the struggle necessary to pass through the tiny opening are God’s way of forcing fluid from the body into the wings. The “merciful” snip was, in reality, a crueality. Rather than helping the moth and alieviating the struggle, he rather caused it more pain to last a lifetime. You see the struggles that we face are sometimes exactly what we need.

You see I told that story, because it relates to each and every one of us. When we think of struggles we really are thinking of suffering. Which although many within mainstream Christendom would like to ignore, breeze over, and speak against rather than about is something that every indivudal regardless of age, gender, or creed will and does deal with on an every day basis. These sufferings, cause individuals like ourselves to question why God would allow us to deal with and endure such a trial, it comes most typically within a moment’s notice and when least expected. It also comes in various forms ranging from; financial, relationial with spouses, family, and friends, phsyical, emotional, and the list could certainly go on.

Which leaves us with the question of what does it mean to suffer? Well, quite simply put it means to endure pain or loss. It also means to feel what is painful or distressing, either to the body or mind. Nobody likes to suffer, and more times than not to many it seems as though suffering happens to good people and the most popular question when a friend, loved one, or even when you yourself are dealing with it is that why question. Why God? Why me? Why them? Why now?

There are many preachers and teachers who like to speak about a more prosperity, feel-good, style of scripture that leads an indivudal to believe that God would never allow an indivudal to go through trials and tribulations, that Christ will heal you everytime you pray exactly how you want Him to, that money will never be an issue, I am sure you all can think of at least one individual that you have heard preach or teach something like that and could even add to that list if we went around the room. In fact, a lot of people regarldess of denominational or faith group backgrounds will quote and recite Rom. 8:28 when facing trails and struggles which states that “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.” They use this to somehow show that if you love God and have enough faith no sickness will affect you, no financial issues will face you, and again the list goes on. In fact, shortly after originally writing this sermon, I was diagnosed with Diabetes. There was that moment of why God, Why me, and why now, there was uncertainty I knew that God will provide and He has and I believe will continue to do so, but there was still a moment of inner though if you would of struggle. I remember talking with a member of my family about this, who I know meant well, but the first thing that came out of thier mouth was well you just need to start speaking life over yourself. Suggesting, that the reason I was dealing with this and not healed is because I wasn’t speaking life, having enough faith or praying the right way. Now let me say this, I do believe in healing, I do believe in finanical blessing and God taking care of those in whom He loves and who love Him, but I also, want to be true to scripture, and scripture and our lives often leave us with the question of is it Gods will for those who are saved to suffer or not? If it is Gods will for those who are saved to suffer does it mean that everytime I pray for healing it may not happen how I want it to? or how I expect it to? Does it mean that I may face times of finanical hardship, relational hardships, physical and mental hardships, you name it? Well the answer is unfortunately yes, one thing we can be certain of is that scripture guarantess the fact that we will suffer. You see, when a person comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by repentance of faith this does not mean that suffering stops, what it means is your suffering has just begun. I get it that is not a tag-line of a sermon that you take and post all over social media, but the fact still remains and as we progress through this scripture that point will become all the more clear, the real question is not will I suffer, but how will I act in the midst of the suffering.

So if you would and if you have your Bibles with you would you turn to 1 Peter and we will be reading Chapter 4:1-11 this will also be on the screen as well.

Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding—because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin—2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will. 3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander you. 5 They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead,, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards, they might live in the spirit according to God’s standards. 7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins., 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), 1 Pe 4:1–11.

Let’s pray real quick and then we will jump into this.

It’s fitting to find that the writer of our text this morning whom is speaking of suffering is none other the Peter, who he himself, had to deal with suffering through his entire ministry. In the gospels Peter had to deal with suffering of failure. In the last chapter of John we find Peter going to a lifestyle that he knew before he followed Jesus. He suffered failure and ridicule when he denied Jesus the night of His arrest. He suffered persuection while preaching in Jerusalem. He suffered trials and temptations while on missionary journeys scattered abroad the new world.

Again, this is very fitting because it fulfills the scripture. Jesus eating with His disciples during the Lord’s Supper in Luke 22:31-32 said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Here in that text that we just read Peter is doing exactly that, strengthening the brethren who are scattered abroad Asia.

How is he strengthening, well what Peter was encouraging them to do as well as all of us is to rejoice in the midst of our suffering by responding to something other than our immediate circumstances. Though the situation before us is bleak, there is a bigger picture behind what we see and feel. In Chapter 1, Peter tells us that while you are suffering, God gives you the strenght and mercy to rely on a living hope that gives you the ability to look towards and inheritance that never fades or perishes. In other words Peter begins by strengthening the brethern by saying hang in there. It’s necessary that we suffer for Christ sake. And while you suffer think on the inheritance that is laid in store for you in heaven.

I have probably said this before even here, but if not you will probably here it often because it is essential when diving into scripture. The first thing that one must do is understand the background of the book, the purpose, the author, the audience, that way you can accurately interpret and then apply it. What you find in 1 Peter is the theme of suffering for the sake of Christ and this is not an isolated theme but the main theme throughout the entirity of this book. Peter makes it very clear that everyone will suffer. Whether you’re lost, dying, and going to hell, or whether you’re a Saved, Sealed, and Delivered believer on their way to Heaven, regarldess of who you’re or who you serve you will face suffering in this life.

So let’s look closer at Chapter 4 as this chapter gives us some guidelines to follow in reagrds to making our lives count even as we suffer when life deals us those lemons.

To make our lives count through suffering Peter says to:

Have the same mind of Christ. Vs 1

A. Christ suffered here on this earth from the time that He was born to the time that He was nailed to the cross to pay off our sin debt.

B. There is a beautiful picture there in verse one. God sent us His only begotten Son to take the form of a man so #1 whoever would believe in Him should not persih but have everlasting life.

C. and #2 so that we can have the greatest example to follow.

You see Jesus knows what we are going through, there is nothing that we face here on this earth that He did not face and conquer on our behalf. He will and does comfort us because He knows our pain. The benefit of all of this is that Jesus can help us to remain strong, even in the face of our suffering.

D. Peter says therefore since Christ has suffered and since you will suffer at sometime in your life, equip yourself with the same mind that Jesus Christ had. What was that mind of Christ?

E. It was ministering to the Lost. God used His Son to leave the throne of Heaven so that He might suffer, and through His suffering, lead many to the saving knowledge of salvation.

Let me ask you in here does anyone know how cranberries are harvested? When the fruit is ripe, the cranberry bog is flooded with water. As the water covers the bush, the ruby red berries separate from the bush and float to the surface where they are gathered and distributed to cranberry lovers around the country.

In light of cranberries God uses flood waters of trouble and trials to seep over our souls, and whats the result? Fruit “meet for the Master’s users” released to bless and meet the needs of the hungry world around you.

Let’s take this even deeper: It was through Christ suffering that lead a thief on a cross to accept salvation through repentance in faith. It was through suffering that made Pontius Pilot wonder. Suffering, has been a useful means of reaching a lost and dying world. But you say even the lost suffers, yes this is true, but it’s through your actions and how you handle the trial that leads someone to Christ. It is through your living testimony and example that separates you from the rest of the world. So let me ask you, when was the last time you witnessed to someone through your suffering? Do you suffer with the attitude of Christ or do you suffer wanting nothing more than a pity party? Don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying that you put on a fake smile and never talk about things that are bothering you, ask for help from others, or petition those around you to pray. But are you doing that to overcome, are you doing that to bring glory to God through the situation, or are you doing it so that other’s feel bad for you?

Let’s go a little deeper as well and take a look at all of the Disciples/Apostles, think of their life and ministry, think of what you have read through the Gospel accounts and the entirity of the New Testament, and what do you find? Well you find that each and everyone of them faced suffering, trials, and persecution, so what makes us think that we are any different? What makes us believe that somehow we are exempt from the very thing that Jesus and all those who followed Him in the early Church experienced. But do we handle it the same way? Do we respond with the mind of Christ?

You see the Mind of Christ in your life is your ministry here on this hearth. Hebrews 12:1-2 says “Therfore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surround us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Does this mean that Jesus was happy as He went to the Cross? Does it mean that He looked forward to being beaten, spit upon, and made fun of? No what it means is that through His sufferning, it led others to trust Him as their Lord and Savior. Likewise as you suffer in life by arming yourself with the mind of Christ you will be able to endure your trials and by doing so stand as a living testimony to the power of Christ. So let me ask you, do othesr see Christ in your suffering?

To make our lives count through suffering Peter says to;

2. Purge Your Desire To Sin. Vs. 2.

A. In other words since you have recognized that you are going to be judged for all of your actions that you do, both good and bad, and since you are going to suffer here in the body, and since now you have made a conscience effort to arm yourself with the mind of Christ during your suffering, as a result your priorities in life change.

B. As you suffer you no longer want to sin, but rather your outlook is different. Why? Because all you want is some relief! (The only place that you will find relief is God, that is where Jesus found it in the Garden as well as the cross) Your suffering has caused you to change what you use to see as important to the flesh. Now all you want is God’s will to come out of all of this so that you can find relief.

Peter qualifies this in verses 3-6. Peter says that this was the way you used to act.... Let’s put this in modern terms, you came to Christ and now your friends and family can see a difference in your lifestyle. They say hey how come you don’t want to party with us anymore? How come you don’t want to run the roads to all hours of the night? How come now all you want to do is go to Church?

It’s because the priorites have changed. You see what this verse is doing is quite literally stating that the perseuction is for our benefit so that we can truly purge ourselves from sinful lifestyles that as Hebrews speaks about so easily entangles us and fights for our attention and commitment.

There is also one more benefit to purging your desire to sin. Purging Purifies And Strengthens Your Faith Vs. 7. It is through affliction and suffering that the greatest lessons of life are learned. This truth is echoed by some of histories great preachers. Samuel Rutherford said when he found himself in the cellars of affliction, “The Great King keeps his wine there.” Charles Spurgeon similarly said, “They who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls.”

In chap. 1:6,7, Peter calls suffering a trial. A trial can be either a temptation or a test. A temptation seeks to destroy faith, while a test seeks to refine faith. Now we know God is never the source of our tempations, as:

Jam. 1:13 states “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.”

God does not tempt us to sin.

Yet, God does allow evil as a test, to purify and refine our faith. This was true in the case of Adam and Eve, Job and also in the temptation of Jesus. Though God was not the source of these temptations, God allowed it to happen as means of refining and purifying faith.

Peter echoes this reatlity in Chapter one of this book, As metal is refined in the fire, so is faith refined in the fire of perseuction.

I want to share another story with you “this time about a blacksmith known for his strong faith, who had a great deal of illness. he was challenged by an unbeliever to explain why God would let him suffer. He explained, “I take a piece of iron, put it into the fire to bring it to a white heat, then I strike it once or twice to see if it will take temper. I plunge it into the water to change the temperature, put it into the fire again, then I put it on the anvil and make a useful article out of it. If it will not take temper when I first strike it on the anvil, I throw it into the scrap heap and well it for a half-penny per pound. I belive God has been testing me to see if I will take temper. I have tried to bear it as patiently as I could, and my daily prayer has been, ‘Lord, put me into the fire if you will; put me into the water if you think I need it; do anything you please, O Lord, only do not throw me on the scrap heap.”

Is that our prayer when we struggle, is that our prayer when illness hits?

Finally,

3. We are called to strengthen Those Who Suffer Among Us. Vs 8-11

A As we arm ourselves in the mind of Christ and make suffering a ministry, our faith and priorities are purged. It’s then that we have the ability to help others that are suffering among us.

B. By assisting those in whom we are sharing Christ with we too can hear the same words Jesus told Peter: “but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strenghten your brothers.”

C. By what strength do we possess that allows us to strenghten the Brethren? Its through the same strength that helped Jesus endure the cross to the end. God the Father. And the beauty of it is, we have the same ability to possess that strength as well.

D. Sometimes it takes a supernatural strength when it comes to coming to the aid of someone who needs comfrot as they endure their trial. But listen to what Jesus has to say:

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

You see strengthening those that are suffering around us brings a picture of Jesus Christ. Jesus throughout His ministry led by example by strenthening those that suffered around Him. He strengthened the blind, the lame, the ones who lost loved ones, the hurting, broken hearted which in turn lead them to trusting in Him for eternal Salvation.

When we apply strengthening those around us to our lifestyle it’s then that God reaps the fruits of our lives as others are led to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by witnessing our endurance and ability to handle our suffering and as a result a portrait of Jesus is displayed through us. As we lead others to Christ through our suffering and not through our complaining God gets the Honor and Glory which is what ultimately makes our life count even admist the circumnstances.

To close let me ask you this are you suffering right now? Now again suffering comes in all shapes and sizes and we all deal with it some sort of way. Financial burdens, relationship issues, maybe its addiction in any of it’s forms, God knows your heart and what is going on in your life. He wants to use your suffering not for the bad but for the good if you will allow Him. He wants to give you strength to purge yourself from your lustful and sinful desires. He want to build your faith, and He wants to use you to be His ambassador, His servant to help others who are going through the same sufferings you are going through.

If you’re here this moring and suffering the first step is to arm yourself with the same mind of Christ, If you’re not a believer that means that you must make that decision unto Christ, if you are here and have not done so I encourage you to come forward or find me after the service and I would love to talk to you and pray with you as you accept Christ into your life as your personal Lord and savior.

If you’re a Child Of God and you haven’t been applying these principles would you do so now. We are all going to be judged but it only makes sense to make every minute of our lives count, we’re not promised ten minutes from now, but we do have right now, So would you make it count, would you resurrender your life to Christ?

Finally, the altars are open at this time do not leave here carrying the same baggage that you came in with. Christ died so you do not have to carry it alone.

Music

Communion

Closing:

Would you pray with me and lift up those here this morning that are suffering. Asking God to use us as a local body, suffering together so that God might get Praise, Honor, and Glory?