For Those Who Suffer

1 Peter 5:6-11

May 17, 2009

I know we have been studying through the Kings,

And I am excited about getting back into that study.

But in light of the last couple of weeks,

It did not seem right to return and jump right back into it.

It has indeed been a tough couple of weeks,

And I have learned many things through this event,

Most of which were lessons of a personal nature.

1) I have had a lot of arrogance in me that must be removed

2) I have had a lack of compassion for those who have suffered

3) In many ways God has confronted the manner in which I shepherd His flock

And indeed God continues to confront me and teach me about myself.

But this is not testimony time,

This is a time for the preaching of the Word of God,

And so I have been drawn to this passage of Scripture

As one that gets to the heart of the issue of suffering.

As you know, 1 Peter was written to the persecuted church.

1 Peter 1:1-2 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.”

I like to refer to the recipients of this letter as “The Rejected Selected”.

They had been selected by God, and as a result were rejected by the world.

They were on the run, and Peter writes to these suffering believers.

Throughout the letter Peter deals with many specifics.

To those who suffer under tyrannical rulers….

To those who suffer as slaves…

To those who suffer in bad relationships…

And Peter gives specific instruction as to

How to live an obedient Christian life in the midst of suffering.

But as he closes the letter, he gives a very powerful passage of reminder.

In this passage we are going to study this morning are

4 very important reminders that every Christian ought to know.

Certainly none of us are immune from trials and hardships.

Suffering has long arms.

It reaches the faithful and the unfaithful.

It is a promise to living in this fallen sinful world.

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."

And because we have a promise of trials and hardships

It is imperative that every believer knows the truth about them.

That is precisely what we learn here.

It is the close to Peter’s letter.

What we get are 4 plain facts that you need to know when suffering comes your way.

#1 THERE IS A GOD WHO CARES

1 Peter 5:6-7

You will probably notice that this chapter begins

With an admonition to elders and then an admonition to younger men.

Peter calls the elders to “shepherd the flock of God”.

He then calls the young men “to be subject to your elders”

Then Peter gives a blanket command to everyone.

(5) “and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

In calling for corporate humility

Peter quotes the O.T verse of Proverbs 3:34.

Proverbs 3:34 “Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.”

And when Peter quotes that verse,

It catapults him into this final section of important reminders.

We recognize immediately that word “Therefore”

That is to say, since God is opposed to the proud,

But gives grace to the humble, then this is what we should do.

WE ALL WANT GRACE FROM GOD DON’T WE?

It was Paul who said:

2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

We all understand the need for grace in those difficult circumstances.

Peter reminds us that if you want grace, there is only one place to get it.

And there is only one type of person he gives it to.

God gives His grace to the humble.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.”

The implication is simple to understand.

God cannot lift you up if you do not humble yourself before Him.

There is a God who has all the power to help in your situation,

And He is asking you to come to Him so He can help.

But that is not all.

Peter tells us how to humble ourselves before Him.

(7) “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

The main way in which we humble ourselves before Him

Is to cast all our anxiety on Him.

Our anxiety are those things that are beyond our control.

And the crazy thing is that we often try to carry those things alone.

It is precisely those things that God wants us to give to Him.

WHY SHOULD I?

“because He cares for you.”

And let me just remind you that this is great news.

If you get nothing else this morning,

Please get that God is good and He cares for you.

Through the hardest moments of the past two weeks,

God was always right there saying, “Give that burden to Me.”

You must remember that when trials come

We do not have to run from God, we run to Him.

His plan is for your good, His desire is to help.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. "For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.”

This is also what Jesus said:

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Regardless of your trouble…

Regardless of your trial…

There is a God who cares.

He is holding out His hand asking you to give your burdens to Him.

Let go of control, let go of your pride.

Take what you cannot handle and lay it at His feet so He can pick you up.

In this world of trials and tribulations we all need to know there is a God who cares.

#2 THERE IS AN ADVERSARY WHO DEVOURS

1 Peter 5:8

You will notice that Peter starts with a very pointed command.

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert…”

When a person is drunk on alcohol, their senses are not as sharp.

They make poor decisions and do not recognize danger as easily.

Taking from that concept Peter says

That in our spirit, believers need to be sober.

In case we fail to understand, he says, “be on the alert”

The question then becomes, “Why?”

Because “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

The reason we are called to be alert

Is because in this life we have an “adversary”.

“Adversary” translates ANTIDIKOS

“an opponent in a lawsuit”

You have seen the word before.

Matthew 5:25 "Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.”

Now we know who our opponent is, it is the devil.

(In fact, we don’t war against flesh and blood)

Satan is the accuser of the brethren, and Peter alerts us to his plan.

He “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

“devour” translates KATAPINO

“to drink down”

And that paints a picture for us.

We live in a world that is lawsuit happy.

We live in a world of people that will sue you in a heart-beat.

They don’t care about you, they only want to use a cheap excuse to get what you have.

Well the ultimate ambulance chaser is the devil.

He watches and lurks and looks for his chance to drink you down.

He wants to get all you got and devour you.

John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…”

Just as you have learned to watch out for those who will sue you,

You better be on the lookout for the spiritual adversary.

Watch out continually.

Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.”

Now certainly since Peter was writing to those who were persecuted,

You would think this would be obvious.

Yet, for some reason it is our tendency to let our guard down.

Instead of watching and remaining alert,

We start trying to just trust that Satan won’t try anything.

But that is not true.

In these first two verses we are to trust God

And to watch out for the enemy.

Don’t give him opportunity to get you.

Ephesians 6:10-12 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

In a world were suffering is a reality, you and I need to know:

There is a God who cares

There is an Adversary who devours

#3 THERE IS A TESTIMONY THAT ENCOURAGES

1 Peter 5:9

This verse begins still speaking in reference to the adversary.

After you have been alert and spotted him at work, the next step is simple:

“But resist him, firm in your faith…”

And we all understand what that means.

It means don’t give him what he wants.

Jesus used the same word:

Matthew 5:39 "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”

Jesus tells us not to resist an evil person,

Because we are looking to see them redeemed.

But Satan is afforded on such liberality.

We are commanded to “resist him”.

In fact James says:

James 4:7 “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

You don’t owe the devil a thing.

Don’t give the devil a thing.

But before we just pass that off as no big deal,

You and I know that resisting him is tough.

They don’t call it deception for nothing…

They don’t call it temptation for nothing…

And regardless of how alert we try to be,

All of us have fallen into his trap before.

The important thing is that we don’t give in again,

And for help Peter reminds us of a very encouraging testimony.

“knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.”

For encouragement in the midst of your trial,

Peter points to your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Those who have experienced the exact same sufferings as you.

The only difference is their experiences of suffering have been

accomplished.

“accomplished” translates EPITELEO

It means “to complete” or “to carry out to the full”

The idea is that when you fall into suffering or hardship,

Then look to your brothers and sisters who have

Already walked victoriously through that exact trial.

That is encouraging.

I can’t even list the number of people during this past week

Who either told me or sent word that they struggled

With something similar to what Carrie went through.

Each told the story from the perspective of victory,

Meant to give encouragement that this trial can be survived,

And victory can be achieved.

This is sort of what Paul had in mind when he wrote:

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

None of us are pioneers in regard to suffering.

What happens to me has happened to others.

What happens to others could happen to me.

In that fellowship we find encouragement to know

That God carried our brothers through it, and He will carry us too.

There is a God who Cares There is an Adversary who Devours

There is a Testimony that Encourages

#4 THERE IS A PROMISE OF RESTORATION

1 Peter 5:10-11

I nearly focused the entire sermon on verse 10,

Because it is such a wonderful verse in regard to trials and sufferings.

But it is also a verse of extreme hope and comfort

To know that there is a plan in the midst of your pain.

Let’s look at it for a moment.

The first thing we see in this verse

Is a reference to the duration of your suffering.

I don’t know about you, but any time I suffer,

I immediately get consumed with how long this trial might last.

(10) “After you have suffered for a little while…”

The encouragement here is found in the fact

That the suffering you endure will not last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

To the persecuted church at Smyrna Jesus said:

Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Satan was not allowed in inflict forever, there was a limit.

Remember what Jesus said to Peter:

Luke 22:31-32 "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."

In the same breath that Jesus informed Peter of the coming trial,

Jesus also spoke of the conclusion of it.

Suffering will come, but it only lasts for a season.

“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself…”

After the brief suffering, someone will come to restore you.

But before we see the restoration, let’s see who brings it.

Restoration comes from “the God of all grace”

Not the God of some grace, but “the God of ALL grace”

He owns it all, He possesses it all, He is the only source for it.

And just in case you don’t know who we are talking about.

He is the God “who called you to His eternal glory in Christ”

In that verse is found a tremendous reminder

Of God’s sovereign plan for your life.

God did not purpose your life to end in defeat, but in glory.

He has a plan and He will bring it to completion.

Paul said:

Romans 8:28-30 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”

While suffering may occur in your life, it never thwarts His purpose.

In fact, Peter even started this letter with a reminder of that.

1 Peter 1:3-9 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

The God who has sovereignly decreed to carry you to glory,

Will show up with grace.

And notice Peter even says, “will Himself” do it.

Ever hear the statement, “If you want something done right...?”

God won’t send an intermediary,

God Himself will perform the work in you.

You are prized possession, you are a chosen vessel,

And after you have suffered, it is God who will put you back together

WELL, WHAT WILL HE DO?

“will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

Now at a first reading you immediately notice

That Peter uses four synonyms.

Each of these words are very close in meaning.

They can all mean “to strengthen”.

And so you and I learn that after you have been pummeled

Then God Himself will show up and put you back together.

That is great news.

But when you study each of these words by themselves,

You see the method God uses to do that.

Four words, and they give us a progression.

“perfect” translates KATARTIZO

“to get ready, prepare, complete”

It was actually a word used of mending a fisherman’s nets.

Matthew 4:21 “Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.”

Paul also used this word in his letter to the Galatians:

Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

And so, it is to take something that is tattered and broken

And to begin to piece it back together.

“confirm” translates STERIZO

“support, prop”

This is what Peter was asked to do after he was restored.

Luke 22:32 “but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

“strengthen” translates STHENOO

It means what it says.

And so after a person has been propped,

Then they are given strength to stand on their own two feet

Without any support or help.

“establish” translates KRATOS

“to lay the foundation of”

Now the person who has been patched, propped and strengthened

Is now poured in concrete so that they will never be moved.

God patches you, He picks you up, He strengthens you

And then He sets you in stone.

And He has the power to do it.

(11) “To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

That is what every believer ought to know.

You may suffer but even when you do,

There is a God who cares.

There is an adversary who devours

There is a testimony that encourages

There is a promise of restoration.

Our God is a great God and He is in control.

Run to Him, Trust Him, Cast your anxiety on Him, Love Him, Believe Him,

And let Him work His perfect work in your life.

1 Peter 5:10 “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”