When Suffering Comes Your Way - Part 2

1 Peter 4:15-19

February 26, 2006

F.R. Maltby once made the observation:

“Jesus promised His disciples 3 things: They would be absurdly happy, completely fearless, and in constant trouble.”

Many times we focus on the first two promises,

Life abundant and Life without fear, and in this we find happiness.

The baffling thought is how are we to be happy and fearless while we are in the midst of persecution?

Yet this is exactly what Jesus promised.

The Christian life then becomes the art of having joy and faith in the midst of suffering.

James said.

James 1:2-4 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James said you would have trials,

But to consider them joy and to keep enduring.

And it is definitely God’s plan for believers.

Here we look at the 2nd part of a text we began last Sunday night.

We began talking about “When Suffering Comes Your Way”.

Peter told us three attitudes that a believer should not have

When they find themselves in hot water.

1) They shouldn’t be SURPRISED.

1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;”

2) The shouldn’t be SORROWFUL

1 Peter 4:13 “but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”

3) The shouldn’t be SHAMED

1 Peter 4:14 “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

Peter has been trying to get us to realize

That God has a purpose in our lives in allowing us to suffer.

The aim of the sufferer must be

To make sure that we allow God to fulfill His purpose in us,

And that He is glorified through our lives.

When we studied the churches of Revelation.

Two of the churches dealt with suffering.

One was Smyrna, who was promised 10 days of suffering.

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.”

The other Philadelphia. God told them something different in regard to suffering.

Revelation 3:10 “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”

One church was about to be tested,

One had already passed the test and had fulfilled God’s purpose.

This is our aim as well.

We long to allow God to work His purpose in our lives,

That we may indeed pass the test,

And receive the reward that God has for us.

James 1:4 “And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Peter is teaching this very thing here in chapter 4

It is the second part of this text that we look at this morning.

Last Sunday night we saw 3 attitudes that you should not have,

This morning I am going to show you 4 things you must do in the midst of suffering.

And if you will do these four things,

You will succeed in fulfilling the purpose that God has for your life

In the midst of these trials.

#1 EXAMINE YOUR SUFFERING

1 Peter 4:15

This is a very important point that Peter makes.

“Make sure”

You say, “I know I’m suffering for Jesus.”

Peter says, “Make sure that’s why you are suffering.”

There is a right reason and a wrong reason to suffer.

You may remember two weeks ago we mentioned

Why the world persecutes Christians.

They persecute Christians because of RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

They persecute Christians because of the NAME OF JESUS.

John 15:21 "But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.”

They persecute Christians because of the GOSPEL.

2 Timothy 2:8-9 “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.”

AND THIS PERSECUTION COMES AT THE HANDS OF LOST MEN.

John 16:1-3 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. "They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. "These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me.”

Peter says here, make sure that is why you are suffering.

Make sure you aren’t suffering “as a murderer, or a thief, or evil doer, or a troublesome meddler”

Now we understand that murderers go to prison.

We understand that thieves go to jail.

We understand that evil doers at least get probation.

But “troublesome meddler”?

You have heard the statement.

“If you keep sticking your nose into everything, somebody is liable to put a fist on the end of it.”

We must make sure we aren’t suffering for the wrong reasons

If you are,

Do not expect to fulfill God’s purpose in your life,

Do not expect to receive God’s peace in the midst of it.

Do not expect God to give you the grace to endure it.

Do not expect God to be glorified.

So if you are suffering, Make sure it is for the right reasons.

Examine your suffering.

#2 EMBRACE YOUR SHAME

1 Peter 4:16

Now, if you’ve examined your suffering, and you know it is from godless men who simply hate righteousness, Jesus, the gospel, or all three.

Then proceed to the next step.

Embrace your shame.

Peter says, “but if anyone suffers as a Christian”

Now this is a unique statement,

Because believers in the Bible didn’t call each other Christians.

They called each other brothers or saints, or bond-servants.

The term “Christian” was a derogatory term

Given to them by those who hated them.

In Peter’s day, “Christian” was not a word

You would have put on a T-shirt about yourself.

Perhaps it was like be called a “Jesus Freak” or a “Bible Thumper”

I was recently called “An Extremist”

The idea was that this was a term meant to put you down.

And Peter say, if that happens to a person

“he is not to be ashamed”

In other words, don’t be embarrassed about the gospel.

Don’t be embarrassed about Jesus.

Take that as your banner and “glorify God in this name”

Hold your head high!

They called you a Christian!

Oh that today, it would not be us

Who are calling ourselves Christians,

But that once again it would be a lost world

That labeled us with that name.

It is a good thing to look so much like the man that the world hated

That they would hate you too.

Matthew 10:24-25 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. "It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!”

Look at the testimony of the apostles.

Acts 5:41 “So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

Galatians 6:17 “From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.”

Make sure you are suffering for the right reasons,

Then, glory in the fact that you looked enough like Jesus

That the world treated you like they treated Him.

“VOTED: Best Church in Erath County”

My response was, “Yes, the world thinks we’re the best church.”

I don’t want the world thinking we are the best church

Like we are some club out to be attractive.

I want God thinking we’re the best church.

I want the world to treat us just like they did the early church.

Acts 5:12-14 “At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem. And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number”

I either want the world to be convicted and led to salvation,

Or I want them convicted so that they don’t want to come close.

But I don’t want them just to like us.

It is time for the church to embrace the shame of Jesus.

It is time to embrace the cross and to embrace the scorn,

To bear on our bodies the brand-marks of Jesus.

Examine your suffering, embrace your shame

#3 EXHIBIT YOUR SALVATION

1 Peter 4:17-18

Here Peter gives some insight as to why this persecution has come.

“For it is time for judgment to be begin with the household of God.”

It is time for the church to be tested.

The only way to separate the silver from the dross

Is by adding a little heat.

The persecution of the church is a fact

That God has already begun the process of judgment.

This is but another proof “that the end of all things is near.”

In the Old Testament, as long as God’s people were faithful, He shielded their land, blessed their crops, and made them untouchable.

But today, it seems that the more faithful you are, the more suffering is promised.

That is because God has already begun His process of judgment,

And it starts with the household of God.

This is where God always starts.

Ezekiel 9:4-6 “The Lord said to him, "Go through the midst of the city, even through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations which are being committed in its midst." But to the others He said in my hearing, "Go through the city after him and strike; do not let your eye have pity and do not spare. "Utterly slay old men, young men, maidens, little children, and women, but do not touch any man on whom is the mark; and you shall start from My sanctuary." So they started with the elders who were before the temple.”

God starts with those who claim to be His.

A simple fact that we must learn is that not everyone

Who claims to be a Christian is a Christian.

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven…”

Jude 12-13 “These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever.”

Remember the church at Pergamum?

Revelation 2:14-15 “But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. 'So you also have some who in the same way hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.”

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.”

God sends forth persecution, because it will purify His church.

Remember the parable of the soils?

Matthew 13:20-21 "The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.”

God starts His righteous judgments with the church.

And He calls it suffering.

That is why you must embrace your shame

And be determined to exhibit your salvation in the midst of it.

This is your test.

And Peter goes on to talk about those who fail the test.

“and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

In Peter’s second letter he answers that question.

2 Peter 2:20-22 “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, " A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT," and, "A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire."

Don’t be one of the ones who reveals that your salvation wasn’t real. That would be bad.

Luke 12:47 "And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes,”

Then Peter makes another important statement.

“And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?”

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that salvation is easy. It isn’t!

Do you think it was easy for Jesus to strip Himself glory and come to the earth?

Do you think it was easy for the God of the universe to fit into the womb?

Do you think it was easy for God to allow sinners to kill Him on a cross?

Do you think it easy for Jesus to take our sin & be separated from the Father?

By the same token, it is not easy to deny self?

It is not easy to take up the cross?

It is not easy to follow Jesus?

Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

You need to know this.

Because when living for Jesus gets hard,

Don’t think something strange is occurring.

Luke 14:25-27 “Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

The point is be ready to show you are real, even if it is difficult, for it will be far worse for the disobedient, godless, and sinful who fail the test.

Examine your suffering, Embrace your shame, Exhibit your salvation

#4 ENTRUST YOUR SOUL

1 Peter 4:19

There is only one way you will be able to suffer,

And that is if you will truly trust God with your soul.

If you aren’t convinced that God can save your soul,

Then you will never be ready to surrender your life.

It is vitally important that you understand the doctrine of eternal security.

Denominations that believe you can lose your salvation

Are believing a lie of Satan

That is meant to rob a Christian of his effectiveness.

Eternal security is vital to a Christian.

Adrian Rogers told the story of when they built the Golden Gate bridge.

It is important to know that security is real,

And to entrust your soul to the One who can save you.

Security does not depend upon the determination of the sheep,

But on the strength of the Shepherd.

John 10:27-30 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. "I and the Father are one."

We are eternally secure because

Jesus died on the cross purchasing our souls,

Rose from the dead putting an end to it’s power,

Ascended to the Father to intercede on our behalf.

Romans 5:9-10 “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

The point is a follower of Jesus has a secure soul.

And here is the point this morning I want you to hear.

You can spend your life avoiding suffering.

You can spend your life looking for the easy way out.

You can spend your life enjoying every comfort.

OR

You can allow God to spend your life & live forever with Him

You cannot fulfill the purpose God has for you

If you do not entrust Him with your soul.

The Bible says the way to do that is to give your life to Jesus.

To accept by faith that His death and resurrection paid your sin debt.

To accept by faith that He can save you forever.

To prove your faith by yielding your life to Him.

In short, Jesus said it like this.

Matthew 16:24-27 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.”

IF YOU HAVE NEVER TRUSTED JESUS WITH YOUR SOUL,

I WANT YOU TO:

IF YOU AREN’T EMBRACING GOD’S WILL FOR YOUR LIFE,

I WANT YOU TO:

Life is too short, & eternity is too long, to fail to live for Jesus

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”