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Introduction: I
Peter
is an amazing book. Peter points out nearly 25 times in this 5
chapter letter that Christians will deal with suffering, trials,
reviling, oppression and pain. Yet, five times in the book he says
that we need to rejoice and be happy. How can we have a positive
mindset regarding God, Christianity and life if we are going to go
through so much suffering, especially if some of it comes directly
from obeying Christ? Throughout this letter, Peter provides seven
insights into serving God and suffering that can help us maintain
a positive outlook and help us continue to serve God despite what
we suffer. Discussion: I.
We are not alone in our suffering; rather, it is part of
being a Christian. A.
I
Peter 5:8-9
said that the devil is trying to steal us back. That is the reason
for the suffering we endure. But Peter also pointed out that we
should resist him and gain strength from knowing that this is the
common lot of all our brethren. Everyone faces suffering. We are
not alone. B.
Granted, the fact that other people have been in pain will
not make ours less painful. But, knowing that we are not alone can
help us maintain the strength to face whatever we must endure.
Keep in mind Hebrew 12:1.
We have a great cloud of witnesses who have endured a great number
of things (Hebrews 11:36-38).
Their endurance can provoke us to realize first, maybe our
sufferings are not so bad, and second, if they could do it, so can
we. II.
Our suffering demonstrates that we have the Spirit of God. A.
In I Peter 4:14-16,
Peter points out that suffering reproach for the name of Christ
gives us great reason to glory in God. Peter points out that
suffering reproach and persecution is not an indicator that God
has abandoned us. Rather, it is an indicator that we have God’s
Spirit with us. B.
He additionally pointed out that all suffering does not
indicate this. If I am suffering because of my own sins, murder,
theft, evil or being a busybody, then I should be ashamed. But,
suffering as a Christian gives me reason to glorify God, because
He is with me and I can commit myself to Him, just as Jesus did
when suffering on the cross (I
Peter 2:24). Considering this, we should not be concerned when
people are speaking ill of us, but rather when everyone speaks
good of us and we never suffer. Jesus also taught this in Luke
6:22-23, 26. III.
Our suffering demonstrates the genuineness of our faith A.
In I Peter 1:6-7,
Peter claims that the suffering we endure is a test. The test is
designed to prove our faith, that is, to demonstrate whether or
not it is genuine. Is our faith just for show? Is it just on the
surface? Is it shallow or misplaced? How we deal with the
sufferings we face in life will demonstrate to us, to others and
to our God the reality of our faith. It has often been said that a
person’s character is not revealed until he has to suffer. When
our resolve is pushed to the limits and is tested, then we learn
who and what we really are. B.
We know from I
Corinthians 10:13 that God will never put us to a test that is
beyond what we are able to pass. Therefore, as we continue in
Christ, faithful throughout any sufferings we face, we can rejoice
because we know we are passing the test. IV.
Our suffering is only for a little while. A.
In I Peter 1:6,
Peter claimed that the trials and grief were only for a little
while. He repeated that sentiment again in I
Peter 5:10. In the context of both passages, Peter reminds us
of the eternal reward that is waiting for us. We can rejoice,
because we know that whatever we face here will eventually pass.
Even if it kills us, it will be over. Following that, the eternal
glory of God awaits us in heaven. B.
Consider, which of the following would you prefer? Eighty
to a hundred years of comfort and pleasure and then an eternity of
torment. Or eighty to a hundred years of discomfort, suffering and
persecution followed by eternal glory and happiness? The choice is
really quite simple when we keep in mind that every thing we face
here will be over soon, at the most a matter of years. But
eternity in heaven will never be over. Think on that when you are
suffering and rejoicing in Christ will be much easier, no matter
what you face. V.
We are following Jesus’ example. A.
In I Peter 2:21-23;
3:17-18, Peter demonstrated that before we suffered for the
faith, Christ left us an example of suffering. We can rejoice,
because we are following in the footsteps of our Master. We are
like Him. Remember what Jesus said to His apostles in John
15:18-20. We are not greater than our Master. We will not
figure out some way to avoid the suffering and be faithful to God.
So, when we are suffering and held in reproach because of our
faith, then we demonstrate ourselves to be His disciples. That is
a reason for joy. B.
Secondly, Peter demonstrates that the example set for Jesus
was not just one of suffering. Rather, it was suffering followed
by glory. He made this point in I
Peter 1:11, 21; 2:4; 3:18-22. Jesus suffered and then, because
He endured the suffering, was glorified. If we follow His
footsteps in suffering, we will also follow His footsteps in
glory. More on this in a moment. VI.
Those who cause our suffering will either repent, becoming
one of us, or they will be judged. A.
When we commit ourselves to Him who judges righteously (I Peter 2:23), we can rejoice knowing that one of two things will
happen to those who oppress, revile or persecute us. First of all,
our hope is that they will repent and have the forgiveness that we
also have, becoming one of us and one with us. That, in fact, will
happen with some as Peter taught in I
Peter 2:11-12 and
in I
Peter 4:6. B.
But if they refuse and continue with their oppression or
persecution, they will not get away with it. They will be held
responsible. I
Peter 4:4-5 said they
will be judged and punished. In the middle of this letter, Peter
reminds us of a time when God was very long-suffering with those
who were disobedient. But eventually, He judged the world with the
flood. Only eight souls were saved by the flood waters, the rest
were destroyed by them (I Peter 3:18-20). VII.
We can see, by faith, the end result of our suffering. A.
If we suffer with Christ, we will be glorified with Him. We
can rejoice in the midst of suffering because we know where it is
leading us. In I Peter 1:6-9, Peter made it clear that we suffer for a while, but
then we will praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus
when we receive the salvation of our souls. In I
Peter 5:10, Peter taught that we will suffer for a while but
that will lead to God perfecting, establishing, strengthening and
settling us. B.
This is the repeated theme of New Testament Christianity.
When Paul established elders in the churches he had previously
started, he taught them saying, “We must through many
tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). In Romans 8:17,
he wrote that if we suffer with Christ we will be glorified with
Him. Paul demonstrated his own suffering and the endurance that
all Christians must have that leads to salvation and reigning with
Christ in II Timothy 2:8-13. The letters to the seven churches of Asia in Revelation
2-3, repeatedly speak of the blessings and glory that will
come to “him who overcomes.” What was he overcoming?
Suffering. This is true for us. When we suffer, we can rejoice
because we know the reward suffering with Christ produces. Conclusion: Suffering, persecution and reproach are all a part of the package. Today it seems that the normal approach to this is to somehow try to make Christianity palatable to the masses so that they will leave us alone. But if we are really disciples of Christ, we will never achieve this. After all, our Master, who is greater than we are, was unable to achieve this. Instead, we must learn to rejoice in suffering, committing ourselves to God all the more, trusting His way and proclaiming it to others so that they may also be forgiven. Keep this in mind, whatever you are facing now, it will pass. But heaven will endure forever.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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