"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; 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. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you."
Good Morning my beloved,
Welcome to worship this Lord's day! We're so glad to have all of you here with us today. Please know, that we continue to lift all of you up in our prayers. We respectfully ask that you would do the same for us. We are so grateful for those of you who have been sharing the ministry website with all of your family and friends. Your faithfulness to share God's Word with others has brought about tremendous results. Where will God's Word be heard today? With your continued help, we pray that God's Word will continue to reach those who most need to hear it.I have often had people ask "Where is God in all of this?" No one like difficult situations, especially when you've lived a godly life, it feels like you’ve done everything right and yet, you suffer one problem after another. You know, there are times when you’ve done what was right, but everything seem to be going against you, you can't help begin to wonder if somehow God's has forgotten you. Maybe you're fallen outside the will of God. We ask ourselves, "Where is God is all of this? Doesn't He care what I'm going through?
I Peter is a book about suffering. It’s about how to live in a hostile culture for faith. This may come as a shock to some of you, suffering isn’t outside of God’s will. In fact, it is in God’s will. As we approach our text, Peter is going to draw our attention to the recurring theme of his epistle, and that is Christian suffering.
Most believers seem too want to place suffering and God as far away from one another as possible. As crazy as this may sound, suffering has a purpose. Suffering is meant to test and strengthen you. Peter gives us four key features in a proper response to suffering. If we can get a good grip on these, it will go a long way in helping us deal with suffering for righteousness sake in our own lives.
The Bible begins with God creating the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1-2. When you read through that account, it repeatedly says that all that God made was "very good." There was no pain and suffering. Then, Adam and Eve rebelled against God, and almost immediately we see the onset of suffering, toil, pain, and death.
Then, if you were to turn to the end of your Bibles, you will see the ultimate reversal of this pain and suffering as John describes "a new heaven and a new earth" in Revelation 21. Not only does this mark the end of sin, it also marks the end of pain and suffering. Yet, between the beginning and the end of the Bible, there is evil and there is suffering. Throughout the Bible, suffering and sin are profoundly related. Evil is the cause of suffering. Rebellion is the root of pain. Sin is the source of death.
In Romans 8:20-21, Paul tell us "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God."
You shouldn't think that when you suffer it has to do only with you and your personal situation. You are one part of a groaning that the whole creation experiences. Remember, there is a day coming soon, when pain and suffering will end.
Peter tell us there are four things necessary if you are to be triumphant in a fiery ordeal.
Father, thank You for Your Word for us. Thank You for reminding us that no matter what the world may bring upon us, that if we suffer for righteousness sake, we can rejoice because we have the privilege of sharing in the suffering that is intended for You. Help us to be faithful even in midst of unbearable suffering and circumstances. We are reminded that if we are unwilling to suffer, if we are not willing to be bold for Christ, we cannot be tested, refined, purged and purified and useful vessel. Test us, O' Lord, so that we may be found as faithful.
We pray for those who may suffer in eternity for sin, that today would be the day they would turn to You, repent of their sin and acknowledge Christ as their Lord and Savior. We pray this in Christ's precious name
Today's Message: Where Is God?
As Christians, first we should expect trials, secondly, we should rejoice in trials, thirdly, we should examine ourselves in trials, and fourthly, we should entrust ourselves to God in trials, knowing that trials are according to His will. Nothing we encounter is a surprise to God. Nothing catches Him off guard. If God allows a trial, it has a purpose. God is using the situation to show you something or teach you something, and it will help you to a have deeper walk with Him and it enables you to be better equipped to do His work.
Paul says in Romans 8:28, "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."
Open your Bibles with me to the fourth chapter of I Peter and let's get right to it. This section runs from verse 12 through verse 19, again, we're going to break it up, because I don't want to rush through anything here. I invite you to follow along with me as I read the entire section verses 12 through 19, to set the text in our minds, while we prepare our hearts for a Word from our Lord. Listen for the voice of our Lord . I Peter 4:12-19.
"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; 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. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right."
Peter has consistently said throughout his epistle, that for the Christian, persecution in various forms is inevitable. We should expect it and rejoice in it. In fact, we should be surprised if it didn’t come. In verse 12, he says 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"
Peter's point here is to expect suffering, don't be surprised by it, expect it. Jesus said in John 15 and 16, they hated Me;they’re going to hate you. In I John 3:13, John said "Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. And, in writing to Timothy, Paul said in II Timothy 3:12, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." So, Peter is really echoing the instructions of other that we've been given throughout the New Testament, we’re not to be surprised when suffering comes, in fact, we should expect it. Godly lives living in an ungodly world confront that world. We become an unwelcome conscience that is distasteful to sinners.
The goodness of a Christian alone can be an offense to an evil and wicked world. And, if we proclaim the name of Christ too loudly, we become even more offensive. Just naming the name of Christ is offensive to an ungodly world. In other words, suffering is part of the cost of discipleship. Certainly, this is what Jesus had that in mind in Luke 14:28 when He said, "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? "
So don't be so foolish not to realize that when you become a Christian, when Jesus said you take up a cross, and the cross speaks of pain and suffering, even death. There is definitely a price to pay for following Christ. Because this evil world does not welcome anyone who confronts evil, sin and immorality with a godly moral conscience. Suffering is actually very important because how we react to it determines the effectiveness of our evangelistic testimony. And, in view of Christ's Second Coming, it isn't even worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
So, Peter is concerned that we see suffering in a right perspective.By the way, suffering because of sin that you've committed is not what we're talking about here. That's not suffering for righteousness sake. That's suffering due to your own sinful nature, that's completely different. Your sin may be forgiven, but God does not necessarily remove it's associated suffering. There is no waiting reward in heaven for suffering brought on by your sinful choices.
Peter is talking about suffering for righteousness sake, suffering because you proclaim the name of Christ. Jesus said the His Sermon On The Mount in Matthew 5:10-12, "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Acts 7:58 tells us that some of us will endure martyrdom. And, in Acts 4, Acts 5, Acts 12 we are reminded that many Christians will endure imprisonment.
II Corinthians 6:8 to 10 says we will endure troubles, afflictions, distress, tumults, labors, watchings, fastings, and evil reports.
And in Matthew 10:22, He said "You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved."
So we see over and over in Scripture that Christians will endure suffering in a culture that is non-Christian.
So verse 12 begins with Peter saying "Beloved," he is being very pastoral here, however, he is also introducing a new section. If you will remember, he did the same thing in chapter 2 verse 11, and now in chapter 4 verse 12, he begins with the same word "Beloved." It is a reminder that they were loved by Peter and more than that, they are loved by God. In the midst of persecution and suffering it is comforting to know that you are still the beloved of God and your Christian brother. I would imagine, in the midst of that kind of intense persecution and suffering, it would be very easy to question the love of God. Especially if somebody was rolling your children in pitch and using them as torches for their garden party. That would be extremely difficult.
So, Peter comforts them with this compassionate reminder, "Beloved, you are still the beloved of God, and you are still the beloved of me. Christians today need to understand, that Christianity never promises immunity from suffering. Rather, it promises that you will suffer. What kind of gospel presentation would it be if instead of saying Jesus wants to make you healthy, wealthy and happy, we said to someone, you know you’re in desperate need of Jesus Christ. Because the bottom line is, you’re on your way to an eternal hell. But listen, you have a choice! You can reject Christ and you can suffer forever in hell, or you can accept Christ, suffer for a little while here and then have eternal life in glory.
But today, it seems that many so called Christians would rather live under the illusion, that if you claim Christ, if you serve the church, God will eliminate all your troubles and difficulty, your pain and suffering in this life. That's just simply not true! I believe that the more effective you are in the kingdom of God, the more adversity, suffering and persecution you will be called to endure. Scripture clearly demonstrates that. Jesus nor any of His disciples escaped persecution and suffering.
Jesus clearly told us in John 15:20, "Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also." Yet, we rarely hear that being taught from the pulpits.
So, Peter goes on to say, "do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you." It's the Greek word "purósis," which literally means a burning, a refining. The word is used for furnace. In both the Old and New Testaments, the Septuagint, which is the Greek translation of the Hebrew, it is used for furnace. In other words, don't be surprised when God puts you in the furnace to melt you down and refine you. Fiery trails prove the genuineness of your faith, which will be rewarded at the appearing of Jesus Christ. That's why we are to rejoice in them.
So, the fiery trial here is not just any trouble. It's persecution for your faith, it's persecution because of the identification with Jesus Christ, it's persecution for righteousness sake. Then, he says "which comes upon you for your testing." In other words, God allows it to come. Why? Because it validates the genuineness of your Christianity. Suffering for the sake of Christ reveals who’s genuine and, who's not. With some Christians, as soon as tribulation comes, they’re gone. Phonies just aren’t going to hang around. This is exactly what Peter is saying.
So, we should expect it, and not think of it "as though some strange thing were happening to you." Happening is the Greek verb "sumbainó," it means that the Lord arranges all the physical scenes of life to work in conjunction with His eternal purpose. So, don’t think that when you’re persecuted it’s something that happened by chance. God allowed it, He designed it for your testing, purging, purification and cleansing. First, it proves your faith is genuine and then it purges out the dross in your life.
Personally, I've come to expect it, I get a lot of resentment and rejection coming at me from other religions. It never shocks me when someone says "Do you know what so and so said about you?" I don't, but whatever it is, expect it. God uses it to take out all the pride, that you can somehow control your world and all of its responses, it removes the illusion of self-control. It strips you completely and makes you totally dependent on Him, and that's a good thing, believe me.
Verses 13 and 14, "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. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you."
So Peter says we should not only expect suffering, we should rejoice in it. Beloved, this is the right attitude to have in the midst of persecution, keep on rejoicing! This is the right attitude for anything the world brings against you, for the sake of righteousness and for the sake of the name of Jesus Christ. It should be cause for rejoicing.
Remember Jesus' words in Matthew 5:10-13, "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me." Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men."
So, rejoice and keep on rejoicing! Verse 13, gives us a future motivation,"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." To the degree in which you share His suffering, you will share His glory. So, if you keep on rejoicing now, you will really be rejoicing then.
Jesus Christ suffered at the hands of men because He did what was right. He was without sin, so He didn't do what was wrong. Jesus suffered because He spoke the truth. Peter is saying that you are sharing in the same kind of suffering that Jesus endured. Suffering for doing what is right. Your suffering for righteousness sake. Suffering for speaking the truth, preaching the right message. Don't be disheartened, because it's a privilege to share in the same kind of sufferings Jesus experienced. Peter is talking about the earthly suffering that Christ endured at the hands of persecuting sinners. So, when you suffer hostility, rejection, mockery, reviling, at the hand of sinners, you should rejoice.
I love the way the Apostle Paul puts it in Galatians 6:17, "From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus." Paul is talking about the scars that he received when people whipped him, when they beat him with rods, all of the scars he received in his life, are the marks of Jesus Christ. Paul certainly understood that. The Apostle willingly bear on his body the marks that would have been given to Jesus had He been here. The world couldn’t get to Him, so they beat Paul. Sinners hate Him, and they hate us because of Him. Paul was eager to take the blows for Christ who took the blows for him. And so should we be willing.
Peter says "Keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation." The "revelation of His glory, is what Luke 17:30 calls "The day that the Son of Man is revealed." It’s His Second Coming. Jesus is glorified now, I don't want you to misread that, He is glorified now but His glory is not yet revealed on earth.
Remember back in John 17:5, when Jesus said "Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was." He is glorified, but His glory has yet been revealed for man to see. So on that day when He comes back at the revelation of His glory, then "you may rejoice with exultation."
I believe that Peter's point is clear. If you’re faithful to suffer and to take persecution for righteousness sake in this life, bearing as it were the marks of Christ, when He appears you will really rejoice with a rapturous joy, surpassing all other joy! You’re eternal reward will bring you eternal joy.
Verse 14, "If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." The blessing is not subjective happiness, it is objective presence and power of the Holy Spirit. You’re blessed in the midst of suffering because the Spirit of God comes upon you.
In Closing..
If you’re going to truly live your Christian life, you’re going to live an aggressive Christian life. You're going to be bold in proclaiming the name of Christ, and you’re going to be conscience in the world. Because you know that if they persecute you, if they ostracize you, if they reject you, if you are reviled for the name of Christ, if you’re treated unfairly, if you're treated unkindly, if you are reproached, if you're treated unjustly, you will identify with Jesus for being persecuted for righteousness sake. If it’s for the name of Christ.
It isn't just that you bear the name of Christ in your mind or your heart, you publicly proclaim the name of Christ, rejoicing that you had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. Because that is a great honor and a privilege.
For there is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved, that's why I preach the name of Christ!
May it be so..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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