1 Peter Bible Study #11: Christians Choose to Follow Christ’s Example to Suffer in a Godless World

It’s been a little while since we’ve met on a Wednesday night like this - it’s good to see each of you here and I’ve missed these times of prayer and getting into the Word. We’re just over halfway done with our study through 1 Peter and we’re continuing tonight in chapter 4 to see why exactly Christians choose to follow Christ in this life whenever following Jesus results in suffering. We’ve been hitting on this theme for a few chapters now as Peter has been giving instruction and exhortation on submitting (to the government, worker to boss, and wives to husbands) we also have seen the instruction for Christians suffering in chapter 3 as Christians are called to not repay evil for evil but to continue to do good whenever they are suffering. But why should we do this? Our last Bible study passage in 1 Peter 3 touched on this in 1 Peter 3:18

1 Peter 3:18 CSB

18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

The reason that Jesus suffered was to save us and bring us to God. This required Him to do what? Endure the cross. Over and over again in the Bible we see example after example of Christians who suffer for the expansion of God’s Kingdom - including the Son of God Himself. We see over and over again in the New Testament that the Christian life is difficult. That we will face obstacles. Trials. Adversity. Suffering. What is the dominant New Testament message for Christians during their times of suffering?

REJOICE

Philippians 1:29 CSB

29 For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

Romans 8:17–18 CSB

17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.

James 1:2–3 CSB

2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Yet, if you were to go to the average churchgoer in the United States or if you were to take 2 months visiting the largest churches in our country and listening to the televangelists talk about the Christian life, what do you think you would walk away with? A teaching that largely talks about escaping from suffering. Rebuking suffering. Rejecting suffering. Many people that attend church have a theology that is only skin deep whenever it comes to the question of suffering. As one commentator phrased it, “Christians in the west have quietly drunk from the well of materialism, consumerism, and prosperity, that we do nothing with them except to apply them to brothers and sisters who face martyrdom around the world, while quietly thanking God that it isn’t us.” This person, the person who believes that the 100+ Christians in Nigeria killed on Christmas Day did something wrong and that they have done something right because they have avoided suffering to this point has missed the boat. Historically, Christians have suffered. Christians have been called out of this world and part of being in the world but not of the world means that this world will persecute you. Our thinking about suffering must change - let’s see what Peter has to share with us tonight in 1 Peter 4:1-6.

1 Peter 4:1–6 CSB

1 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.

What Christ Has Done: Suffer (1a)

One of the dominant themes in 1 Peter is that of suffering, but it’s not only that of the followers of Christ but of Jesus Himself. We see this reality in 1 Peter 2:21-24, 1 Peter 3:18, and here again in our text in verse 1 of chapter 4.

1 & 2 Peter and Jude—Sharing Christ’s Sufferings Chapter 14: Embrace Your Calling to Suffer in the World (1 Peter 4:1–6)

Persecution was the predetermined pathway for God’s Son

Why do people in our world have such a hard time understanding the suffering of Jesus Christ on the Cross?

If He was perfect, He wouldn’t have been killed

If He was God, He couldn’t have been killed

If He was the Messiah, He shouldn’t have been killed

This is why the Jewish people of Jesus’ day had such a hard time with Jesus. They loved His miracles but they hated His message - let that sit a minute as not much has changed in our world. Sinners love the miracles that only God can do - but they hate a message that calls them to repent from their wicked ways and trust exclusively in someone else for their salvation. 1 Corinthians 1:21-25 tells us this truth

1 Corinthians 1:21–25 CSB

21 For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. 22 For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. 24 Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, 25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a stumbling block. It is foolishness. It doesn’t make sense. Yet, this is what Scripture tells us had to happen to accomplish our salvation. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, came to this world and added humanity to His deity. And in His humanity, He suffered. Even though Christmas is in the rear view mirror, it is important for us to remember the incarnation every day as Jesus came to this world as a human being to seek and save lost sheep and this required Him to suffer. This is the principle that Peter will ground everything that follows in to - Jesus came and suffered

What Christ Calls Us to Do: Leave Sin Behind (1b-3)

Again, Peter has discussed the suffering of Jesus before, but look at what follows this opening part in verse 1… A call to be like Jesus and embrace this type of suffering. “Arm yourselves with the same understanding/thinking.” Emulate Jesus. Just as persecution was the predetermined pathway for God’s Son, we see in this letter and the New Testament as a whole that this is also true for followers of Christ! Yet, in the midst of suffering there is hope. We can think of our hope in times of suffering as that of armor - this is the picture Peter is painting with this military point as he is calling Christians to arm themselves and prepare for battle. Our calling as Christians is that of Ephesians 6 as we put on the armor of God each day and choose to go to war not against people but against the powers of darkness in this world. As we go off to war and battle against sin and these powers of darkness, we have to prepare to suffer. We have to prepare to possibly even die.

Mark 8:34–35 CSB

34 Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it.

This doesn’t sound like the best of sales pitches. Why would Jesus say this to His crowd of listeners?

To demonstrate that the call to follow Jesus is a call to die

We have to understand that in this life, in our flesh, we will suffer and have troubles. In this battle, we will experience loss. Yet, suffering is purposeful. I preached on this a little bit last Sunday in Ozark and in the planning process my friend, Nathan, and I remembered this lyric from a modern hymn called Christ is Mine Forevermore, “I know my pain will not be wasted. Christ completes His work in me.” Isn’t this a blessing to know that in Christ, our pain is not purposeless? Christ works through all things to accomplish His glory and our ultimate good - our sanctification! Our suffering and our pain often provide divine opportunities to share the Gospel with people that we otherwise would not be able to. But why do we suffer in the first place?

We suffer because of general sin

We suffer because of our sin

We suffer because we’re at war with sin

What Peter is talking about in verses 1-2 is the last of these. Suffering in life because the Christian is at war against sin. The Christian is one who has taken up His cross and followed His Christ. This implies a conscientious decision. The text says this one is “finished with sin” and some take this to mean that you can become sinless and perfect because you’re “finished” with sin. We know that the Bible doesn’t teach this. The Bible over and over says that this life is a struggle between our flesh and spirit. We know what we should do, but we don’t always do it because we give into sinful temptation. What Peter is saying is this: We have made a choice. We have made up our mind. This is Joshua 1 language, “Choose this day who you will serve…” The Christian is the one who has chosen Christ, not the flesh. We live for the will of God, not the will of man. In other words, Christ Is All! That is our theme this year in our preaching, teaching, and singing - Christ Is All. This is not only true when it comes to salvation but it must be true in our daily lives, we have options and decisions to make but Christ Is All - we exist for His glory. He satisfies us. He fulfills us. He sanctifies us. He changes us. We live for Him! And to do this, to choose to live for Christ is to choose to suffer. John 16:33 promises this that in this world we will have trouble, suffering, tribulation. You know how you don’t suffer from the powers of darkness in this world? By being a part of them. By joining them. If you choose the will of man and love this world, you will still suffer because of general sin and because of your sin, but you will not suffer because you’re at war with sin - you will be embraced.

You give into the passions of the flesh mentioned in verse 3. Regardless of how long you were unsaved, you spent time doing these fleshly things, even if they aren’t mentioned in this verse. Notice what Peter says at the start of this verse, though. We have already spent enough time doing these things. Regardless of if you were living in the flesh for 5 years or 105 years, that is too much time. Our call is to say, “No MORE” - Christ is All. So often we forget how serious sin is. Why is this such a temptation, even as Christians, to minimize sin?

He deserves my worship. He deserves my adoration. He deserves my focus. His will is my goal because as we sing in the song My Worth is Not in What I Own “My soul is satisfied in Him alone.” That is our testimony - that is our focus. This must be our question in light of the text.

“What does the evidence of my life reveal? Does it say that I choose to follow Christ? Or does it say that I wish to choose this world?”

What Those Who Hate Christ Do: Slander Christians (4)

We choose Christ. Maybe that sounds easy, and as you reflect on the power and provision of Jesus Christ in creating all things and sustaining all things and saving you, it’s a no-brainer! He knows what is best. He has our best interest at heart. We live for Him! We live for His applause. We glorify Him. Easy, right? Not so much. In a world that hates God, Christians shouldn’t expect to get out unscathed either. As you live for Jesus, expect the enemies of Jesus to slander you. We’ve seen this in our study of 1 Thessalonians on Sunday night. As you proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to others, you will get a response. Some will repent, some will rest and think about what you have said, some though will reject that message. In Thessalonica, Paul preached the Gospel and a mob of Jews ran him out of town and started a riot in the town. Whenever people reject the Gospel that has changed your life, you can expect a variety of responses from that point onward.

Some will try to change your mind

Some will disrespect you

Some will slowly cut you off

Some will immediately sever ties with you

In our text we see that these people, these “Gentiles” or those outside of Christ, are “surprised” that you don’t participate in wild living and then, second, they slander you. Have you experienced these responses (Surprise and Slander) from others in your Christian life?

YES

Whenever you don’t participate in the deeds of darkness, don’t be surprised when the darkness bites back.

RC Sproul shared a story once of Billy Graham playing golf with President Gerald Ford and 2 professional golfers. The 4 men played a good round and afterward one of the pro’s went back out to practice and ran into a friend who asked what exactly it was like to play golf with a president and Billy Graham? The pro began to unleash some 4 letter words and said, “I don’t need Billy Graham stuffing religion down my throat!” The friend sat down and was a bit confused. The pro joined him a few minutes later. “Was Billy a bit rough on you?” The pro replied, “No… He didn’t even mention religion. I just had a bad round.” Billy Graham was far from a perfect person as we all are and began, especially later in his life, to teach things that many of us would question - but his life was so identified with the Lord that his simply being present with this group of golfers causes a man to feel conviction. We see surprise and we see slander. Martin Luther once shared that the pagan feels the hound of heaven breathing down his neck. I love that imagery!

These individuals move from surprise to slander towards those who reject the ways of this world in order to follow the ways of the Word. This shouldn’t be a surprise to Christians, though. This is to be expected. Peter’s encouragement in the verses that follow is simply this: When this becomes your reality, cling to your hope - Christ!

Why Do We Do This? Our Salvation is Secure (5-6)

Now we arrive at the natural question. Why do this? Why stand out in a world where everyone wants to fit in? Why choose to follow Christ if we KNOW that it will result in suffering? We look around our world and we see people who usually run away from challenges. People who run away from confrontation. Why would we embrace these things? Because we know how the story ends! Verse 5, there is one who will judge the living and the dead. Understand this, Christian: Suffering, Surprise, and Slander last a second compared to the ocean of eternity. Judgment is coming on those not in Christ. Salvation is coming for those IN Christ. For those who slander Christ and are not in Him, they will stand before God dressed in their own righteousness. Some people think that they’re pretty good just as they are, but Biblically we see a different story entirely. Our best of actions are but filthy rags Is 64:6

Isaiah 64:6 CSB

6 All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment; all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

This is the best we can attain and it’s filthy rags. It’s polluted. It’s stained by sin. This person might feel good when comparing themselves to other horizontally, but vertically? There’s a chasm. This world promises much but it fails to satisfy. This is why Christ calls us to enter the narrow gate - it will be difficult, there will be challenges, there will be suffering, but the result is salvation and we know that in Christ, we are secure. Look at how secure our salvation is in this text - the Gospel was preached to those once alive but now dead, but we know that there is eternal life awaiting us. See, the atheist says that being a Christian is a hindrance in this life - you suffer in life, you have good days and bad days like everyone else, but then you die just like everyone else. Why be a Christian? What does it profit someone to do this? Look at the text - yes, Christians die, but Christians live in the spirit. The Gospel that saves people in this life, secures you in eternity to come. In other words, the victory that Jesus on on Calvary was not just a temporary victory - it is an eternal one.

In a world that is going crazy in more ways than one and a world where many are packing up their spiritual bags to wait for the return of our Christ, we see realities in our text that must motivate us not to sit but to stand up and serve. Judgment is coming - there are people in our world who are blinded by a godless world and they are outside of Christ today. Apart from the power of the Gospel and the work of God in their life, they have no hope. We are called to be light in the darkness and there is much darkness in our community and beyond. Judgment is coming. But in the midst of a godless and dark world, we have to remember the truth that salvation is coming as well. Like we sing in Living Hope, “The work is finished. The End is written. Jesus Christ is MY Living Hope.” This is our hope!

As we go throughout the rest of our week, do so with these 2 truths in mind: In this life we will suffer for following Christ, but that’s not a surprise to Jesus and it shouldn’t surprise us either. Judgment is coming - we need to speak the truth in love to a lost world. Salvation is coming - don’t lose heart. The battle has been won.