Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

One of the vibes we get from church sometimes is the hesitant vibe that we can’t ask question, the hard ones, that we’re thinking.

Maybe we feel like if we ask them, people won’t take us seriously, or think something different about us?

The church is not the place where anyone should feel like they cannot ask questions they are dealing with.

As a matter of fact, God through His Word gives us answers to our questions.

The church is the place everyone should feel comfortable asking questions that deal with life, faith, and the Bible.

As a launch our Can I Ask That? series, we are going to tackle this question,

Q1: What does a person do if people make fun of them for being a Christian?

Q: What does a person do if people make fun of them for being a Christian?

(AKA - What if I’m ridiculed for being a Christian?)

A: There’s a greater reward.

Disclaiming Truth: Jesus suffered to the point of death (insults, name-calling, spat in the face, abuse, and crucifixion).

And through His resurrection gave us redemption

TRUTH: Your affliction will not disappear.

We would all define this concept as suffering, correct Essentially when someone is made fun of, they experience suffering.

Essentially when someone is made fun of, they experience suffering.

I think one of the biggest temptation to overcome during these times is the temptation of unbelief; the unbelief that God is still there.

This might be extreme, but I think it’s real, because it’s during times of hardship that questions arise in our hearts like “Is God there?” “Why would God allow this?” “I thought that God wanted good for me?”

So, for Christ-followers, how do we handle intentional insults towards us against Jesus?

What does God’s Word say about this topic?

God’s Word

1 Peter 4:12-

Peter, the righthand disciple of Jesus, answers our question simply in his letter (): Peter is telling his hearers, who were currently being persecuted for Christ and struggling with the reality what was going on and how to deal with it.

Seven Answers/Responses to Insults

Seven Answers/Responses to Insults

Don’t be surprised (12) This will happen to you as a Christian.

Different shapes and forms.

The world does not like Jesus.

This will happen to you as a Christian.

Different shapes and forms

This will happen to you as a Christian.

Different shapes and forms

Rejoice (13) Rejoice because you are sharing in the sufferings of Jesus.

This isn’t useless stuff.

Sure, no one wants to experience being made fun of, but listen - there’s a sweet growth opportunity to grow closer to Jesus.

Jesus suffered and was exalted by the Father.

Rejoice that the God will exalt you one day with His glory.

Rejoice because Jesus is in you Jesus suffered and was exalted by the Father

You are Blessed (14) Promise - If anyone suffers, he/she is blessed.

How???

Because the name of Jesus is exalted during times of suffering.

It’s not your name being insulted, but His.

Continue to be used by Jesus.

If Jesus is for us, who can be against us??

Promise - If anyone suffers, he/she is blessed

The Spirit of God rests upon you (14b) You’re not alone, but the Spirit of God rests on and dwells in you.

God, through His Spirit, will hold you fast.

You will make it through.

You’re not alone, but the Spirit of God rests on and dwells in you.

God, through His Spirit, will hold you fast.

Do not be ashamed (16) God’s judgment and punishment is just and perfect in their insults, people are insulting Jesus.

Therefore, lift up His name all the more.

Say, “Yes!

Jesus is everything to me.”

Glorify God (16b) Don’t dwell in self pity, but glorify God in the midst of insults.

God wants his glory to be exalted.

Even in the midst of suffering.

God’s judgment and punishment is just and perfect In their insults, people are insulting Jesus Therefore, lift up His name all the more

During times of suffering,

Glorify God (16b) Don’t dwell in self pity, but glorify God in the midst of insults.

God wants his glory to be exalted.

Even in the midst of suffering.

Glorify God (16b) Don’t dwell in self pity, but glorify God in the midst of insults.

God wants his glory to be exalted.

Even in the midst of suffering.

Don’t dwell in self pity, but glorify God in the midst of insults.

God is faithful

Entrust your soul to the faithful Creator God.

(19) Do not trust yourself, but Him who is the Creator God and forever faithful.

Subpoint: We will not see suffering as normal until we see Jesus as everything.

Q - Who are you trusting in times of being “made fun of?”

Q - Are you trusting yourself or Jesus?

“According to God’s will.”

If anyone is being insulted because of the a name of Jesus, it’s according to God’s will.

Encouragement - if you’re being made fun of, you’re in the will of God.

You’re right where God wants you to be.

Jesus actually brought this up in shortly after he called his disciples in .

:

Jesus says “If you’re going to follow me, there will you experience insults from others, but know that the kingdom of heaven is yours.

Listen students, people can dish out whatever they want, but you as Christian possess something greater!

When we’re catching negativity from others for being Christian, we so easy want to throw in the towel and give up.

It’s because we see that it might not be worth it.

That’s only because we do not realize our true reality that’s ours in Jesus.

Jesus said we the kingdom of heaven in ours.

There’s nothing better than that students.

So in the midst of suffering, remember that you belong to the kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Matthew 5:11-12

The apostle Paul gives Christians experiencing affliction this truth,

Do not trust yourself, but Him who is the Creator God and forever faithful

What’s the root of all of this.

Whose are you?

Your affliction, suffering, etc. is producing something bigger than you.

But it’s in these times when suffering tempts our minds to go everywhere.

A lot of times we of feel alone and confused.

We’re confused because we fall in the trap of believing that because I’m a Christian, life is supposed to be easy.

Jesus never promised life was going to easy, but He did promise that He would be faithful and bring you through it.

But not only that, but His desire is to take this and not allow the insults/suffering/affliction to disappear as if nothing happen, but instead use it.

Now, this is a bad thing.

Think about it.

Why would non-Christians understand?

They are not a Christian!