The Fiery Trial
1 Peter: Living With Hope in a Dead World • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 4 viewsWe want to learn from the apostle Peter about how we should view our suffering.
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction:
Introduction:
Peter writes to saints who are identified as the elect ones who are Dispersed, exiles and pilgrims on the earth.
This imagery of exiles and pilgrims connects these Christians with living with faith, like Abraham.
However, that is merely where Peter begins with these Christians. What becomes quickly apparent is that these Christians are in the midst of suffering.
Read and .
We live in a world that preaches a gospel of “health and wealth” with no room for suffering or pain. Consider Joel Osteen’s books like Your Best Life Now.
Peter really begins to unpack this idea of suffering for the Christian and how it relates to our hope in Christ.
Righteousness
Righteousness
Peter does not want Christians to be surprised when they face suffering; this implies that suffering is not out of the norm -
We are called to suffer for the sake of righteousness -
Sharing in the sufferings of Christ; Christ suffered while doing the will of God - v. 13
Peter is not talking about the kinds of suffering that we bring upon ourselves because of our own decisions that are sinful and lead us away from God - v. 15
The kinds of suffering Peter is considering is due to the fact that we are striving to live like Christ.
The world crucified Jesus, what do we think they will do with us?
Insulted for the name of Christ - v. 14
Suffer as a Christian because we glorify God in this name; it’s the name of our God and Savior, Christ the Messiah.
We suffer for righteousness, but we are also called to maintain righteousness in our life—even if it means we will suffer more -
Judgment begins with us, the church and household of God - v. 17
Are we living righteously?
The righteous are saved by grace - v. 18a
But what will happen to the ungodly and sinners? - v. 18b
We should not be fearful of suffering for righteousness’ sake. We should be more afraid of not being righteous!
Through the midst of suffering and our trials, we must learn to entrust our live to God and faithful Creator - ;
Reason we are suffering
Responsibility to maintain righteousness, even if it means we will suffer more
Endure
Endure
Peter puts a strong emphasis on doing good and righteousness that he obviously sees the connection between doing the will of God and suffering for righteousness. Peter wants Christians to know that they must maintain that level of commitment to doing the will of God -
He
The will of God is that you do good - v. 15
Honor everyone - v. 17
Endure sorrow while suffering unjustly - vv. 19-20
The concept of endurance is:
to maintain a belief or course of action in the face of opposition, stand one’s ground, hold out, endure (Il. et al.; remain instead of fleeing; William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 1039.
to maintain a belief or course of action in the face of opposition, stand one’s ground, hold out, endure (Il. et al.; remain instead of fleeing; William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 1039.
Endurance is remaining strong in adversity and struggle. Endurance is doing good in a world that is given over to evil. Endurance is suffering for righteousness while others treat us with evil. Endurance is doing good even when it seems to be contrary to what we think would be acceptable.
to maintain a belief or course of action in the face of opposition, stand one’s ground, hold out, endure (Il. et al.; remain instead of fleeing
Endurance is remaining strong in adversity and struggle. Endurance is doing good in a world that is given over to evil. Endurance is suffering for righteousness while others treat us with evil. Endurance is doing good even when it seems to be contrary to what we think would be acceptable.
Sometimes we may have to willingly choose to suffer at the hands of the unjust -
Instead of speaking evil against someone, we bless them, even if they do us wrong -
The righteous are to seek peace and pursue it -
William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 1039.
We can know that the Lord hears the righteous, but is opposed to those who do evil -
Endurance requires that we shift our thinking. We must begin to think of suffering as a better alternative than doing what is wrong -
This is not choosing between the lesser of two evils. It is avoiding doing evil, even if it requires that I endure some hardships.
The life of a Christian means that we learn the difficult lessons of hardship, perseverance, endurance, steadfastness, and longsuffering.
Example
Example
Suffering is challenging to our faith and our commitment to following Christ. When faced with difficulties we begin to doubt why we care and why we should continue in this fight.
Our suffering would be even more difficult if we did not have someone to help us navigate through the difficulties. Yet, one of the things Peter really points out is that we do have an example!
Jesus Christ becomes the best example of someone who endured suffering and injustice. He was treated with evil.
Jesus did not sin against those who did Him harm -
Our sufferings should be seen as connected to the sufferings of Jesus -
We are not suffering alone and we are not suffering just because of who we are. We suffer with Christ because we are doing the will of God.
When we connect our sufferings with the sufferings of Jesus, then our perspective begins to change.
Our suffering is no longer about us — it is now about us with Christ.
Our suffering is no longer about the here and now — it is about God and Christ, thus, it begins to have eternal implications.
Our suffering is not an excuse to give up — it becomes the reason that we remain committed to Christ ().
Rejoice
Rejoice
We have examined the role of suffering in 1 Peter:
Our suffering is for the sake/cause of righteousness. Therefore, continue to do good.
We are to approach suffering as a reason to endure and be strong in the faith. Suffering is not to become an excuse for becoming unfaithful.
We have an example in suffering. We do not suffer alone.
Peter is giving us a different perspective on suffering than what we sometimes think. So, it should not be completely surprising that he would tell us to “rejoice” in suffering! - ;
Why are we told to rejoice?
You’re valuable to God -
Like a precious metal, silver or gold, that has great worth and value - cf.
Just how valuable are we? Valuable enough that the Son of God shed His own precious blood which has greater value than any silver or gold -
You’ve got a reward -
Peter is able to connect the current situation of suffering with the future glory of heaven.
We have an inheritance -
Even though we are suffering…even though we do not see God or Christ, we do believe and we must keep our eyes on the goal and outcome we are striving for -
Our lives should not be so focused on the present situation of suffering that we begin to forget why we are suffering.
Suffering may happen simply because we are a Jesus follower and His disciple.
But always keep in mind your “why.”
If you lose focus, you’ll lose your way.
You’re valuable
You’ve got a reward
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Trials can make us feel like we are walking through fire.
They can be hard and difficult. Trials can cause us to suffer.
However, if we remember the cause we are living for (righteousness) as a worthy cause, if we remember that endurance is key and it shows strength to remain faithful, if we remember the example of Jesus, and if we rejoice, then we can approach suffering with the hope that belongs to a Christian.
Live for the hope that we have through Jesus Christ!