The Believer's Response to Suffering
Hope for the Pilgrim's Path: Studies in 1 Peter • Sermon • Submitted
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· 5 viewsOur Response to unjust suffering is a powerful witness to the world
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Believers should NOT be surprised when Suffering enters our lives ()
Believers should NOT be surprised when Suffering enters our lives ()
Explanation: We live in a fallen world, a world that is wracked by sin and strife, a place where natural evils befall the just and the unjust. This current worlds realm is under the sway of the prince of the power of the air (; ; ). Scripture informs us that the very creation itself groans under the effects of sin (). In addition to the natural evils, Christ-followers are specifically targeted with persecution for refusing to be accepting and embracing the myriad of false religions or the secularist’s no religion at all.
Illustrate: Sea World has signs up for the first several rows in their amphitheaters for the killer whale shows. The signs read: This is a SPLASH ZONE. If you sit in the first 5 rows, you will get wet! What is your reaction to the family who sits in the third row, but pitches a fit when they get wet?
Argument: When suffering enters our lives we are somehow surprised! Yet, God has repeatedly told us that we should expect it. (; ; ; ). Many of us have the reaction of “Why me?” or “God, what’s up with this?” We respond as if we are the first believer to suffer unjustly, and we begin to question even to the point of asking if God’s love for us is real. Mature believers understand that suffering is part and parcel of the Christian experience, contrary to the false teachings of the prosperity con artists.
Application: Understand that God’s love for us if fixed and settled. He has promised that He will never leave us () and that the Righteous will never be moved (). Instead of asking “Why me?” ask this: “Why NOT me?”
Believers have the ability to REJOICE when Suffering impacts our lives ()
Believers have the ability to REJOICE when Suffering impacts our lives ()
Explanation: Instead of being surprised and acting as if God has deserted us, believers can actually experience and express joy in the midst of suffering. Peter actually addresses this to his readers (and to us!) as an imperative: we are to do this! Peter tells them to rejoice and then gives them the ground for being able to do so. He reminds them of Christ’s sufferings and that they are in some real way, sharing in His sufferings. We do not, of course, suffer as Christ did for sin, but He suffered injustice and cruelty from others, and as similar events come into our lives, we can gain strength by keeping this truth central
Illustrate: This is not something silly like jumping up and down and shouting, “Hurrah, my child is diagnosed with MS! We don’t see Jesus being giddy about going to the Cross.
Argument: Taking joy in suffering is not the natural human response, and that’s the point. It requires something, or someone supernatural to express real, not fake, joy and peace during the hard times. None of us do this perfectly, but it is possible when we stay focused on Christ. Turn to “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross . . .” (See also for an example from the Apostles)
Application: This is a daily discipline of belief and remembering. Our afflictions generally last longer than a day - most last months, if not years. The joy can be expressed in the settled belief that God is in control and everything He allows to enter our life is filtered through His hand of Grace. And, we should not beat ourselves up for the relapses over time - not every day will be a good day regarding our attitudes. But over time our life should reflect the joy and peace that comes with the firm assurance that “God has this!”
The Suffering of a Believer should NOT be the result of personal sin ()
The Suffering of a Believer should NOT be the result of personal sin ()
Explanation: Even though Peter has covered this point before, he reminds his fellow exiles that their suffering was not to be the result of their own sinful actions. Instead, they were to live exemplary lives of faith. They were to be good, moral upstanding members of the community who expressed their belief in God through daily routines.
Illustrate: When a pastor loses his ministry and his family as a result of moral failure, he shouldn’t be surprised at his personal suffering. He brought it upon himsel (and lots of others) by his own sinful choices
Argument: The truth that sin has consequences is one that we readily accept and understand. The truth that suffering can occur through righteous living is one that is harder to understand and accept, but it is a reality of living in a fallen world
Application: Stay close to the Savior and keep your heart and hands clean. Determine by God’s help that you will finish well. (Proverbs 4:23)
Believers are to allow God to be Glorified through the suffering ()
Believers are to allow God to be Glorified through the suffering ()
Explanation: Peter now gives the ultimate response for the believer who is undergoing unjust persecution: GLORIFY God in your situation. Peter encourages his fellow Pilgrims to use the suffering to Exalt the LORD God in the midst of suffering. Instead of cursing, fighting back, or endlessly asking why, believers are to praise God.
Illustrate: Corrie Ten Boom addressing the Nazi guard who had tortured her in the camp, AND had killed her sister Betsy. After the war, Corrie was speaking at a meeting, and this guard came and asked for her forgiveness.
Argument: Most of us do not realize what the Spirit of God within us is capable of because we never give Him a chance to speak or act through us. We are too busy standing up for our rights as justice warriors to hear the small, quiet voice of God in our spirit. Only when we are Walking in the Spirit can we fulfill the Desires of the Spirit. Only then can we be like the Apostles ()
Application: As believers, we do not know when this could be our situation. For some, it may be your situation at the present time. For others, it may be in our future. We can prepare our lives in such a way as when it does come, we will be faithful to give God glory. Walk now in the LORD in such a way as that no significant change will be necessary for you to shine for His glory