Why Do Christians Suffer?
I Peter 4:12-19
In the village of Miango, Nigeria, there is a guest house and a small church called Kirk Chapel. Behind the chapel is a small cemetery with 56 graves. Thirty-three of them hold the bodies of children of Christian missionaries. The stones read: "Ethyl Arnold: September 1, 1928–September 2, 1928." "Barbara J. Swanson: 1946–1952." "Eileen Louise Whitmoyer: May 6, 1952–July 3, 1955." This was the cost of taking the gospel of Nigeria for many families. Charles White told his story about visiting this little graveyard and ended it with a tremendously powerful sentence. He said, "The only way we can understand the graveyard at Miango is to remember that God also buried his Son on the mission field." And when He raised Him from the dead, he called the church to follow Him into the same dangerous field called "all the world." The question we must answer is "are we willing to follow?" (http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/called-to-suffer-and-rejoice-for-holiness-and-hope)
Are you willing to follow Christ when it is difficult? Will you follow Him when it is dangerous? Will you follow Him if it causes pain, suffering and even death? As a Pastor one of the most common questions I am asked is “Why do bad things happen to good people”? We find ourselves in the midst of a time of trial or tribulation and we cry out to God and ask Him why??? The answer to that question is found in our selected text today. In Peter's first Epistle, suffering is a constant theme. Now as he nears the end of the letter he provides some insight as to why God allows His children to suffer. I invite you to Join me as we answer the question "Why Do Christians Suffer?
Though we cannot avoid suffering in this life, through the Word of God we can see how to endure it! Notice in verse 12:
I. The Reality Of Suffering - v12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you
No matter who you are there will come a time when you face pain, troubles and trials. I want to examine 3 types of suffering today, the first of which is:
A. Common Suffering - In Matthew 5:45 Jesus said that the Father "makes the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
Consider Calvary for a moment. There were 2 crosses and 3 different people. There was a Saint, a Sinner and a Savior crucified that day. And all three of them suffered and died. None of them were exempt from suffering and death. Our minds have a hard time comprehending why bad things happen to "good" people. And we may also question why good things happen to evil people. Though we may not understand it, these things are commonplace.
The wisest man who ever lived said that "All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness." (Ecclesiastes 7:15)
All over the world people are dying from starvation. Droughts leave people thirsty and cause crops to fail. Hurricanes, Tsunamis & earthquakes ravage the land. Many people live in the middle of war zones. Terrorism is on the rise. Millions of people suffer from different diseases. Unemployment, lack of healthcare and rising costs of utilities and food are a problem for many. This is common suffering that takes place all over the world. None of us are exempt.
There is another type of suffering I would like to consider and that is:
B. Carnal Suffering - Carnal refers to that which is not spiritual. Notice what Peter says in verse 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. - Here Peter speaks of suffering for doing things that are wrong. Many people are suffering because of the choices they have made. If you fail to pay your taxes your assets may be seized and your wages may be garnished. If you drink and drive you will get a DUI and possibly lose your license. If you rob someone you will be arrested and spend time in jail. If you kill someone you will go to prison... possibly for the rest of your life. Bad choices and sinful actions bring severe consequences.
Many times when people face this type of suffering they blame God. When in fact they are suffering because of their own choices. They drink a half a case of beer a day and when they get cirrhosis of the liver it is God's fault. They consume illegal drugs and blame God when they lose their job and all of their possessions in order to support their habit. Some abuse their spouse or commit adultery and then ask why God allowed their marriage to fail. Choices have consequences and the consequences may bring suffering.
There is Common Suffering and Carnal Suffering, but the context of these verses refers to:
C. Christian Suffering - This is the suffering that is perhaps the hardest for us to understand. But I can testify that CHRISTIANS DO SUFFER!! We are not suddenly immune to pain and problems when we surrender to Christ. In fact, that may be the point in your life when troubles intensify. We have many examples of Christ followers in the Bible who suffered greatly AFTER their conversions.
1) James was beheaded by Herod.
2) He then apprehended Peter and imprisoned him intending to do the same.
3) Stephen was stoned to death.
4) Paul was in and out of prison for preaching Jesus. (not to mention his physical harm and eventual death for his faith)
At the time Peter wrote this Epistle, Nero was the King. Nero was notorious for taking Christians, soaking them in combustible liquid and using them to light his gardens at night. Nero would also clothe Christians in the hides of wild animals and they would be torn to death and eaten by dogs. All over the world today men and women are being persecuted for their faith. They are being arrested, beaten and killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. We may not have experienced the physical persecution that some Christian martyrs have faced, but we do know about troubles, trials and tribulations.
Many of us have experienced first hand the reality of Christian Suffering. Christian people have to bury their babies. Christian marriages sometimes fail. Christian husbands have to stand by the bedside of their dying wives. Christian wives have to plan the funerals of their husbands. Christians lose their jobs. They have bills that they cannot pay. The repo man comes and takes the car. The bank forecloses on the house. Christians are diagnosed with terminal diseases. Some of you have rebellious children who are involved in sin and living in wickedness. They have made choices that will bring serious consequences into their lives. You lay awake at night worrying and praying for them. And this has affected you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You are hurting, you are suffering and you just want to know WHY??? And you have asked the Lord time and time again "WHY MUST I SUFFER??" The answer to your question is found here in verse 13. notice:
II. The Reason For Suffering - v13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Do not think that your suffering is something that surprised God. What you are facing is no accident...IT HAS A PURPOSE! When you experience suffering it may seem that God is a million miles away. It is actually in these times that God is the closest! He is working on you molding you and making you into what He would have you to be. Even in the midst of suffering, God is working out His purpose in your life. Let's see some of the reasons for Christian suffering:
A. Suffering Prepares Us
The ultimate reason the Christian suffers is to form a Christ-like character. Suffering is a part of the sanctification process. This means that it will be a part of our lives until we go home to glory. We must endure the suffering in order for God to accomplish His purpose in our lives. Not only does suffering prepare us:
B. Suffering Proves Us
Remember what Peter said back in - I Peter 1:6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gold is proved to be Gold by being put to the fire. If the matter is put to the fire and it does not lose its nature, weight or color then it is the real deal. So to is the Christian who is put to the fire of suffering and trials. Genuine faith is proved by adversities. Suffering proves our character and integrity
Peter also tells us that:
C. Suffering Purifies Us
In the refining process that gold goes through...Raw gold is placed in the fire. The intense heat melts the metal. When this happens the dross (the impurities) comes to the top. Those impurities are skimmed off. This results in a gold that is more pure and valuable metal than it was before going into the furnace.
Those trials that you are facing and the suffering that you must endure... these things will purify you and make you stronger in the Lord. These "fiery trials" will remove the impurities from our lives. This will bring us into a closer more pure relationship with the Lord. We may not see the benefit of our suffering today, for we may be blinded by circumstance. But there is a reason for Christian Suffering!!!
Another benefit of suffering is the fact that:
4. Suffering Protects Us
How does suffering protect us? ...it protects us from pride! We see this in the life of the Apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians He asked the Lord to remove that "thorn from his flesh". This thorn in his flesh was an instrument allowed by God to help him maintain a spirit of humility and dependence.
Sometimes suffering comes so that we will not become confident in our own abilities. Suffering reminds us that God is all powerful and in control! There are many reasons that God allows suffering in our lives. But the ultimate reason is so that He can make you into what He would have you to be. Many people would say that they agree with everything we have seen so far. That is... until they face these things themselves.
Someone said "You can tell how strong a Christian is by what it takes to stop him"
Many times Christians seem to be steadfast and unshakable and then suffering comes and they fall apart. There are several reasons for this. Look with me to verses 14-16 as we consider:
III. Our Reaction To Suffering v14-16
There are many different reactions to suffering. Some run away from the trouble. Some become angry, resentful and blame God for allowing this to happen to them. Some remain steady in the fire and are purified and proved. Peter says that the proper reaction to suffering is to rejoice! And that is exactly what some do when faced with great trouble. Notice:
A. Some Rejoice When Suffering Comes - v14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Peter says if you are persecuted for your faith rejoice! And when we face suffering in this life we too can and should REJOICE!! Paul was honored to suffer for the cause of Christ. (II Corinthians 12:9) In Acts 5:41 Peter and John rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus name.
When we suffer harm for doing what is right, we should rejoice. We can rejoice because God is with us. We can rejoice because God has a plan for us. We can rejoice because of the benefits that suffering brings in our lives.
Charles Spurgeon said: "They who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls."
When you persevere in the midst of suffering you will grow in your faith. You will come out of that experience with a stronger sense that your faith is real. And you will see that God was with you all the way through the fire!
Greg Laurie is the pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside California. July 24, 2008 was the most devastating day of his life. His son Christopher, 33, was killed in a tragic car accident on his way to work at the church. Greg states, “When I heard the news, it was like time stood still and the air was sucked out of the room. I couldn’t comprehend what I had just heard, and it really was, in many ways, incomprehensible. It was so hard.“I have to say that although it was devastating and crushing, and I fell to the ground weeping, the Lord was there with me. I sensed His presence and His peace and I have never, for a moment, doubted that Christopher’s in heaven.” Greg and his family began to pray, ‘Oh Lord, we look to you. We call on you.’” God was faithful to help them in the midst of this tragedy. Laurie says that some amazing things have came in the aftermath of this tragedy. There’s still a lot of pain and there’s a lot of heartache, but God promise is to work ‘all things together for good’ is true. He says that he has a newfound compassion for others who are facing similar troubles. And Through the testimony of Greg and his family countless lives have been reached for Christ.
http://blog.greglaurie.com/?p=2229
In the midst of the greatest storm of his life he found a way to praise God. Through God's grace he was able to rejoice in suffering. We all hope that we would react to tragedy the same way. But you never know until it happens to you!
There are some who react in the opposite way when trouble comes in their lives. Notice:
B. Some Rebel When Suffering Comes
I read a story of another man who tragically lost his young son whom he loved dearly. It was such a catastrophic experience for him, he never got over it. Ultimately, he laid the blame for his son’s death at God’s feet, thus severely affecting his relationship with God. “How could a God of love take my son from me?” was his ever-languishing cry. Unfortunately this man was never able to completely resolve his anger with God, or love and serve Him in the same way he did prior to his son’s death. Some of the pews in this church are empty today because trouble came and people gave up on God. They blamed God...they are angry and they have rebelled against Him.
Because they are mad at God they put their Bibles down... they stop praying...they no longer go to church. Because of this they do not praise or worship the Lord. They are no longer under the preaching of the Word. They are suffering from Spiritual malnutrition. They do not hear sermons on topics like this to help them through their trouble. They can't lean on Christian brothers and sisters who may have been where they are now. They miss out on verses of scripture that would shed light on their current troubles.
Verses like - Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." and 2 Corinthians 4:17 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory"
Instead of turning to God they turn from Him. And this intensifies the suffering. It is a fact that suffering will come...how will you respond?? Will you rejoice or will you rebel? My friend, when trouble comes your only hope is in Jesus. That is the final thought I would like to consider today. Look with me to verses 16-19 as we see:
IV. Our Reliance In Suffering -v16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. v17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
“Commit the keeping of their souls” means to entrust our souls to Him. The idea here speaks of a banking term meaning “to deposit for safe keeping.” No matter what we may face in this life we must rely on our Father. Stop trying to fix your problems yourself. Look to the One who is all powerful and trust Him. Even if He doesn't remove your suffering, He will see you through it!
I began preparing this sermon in July, it is now November. Just a few weeks ago my life changed forever. In October my son was born with an unexpected health issue. What was supposed to be one of the greatest days of my life turned out to be one of the most difficult. Early on there was much uncertainty. For days I could not eat. My mind was consumed with concern and fear. But God used that time of difficulty to change me in many ways. There have been several positive aspects of our time in the fire.
But to me the most beneficial result of it all, is that I saw first hand that even in the most trying times of our life, GOD IS FAITHFUL! I still have questions but I know with full assurance that there is a reason that Christians suffer. I know many of you are in the midst of the fire as well.
If so, let me encourage you to hold on and REJOICE!!! - 1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Maybe you comprehend the truth that is revealed in our selected text. But you have another question... you may ask "how long will I have to remain in the fire"? The answer is ...as long as it takes.
The refiner sits before the furnace. He fixes his eye on the metal. He makes sure that the fire is not too hot but hot enough to accomplish it's purpose. He leaves the gold in the fire until the dross is completely removed. How does he know the gold is ready to be removed from the fire? ...He sees his reflection on its surface. That is the case for Jesus, He never leaves us alone in the fire. He is right there with us through it all.
When will you be removed from the fire? .........When He sees His reflection in your life! This is "Why Christians Suffer"
