9. Message in 1 Peter – Number 9 - CONSIDER THE SUFFERING CHURCH AND PETER’S TEACHING ON SUFFERING - HOW DO WE SUFFER? (1 Peter 4:13)
“It’s not fair! Why should it be happening to me? Why has God not stopped this? Does God notice what is happening? It doesn’t happen to others - why to me?”
“If there is a God, who says He’s a God of love, why then is He allowing suffering in the world on people? That’s why I am an atheist.”
“Suffering is proof there is no God.”
These questions, and even may we say it, doubts and mockery, often plague the saints of God in times of difficulty and distressful events. None of us likes adversity and all would prefer the calm of life, free from the distress of daily living, especially as a Christian. It is worst of all, and comes as a shock, when we expect the Christian path to be one of trouble-free bliss and find ourselves thick in the thorn bushes.
This idealist Christian life that is promised is one of the lies of the devil and his agents in the prosperity teaching who say when you are giving all to God (that is, your money to the prosperity false teachers), then all will be great for you, debt free and all the blessings you want.
I believe part of the gospel preaching should contain warnings so people are left under no illusion. There is a very pointed verse some preachers like to overlook. It is this one – {{2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus WILL BE PERSECUTED.”}}. That means if you want to count for the Lord you will go through suffering, suffering as a Christian.
[1]. CHRISTIAN SUFFERING AND PERSECUTION IN THE WORLD
Today there is unspeakable suffering in the Christian community for those who will not surrender their faith to satanic Islam or to communist government decrees. How many of you bother to look up the plight of our fellow believers in nations where Christians are being killed for their faith.
This is from RELEVANT a Christian organization – [[“Nigeria has become one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. Human rights groups estimate more than 52,000 Christians have been killed in the country since 2009. This year alone, more than 7,000 have already been murdered and thousands more kidnapped. Advocacy groups say more than 19,000 churches have been destroyed and millions of believers displaced from their homes.”]]
RELEVANT continues – [[“Meanwhile, millions of Christians are displaced inside Nigeria. Rep. Chris Smith of New Jersey has said at least 5 million Nigerians — mostly Christians — have been forced into camps or across borders. Some estimates put the number as high as 12 million. Families that once lived on farmland now depend on aid in temporary shelters.”]]. That is suffering, real suffering, and just because it happens in other nations apart from ours we should not dismiss it.
“Open Doors” in the United States give the following 10 nations as the worst persecution against Christians:-
1. North Korea … where owning a Bible can get you killed
2. Somalia … where following Jesus makes you the enemy
3. Libya … where evangelism is a death sentence
4. Eritrea … where imprisonment for following Jesus in inevitable
5. Yemen … where Christians are on extremists’ “wanted” lists
6. Nigeria … where a Christian dies nearly every two hours, on average.
7. Pakistan … where every Christian is a second-class citizen
9. Iran … where being a Christian is a “crime against national security.”
10. Afghanistan … where there “are no Christians.”
Additional nations given as hotbeds of persecution by other Christian organisations include Saudi Arabia, India, China, Myamar, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua,
[2]. LOOKING NOW AT WHAT PETER WROTE
Peter talks of two types of suffering.
FIRSTLY, DOING WRONG. He mentions the suffering for doing wrong and this applies to Christians too. We may get into trouble for doing things not honouring, or dishonest, or breaking the law however minor (such as a traffic fine for speeding we are unable to pay). We suffer because we get into trouble. That is one form of suffering. Peter would say a Christian ought not be counted among murderers, thieves or meddlers:-
{{1 Peter 4:15 “By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;”}}
A Christian out of fellowship with the Lord can even go to jail because he is rightfully convicted. That certainly would be a wake up call which hopefully leads to repentance. He further says that it is much better to suffer for doing good, than for doing wrong:-
{{1 Peter 3:17 “For IT IS BETTER, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.”}}
If we have done wrong and have been caught out or exposed, and take it honestly, rightfully, and even repent as the Holy Spirit leads, and we suffer quietly and meekly for that, Peter has something also to say about that situation:-
{{1 Peter 2:20 “For WHAT CREDIT IS THERE if, when you sin and are harshly treated, YOU ENDURE IT WITH PATIENCE? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.”}}
He says enduring with all patience is really no credit to us, and that’s because of dispensed and deserved justice. (my assumption). In that case we reap what we sow; we do wrong and pay the penalty. If we endure that meekly, it is no credit.
There is something I do not like, and it is quite common. This usually applies to politicians but can include church ministers and office bearers, and people who have cheated the system in business – these people when they get caught out or found out, then they say something like, “I am sorry for what I did, and apologise to my (electors, people, congregation, share holders etc. etc.) for what happened!
RUBBISH! If they were nor found out they would have continued in cheating, sinning, corruption, deceitfulness, and had no interest in being sorry or apologising. It is so deceitful. They are not sorry at all. The only thing they might be sorry for is being found out. That is their remorse.
SECONDLY, DOING GOOD. Peter deals with suffering that results from doing good, or for having a Christian testimony. He says a number of things about this unjust form of suffering. Initially in this letter, he confirms that suffering causes distress but is proof of a most precious faith. It will result in praise, glory and honour:-
{{1 Peter 1:6-7 “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been DISTRESSED BY VARIOUS TRIALS, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to RESULT IN PRAISE AND GLORY AND HONOR at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”}}
Peter was eyewitness to Christ’s sufferings that he mentions later on in his letter. He knew Jesus as going around and doing good, but being persecuted and suffering for that. It seemed so unjust to the disciples who did not understand then that Christ was to suffer for the sins of mankind. They spent 3 years with Him and did not expect the cross at all. It shattered their comfort, but the fact that Christ suffered for the sins of the world became strongly evident to them after the Resurrection.
Peter further pens words of encouragement for the one suffering unjustly. God will stamp His seal of approval on the Christian remaining strong through suffering:-
{{1 Peter 2:19 “For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.”}}
It is sad that some turn back when suffering looms on the horizon for them. The thought of it repels them. I wonder sometimes about our cozy western nations where all is becoming slack and non-committal. We have lukewarm people and especially in churches, lukewarm “Christians”. If persecution ever happens or we suffer for our faith like the places mentioned at the start of this message, I feel many will depart. This is truer with the word of faith preaching – easy come, easy go.
I associate that type of person with this category in the parable of the Sower- {{Matthew 13:20-21 “The one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and WHEN AFFLICTION OR PERSECUTION ARISES BECAUSE OF THE WORD, IMMEDIATELY HE FALLS AWAY.”}}
Further, Peter explains we would not normally be harmed for doing what is good, but even so, and in those circumstances, it is possible to suffer even for righteousness:-
{{1 Peter 3:14 “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, YOU ARE BLESSED. And do not fear their intimidation, and DO NOT BE TROUBLED.”}}
He says that if suffering results, we are blessed, and we are not to fear the ones doing this to us. This can only be the case when we have this suffering in perspective - our perspective and example in this regard is our very own Lord Jesus as Peter explains a bit further on:-
{{1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also died for sins once for all, THE JUST FOR THE UNJUST, in order that He might bring us to God . . .”}}
There we have Christ suffering unjustly, our example in all things. He suffered at the hands of men; through the lies of men; and the allegations and inventions of men. He is our supreme example of the one who suffered for doing good. We follow His example. It reminds us of the verse, “Let this mind (attitude) be in you . . .” - Philippians 2:5-11.
Just earlier we thought about 1 Peter 3:14 where Peter said we are not to fear their intimidation and we are not to be troubled. Peter heard those words on the Passover night for the disciples were to be thrown into turmoil – {{John 14:1 “LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED. Believe in God, believe also in Me.”}}. The reason for not being troubled is the mighty sturdiness of the Lord and God. It is because of our connection with the divine Godhead, we are not troubled.
Just a little later on Jesus qualified that thought yet again – {{John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give to you. LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, nor let it be fearful.”}}. The whole fundamental basis for not being troubled is the peace the Lord gives to them and us. It is that peace that rides out any storm, as we see in the gospel - Mark 4:35-41.
SO VERY IMPORTANT – IDENTIFICATION IN THE FIERY ORDEAL
The next step Peter leads us to, is identification, and that is important.
I don’t follow any code of football, or in the United States: basketball and baseball, but I can’t help seeing the way people identify with their teams – songs, slogans, banners, jerseys, signs, much talk, excitement, and a lot more. This is at its height in the finals times especially. I see that in the world and wonder why Christians are not enthusiastic about their Lord Jesus. We should identify with Him.
We note this verse:-
{{1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at THE FIERY ORDEAL AMONG YOU, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.”}}
Here suffering is called a “fiery trial” or “ordeal,” and let us not be surprised that such things happen to Christians. Fiery persecution does not come from God but from the enemy, through men under the control of evil impulses. In the following passage we understand that unbelievers will oppose and persecute, and bring about suffering:- {{2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 “and that we may be delivered from PERVERSE AND EVIL MEN FOR NOT ALL HAVE FAITH, but the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”}}
What follows will seal the matter for us and give us the ultimate comfort in trial. Peter says this:-
{{1 Peter 4:13 “but to the degree that YOU SHARE THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST, keep on rejoicing, so that also AT THE REVELATION OF HIS GLORY, you may rejoice with exultation.”}}
In that special verse we have a “now and then” picture. Now is the suffering as we share with Christ in that, but then, it will be sharing His glory. It will not be long when the true Church will share in His revealed glory when He comes for His Bride.
This is 100% identification! Count it an honour to share the sufferings of Christ, He who gave all for each of us. We can only share in a minuscule degree for there is no comparison. When sharing, keep rejoicing. I believe that’s the hardest aspect. Rejoice in pain; rejoice in difficulty; rejoice when the unjust blows fall from a hateful world. Oh, that is hard! It is the Philippian prison experience. But what a rich reward lies ahead! What exultant rejoicing at the revelation of His glory!
Suffering is a step along the road to purification and being moulded into Christ’s image. I want to share a verse from Malachi that speaks of the Jews who will be purified one day after the Church is removed to heaven. It is not the same, but there are similarities, for it is the suffering that purifies and brings out the quality for the Lord. {{Malachi 3:3 “And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and HE WILL PURIFY the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.”}}
For the Lord, joy followed pain; rejoicing followed suffering (Hebrews 12:2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus . . . who for the joy set before Him ENDURED the cross, despising the shame . . .”). This is how we will share in Christ’s sufferings. We walk the path He walked, but in such a shadowy degree. Being reviled for His Name brings blessing through the Spirit’s ministry:-
{{1 Peter 4:14 “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, YOU ARE BLESSED, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”}}
This causes one not to feel ashamed:-
{{1 Peter 4:16 “but if anyone SUFFERS AS A CHRISTIAN, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God.”}}
“I'm not ashamed to own my Lord,
Or to defend His cause;
Maintain the honour of His word,
The glory of His cross.”
In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, let us, when suffering, glorify God. For those who suffer do it according to the will of God, and can be assured that the entrusting of their souls to a faithful Creator God will bring glory to the Name of our gracious Saviour. That is what Peter would impress on us.
{{1 Peter 4:19 “Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God ENTRUST THEIR SOULS to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”}}
In the light of eternity, what is the measure of this present suffering, however severe it may be? Peter compares this way:-
{{1 Peter 5:10 “And after you have SUFFERED FOR A LITTLE WHILE, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, WILL HIMSELF PERFECT, CONFIRM, STRENGTHEN AND ESTABLISH YOU.”}}
The trials and deep suffering that can fall on Christians, Paul describes this way – {{2 Corinthians 4:16-17 “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day, for MOMENTARY, LIGHT AFFLICTION is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison”}}
There we have it! In proper perspective, it is but “a little while” and this present heartache will be nothing when compared with the eternal glory to which we have been called and designated. However, in the trial, God is gracious and will perfect (create us more like Christ, and collect us to Himself - restore); confirm (comfort us with a true assurance); strengthen (stand by us to hold our hand); and establish every one of us.
Amen. The Lord will give us understanding.
