MPC
14th June 2020.June 14 - 1 Peter 4:12-19 - "A Guide to Suffering for Jesus"
MPC
14th June 2020.
Dan Wilton
The end of last year. I had a dentist appointment. You've gotta understand that's a big thing for me. I'm not a massive fan of the dentist. And so I try and ration my check ups to once every two years.
Not because of any bad experience. Just the basic fear of being stabbed by a giant needle in the mouth. So this was my biennial check up. And much to my horror I found out that I needed a couple of fillings.
Thankfully the follow up appointment had to be cancelled because of the lock-down. But I haven't really got around to re-booking. The prospect of paying someone to put me through a whole world of pain isn't that appealing!
And look, I don't think I'm alone there. Not just with a fear of dentists. But a much more primal fear of pain. We as a culture hate pain. Don't we!? We hate suffering. We go to extreme lengths. As a society to pursue pleasure. At all costs.
Christian sociologist, David Williams, reckons as a society the Western World is adopting a new world-view. Where everything we do is dictated by pleasure or pain.
Williams says "In a pain-pleasure worldview, you make decisions based on what feels good to you and what makes you happy. Your identity is as a pleasure seeker and a pain avoider.
If you're not finding pleasure in what you do. If you're not happy. Then there's something drastically wrong! So change it! Do what feels good! It's the anthem of our society. Do what feels good. Avoid pain at all costs.
Which makes what Peter says this morning so counter cultural. And so hard for us to hear.
Because it's into this suffering-avoidance world-view. That Peter says, if you're a follower of Jesus then you're going to face a whole world of hurt. A suffering that shouldn't and can't be avoided.
If you're joining us for the first time this week. We're near the end of this letter written by the Apostle Peter - one of Jesus' closest friends. To a bunch of largely Jewish-Christians. Who've been doing it tough. They're scattered. oppressed. rejected by society. Because they've decided to follow Jesus. Persecuted for their faith.
And it's into this context that Peter gives a guide to how these men and women should respond to the suffering they're facing.
Now, I wanna be clear from the beginning. Peter's not speaking about suffering due to sickness. Or due to poor life choices. Or from a dental check up.
Peter's specifically talking about how to respond to the suffering you might get for being a Christian.
So as you read this passage and you hear what Peter's got to say about suffering. We can't relate it to every time we suffer. That's not what he's talking about. He's talking about suffering for the name of Jesus.
I wonder... have you ever suffered because you've decided to follow Jesus?
Have you ever come away from an experience. A circumstance. A period of life. Thinking: 'man, being a Christian is really hard!'
Do you think you could go through suffering for your faith? If you haven't already?
Well, let turn to this passage and equip ourselves. To deal with what has happened, or what might happen in the future. Here's Peter's guide to responding to suffering. And the first thing he wants to make clear is... don't be surprised when it comes.
Peter's being as upfront as you can. About suffering as a Christian. This isn't in small print at the bottom of the contract. This warning is front and centre. If you're a Christian. Or you want to be a Christian. Life's going to be difficult. Don't think it's unusual when you're criticised for following Jesus. In fact expect it!
Have a look at how Peter puts it. Verse 12:
Don't be surprised at the fiery trial that comes on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Now we don't know exactly what those Peter's writing to were facing. But it wasn't long after this letter was written, that being a Christian became a criminal offence. But probably not at this point. We do get a hint of their suffering, verse 14 though. Have a look.
If you're insulted... for the name of Christ.
And last week we saw - verse 4 - they were being abused for not joining in with their mates and neighbours. in wild living. Verbal attack and social discrimination seems to be the main trial or suffering. They're not participating in the norms of society. And so society says: you don't belong here any more. You're weird. You're strange. You're out of place.
But Peter says don't be surprised by those trials. When you're mocked by your work colleagues. The source of gossip. And excluded from socialising with others on the weekend. Because of your faith.
Or overlooked for that job simply because you're unwilling to commit to the company at the expense of everything else. Or when your keep butting up against your family. Or friends. For the things you hold as central. Don't be surprised.
But instead rejoice! Huh?!?! That's an odd thing to say. Isn't it? Rejoice in your suffering!?
He's not saying rejoice in your pain. Or in your sadness. But rejoice in that you participate in the sufferings of Christ. In other words - you're identifying with him. When you suffer for the name of Jesus. When your persecuted for his sake. You're on his trajectory. You're following in his footsteps.
You know when kids are so obsessed with a new super hero. They spend all their time reenacting scenes from the latest movie. Playing the part of the hero.
Peter says, our hero is Jesus. And we're privileged to imitate him. Have a look again. Verse 13:
Don't be surprised by the suffering. But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
Jesus is our hero. In that he accomplishes that which we can not. He takes all our sin and darkness to the cross. He dies in the place of our punishment. And robs it of all it's power!
He's the hero who saves us. But he's also the example. And the feet we follow. He shows us what it means to truly live for others and for God. And he invites us to follow courageously in his footsteps. Following in his suffering. But also following in his glory.
Peter wants to make to make it clear that suffering like Jesus, for his sakes has a good ending. Peter says. Verse 14. We're blessed if we're insulted because of Jesus.
Now I don't know about you. But that just seems to go against my nature! Doesn't it?
When we feel used. And feel the injustice of it all. Just want to get even.
But the completely unbelievable news is. When that happens. When you feel that you're suffering for being a Christian. You are blessed. And you're blessed because you're following in Jesus' footsteps. Becoming more like him. Bearing more and more the family resemblance of Jesus. So praise God. For making you more and more like Jesus!
But Peter also want to make sure we're not suffering for the wrong reasons. He goes on to say. Verse 15.
If you suffer it shouldn't be as a murderer. Or a thief. Or any kind of criminal.
I reckon we're all on board with that. There's nothing meritorious about those things. But Peter also adds... Or even a meddler.
Do you know what a meddler is? Someone who's annoying! Don't feel like a martyr if you're annoying! But if you suffer for Jesus. You're blessed!
There's a very fine line between suffering for being a Christian. And suffering for being obnoxiously annoying.
Sometimes, in trying to convey the life giving message of the Gospel. Christians have been rude and inconsiderate to others. And they come away from the interaction. Feeling like a martyr.
When really the person they were talking to, wasn't offended by the gospel. They were offended by the person speaking to them. For being a jerk. You see it all the time online. On social media.
If you suffer for being a meddler. A pest. A jerk. All valid interpretations... That's not meritorious. If you're being rude and offensive on social media. And then you're attacked or un-friended. That's not suffering for the sake of Jesus. That's just being foolish. Putting your own desire to win an argument. Over sharing Jesus with others.
If we suffer for wrong doing. That's not worthy of praise. Peter says. But if you suffer for Jesus. Then praise God. Rejoice. Not because you love being the martyr. But because you're following in the footsteps of Jesus. You're on the right track. It's confirmation that you're prioritising living for Jesus.
And what God is doing in that moment of suffering is he's refining our faith and purifying us. Check out what Peter says. Verse 17.
For if it is time for judgment to begin with God's household...
It might sound a bit harsh. Might sound as if God's some kind of sadist. Inflicting pain on Christians. But it's not saying that. If you think of the language of verse 12 - fiery ordeal. Peter's talking about refining the people of God. It's time for the people of God to be refined. Peter says. Judgment needs to start with the church. God's using our suffering to purify his church. To test our genuineness. That'll lead us to make decisions for Jesus.
And so Peter says. As you endure the suffering. Remember what's coming. Put your suffering into an eternal perspective. Because the alternative is much worse.
Peter says - verse 17.
If judgement begins with those who follow Jesus, What will the outcome be for those who don't obey the gospel?
Not good. See, we're left with a choice. Will we be judged by our society. Or be judged by God. We must be judged by someone. Who are you going to choose?
I've got a couple of mates who are big fans of I'm aCelebrity! Get Me Out of Here. Look it's not my type of TV show. But you might be a fan. It's basically a reality TV show about putting a group of celebrities into the jungle. And seeing if they can last without all the comforts of home. But they're also given regular tests. To see how much food they can earn.
The tests aren't to see if they stay in. They have to stay in! They're challenges to earn more food. Now each season. There's always a celebrity who can't hack it and so they leave early. They're not voted out. They just can't handle the tests. The uncomfortable challenges. And so they leave.
Peter's saying trials work the same way for Christians. Christians don't earn a place in heaven by enduring a trial. We get a place in heaven because Jesus took our place and endured a life-ending trial on our behalf. On the cross.
You put your faith in him. And he does it all for us.
But as those who follow Jesus meet trials. They can either refine our faith. And purify God's church. Or they can be opportunities to pull the cord. And leave. To get out of the Christian life. To be like those celebrities. And say - not this isn't for me! It's all a bit too hard. It's not worth it. But for those who do endure. Will have an eternity with God.
God's refining his church. Judgement begins with the household of God.
But Peter's saying here. Understand what's going on. God's not trying to get rid of you. He's trying to purify you. And he wants you to stand firm. And he will glorify you if you stand firm with Jesus. In fact that's where Peter ends up in this passage.
Have a look verse 19.
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good!
Since it's better to suffer for Jesus. Than the alternative. Since glory awaits those who follow Jesus. Instead of condemnation and judgement. What then should we do? Just like Jesus. We're to entrust ourselves to the one who judges justly.
Entrusting ourselves to our faithful creator. Who is loyal to us. And who is powerful to deliver us. And continue to do good.
This is our calling in the world. To just do good. Reflect God to those around us. To live. And to speak as one of Jesus' people. No matter the cost. And use whatever circumstances we can for good.
I don't know what the future will look like in Australia for Christians? But I imagine it'll become even harder to stand out as a Christians in the years ahead.
But if we live for him in society. If we're honest about what we want from society. And what it means for us to follow Jesus. It will actually bring persecution in the name of Jesus, for Christians.
But if you are willing to willing to suffer for Jesus. You can know that your future is secure. For those who follow Jesus, we've been adopted as one of God's children. And he loves us. Whatever happens. Life or death. Suffering. Financial difficulty. Social rejection. Disappointment. Loss. God loves us. He'll never leave us. Or let us go.
And if you're here this morning. Listening in. And you don't know that love. You don't know that assurance. You don't know Jesus and his death and resurrection.
You can know it. You can know that great hope. You can be assured of God's love. You can have a new start in Jesus right now! Just ask God to be your master. And trust that he'll look after you. Speak to us about it...
And for those who are already followers of Jesus. And are already feeling either the nigglings or full-on contempt for being a Christian. Rejoice. Because you're following in Jesus' footsteps. Who now sits in heaven. And who you'll meet in glory.
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful creator and continue to do good.