1 Peter 3:13-17
As we have been studying the first epistle of Peter,
There is no doubt that he has been writing to a suffering people.
We started in verse 1 noting that these people were the “Rejected Selected”
1 Peter 1:1 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen”
These people weren’t suffering because God had rejected them.
They were rejected by the world because God had selected them.
And as Peter has been pointing out throughout his letter,
One of the reasons God selects us is so we might suffer for Him.
1 Peter 2:21-23 “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;”
Peter will say later in the letter.
1 Peter 4:1-2 “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”
Christians are called for many different purposes,
And one of them is to suffer for Jesus.
This is certainly implied in the invitation of Jesus.
Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”
Certainly anyone in here who has ever determined
To live for Jesus has learned this fact.
For even Paul said,
2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
I have no doubt I am not the only one in here who has at least a limited understanding of what it means to suffer for Jesus.
That being said,
It is important that we not only discuss the calling of suffering, but the Biblical way to suffer.
For there is most certainly a right way and a wrong way to suffer for Jesus.
That is what we discuss tonight.
#1 THE DIVINE PROMISE TO SUFFERERS
1 Peter 3:13-14a
Peter starts off with a very important question,
That is well worth our consideration.
“Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?”
This is a point about suffering that must be made.
We know the Bible promises unjust suffering for Christians
Matthew 10:24-25 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. “It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign the members of his household!”
However, it is also worth noting that just because we may suffer,
It is not necessarily because we look like Jesus.
There are definitely times when our suffering
Is brought on by our own selfish ignorance.
Which will be Peter’s point later in the letter.
1 Peter 4:15 “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;”
“If you stick your nose in that,
Somebody is liable to put a fist on the end of it.”
Sometimes we bring suffering on ourselves.
So to that Peter asks,
“Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?”
The word “good” is translated AGATHOS
“Describes that which is good in its character or constitution. That which is beneficial in its effect”
It is the word we saw this morning.
Matthew 19:17 “And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
And Peter says, if you are zealous for these things,
Then why would anyone want to harm you?
If we make sure we live our lives seeking God’s goodness,
Then we’ll help ourselves avoid much of the trouble we get ourselves into.
It is when we stray from that,
That we most certainly bring trouble upon ourselves.
However, if we would seek what is good,
Maybe we can avoid some of the suffering we bring on ourselves.
Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.”
Romans 16:19 “For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.”
If we will, then we should eliminate much of our suffering.
HOWEVER
We all know that even the best of people are promised to suffer.
Look at Jesus if you need an example.
(14a) “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed,”
This is the promise that God gives to those who suffer.
God still promises to bless you, even in the midst of it.
1 Peter 5:10 “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.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “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, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
James 1:2-4 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
If you suffer for doing what is right, then the only thing your persecutor can do to you is increase your heavenly reward.
THEY ARE POWERLESS!
Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
You are blessed when you suffer because of what that says about you.
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 on you.”
1 Corinthians 11:17-19 “But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.”
WHAT GREATER BLESSING COULD WE ASK FOR?
When we focus on the promise, it gives the strength to endure.
It is how we turn persecution into praise!
#2 THE DIVINE PRINCIPLES FOR SUFFERERS
1 Peter 3:14b-16
We mentioned earlier that there are wrong reasons to suffer.
But also, even when we suffer for the right reasons,
There are also wrong ways to suffer.
If you are suffering, there are 4 principles he wants you to take to heart.
1) DO NOT FEAR
“AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED”
Here Peter is quoting Isaiah 8:12-13
It came when Assyria was dominating the world, and was threatening to destroy Israel and Judah. Judah had determined to make an alliance with Assyria.
To that God is responding.
Isaiah 8:11-14 “For thus the LORD spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying, “You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’ In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. “It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread. “Then He shall become a sanctuary; But to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over, And a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”
A wrong way to suffer is to allow yourself to filled with fear.
Fear is evidence that you have taken your eyes off of God.
Matthew 14:28-31 “Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Peter had fallen into the trap that we so often do.
He got caught looking at the circumstances.
How often we do that.
We take our eyes off of Sovereign God and allow the circumstances to frighten us out of what God is calling us to do.
There are a few truths we need to understand here as well.
FEAR IS THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH
Matthew 14:1-12 “At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Having been prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus.”
Herod’s life was one that was dictated by fear.
Think of Pilot. His choice was dictated by fear, not faith.
You cannot walk in fear and faith at the same time.
Fear is the opposite of faith.
FEAR IS SIN
Of course if fear is the opposite of faith, this makes sense.
Romans 14:23b “…and whatever is not from faith is sin.”
HELL IS FULL OF COWARDS
I know the mindset is that Christians are sissies. NOT REAL ONES.
It takes courage to live like a Christian.
When a person stays silent when they should speak…
When a person runs when they should stand…
When a person consents when they should rebuke…
This is called cowardice.
Revelation 21:8 “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
And there is a reason why those who follow fear are condemned to hell.
They are following the wrong spirit.
2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
If we are following a spirit of fear, we are not following God.
DO NOT FEAR
2) DO NOT FLUCTUATE
(14) “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts”
The word “sanctify” means to “set apart” or to make it a done deal.
While suffering, it is imperative that Christians
Solidify who is in charge of their lives.
Elijah said it like this.
1 Kings 18:21 “Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word.”
If we are not 100% committed to the Lordship of Christ,
Then we are not suffering correctly.
Anyone can obey Jesus when it is easy.
It is during those difficult moments that His Lordship has to be solidified.
DO NOT FEAR
DO NOT FLUCTUATE
3) DO NOT FOLD
(15b) “always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”
The word “defense” is translated APOLOGIA
It is where we get the word “apologetics” (i.e. the defense of the faith)
I used the word fold, because I think you will all understand the point.
Sometimes you can be holding the upper hand, and not be convinced that you are holding the upper hand. You get bluffed by an opponent, and instead of showing your cards, you fold.
In the Christian life we are always holding the upper hand.
Yet many times we still are unwilling to show our cards. Many times we still fold.
This is foolish.
Psalms 119:97-100 “O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts.”
Jude 3-4 “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
What are we afraid of?
We have all of eternity to dwell in safety.
We are called to make a defense.
Do it with “gentleness and reverence” but make a defense.
2 Timothy 2:22-26 “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”
A Christian that folds in the face of persecution is not suffering properly.
Luke 14:34-35 “Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned? “It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
4) DO NOT FALL
(16) “and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.”
Another important thing here is not to fall into sin.
A persecutors goal is to stop the conviction that is hitting them
Because of your righteousness.
Don’t stop your righteousness for them.
Guard yourself against temptation and stay pure.
DO NOT fear, fluctuate, fold, fall
#3 THE DIVINE PREFERENCE OF SUFFERERS
1 Peter 3:17
This last verse gives us insight
Into God’s perspective of the whole ordeal.
1) CLARIFICATION
“It is better”
You could either obey God and suffer in the world,
or you could disobey God and suffer from Him.
WHICH DO YOU THINK GOD PREFERS?
Matthew 10:28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
It is far better to suffer for righteousness sake.
2) CONDITION
“if God should will it so”
WHEN DO WE SUFFER OUTSIDE OF THE WILL OF GOD?
When we sin
When we bring it on ourselves.
One of the ways we can mess up the quickest in our Christian walk
Is when we begin seeking the effects of God instead of God Himself.
For example:
The presence of God brings blessing.
But some get confused and just begin seeking the blessing instead of God.
Worshiping God brings joy.
But some get confused and just begin seeking the experience instead of God.
By the same token, following God brings persecution.
But some seek the suffering, in hopes of getting closer to God.
You do not have to seek suffering.
Even Jesus wasn’t excited about suffering.
You do have to seek God’s will, which will bring suffering.
Make sure that your suffering is justified.
3) CIRCUMSTANCE
“that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong”
God prefers for us to endure when suffering under the will of God.
Don’t suffer for other reasons.
The life lived for Jesus is marked for persecution.
But if we follow His principles, that life of persecution
Can be transformed into an eternity of victory.
Romans 8:35-39 “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
