How to Handle the Heat (1 Peter 3:13-4:6)
- let me make a pretty bold prediction about your
life
- if you follow Jesus Christ consistently, and
try to live in a way that’s pleasing to him in every aspect of
your life – at work, in the family, at school – here’s
what I’ll predict
- you’re going to take some heat
-
- many people don’t like Jesus Christ
- they don’t say it in as many words
- but they don’t like what he represents,
and they don’t want anyone "stuffing Christianity down their
throats"
- once you identify yourself as a follower of Jesus,
you’re lumped in with many of his unpopular positions
- and you’re not always going to be the most
popular person around
-
- people don’t like what the Bible teaches
- just try explaining some of what the Bible teaches,
and you’re guaranteed to draw stares
- try a few elementary theological points, share
them at a coffee break this week, and see what happens
- mention that you believe in a literal heaven
and hell; in a real Satan
- that you don’t think that all world religions
are the same
- just challenge the person reading The Celestine
Prophesy, or say that it’s not just enough to be sincere
- and you will find that you don’t always
hold a position that’s appreciated by others
-
- then there are moral issues
- the majority view these days is that if it doesn’t
hurt others, it’s okay
- but just try taking a moral position on a social
issue, and you’ll be called intolerant and narrow-minded
- when you take a moral position and refuse to
participate in action you perceive as important, you will be perceived
as a moral irritant
- and it’s just possible that you’ll
feel the not-so-subtle peer pressure, or just flat out hostility
- I’d go so far to say that if you and I are
not taking at least some heat as believers, we’re probably not
living consistent Christ-pleasing lives
-
- imagine you attend a school where most drink
to the point of drunkenness at least occasionally
- where many of them smoke or use addictive drugs
- and where sexual relations take place in a casual
manner
- and where people know who does what and who refuses
to take part in certain actions
- imagine that you’re not accepted because
of the stand you take as a Christian person
- you gain a certain reputation
-
- if you live a consistent life as a Christian
in the workplace, the same applies to you
- you might gain the respect of some, but others
look at you like you’re from some other planet
- and some even experience the rejection of parents,
who ask, "Why did you leave the religion I raised you in?"
-
- the simple fact is: if you follow Jesus Christ
consistently, and try to live in a way that’s pleasing to him in
every aspect of your life – at work, in the family, at school –you’re
going to take some heat
- it’s guaranteed
-
- now, I’ve discovered that not everyone likes
to take heat
- some people are naturally inclined to take a
bold stand
- they’ve never seen a confrontation they
didn’t want to join
- but others of us just don’t like to make
a fuss
- we like to blend in and go with the flow
- we certainly don’t want to be pegged as
holier-than-thou or goody-two-shoes
- and we certainly don’t want to take a bold
stand if it will draw attention to ourselves
-
- it’s to you that I want to speak this morning
- because it’s just possible that in a desire
to avoid attention, you’ve been living a less than stellar example
- it might be that the only reason you’re
not drawing some heat as a believer is that you’re not living a
life that’s pleasing to Jesus Christ
- you’ve compromised in order to win acceptance
by your peers
-
- Peter gives us a principle this morning that
should help you
- it’s found in 1 Peter 3:13
- (1 Peter 3:13) Who is going to harm you if you
are eager to do good?
- here’s what Peter would like to tell you
- if you live a consistent life that is pleasing
to Jesus Christ, the general rule is that those who do right are rewarded,
not punished
- this is a rule of thumb, not an iron-clad promise
- but his point is, don’t shy away from living
a clear and consistent Christian life, because generally the reaction
you will get is one of respect
-
- I’ve been in the position of watching certain
people in the workplace
- I’ve found that those who try to serve Jesus
Christ faithfully as bookkeepers, or CFOs, professionals, or as postal
carriers – whatever the occupation – I’ve found that
they end up earning the respect of most of their peers
- there might be a little bit of teasing; there
might be a few that don’t understand; but most end up respecting
the quiet and consistent life that is dedicated to Jesus Christ
- it just might be that you’re overestimating
the opposition that you’re going to receive
-
- but what if this principle is wrong?
- what if, in your life, you’re going to take
a little heat
- you’re going to suffer the rejection of
peers for the life you lead as a Christian?
- well, Peter says, I’ve got five things to
tell you that you need to remember when you’re taking a little
heat
- THE FIRST THING YOU SHOULD REMEMBER: YOU’RE
BLESSED WHEN YOU’RE TAKING HEAT
- (1 Peter 3:14) But even if you should suffer
for what is right, you are blessed.
- "Oh yeah, Peter, I’m really blessed
for taking some hits for being a believer"
- well, Peter says you are, but I don’t think
this thought originated with him
- Jesus said a similar thing:
- (Matthew 5:10) Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- (Matthew 5:11) "Blessed are you when people
insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against
you because of me.
- (Matthew 5:12) Rejoice and be glad, because great
is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets
who were before you.
-
- you might say, "In what way am I blessed
when I’m insulted for Christ?"
- as a child I learned about Daniel in Sunday school
- I remembered him taking a number of bold stands
for God, and I aspired to be like him
- it’s funny that as children we have the
courage to be like Daniel, but as we grow we become chickens
- but we’re blessed whenever we take a stand
and draw some heat, because every time we do, we’re standing in
a line of great prophets – Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel
- and God promises that he will reward the faithful
by receiving us into his eternal kingdom one day where there is no more
persecution
- you’re experiencing God’s plan and
fulfilling your calling
- and one day you’ll be rewarded for enduring
those undeserved trials
- just as God blessed all his saints who have taken
bold stands before, God will bless you
- that’s the first thing to remember
-
- THE SECOND THING YOU SHOULD REMEMBER IS THIS:
TRUST CHRIST WHEN YOU’RE TAKING HEAT
- (1 Peter 3:14) "Do not fear what they fear
; do not be frightened."
- (1 Peter 3:15) But in your hearts set apart Christ
as Lord.
- as opposed to thinking about the opposition,
think about Christ
- Peter here quotes an Old Testament passage from
Isaiah 8 which warns us not to fear faithless people
- the point of both passages is clear: instead
of focusing our attention on those who are giving us trouble for the
way we live, focus on Christ
- remember that he, and not our human opponents,
is truly in control of events
- have such a deep-seated confidence in Christ
as Lord and King, that you won’t even give the opposition a thought
- where’s your focus? Peter asks
- on the one who’s giving you grief for the
stand you’re taking as a believer, or on Jesus Christ
-
- THE THIRD THING, PETER SAYS, THAT YOU NEED
TO REMEMBER: WITNESS WHEN YOU’RE TAKING HEAT
- (1 Peter 3:15) But in your hearts set apart Christ
as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness
and respect,
- (1 Peter 3:16) keeping a clear conscience, so
that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ
may be ashamed of their slander.
- it’s likely as a believer that once you
begin living a consistent life that’s pleasing to God, that you
will be challenged by unbelievers
- somewhere along the line, you’ll be pinned
against the wall and asked what you believe and why
- the problem is, such an occasion will probably
come up unexpectedly; yet if we have an answer ready, we won’t
miss the opportunity
- when the moment comes, Peter says, have your
answer (literally "defense") prepared, and by all means –
give it with gentleness and respect
- don’t overpower the listener with your aggressiveness
- respectfully explain why you live the way you
do, and let God take care of the results
-
- some of us believe that our faith is a personal
matter that should be kept to oneself
- I’m friends with many people who don’t
share my beliefs and who wouldn’t call themselves Christians
- I’ve found that in almost every case, they
eventually ask about my faith, my lifestyle, my Christian perspective
- you know what happens usually?
- our hearts begin beating a bit faster
- we become a little tongue-tied
- we blow the opportunity
- maybe the one application we need to make this
morning is: be ready
- know what you’re going to say when someone
asks you about your faith
- there are some excellent tools that are available
to help you know what to say
- but prepare now, before the opportunity arrives,
to be able to articulate why you believe what you believe
- it doesn’t have to be articulate; it just
has to be genuine
-
- it’s a great thing to take a little heat
for your faith, because that’s what both Jesus and Noah did
- and that’s Peter’s point in verses
18 to 22 – a wonderful but baffling digression
- let me warn you first by saying that these verses
are among the most difficult to unravel in the entire Bible
- there are themes in here that would take months
to unravel
- what should we remember about Jesus and Noah?
- one – to be bold in our witness,
as they were
- two – to be confident that, though
we are few, God will certainly save us – as he did both Noah and
Jesus
- and also to remember that just as the
flood eventually came, so judgment will come to our world as well, and
Christ will ultimately triumph over all the evil of the universe
-
- the bottom line of this section is: get your
eyes off the problems of acceptance, and get them focused squarely on
the fact that God will vindicate you
- and just as Moses and Jesus suffered, follow
their example, take some heat, and be bold
-
- THE FOURTH THING WE NEED TO REMEMBER WHEN
TAKING HEAT FOR CHRIST IS: REMEMBER THAT TAKING HEAT HELPS YOU BECOME
OBEDIENT
- (1 Peter 4:1) Therefore, since Christ suffered
in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he
who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
- (1 Peter 4:2) As a result, he does not live the
rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the
will of God.
- if you focus on Christ, and are willing to take
some heat for your devotion to him, sin will lose its power to defeat
you
- the more we take some heat for our devotion to
Christ, the more that we’ll be weaned from sin
- following through with a decision to obey God,
even when it means suffering, will strengthen our commitment: it will
commit us more firmly than ever before to a pattern of action where
obedience is more important than our desire to avoid pain
-
- THE FIFTH THING WE NEED TO REMEMBER WHEN WE’RE
TAKING HEAT FOR CHRIST IS: TAKE HEAT BECAUSE WE’VE SINNED
ENOUGH ALREADY
- (1 Peter 4:3) For you have spent enough time
in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust,
drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
- if you’re tempted to take the easy way out
and avoid taking heat for Christ, be warned: your past experience of
sin is enough
- you’ve sinned enough already for a lifetime
- why would you want to live any longer the kind
of life which was given to following sinful human desires?
- it’s time to get on with a life of obedience
-
- verses four and five remind us of the consequence
of a life that doesn’t honor Christ
- (1 Peter 4:4) They think it strange that you
do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they
heap abuse on you.
- (1 Peter 4:5) But they will have to give account
to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
- you’ve sinned enough already in your previous
life – but why would you want to continue in a life that will ultimately
result in the judgment of God?
- it’s much preferable to live a life that’s
pleasing to God
- I love how one person translates this:
- "You’ve already put in your time in
that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken
and profligate life. Now it’s time to be done with it for good.
Of course, your old friends don’t understand why you don’t
join in with the old gang anymore. But you don’t have to give
an account to them. They’re the ones who will be called on the
carpet – and before God himself."
- those who don’t live lives that are pleasing
to God will one day have to give account to God for their disobedience
- unless they too get a new life through Jesus
Christ, they’re headed for judgment
- we certainly don’t want to join them
- it doesn’t hurt that they think we’re
different from them – we are, after all!
- if anything, we want them to know what we do:
that we have a new life and new hope in Jesus Christ
-
- but I’ll repeat what I said before
- if you follow Jesus Christ consistently, and
try to live in a way that’s pleasing to him in every aspect of
your life – at work, in the family, at school –you’re
going to take some heat
- you may be scorned because you won’t participate
in certain activities, and it’s clear that your priorities have
changed
- if you live a consistent life as a believer,
your example will be an indictment of others who aren’t living
lives that are pleasing to God
- and the reception won’t always be positive
-
- but when you take some heat for Christ, you’re
blessed
- just focus on him instead of the opposition;
don’t forget to witness
- remember that suffering for his sake helps your
obedience
- and don’t forget, after all, that you’ve
sinned enough already for a lifetime – it’s time now to live
a life that’s pleasing to God, even if it does draw a little heat
-
- it’s easy to say this in Canada in 1998,
because for most of us, drawing heat will mean peer pressure –
that we aren’t universally accepted
- but around the early 60’s AD, taking a little
heat might have meant physical suffering, and even death
- the author of these five reminders himself was
put to death as a martyr for his beliefs
- and many others who read these words and remembered
these points found within themselves the courage to take bold stands
- and when they did, they remembered they were
blessed; they focused on Christ, and they were able to give a clear
and compelling defense for the reason of their hope
-
- if you follow Jesus Christ consistently, and
try to live in a way that’s pleasing to him in every aspect of
your life – at work, in the family, at school –you’re
going to take some heat
- so let’s be willing, and prepared, to take
this heat, and thank God for the benefits that it brings to our lives
- let’s pray
-
- prayer
- first – prayer for boldness
- second – prayer that others might notice
the difference in our lives; not that we’re better, but that Jesus
has done something tremendous within us
- we have a new life and a new hope
- third – that they may be drawn to Jesus
Christ through our witness
-
- announcement
- I hope you’ll join us tonight for a concert
of prayer – a time of praising God with the praise band, and also
a time of prayer to God, tonight at 6:00
- let’s pray together
-
- closing prayer
- (Matthew 5:10) Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- (Matthew 5:11) "Blessed are you when people
insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against
you because of me.
- (Matthew 5:12) Rejoice and be glad, because great
is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets
who were before you.
- Father, thanks that you allow us to take some
heat just as Jesus and Moses did
- help us to live such consistent lives as believers
that others will notice and ask how we’re different
- and when they do, help us to be prepared to give
them a reason for the hope that we have
- and that they may be drawn to the Savior we love
- in Jesus’ name, Amen.
