Aug 23, 1998 11 min read old-sermon

Tested and Tried (1 Peter 4:12-19)

so how did you do last week?
when I left you last Sunday, I challenged you to commit to God in one of four areas
I asked you to commit, for one week, to pray, love, be hospitable, or begin discovering and using your gifts
many of you raised your hands, and I’m curious – how did you do?
so I’m going to ask you a favor
if you followed through on your commitment, and something good came out of it, I’d like you to write down a short note and give it to me describing what happened
and next Sunday morning I want to share some of the results without identifying any names or identities
in fact, if anything – even one thing – from our study of 1 Peter has made a difference in your life, I’d like you to share it with me by giving it to me this week, getting it into the church office to my attention before Thursday
and next Sunday, as we wrap up our study of 1 Peter, we’ll begin by celebrating what God has done through his Word
let’s pray before we open God’s Word this morning
just a few months ago, a young man by the name of Hasan became a Christian after an evangelist passing out gospel booklets in a nearby city told him about Jesus Christ
in this North African country, Hasan knew the risks, but he returned home and told his family of his decision to become a Christian
his father, an emir, ordered him to renounce his faith before a council of village elders, but Hasan refused
and the father, in keeping with Islamic law for apostasy, had his 15-year-old son publicly beheaded
a Punjab district court sentenced Pakistani Christian Ayoob Masih to death on April 27, declaring him guilty of blasphemy against the prophet Mohammed
Ayoob, age 31, was convicted and sentenced to hang under section 295-c of the Pakistan Penal Code, which carries a mandatory death penalty.
in addition to the death sentence, Ayoob was ordered to pay the state a fine of 100,000 rupees ($2,500).
all over the world, in countries such as Algeria, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, North Korea, and Sri Lanka, it is estimated that two hundred million Christians live in danger of imprisonment, persecution, and even death because of their Christian beliefs
last year, 160,000 Christians were martyred
in more than 60 countries around the world, Christians are being tortured, murdered, and even crucified because of their faith
I don’t know of any recent martyrs in Canada
however, a Christian liberal arts university in British Columbia recently applied to the B.C. College of Teachers to offer the fifth year of teacher training necessary to be a certified teacher in that province
their request was approved, and subsequently overturned because it was felt that “Trinity Western’s Community Standards discriminate against homosexuals and that Trinity Western education graduates may therefore be biased against homosexuals”
the British Columbia Supreme Court ruled that this argument is “inherently flawed” and that there is good evidence that graduates are not biased against homosexuals
the case, however, has been appealed, and a decision is not expected until October
the problem? that the Christian university welcomes all students, but asks that while they attend, they live according to Christian behavior, and abstain from premarital sex, adultery and homosexual behavior while attending Trinity Western
why should believers, who generally live quiet and peaceable lives, be targeted in ways that make life very difficult for them, even resulting in many parts of this world in physical torture or death?
I am not a prophet, or a son of a prophet, but I think we can safely predict that even in Canada, it will become more costly to be a believer in Jesus Christ in the years to come
Peter gives four instructions in this morning’s passage, 1 Peter 4:12-19, the first one of which is especially important for us in Canada to hear
if you’ve been here on previous weeks, you know that Peter is writing to a group of churches in the area now known as Turkey
the theme of Peter’s writing is really how to live as a Christian in a hostile world
it’s possible that as Peter writes this section, he is addressing a group for whom persecution has already become a reality
in any case, for all of Peter’s recipients, persecution, and even death, was going to become a reality in their lives very soon
as Peter focuses on this more intense form of suffering, he instructs us on how to react
AND THE FIRST THING HE SAYS IS: EXPECT SUFFERING
(1 Peter 4:12) Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
it’s interesting that when something bad happens, our first response is to be surprised – “I can’t believe this is happening!”
we’ve bought into the idea that we should always be happy, comfortable, and successful
but this isn’t so!
the Word of God brings us crashing down into reality, and tells us, “There’s nothing strange about fiery trials. In fact, expect them”
Charles Swindoll says, “If…we view life as a schoolroom and God as the instructor, it should come as no surprise when we encounter pop quizzes and periodic examinations….Maturity in the Christian life….is measured by our ability to withstand the tests that come our way without having them shake our foundation or throw us into an emotional tailspin”
a lot of Christians have an ejection-seat mentality
as soon as they get into difficulty, they want to pull the ejection cord and zip off into glory, hoping to get away from it all
the Bible is clear that if you are a believer, you are to expect suffering for Christ’s sake as part of your life
(Philippians 1:29) For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.
throughout history and to this present day, Christians have suffered at the hands of the unbelieving world
a dedicated Christian who builds his or her patterned after the life of Jesus will likely suffer the fate of Jesus
Jesus said:
(John 15:20) Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.
it’s important to realize here that we aren’t talking about normal human trials that are just part of life
we’re not talking about lost keys and flat tires and sore backs
we’re talking about suffering as a result of our commitment to live like Jesus Christ
and Peter says, expect it! it will come!
part of our problem, I believe, is that we’ve grown accustomed to a Christianity that costs us nothing
when Hasan became a believer, he understood the risks when he returned home and told his family of his new faith
we need to understand and communicate that Christians should not be surprised if they suffer shame and loss of status because of their faith
whether we think of believers in mainland China, some Muslim countries, or in Canada, persecution is a theme woven tightly in the fabric of the Christian story
when it does occur, we shouldn’t be surprised
instruction one: expect suffering
INSTRUCTION NUMBER TWO: REJOICE IN SUFFERING
(1 Peter 4:13) But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
(1 Peter 4:14) If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
instead of being thrown off balance for our trials, Christians should rejoice to the extent that they realize that they are sharing Christ’s sufferings
Paul taught the shocking teaching in Colossians 1:24 that his own sufferings somehow completed the sufferings of Jesus – not that we nee d to add anything to Christ’s sufferings, but that we are called to stand, sometimes painfully, against the world
and here Peter shares a similar thought
rejoice when you’re suffering, because when you suffer, you are being joined with Christ
losing status and being persecuted puts you right into the company of Jesus
Jesus went before us, suffering like us, and has left us an example to follow
what’s more, when we suffer, we’re told that Jesus is interceding for us as a sympathetic high priest who knows exactly how it feels
so Peter says, “Rejoice! You’re in the thick of what he experienced”
you’re living and suffering just as Jesus did
in fact, Peter mentions two benefits of participating in the suffering of Christ
he says in verse 13 that if we suffer, we’ll be able to look forward even more to the revelation of Christ’s glory
(1 Peter 4:13) But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
one day, when Jesus comes back, what seems presently unjust and difficult to face will be turned into a celebration of joy
Christ’s glory will be revealed, God will vindicate his people, and we will be ushered into pure joy, peace, and love
as the old spiritual says, “There’s a better day a’coming; fare thee well, fare thee well”
as somebody else has said, “God will have the last word; we dare to wait for that”
what would cause a young person to be beheaded by his father if he didn’t believe that Christ’s glory would one day be revealed, and that what lay ahead is much more valuable than what presently exists?
another benefit is that we experience the extra help of the Spirit when we suffer
(1 Peter 4:14) If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Peter gives us an example of suffering: being insulted for the name of Christ
this is hardly a severe example compared to physical injury, but it’s a potent tool in the hands of Satan
when these words were written, the concept of honor and shame were much more important
but even today, when we receive criticisms and insults and lose status for our faith, that’s enough to intimidate most of us
when anxieties and cares jump up to terrify us as we’re suffering, when we are being insulted for our faith, we are guaranteed the ministry of the Spirit, who enables us to keep doing good and to keep bringing glory to God
when we suffer for Christ’s sake, we will enjoy the unusual fullness and presence of the Holy Spirit to bless, strengthen, and to give a foretaste of heavenly glory
if you read the story of Stephen’s martyrdom in Acts 7, that’s exactly what happened to him
remember that you are never closer, never more a recipient of his strength, than when trials come upon you
the highest privilege in the world is to suffer for the sake of Christ
so when we suffer shame for Jesus, we need to realize that we’re sharing in the suffering of Christ, that God is preparing a better day for us, and that the Spirit is giving us extra doses of his strengthening ministry at that time
this helps us to endure your suffering with joy
Peter’s first instruction was to expect suffering; his second instruction was to rejoice in suffering
INSTRUCTION THREE: EXAMINE YOUR LIFE
Peter says, “First, ask yourself why you’re suffering”
(1 Peter 4:15) If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
(1 Peter 4:16) However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
not all suffering is the result of good Christian conduct
some Christians are superb at doing dumb things and then spiritualizing them to get glory out of them
it’s obvious, the text states, that if you engage in illegal activities, there will be legal consequences
the last word in verse 15 is interesting: it’s translated meddler or busybody
it’s an uncommon word, meaning someone who gets involved in the affairs of another
this brings to mind the law that says “He who sticketh his nose in somebody’s business findeth a fist at the end of it”
if we suffer as a result of our own sinful behavior, then we’re not suffering for the glory of God, but simply as a result of our own wrongful actions
when people know we’re believers, we’ll literally be under the spotlight, and we must not take any action that will discredit God
Billy Graham said once, “I would rather be struck down dead than to discredit God”
Peter reminds us that Christians aren’t exempt from suffering – and many times the suffering is necessary
(1 Peter 4:17) For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
(1 Peter 4:18) And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
the word for judgment here doesn’t mean condemnation, but rather an evaluation
God is sending the refining fire of judgment to judge us within the church, and it’s going to move outward later to those outside the church
we aren’t exempt from suffering, and our sufferings are part of God’s evaluation of us
it will leave no one untouched
but God guarantees that we will be judged
Stuart Briscoe points out that “if the family of God doesn’t do its job, God will not tolerate it, and church history proves this is true”
if you go to the birthplace of Christianity in the Middle East, you’ll find plenty of beautiful ruins, but few churches
the center of the church then moved to North Africa; go there today and you’ll find few churches, but many Muslims
Western Europe became the focal point: go to Western Europe and you’ll see “beautiful, gorgeous cathedrals full of emptiness and tourists”
from Europe the momentum moved to North America, and there are those who believe that already the momentum has moved from North America
“Why? Because Christ has shown that if his own people will not accept responsibility and face up to accountability, if they think they are exempt from all difficulty, they are not living in reality. We are not sacrosanct, and the harsh reality is that judgment may come sooner than we think”
we need to be purged and refined, so examine yourself
INSTRUCTION NUMBER FOUR: COMMIT YOURSELF
when suffering for Christ, commit yourself
(1 Peter 4:19) So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
the word commit could better be entrust
it’s a banking term that means to deposit something valuable for safekeeping
when it comes to trials, we can deposit ourselves into God’s safekeeping, knowing that we’re completely safe with him
I don’t know what kept Hasan, a baby Christian, so committed that he was willing to be killed by his father for his faith
I don’t know why Ayoob Masih refused to renounce his faith, choosing instead to be hung
or maybe I do
maybe it was because they had entrusted themselves to their faithful Creator and continued to do good
with two hundred million Christians around the world living in danger of imprisonment, persecution, and even death because of their Christian beliefs, what’s wrong with us?
why don’t we expect suffering?
why are we surprised when it comes?
and why are we ashamed to stand up for Jesus Christ, even if it means that we’ll be insulted or shamed?
we do a great disservice to Hasan, Ayoob, and the 160,000 believers who were martyred last year alo ne
let’s pray
Father, we pray for believers who this morning are imprisoned and persecuted because of their faith
there are literally millions this morning who are suffering as a result of their faith
we pray those who are this morning on death row, whose only crime is that they follow Christ
I pray that you would give them great boldness and courage in their convictions, that regardless of the results that they would continue to entrust themselves to you
(Hebrews 13:3) Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
Father:
thank you for the religious freedom you have given us in this country
help us not to take for granted
and where perhaps the worst thing we will face is a loss of status or a few insults for following you, give us the boldness to do what needs to be done to remain faithful
we’re convicted when we remember that judgment begins with us, and if we don’t make the grade, you just might refine us some more
Lord, make us worthy to be counted among Hasan and Ayoob, who trusted you to the point of death, I pray.
Amen.

Darryl Dash

I'm a grateful husband, father, oupa, and pastor of Grace Fellowship Church Don Mills. I love learning, writing, and encouraging. I'm on a lifelong quest to become a humble, gracious old man.

Toronto, Canada

Darryl Dash

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