Aug 9, 1998 11 min read old-sermon

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
fir st – 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.

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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