This may not sound much like a sermon you would want to read. In many churches today a message, which cannot be supported by the words of Jesus, is being preached that says once a person becomes a believer life is a bed of roses, health and prosperity. This message is false and is leading to the falling away from the truth of many. As we will see in this message, Christians will face suffering in this life; but what joy awaits us.
For this week’s text I would like to look at 1 Peter 4:12-19, “12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”
We are certainly living in perilous times. I believe much of our economic crisis is the result of sin; the sin of greed and materialism. This recession could very well be God’s judgment for us running after the almighty dollar. Even many churches have been caught up in the idolatry of money. Though the times are bad these can either be the greatest day for the church of the worst. Those churches who will stand up and teach the truth of God’s Word will be strong to the end. In regards to material possessions the best verse to remember is, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things (Jesus was speaking about material items) will be added to you.” Too many in the church today are seeking after what they can get from God rather than the advancement of His Kingdom.
This prosperity and health and wealth teaching that is so prevalent today has led to weak and soft Christians who feel that any amount of suffering or persecution is from the enemy and will only come to those who are not right with God. After all, God wouldn’t let His children suffer. He is a loving God who will give His children anything they ask for.” What loving parent gives their child everything they want?
So first we need to understand that the Bible makes it clear, Suffering Is To Be Expected (verses 12-13). Many have been promised a pain-free Christianity and when struggles come they leave the faith. They feel they were sold a bill of goods. The best way to prove this point is from the words of Jesus Himself. He said we would face persecution. John 15:18-20 says, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” (emphasis added). The reality is when we become like Christ we will receive treatment from the world as He did.
What do other New Testament writers say about this subject? Paul sought communion with Christ’s suffering. In Philippians 3:10-11 he wrote, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” In other places he wrote of all he went through for the sake of the Gospel. I really have a hard time understanding how people can read passages like this and say that Christians are not supposed to have suffer but are to have an easy life; getting everything they want.
James adds his thoughts when he writes in James 1:2-3, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” He is not saying we are to be happy about trials but we are to maintain our Christian joy through the trial.
However, we must understand that Suffering Should Come From Righteous Living (verses 14-15). In 1 Peter 2:20-21 we read, “But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” In other words if you do something wrong and suffer you are only getting what you deserve. If, however, you are living for God and serving up uprightly and you suffer, that is to your benefit.
The apostles understood this. They were called before the religious leaders and directed to no longer preach Jesus. When they refused, they were beaten for their obeying God rather than man. In Acts 5:41-42 we read their response to what happened. “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.” They accepted the beatings as a sign they were in God’s will, not as many today would teach that they had done something wrong.
In his final letter to Timothy Paul wrote, “And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” (2 Timothy 1:11-12). This is a powerful verse. Paul states that he can go through whatever it is he must go through because he is convinced that God will go through it with him.
Finally we see that Suffering Leads To Sanctification (verses 16-19). I want to key in on verse 17 for a moment. The church, in many ways, has lost its footing by going after doctrines of health, wealth, and so on. Much of the sin in America today is a result of a church that has strayed from preaching the central truth of the Bible that man is a sinner in need of a Savior and that Savior is Jesus Christ. Many today preach a politically correct message so as to build their numbers, as if having the largest church in the country was a sign of success. The church needs to get on its face before God and repent of the false teaching and the other sin that is so rampant. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says that we must humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways if we want America healed.
Peter addresses the purpose of suffering in sanctification in 1 Peter 1:3-8. We read, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Many Christians lose sight of the big picture. They want a life of ease here and forget that an eternity of ease is what is promised. Jesus asked, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his soul?” Our faith is the key to eternal life and Peter says our faith is built through suffering.
Paul gives a progression of spiritual development that begins with suffering. In Romans 5:3-5 he states, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” When suffering comes we need to endure, not run from it. This endurance builds our character and character leads to a hope in God and His promises.
In closing, I would like to offer some encouragement to those who are going through or will go through suffering. If you are a true believer, this includes you. With all the false teaching today about the ease of the Christian life it is easy to get discouraged when trials come. That is why I want to share some closing verses and thoughts with you.
First, you need to know that Jesus is with you no matter what. In His final words recorded by Matthew (Matthew 28:20b) we read, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The Psalmist expressed this truth when he asked the question, “Where can I go to hide from You?” He then stated that whether he went to the highest heights or the deepest part of the ocean, God is still there.
The writer of Hebrews shares these encouraging words, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6) God tells us that He will never leave or forsake us. What encouragement to know that the Lord is our Helper! As the writers states, what can man do to me?
Paul also gives us encouragement when he writes, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39) Paul makes it clear that nothing can stop God from loving us and His love can carry us through every situation.
Finally, from David we read, “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” In the midst of suffering you can be assured that God’s promise of eternal life still stands and so you can stand firm in the midst of the struggle.
I pray that those of you who have as personal relationship with Jesus Christ will be encouraged by this message. When you face the struggles that the Bible says will come, I pray that you will be able to stand strong.
If you are reading this and aren’t sure you have been saved I want to speak to you for just a few moments. The first thing you must do is recognize your need. The Bible says that everyone is born a sinner. It matters not how good or nice a person you are. You still have a need for a Savior. The second thing is to repent and put your trust in Jesus. Repent means to be truly sorry for your sinful condition and turn away from it. Don’t try to excuse it or rationalize it just admit that it is sin and that you need to turn from it. God gave us His standard through the Ten Commandments. If you are struggling with the idea that you are a sinner ask yourself these questions to see how you measure up against God’s standards. Have you ever told a lie? The Bible says that all liars will have their place in the lake of fire (hell). Have you ever murdered someone? Jesus said if you hate someone you have murdered them in your heart. Have you committed adultery? Jesus said that if you look with lust it is adultery of the heart. Have you ever used God’s name in vain? That is as simple to do as sending an “OMG” text. That is called blasphemy and makes you a sinner. If you failed at even one of those questions, you need to take time today to repent of your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Again, you cannot trust your goodness because you have proven you have failed.
Then it is a matter of praying to God and admitting your sin and repenting. Ask His forgiveness and place your trust in Him for salvation and you will be saved. If you make that decision I would ask that you email me at chaplainjerry@4lanes4jesus.org so I can pray with you and encourage you in your walk with God. I pray God’s blessing on each of you today.
