Suffering for the Purpose
1 Peter 3:13 – 22
Friends we come today to the end of our lessons from the first Epistle of the Apostle Peter. Peter’s purpose for writing his first letter was to help the young Christians live godly lives in a hostile world, and to teach them how to handle persecution in a Christ-like way. He begins our lesson today with what appears to be a rhetorical question. Peter asks “Who is going to harm you if you are eager, some translation use the word zealous rather than eager, to do good?”
Now for most of us our sense of fair justice and morality expects that the answer would be “no one.” Certainly no one would punish or harm you for doing what is the right thing to do, but unfortunately in the time in which Peter was writing this, as well as through much, or should I say most of recorded time the answer is that there is always going to people in the world that object and look to punish those espouse Christian values.
Dr. Jack Arnold of Dallas Theological Seminary wrote: “The general expectation is that if Christians live a good life, they will be responded to by the unsaved world by good and kind acts. That people will respond to the Christian in the same way that the Christian responds to the unsaved. But there are always some unsaved people who are so hardened that they treat all Christians with contempt and harshness.
In 2 Timothy 3:12 Paul tells us that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”. We know that Christ was put to death for doing good, the Apostles were put to death for following Christ’s example; and multitudes of Christians have suffered persecution only because they desired to do good. The Lord and master of Christians is Christ Jesus. The Lord and master of the unsaved is Satan. There will always be tension between the two sides
In writing to the Believers, Peter didn’t promise them that they would escape suffering at the hands of inhumane and unjust people. In fact the teachings of Jesus, Peter’s own experience, as well as his insight into humans fallen nature, made Peter fully aware that there were possibilities, make that probabilities for the suffering of believers. Peter’s purpose for writing his first epistle in fact was exactly that, to prepare his readers for such experiences.
Someone once said, “Jesus often spoke of Christianity as a banquet but He never said it would be a picnic.” Dear one life as Christians ultimately end as we are seated at Jesus’ Heavenly Banquet but in the meantime life will not be a picnic.
Rev. Dr Ray Pritchard looked at the scripture for today and in verses 14 – 16 gives us five ways that we as Christians can use our faith to turn our sufferings into opportunities to grow in our faith.
Cheer Up! – “Even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed” (v. 14a-b).
Peter uses the same Greek word for blessed that Jesus used in the Sermon on the Mount, when he said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
Blessed describes the benefits bestowed by God to His children. Peter is saying that we are fully satisfied no matter the circumstances, we fully satisfied because of the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives, their supernatural Comforter sent by God at the request of Jesus. We see this in our Old Testament lesson today.
Give Up your fear! – “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened”.
This passage comes from Isaiah where the prophet is speaking to the frightened people of Israel as the mighty Assyrian army threatens to overrun the city of Jerusalem. Vastly outnumbered, the people of God seemed in a hopeless situation. It was only a matter of time until the Assyrians defeated them. Isaiah’s message must have seemed strange:
“Don’t fear the mighty army you see arrayed against you. Though they have far more soldiers, you have something they don’t. You have Immanuel on your side.”
Prichard says: “So don’t be afraid when you feel surrounded. God is with you always! Together you “outnumber” your foes. So give up your fear, give up your fright, give up your worry, and give up your habit of being intimidated.”
Lift Up! – “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord”.
Peter emphasizes that we must lift up Christ and worship him as our Lord, and we must do that even when it is not popular or easy. Prichard says that “the real issue is the Lordship of Fear versus the Lordship of Christ. Those who make Christ their Lord need not fear what earthly rulers do to them. We will never be ready for suffering until we lift Christ up and set him apart as Lord of all”.
Speak Up! – Peter wrote “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”.
You should know what you believe, why you believe it, and you should be ready, willing and able to explain what you believe to someone else. It is not only what we say but also how we say it. We must be gentle and genuine. We must be confident in our words but understand that the other person is searching for their own answers. We must treat people with respect.
Finally Shape Up! – “Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander”.
This means living such a noble life that if people criticize us for the way we live, they have to tell a lie to do it. Prichard touches on some very down-to-earth character traits that are important; integrity, keeping your word, speaking the truth, refusing to spread gossip, showing compassion to the hurting, sharing with those in need and obeying the royal law, love your God and love others as yourself. Live as God expects and you will live a life commendable before God.
Then Peter writes that “It is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.” He says that sometimes it is God’s will that we suffer for doing what is right. This is not an easy thing to hear. Why would God, our loving Father want to subject us to suffering if we are doing what he wants us to do? The answer to that question comes in the next verse after our scripture lesson today.
In Chapter 4:1 Peter writes: “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, the same Purpose because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.”
There you have it, the purpose of suffering for doing what is right, is so that so we too can be done with sin, just like Christ, so that we can be like Christ!
Hear the Good News my Friends………….
We have learned over the past few weeks that it is not avoiding suffering that is the key but rather how we respond to suffering through God that is vital. In our lesson today Peter gives us five ways that we can respond to Suffering for the Purpose.
1 Remember That Christ Suffered
We must not forget that Christ, our great King and Savior suffered. As Christians our understanding must be that since our Lord suffered, so we must follow him in suffering.
2 Christ Has Triumphed and Brought Us Safe to God
Christ has triumphed over our greatest enemy and brought us safe to God. The greatest human needs are not to live long on the earth and be comfortable. The biggest human needs are how to have our sins forgiven and overcome our separation from God and live forever with happiness in his presence. This is what Jesus accomplishes.
3 Christ died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God.” Understand that:
Christ died “for sins.” This is what separates us from God.
Christ died “the just for the unjust.” He took our place and bore our penalty. His death was utterly innocent. It was all for others’ sins, and not his own.
Christ died “once for all“. His death was final and all-sufficient to accomplish the forgiveness of all who believe in him. We do not have to ever offer another sacrifice, the debt is paid in full.
4 “Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that he might bring us to God.”
This is the great comfort for suffering Christians. Our worst enemy, sin has been defeated and Jesus has made sure that we will be at eternally safe with God. He has brought us to God. The separation has been removed. God is near us, we have been reconciled to God.
- Look to Christ at God’s Right Hand, Ruling over All
Our final response to suffering is that no struggle, no suffering, no oppression for doing good done by anyone, including the Great Deceiver and Destroyer ultimately means anything to you in Eternity because all angels, authorities, powers, devils, evil spirits, demons, and Satan himself are subject to the power found Jesus Christ.
Dear ones, Puritan Thomas Watson said “Afflictions work for good, as they make way for glory…Not that they merit glory, but they prepare for it. As ploughing prepares the earth for a crop, so afflictions prepare and make us [ready] for glory”.
So stand firm believers. Stand firm in this great faith, and prepare yourselves for Suffering for the Purpose of being like Christ. The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Come Christian let us become like Him. Amen.
Chatham Circuit
St Louisville, Chatham & Liberty UMC
May 17, 2020
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Prelude
Bringing the Light
*Call to Worship
L: Live in God’s love!
P: Let that love be poured out for all God’s people!
L: Bring hope and peace to all whom you meet.
P: We are called to be God’s witnesses.
L: Celebrate and rejoice.
P: Praise be to God who has called, healed, and given us a ministry of peace. AMEN.
*Hymn: Surely the Presence of the Lord #328
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
I can feel His mighty power and His grace
I can hear the brush of angel’s wings
I see glory on each face
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place
*Opening Prayer
Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 66:8 – 20
The Lord’s Prayer
*Gospel Scripture: John 14:15 – 21
*The Apostle’s Creed UMH 881
*Gloria Patri UMH 70
*Message Lesson: 1 Peter 3:13 – 22
The Message
Suffering For The Purpose
Bryan Moore
Hymn: How Firm a Foundation #529
- How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled? - “Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. - “When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. - “When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine. - “The soul that on Jesus still leans for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”
Prayers of the People
Offering in Response to God’s Grace
*Doxology UMH 95
*Offertory Prayer
Giver of all gifts, we are grateful for your every blessing and for your presence through all of life in our joys and fears, and in our hopes and dreads. We pray for those who do not know the consolation of your presence in their lives, asking that you reveal yourself to them through the gifts we have given and through the lives we live. Reveal yourself, O God, that all your children may find their true home in you. Amen.
*Hymn: O Spirit of the Living God #539
- O Spirit of the living God,
thou light and fire divine,
descend upon thy church once more,
and make it truly thine.
Fill it with love and joy and power,
with righteousness and peace;
till Christ shall dwell in human hearts,
and sin and sorrow cease.
- Blow, wind of God! With wisdom blow
until our minds are free
from mists of error, clouds of doubt,
which blind our eyes to thee.
Burn, winged fire! Inspire our lips
with flaming love and zeal,
to preach to all thy great good news,
God’s glorious commonweal.
- Teach us to utter living words
of truth which all may hear,
the language all may understand
when love speaks loud and clear;
till every age and race and clime
shall blend their creeds in one,
and earth shall form one family
by whom thy will is done.
- So shall we know the power of Christ
who came this world to save;
so shall we rise with him to life
which soars beyond the grave;
and earth shall win true holiness,
which makes thy children whole;
till, perfected by thee, we reach
creation’s glorious goal!
*Benediction
Wherever we are, we are in God. Wherever we are, we are in Christ, and Christ is in us. Wherever we are, the Spirit abides with us and in us. We go forth in peace and hope, upheld by God in every way. Let us go forth in faithfulness and trust. May all see the Divine in and through us.
Closing
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Prayer Requests:
- Prayers for Sandy, Nancy’s sister
- Prayers for Dick and Mary Ann,
- Prayers for Bonnie and Gerald,
- Prayers for Sally and David
- Prayers for Sandy in the loss of her brother.
Birthdays this week
5/18 Patrick Byrnes
5/20 Kayla Hughes
5/20 Paul Layman
5/20 Josh Yates
The Life of the Church Coming Events
May 20 – Bible Study, 2PM Telephone 508 – 924-5730. We will be studying the Book of Jude this week.
**** NEW THIS WEEK ****
For anyone that misses the Bible Study, starting this week we will make a recording of the Bible Study available by dialing the Study Line at 508 – 924-5730 from Thursday morning until Tuesday evening. Just call the number and a few seconds later the whole service will begin to play.
Sermon Line
The Sermon Line is 617-793-8516! Just call the number and a few seconds later the whole service will begin to play. You might want to put it on speaker because it is several minutes long. The plan is that at least until we can be in fellowship with each other again, that we will continue making the audio of the services available by noon on Monday.
Words of Confession:
Maker and giver of all, forgive us when we are too preoccupied to notice your presence in our lives: when we walk through this world and fail to see the wonder of you upholding our lives and all creation; when we walk through our lives and fail to see you abiding with, within, and around us; when we walk through holy moments and fail to savor your presence, instead feeling abandoned in the vast sweep of life as each day rushes at us with its demands. Open our eyes to your presence, God of love, that we may lean on you— for you uphold all of creation in tenderness and power.
Words of Assurance:
When Jesus left the disciples, he gave us a promise: “I will not leave you orphaned!” For we, his disciples, live in him and he in us — the presence of God within and around all. What a promise! Take courage! Take comfort! Blessed be God! Amen.
Thank You:
Bill Byrnes has had all of the locks at Liberty rekeyed and now one key will unlock all three doors to the church as well as the door to the Bell Tower in the Pavilion. Thank you Brother Bill for making all of our lives easier!