Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-16
Are We Ready to Suffer?
Intro.
1. NT Christians were taught to accept and rejoice in suffering for Christ, 1 Pet. 4:12-16.
2. Jesus blesses those persecuted for righteousness’ sake, Matt. 5:10-12.
3. Jesus experienced persecution and predicted it for His church, Jno. 15:18-21; 1 Pet. 2:21.
4. Jesus left an example of how to suffer without sinning, 1 Pet. 2:21-24.
5. Then and now:
a. Generally speaking, Christians in America have faced little pressure that resembles first century persecution. We have been blessed with the First Amendment (and taken it for granted too often), and isolated geographically from much turmoil (world wars).
b. Saints around the globe often face many threats against their faith (India, Africa, China, etc.).
c. We are seeing threats to the practice of our faith in America: Preaching against LGBTQ called “hate speech,” some Covid-19 restrictions are inching closer and closer to persecution (CA’s ban on indoor singing in places of worship.*)
6. Are we ready to suffer? Prepared for persecution and its pain? Equipped to be deprived, blacklisted, or worse for not yielding to sinful policies and laws? Rev. 13:16-17
I. WHAT DID PERSECUTION FOR FAITH (AND ACCEPTING IT) LOOK LIKE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT? Heb. 11:35-39
A. Joseph. Contempt, injustice, lied about, falsely imprisoned.
B. David. Threatened with death, fugitive in caves, on the run, etc.
C. Prophets of God. Killed, threatened, tortured, 1 Kgs. 18:4; Jer. 38:6.
D. People of Faith. Deprived, harassed, tortured, and killed, Heb. 11:35-39.
II. WHAT DID PERSECUTION FOR FAITH (AND ACCEPTING IT) LOOK LIKE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?
A. Jesus, Lk. 9:22 (false trials and conviction, mocked, scourged, crucified). It looked like Jesus doing the Father’s will unto death.
B. Stephen, Acts 6:11-14; 7:54-60. It looked like conviction to teach and live the truth without compromise and malice when falsely accused and unjustly punished.
C. The Jerusalem Church, Acts 8:1-4; 9:1 (22:4-5; 26:10-11). It looked like injustices (loss of property, homes, possessions, comfort, freedom, and life) while maintaining unity in Christ (companionship), compassion, and joy, Heb. 10:32-34.
D. The Apostles, Acts 5:40; 1 Cor. 4:9-13. It looked like being treated with contempt (spectacle, theatron, 4:9), being hungry, homeless, yet enduring. [Used legal protections when available, Acts 25:11, 18]
E. Faithful Christians, 1 Pet. 2:18-20; 3:13-17; 4:16; Rev. 2:10. It looked like being misunderstood and mistreated, yet not being ashamed.
III. ARE WE READY TO SUFFER?
-We are inclined to overestimate our readiness: Peter, Lk. 22:33-34; Sleeping apostles, Matt. 26:40.
A. Demands Denying Ourselves, Lk. 9:22-23 (Rev. 12:11).
B. Demands the Priority of Kingdom (of Heaven) Citizenship, Phil. 3:20 (Matt. 6:33-34).
C. Demands a Heart that Treasures Heaven More than this World, Matt. 6:21 (19-20).
D. Demands Faith that Confidently Endures, Heb. 10:35-36.
Conclusion
1. Living godly arouses persecution, 2 Tim. 3:12.
2. Our ancient brethren gave their lives for their faith, Rev. 6:11.
3. Christ will right every wrong, Rev. 6:10. Until then, we must fight the good fight of faith and patiently obey the Lord, Rev. 14:11-13.
4. Victory is certain in Christ! Rev. 17:14; 20:4
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* California: “Places of worship must therefore discontinue indoor singing and chanting activities…” (“Covid-19 Industry Guidance: Places of Worship and Providers of Religious Services and Cultural Ceremonies,” July 29, 2020; covid19.ca.gov, page 3)
By: Joe R. Price
Posted September 10, 2020