Bible Study - Resilient Faith (4) - Ready Faith - 1 Peter 3:13-16; 4:1-2 - August 3, 2014

Bible Study – Resilient Faith (4) – Ready Faith – August 3, 2014

This is lesson four (4) in our series entitled “Resilient Faith: Standing Strong in the Midst of Suffering.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Peter 3:13-16; 4:1-2.

Suffering brings opportunities to point others to JESUS.

No one likes to think about suffering and most would not choose to suffer. The Greek word for “suffer” carries the idea of having been affected by something which caused pain, mentally or physically. As used by Peter, it referred to suffering due to righteousness as CHRIST suffered to pay in full the penalty for sin in behalf of all who will place their faith in HIM.

The question many Christians may have “if I had to suffer for being a Christian, would I remain faithful?” Many of us hope we would but we will never know until we face that time in our lives. Peter was writing to encourage Christians in Asia Minor or modern day Turkey that when they faced suffering for being a Christian, how they could be prepared.

When Christians encounter suffering for righteousness, they need to consider the passion of CHRIST. When Christians exemplify CHRIST, it is a witness and testimony to others who may want to know their source of strength. Christians need to be ready to reveal that their source of strength is CHRIST because HE suffered and gave HIS life for them. Christians know that there is more to living than this temporary life upon earth, therefore, they can face suffering with the assurance, that regardless of the outcome, GOD is in charge of their lives and eternal destiny. Let’s explore!

Let’s read 1 Peter 3:12b, 13-14:

12b But the face of the Lord is against those who do what is evil.

13 And (therefore) who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed,

Verse 12 b helps us to understand verse 13. Since the LORD is against those who do what is evil, who will harm Christians who are obediently doing the will of GOD? The word “harm” includes injury, oppression, and persecution but also includes “to affect with evil.” GOD provides protection for those obediently serving HIM. When Christians encounter suffering for being obedient to GOD, they are secure. They are secure in the fact that GOD is with them and their eternal destination is Heaven and HE rewards them for being faithful to HIM.

Those who do not know GOD through faith in CHRIST fear death. When those without CHRIST see those with CHRIST face suffering and possible death, they see an attitude and a reflection from their hearts of hope and assurance. Those without CHRIST see that they do not have the security Christians have in CHRIST. The non-Christian does not have the indwelling Holy Spirit Who gives the Christian strength and positive assurance that GOD is in control of their destiny. As the Apostle Paul stated in Philippians 1:21:

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (KJV)

GOD made us to be protective of our human life. HE has a plan for each of us upon earth. When we become a Christian we belong to HIM and are secure in HIM. We are to obediently follow HIM as we carry out HIS plan and purpose for our lives. When we are obedient to HIM, we are to trust that in whatever circumstance we face, HE is there with us. We are to trust HIM even with our earthly lives. Whether we live or die, it is all for the glory and purpose of GOD.

When Christians have grown and matured Spiritually to that point, then facing times of suffering becomes more understandable. Do Christians believe that? And I agree that many of us have not grown enough Spiritually to have that attitude of the heart. It is not a careless disregard of human life but an assurance of our life continuing when we exit earth.

Let’s consider the attitude of the heart as we read the account of the crucifixion of JESUS in Luke 23:32-43:

32 Two others —criminals—were also led away to be executed with Him. 33 When they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. [34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”] And they divided His clothes and cast lots. 35 The people stood watching, and even the leaders kept scoffing: “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked Him. They came offering Him sour wine 37 and said, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!” 38 An inscription was above Him: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39 Then one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at Him: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!” 40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “•I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

The three men were sentenced to death by crucifixion. What was their attitude toward death? We know that one of the men was JESUS, The Only Son of GOD in the flesh, fully human and subject to physical death. The other two men were criminals, also human, and subject to physical and eternal death. Each man revealed the attitude of his heart during suffering.

Our LORD JESUS was the only One of the men Who had the power to come down from the cross if HE chose. If HE had, HE would not have been obedient to GOD’S redemptive plan for the world. Instead of using HIS power to come down from the cross, HE said “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”

One of the criminals yelled insults at JESUS and demanded that JESUS prove Himself by saving Himself from crucifixion and save them. This man only wanted to use JESUS to deliver him from a bad situation. This man said “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!”

The second criminal had a different attitude. He was facing the same physical death and eternity as the first criminal. He rebuked the first criminal for his callous remarks. Notice the second criminal’s confession, which reflected the attitude of his heart – “But the other (the second criminal) answered, rebuking him (the first criminal): “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

 “Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!”

CHRIST’S response to the second man’s confession and request was – “43 And He said to him, “•I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”

JESUS, the sinless Lamb of GOD, suffered and gave HIS life for each person who will place his or her faith in HIM and receive HIM as his or her Savior.

JESUS though HIS obedience to GOD, HIS Father, was a witness to others when HE gave up HIS Spirit as written in Luke 23:44-49:

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three, 45 because the sun’s light failed. The curtain of the sanctuary was split down the middle. 46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.” Saying this, He breathed His last. 47 When the • centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify God, saying, “This man really was righteous!” 48 All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests. 49 But all who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Suffering even unto death is a witness to the assurance Christians have in CHRIST and eternal life.

Death is a fact of life. JESUS came that those who place their faith in HIM can have eternal life but also to experience the abundant life upon earth as HE stated in John 10:10:

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Once a person has settled his or her eternal destiny through faith in JESUS, he or she is free to live according to the plan GOD had for him or her to accomplish. Death is a fact but life is also a fact and GOD wants HIS children to live it to the fullest while keeping in mind that obedience has eternal rewards.

The Apostle Paul died, went to heaven and returned to earth. He had a life after death experience as written in 2 Corinthians 12:2-9:

2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, God knows. 3 I know that this man —whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, God knows— 4 was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak. 5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses. 6 For if I want to boast, I will not be a fool, because I will be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

Paul knew what he had to look forward to. He could have boasted about it but instead he used his experience to obediently serve CHRIST. GOD allowed a “thorn in the flesh” in his life to keep him focused on HIS plan and purpose for Paul.

 Most of us have not had such an experience. But in essence, when CHRIST died upon the cross, all who place their faith in HIM died with HIM. They were buried with CHRIST and GOD raised them from the dead to live eternally with HIM. CHRIST received HIS glorified body at HIS resurrection and those who place their faith in CHRIST will receive their Glorified bodies at the second coming of CHRIST. As we studied in last week’s lesson, when Christians die physically they go immediately to Heaven and will return when CHRIST returns to rapture the church from earth. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

A Christian’s hope and assurance is in CHRIST, confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Since Christians have that hope and assurance, they are to honor CHRIST by getting to know HIM and honoring HIM through obedience.

Let’s read 1 Peter 3:15-16:

15 but honor the • Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame.

When Christians face suffering for being righteous, they are to honor CHRIST by staying focused on their salvation through faith in CHRIST. Staying focused on CHRIST is a reminder to Christians that CHRIST suffered for them and it is a witness to others that their lives are in the hands of CHRIST. Remaining steadfast is a witness to fellow Christians, to others and reflects their hearts.

Christians are to study the Bible and interact with GOD to get to know HIM and be ready to explain why they have hope in CHRIST. Because they know that they know they have eternal life and are eternally secure, they are not to become Spiritually arrogant. Christians are sinners saved by the grace of GOD and the shed blood of CHRIST. No Christian can boast.

Christians are a positive witness when they are in situations due to acts of righteousness. They need to have a clear conscience that they are in the will of GOD and not following their own plan. They must confess any sin in their lives so that their walk with CHRIST and the direction of the Holy Spirit is not compromised.

As Christians, we are to be ready to give a defense or explain why we trust in CHRIST. Can we?

Let’s read 1 Peter 3:17-18, 22: (Transition verses)

17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm.

22 Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God’s right hand with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him.

Verses 17-18 and 22 lead into our next scripture and helps us understand “therefore.” GOD has given CHRIST all authority. Christians do not serve a Savior Who is without authority. JESUS has full authority in Heaven, upon earth and the universe.

Let’s read 1 Peter 4:1-2:

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, equip yourselves also with the same resolve —because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin— 2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.

CHRIST was sinless and righteous, yet HE suffered in the flesh as a human for all who will place their faith in HIM. Therefore, when Christians suffer they know that CHRIST suffered for them. HE died where they should have died. HIS death was a substitutionarys death for all who will place their faith in HIM. HIS suffering paid the penalty for sin. No human can live righteous enough to be acceptable to GOD for his or her sins, therefore CHRIST died for him or her. Christians owe a debt that cannot be paid, even with their own lives. CHRIST broke the sin barrier for all who place their faith in HIM. Christians are to equip themselves first by yielding their will to CHRIST, studying GOD’S Word, the Bible, and committing to building an intimate, loving, obedient relationship with CHRIST. Through the miracle of rebirth their citizenship is in Heaven, they are GOD’S Sons or Daughters and they have eternal life. Christians must comprehend who they are in CHRIST. CHRIST is a present reality which is confirmed and guaranteed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Do you know this truth in your life as a Christian? If not, confess it to our LORD and ask HIM to reveal truth to you as you seek to know HIM personally and intimately. Blessings!!!

WSPA.com, Spartanburg, SC, posted this story on July 30, 2014 and is fitting for our study:

An Upstate (SC) man in West Africa on a work assignment has found himself caught in the middle of the Ebola outbreak that's killed hundreds and sickened many others.

"People are very concerned as they should be," said Dave Crockett in a phone interview from Liberia. "And they're taking face guards - protecting themselves."

Crockett, who lives in Greenville, works for Greer-based group Water of Life, an organization that travels to third world countries to drill water wells. He said even though it's difficult to contract the disease, people there are taking extra precautions. "Liberians are noted for their greetings and their handshakes, which they're restraining from that, and the hugging is cut out."

Roland Bergeron, who founded the organization and who has been to Liberia more than 40 times, is planning another trip there at the end of August. He said he's not afraid because the contaminated water there actually kills more people than Ebola.

"I learned a long time ago that you can't let fear and faith can't exist at the same time," said Roland Bergeron, who plans to head to Liberia at the end of August. "You either let fear control you or you let faith control you."

So far, at least two Americans have caught Ebola, a doctor from Texas and a woman from the Charlotte (NC) area.