Bible Study - Resilient Faith (5) - Joyful Faith - 1 Peter 4:12-19 - August 10, 2014

Bible Study – Resilient Faith (5) – Joyful Faith – August 10, 2014

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Resilient Faith: Standing Strong in the Midst of Suffering.”

Our focus scripture is 1 Peter 4:12-19.

GOD provides joy even in life’s difficulties.

Suffering is an area where many Christians and even non-Christians get the wrong idea about GOD and being a Christian. Often Christians and non-Christians think that Christians, being GOD’S Children, should not suffer. It is a matter of understanding that when Christians suffer for righteousness, they glorify HIM and GOD equips them with a special anointing of HIS presence to endure the suffering and bring glory to HIM. It is difficult for many Christians to comprehend this until they experience it.

Looking to the possibility of suffering, Christians often conclude, “We could never go through such-n-such.” However, when faced with the ordeal, they experience the presence and power of GOD for them to endure.

I think an honest thought for many Christians is “I hope, I would remain faithful but I do not know.” When Christians grow and mature in CHRIST, through the process of sanctification, they are secure in their personal knowledge of CHRIST. Their love for HIM is such that they count it joy to suffer because of their faith in HIM.

One way we can think of this type of love is the love parents have for their children. If one of our children needed a kidney and we were a match, we would give our kidney. Or if one of our children or grandchildren were in harm’s way, we would take action without regard for our lives. That is love in action. As Christians, when we comprehend and internalize the love CHRIST has for us, by giving HIS life that we might have eternal life through the miracle of rebirth, then this temporary life upon earth pales in comparison to eternity with HIM. Often, the problem is that GOD knows that but we only hope that. That is why Christians need to build a loving, intimate, trusting relationship with CHRIST to get to know HIM and not just to know about HIM.

Suffering for being a Christian is designed to bring Christians closer to HIM. Suffering removes the barriers that insulate us from knowing HIM in the most intimate way possible. The Apostle Peter was preparing Christians for what was happening and would likely get worse. Let’s Explore!

Let’s read 1 Peter 4:12-13:

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. 13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the • Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.

The Apostle Peter addressed his readers as “Dear friends” or “beloved.” They were not just his friends but his brothers and sisters in CHRIST and GOD through the miracle of rebirth.

There is a distinction between friends as the world interprets “friends” and as GOD interprets “friends.”

The brother of JESUS wrote in James 4:4:

4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

When trials come into the lives of people there is a distinction. Fiery trials are tests designed to bring Christians closer to GOD. Often “fiery trials” are considered to be things that happen to people such as cancer, various health issues, divorce, loss of a job, and problems with children but these are not necessarily “fiery trials” because non-Christians can suffer these things as well. In non-Christian lives these things can result in them being brought to a saving knowledge of CHRIST. GOD can use these issues in the lives of Christians as well but the intent was to separate those things that can happen to non-Christians from those designed for a specific purpose for Christians.

For Christians, “fiery trials” are tests designed to reveal and refine their faith in CHRIST. Such tests can reveal the Spiritual strength of Christians, as well as, areas in their lives that need to be strengthened to help make them more useable for the plan and purpose of GOD.

Later, in verses 15-19, the Apostle Peter, gives us a clearer understanding of this distinction.

The Apostle Peter altered his audience by stating “don’t be surprised” when these “fiery trials” come in your lives for being a Christian.

Verse 13 puts verse 12 into perspective. When a Christian faces “fiery trials” for being a Christian, the Christian needs to rejoice because his or her life has reflected CHRIST. Just as CHRIST suffered for being obedient to GOD, suffering can be a part of the Christian’s life. When Christians suffer for CHRIST, HIS glory is manifested through them.

Peter took it another step in that when Christians have suffered for being a “Christian” they will be overjoyed when CHRIST’S glory is revealed because they have participated in the sufferings of CHRIST.

Let’s read 1 Peter 4:14:

14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

The word “ridicule” means “to be insulted” or intimidating insults. Again, “ridicule” was the result for being a Christian.

The name “Christian” was first used in Antioch a recorded in Acts 11:26:

26 and when he (Barnabas) found him (Saul/Paul who was in Tarsus) he (Barnabas) brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.   

The name “Christian” was first used by those opposed to those who were followers of CHRIST. It was used to identify them. It was not intended as a badge of honor but it was to identify and label them as followers of CHRIST.

In the early days of Christianity, the movement was called “the way.” Christians were thought to be a cult, cannibals because they observed the Lord’s Supper which refers to the blood and flesh of CHRIST and they were referred to Christians as atheists because they did not have a visible god to worship as the many pagan religions.

When Christians suffer because they are faithful, obedient Christians which glorified GOD, they honor GOD.

The Apostle Peter puts suffering into perspective as we go to our next scripture.

Let’s read 1 Peter 4:15-19:

15 None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. 16 But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? 18 And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? 19 So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator.

Christians are sinners saved by the shed blood of CHRIST and receive GOD’S grace. Christians do not live a perfect life after salvation but they are forgiven and indwelled by the Holy Spirit. Their faith in CHRIST renders them perfect in the eyes of GOD. The shed blood of CHRIST cleanses them of all sin – past, present and future.

Christians are GOD’S Children through the miracle of rebirth. They never lose their heritage but in order for them to remain in fellowship with GOD they must confess their sins to GOD. Christians can suffer for the things they do. When they suffer as a result of their own actions, that is not suffering that brings glory to GOD or to themselves as Christians. To put this into perspective Peter listed some of the sins that people commit which result in suffering.

Murder is taking a human life. A thief steals another person’s property. An evildoer is a word used for those who do all sorts of criminal acts. Then Peter used the word “meddler.” A meddler is a busybody, troublemaker or agitator. A meddler loves to stir up trouble. It refers to the bellicose, very visible disgruntled person in the community who creates controversy. Christians cannot be labeled with any of these sins because the person who is guilty of them deserves to suffer.  

The Apostle Peter was making it clear; when a Christian suffers for doing what is good, as a “Christian”, it glorifies CHRIST. These sins he listed do not glorify CHRIST and if a Christian does them he or she will pay for it along with any non-Christian.

We need to keep in mind that in the early days of Christianity the word, “Christian” was not a common name that followers of CHRIST used to refer to themselves. It was actually a derogatory name used by the non-Christian community to refer to the followers of CHRIST. So when a Christian was referred to as a “Christian” it was a badge of honor, as long as, the reference was not due to sin.

Therefore, when a person was labeled “Christian” for the right reasons it glorified GOD. To “glorify” means to honor, praise, extol, and magnify GOD. Christians should not be ashamed when they suffer for the right reason but know that it glorified GOD because they are being called a “Christian” because their suffering glorified GOD.

When Christians are being singled out, it is a sign that judgment day is coming. For the Christian, it is a time of strengthening and refining their faith in CHRIST and GOD but for the non-Christian it is a warning to get their lives ready for the ultimate judgment day, when GOD will judge non-Christians and reward Christians.

Peter wrote in verse 18 that a righteous person is saved with difficulty; therefore, the person without CHRIST has no hope. Let’s consider 2 Corinthians 5:20-21:

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us (Christians), so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

For a person to receive salvation he or she must place their faith in CHRIST. When he or she does, he or she is made righteous by GOD. For this miracle to happen it cost the life of GOD’S only Son, JESUS. This was GOD’S redemptive plan before the foundation of the world. It was difficult but it was accomplished and FINISHED on the cross by the shed blood of CHRIST. It was confirmed by the resurrection of CHRIST.

What does salvation mean to those who place their faith in CHRIST? JESUS said it best in John 5:24:

24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life. 25 “I assure you: An hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead (Spiritually dead) will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted to the Son to have life in Himself. 27 And He has granted Him the right to pass judgment, because He is the • Son of Man.

GOD is GOD and Christians must focus on that fact when they suffer, while doing good according to GOD’S will and purpose for their lives. The key words are – “doing good” according to GOD’S will, which means they were led by the Holy Spirit.

What should Christians do when they suffer for being a “Christian?” They should entrust themselves to their faithful Creator, GOD. GOD is sovereign, created all and takes care of it every day; therefore HE can take care of HIS children who reflect HIM through their obedience to HIM. Suffering is not something of which to be ashamed, when it is the result of being obedient to HIM but it is to refine us as Christians and to glorify HIM. To glorify means to give praise and honor to HIM.

GOD uses suffering to purify HIS church. The church is not the brick and mortar church but the living church of which CHRIST is the cornerstone.

I think Hebrews 12:1-13 captures some of the essence of what the Apostle Peter was expressing to fellow Christians:

1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.

Fatherly Discipline

3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and lose heart. 4 In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him, 6 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives. 7 Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 8 But if you are without discipline —which all receive —then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness. 11 No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead.

Matthew 10:29-31: (JESUS was speaking.)

29 Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. 30 But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. 31 So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Blessings!!!