Lesson 4 21 August, Fortitude Amid Suffering

Transcription

1 Lesson 4 21 August, 2016 Fortitude Amid Suffering Lesson Scope: 1 Peter 3:17-4:19 Unless otherwise noted references in brackets refer to 1 Peter 3 & 4 Lesson Focus Peter wrote this letter to a suffering church, so he did not waste any time convincing them that suffering will occur. Rather, he held up Christ as the example of one who was faithful in suffering and urged his readers to face the persecution of the day for Christ's sake. He presents suffering for Christ as both a reality and a consolation, strengthening their faith and confirming its validity. Today we face very little severe persecution. However, Satan knows that even the little tests will wear us down. Although it is our human nature to avoid suffering at any cost, we must remember that the crown will not come without the cross. We do not solicit persecution, but neither will we waver from Scriptural obedience because someone might mock us. Altered obedience will cost us our relationship with God. All of us must keep in mind our accountability to God. In the Day of Judgment, the faithful will be richly rewarded, but those who draw back will face eternal damnation. Peter wrote to an audience that did not question whether Christians would suffer. The trials of their faith were many. He exhorted them to submit to the purifying effects of suffering and to remember their accountability to God. We today can be fortified by the same principles, even though the suffering we face today has taken on a different character. One of the greatest threats facing God's people today is an identity crisis. Many have come to believe that they do not have to look so much different from the world to be a child of God. The question is this: If a person is ashamed to be distinctly identified as a child of God, would he be willing to suffer for Christ's sake? Faithfulness begins in that which is least. Our responses to the small tests will demonstrate our level of commitment God calls us to 'follow peace with all men "; yet we live in a world of

2 conflict. As we arm ourselves with the mind of Christ and commit our souls to Him, we can rejoice to be "persecuted for righteousness' sake:... for great is [our] reward in heaven." Lesson Aim: To present principles related to suffering for the cause of Christ. Theme Verse: John 16:33. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Lesson Text "For Well Doing" 1 Peter 3: For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 1 Peter 4:1-6 1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. For God's Glory 1 Peter 4: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

3 "According to the Will of God" 1 Peter 4: But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. Questions for Study "For Well Doing" 1. Why did Christ suffer for us? 2. What is "the same mind," and how do we arm ourselves with it (4:1)? 3. In what ways does suffering sanctify the Christian? 4. How does the thought of our accountability fit with suffering for Christ? For God's Glory 5. Do Christians in so-called Christian nations face fiery trials today? Explain. 6. What makes those who are reproached for the Name of Christ happy? "According to the Will of God" 7. How can we know that our suffering is according to the will of God? 8. Why do suffering saints especially need God's keeping power? How is it appropriated? Analyzing the Passage Peter made it clear that the suffering he referred to was a suffering in the flesh (3:18; 4:1-2). When the flesh suffers, the spirit can live and grow. Quickened (3:18) and quick (4:5) mean "made alive" and "alive" respectively. To arm yourselves (4:1) is to equip oneself for warfare. Ephesians 6:11 and following give the instructions. Fiery trial (4:12) refers to the burning by which metal is refined. Peter was not the first to use this analogy. Job said, "When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). The reproach in 4:14 is strong verbal abuse. Defaming and taunts can

4 affect the mind more than bodily pain. Scarcely (4:18) means "with difficulty." Though the gate is "strait" and the way is narrow and beset by trials, for those who give diligence, the entrance into the heavenly kingdom is abundant (2 Peter 1:10-11). Principles and Applications "For Well Doing" 1. It is better to suffer for well doing than for evil doing (3:17). One can leave a testimony for God by humble repentance after a failure. But far more to be desired is the freedom of conscience that accompanies the loss of material goods or even of reputations because someone has taken advantage of our "good conversation in Christ" (3:16). Suffering for well doing has a way of building the confidence of others toward us and will point them to Christ, who supplies us with grace for each test. 2. Christ's suffering is a pattern for the believer (3:18; 4:1). Christ suffered in the flesh, emphasizing the need for our flesh to die. We do not fear "them which kill the body, but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28). This fearlessness is manifested in the patient meekness with which Christ endured taunts, interrogation, and scourging. Likewise we may not allow ourselves to become self-centered, but keep an evangelistic perspective even toward those who harm us. 3. God uses suffering to fulfill His purposes (3:18). Not only everything God does, but also everything He allows is for our profit. He is constantly working to draw us and others closer to Himself. The challenge for us is to lay down our own will and allow God's will to be done in us. "Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16). When we find ourselves drawn closer to God by life's difficult experiences, His purposes are being accomplished in our lives. 4. The experience of suffering helps to purify the believer's walk (4:2-3). Suffering helps us to identify what has true meaning in life. Fleshly gratifications mean little, but a close relationship with the Lord will see us through. Suffering detaches the Christian from the ease and comfort of this world and makes him long for heaven. "Every man that bath this hope in him purifieth himself' (1 John 3:3). Do we pray for suffering? No. But we can pray that God would bring into our lives those experi-

5 ences that help us to more fully live for Him. 5. The holy walk of the believer stirs opposition from the enemies of Christ (4:4-6). Those accusations of pride, hypocrisy, and discrimination are tools that many have used to break down the Christian. Christ said, "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). We must recognize the opposition for what it is. At the same time, we must make sure that the accusations are never justified. For God's Glory 6. The believer should expect suffering (4:12). The writer of Hebrews assured his readers that these chastening experiences are a proof of sonship (Hebrews 12). If we are so close to the world that there is no longer any antagonism, we had better make sure we are not a part of the world. We do not need to view suffering as drudgery or a misery to be endured. Those who view suffering as a normal part of the Christian life can face it with joy. 7. The prospect of future glory helps the believer endure suffering (4:13). Here again we have for our inspiration the example of Christ, "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). If only we could more fully understand that "the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). So easily we fail to look beyond this present time, and we bow under the pressure to avoid suffering. God give us a long-range vision! 8. Suffering for righteousness' sake brings glory to God (4:14-16). "Behold, we count them happy which endure" (James 5:11). God's Spirit of glory rests on those who faithfully endure reproaches for His Name. While this presence strengthens us, the glory goes to God, for without Him, we can do nothing. Identifying with God's people has a stigma, but rather than be ashamed, God's people should rejoice to be worthy to suffer shame for His sake. "According to the Will of God" 9. The suffering Christian will be vindicated in the final judgment (4:17). What seems right in the eyes of men will not pass the test of God's justice. What seemed in this life to "[turn] the world upside down" will be the faith needed to enter the kingdom. This knowledge does not puff us up. Rather it gives us a godly concern for those who

6 reproach us. 10. God's resources for keeping the believer are always greater than the need (4:19). They who "live... to the will of God" (4:2) can be assured that their suffering is according to His will. God, the faithful Creator, will keep His own. Our duty is to commit the keeping of our souls to Him and trust in His promises. Important Teachings 1. It is better to suffer for well doing than for evil doing (3:17). 2. Christ's suffering is a pattern for the believer (3:18; 4:1). 3. God uses suffering to fulfill His purposes (3:18). 4. The experience of suffering helps to purify the believer's walk (4:2, 3). 5. The holy walk of the believer stirs opposition from the enemies of Christ (4:4-6). 6. The believer should expect suffering (4:12). 7. The prospect of future glory helps the believer endure suffering (4:13). 8. Suffering for righteousness' sake brings glory to God (4:14-16). 9. The suffering Christian will be vindicated in the final judgment (4:17). 10. God's resources for keeping the believer are always greater than the need (4:19). Answers to Questions 1. Why did Christ suffer for us? The answer can be summed up in the word reconciliation, which is the thought of the clause "that he might bring us to God" (3:18). Christ died for sinful man, who was hopelessly estranged from God. By His death, Jesus paid our ransom and made it possible for us to be right with God. 2. What is "the same mind," and how do we arm ourselves with it (4:1)? Christ was totally surrendered to the will of God, even though He prayed earnestly that the cup would pass from Him. We arm ourselves with the same mind when we daily renew our commitment to be faithful to God no matter what it may cost. Reading the Scriptures and the Martyrs Mirror help us to see the price that others have paid and to reinforce our own commitment to Christ.

7 3. In what ways does suffering sanctify the Christian? Suffering weans us from this transitory world and draws us to God. We look for God's redemptive purposes and allow Him to mold us as He sees best. Faithfulness in suffering develops and perfects patience. Suffering helps to melt down our self-image and to know in whose hand our breath is. God allows these circumstances to make us fit for heaven. 4. How does the thought of our accountability fit with suffering for Christ? On the one hand is the consolation that we need not feel obligated to conform to the wishes of those who may speak evil of us. God is the one to whom we are accountable, and our lives must please Him. In His own time and way He will recompense ungodly men. On the other hand is the warning to remain faithful amid the pressures of life. God will someday judge our actions and motives. 5. Do Christians in so-called Christian nations face fiery trials today? Explain. While we face little physical persecution, the tests of our faith are just as real as at any other place and time. Many who have fallen into complacency and ecumenism despise Bible obedience and actively try to win more over to their "camps." Perhaps the test of not going along with government programs is not so fiery, and yet the constant pressure tends to wear us down. 6. What makes those who are reproached for the Name of Christ happy? Peter and the other apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer, meaning that they were glad that others saw in them sufficient evidence of being followers of Christ that they were awarded similar treatment. We rejoice that we can share in the sufferings of Christ, that is, that we can suffer for His sake as He did for ours. We rejoice that God's Spirit gives us grace for the tests He allows and that we have the opportunity to witness for Him. 7. How can we know that our suffering is according to the will of God? If we have been living according to the will of God, we can be assured that the suffering He allows is according to His will. 8. Why do suffering saints especially need God's keeping power? How is it appropriated? Suffering does bring with it special tests. We may be tempted to discouragement or to try to alleviate the suffering in ways that would com-

8 promise our faithfulness to God. God's keeping power is appropriated as we daily communicate with Him, confessing our own weakness and our need of His aid. We recognize our dependence on others and open ourselves to their aid. At the same time, we look for needs in the lives of others and reach out to encourage them. We find and trust the promises of our faithful Creator. Summarizing the Lesson Suffering was not strange to the early church. Nor will it be strange to us. "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). Among the saints in heaven "are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14). Will we qualify to join that number? Research Guide 1. Read the compilation of Scriptures under "Suffering, for Christ" in Nave's Topical Bible. 2. Read the preface to the Martyrs Mirror, perhaps especially the treatise "Of the Greater Danger There Is at This Time on pages 8 to 11.