Pilgrim Living in a Fallen World: Joy in the Hot Seat! I Peter 4:12-19

Pilgrim Living in a Fallen World: Joy in the Hot Seat!

I Peter 4:12-19

Introduction: It is hard for us, Americans in the 21^st century, to grasp the context in which Peter was writing his letter. In fact the experiences of the church in its first decades, in fact its first centuries, was marked by persecution, trials and tribulations. Peter would be martyred not too long after he wrote the letters that bear his name. Christians were in the “hot seat.” The violence of emperors like Nero has been replicated in different contexts through the ages. Even today, we read the reports of Christians suffering in different parts of the world, but it seems so detached from our reality. Just 10 days ago, twelve people have been killed at a hotel in north-east Kenya in an attack reportedly carried out by the Somali Islamist group Al-Shabaab.

World Watch Monitor (WWM) said that local media outlets "sympathetic" to the terrorist group reported that the militants "killed Christian Kenyans" who were not from the local area.

The BBC also reported that, "It is the latest in a spate of deadly attacks targeting Christians in the mainly Muslim region."

Police in the town of Mandera, which lies on the border with Somalia, said the attackers used improvised explosives devices to break down the metallic doors of the Bishaaro Hotel, before entering and shooting 12 people dead in their rooms, WWM reported.

From November 4^th we read this report concerning the church in India,

Due to increased persecution and government restriction, the face of evangelism in India has been forced to change. In many ways, the days of open air Gospel meetings and public outreach events are over. With intense persecution from Hindu radicals, many of these public events are now targeted for attack. Also, the government has began to restrict the entrance and activities of Christian missionaries. For most foreigners, it is illegal for them to make public speeches at all.

Americans enjoy religious freedom, it is not that way everywhere, and it may not stay that way. Tribulation, persecution, hatred by the world is the lot of pilgrims. We shouldn’t be surprised by suffering. We shouldn’t be surprised from time to time if we are in the “hot seat.” Come what may, it doesn’t change the facts: we belong to God, our eternity is secure, and we are here, in this fallen world, on a mission.  We have spoken lately about our life as a testimony to the people around us. Can our response to suffering bring glory to God?

The Maine* Idea: Believers can expect suffering in this fallen world, but because of Jesus, we can have joy in the midst of it.

I. The Exhortation: Have joy in your communion with Christ even in the midst of suffering (12-14).

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.  ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

       Don’t be surprised by suffering – You are not alone (12a). It’s a test (12) and has purpose (19). The intensity of the trial is described by the word, “fiery ordeal,” and it comes as a “trial” or a “test.” The Greek word peirasmos can have either connotation. Suffering is part of life in this fallen world, but we can be encouraged that God is working in the midst of it. We saw that in I Peter 1:6,7…

⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, as was necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,  ⁷ so that the tested genuineness of your faith- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Why should we be surprised anyway by the world?  We read in 1 John 3:13   “Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.” We are foreigners and exiles, remember? Jesus himself said in John 15:19  “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

      The sure hope of future joy brings joy in the present that transcends circumstances (13).  Voice of the Martyrs reports the story of Cheng Jie — a young mother, a pastor’s wife, and a former kindergarten director who never anticipated her 2014 arrest.

With a husband who was a pastor in China where religion is tightly controlled, she and her husband, Du Hongbo, had prepared for his possible arrest, but never hers. In the end, it was her role as the director of the Hualin Foreign Language Experimental Kindergarten that took her to prison for two years. Chinese authorities charged the school and its administration of “illegal business operations,” due to the use of what the authorities called religious curriculum. The school was closed, and four people associated with it, including Cheng Jie, were arrested.

     At first, prison was a scary time for Cheng Jie. She had never known anyone with drug problems or who engaged in criminal behavior, but here she was, suddenly crammed in a cell with 15 criminals. Some of her cellmates were due to be put to death for committing murders. Their 15 by 15 foot cell had one toilet for the women to share. Quarrels would often break out between the women. Others would sob continually. The women were expected to work 12-hour work days and were fed very little, usually rice with boiled cabbage or radishes. Soon, however, Cheng Jie realized she had a unique opportunity to minister to the other women, and she began to love them. [This is what I want to emphasize…]

      “Even though I was in prison, I felt like I am happy because I have the joy from God,” she said. [Despite her circumstances…]  Her husband was allowed to visit once a month, but the children, who were 1- and 3-years-old when she was arrested, were not allowed to come. 

Randy Alcorn talks about what happened to his friend, Ethel Herr in his book, What Good is God. She had had a double mastectomy. Then two months later, doctors discovered that the cancer had spread. One of Herr's friends in shock asked her, "And how do you feel about God now?" Herr says,

"As I sought to explain what has happened in my spirit, it all became clearer to me. God has been preparing me for this moment. He has undergirded me in ways I've never known before. He has made himself increasingly real and precious to me. He has given to me joy such as I've never known before -- and I've no need to work at it, it just comes, even amidst the tears. He has taught me that...he will lead me on whatever journey he chooses and will never leave me for a moment of that journey... God is good no matter what the diagnosis or the prognosis or the fearfulness of the uncertainty of having neither." 

God is there, with us in the valleys. Paul and Peter were martyred at about the same time, in Rome, under Nero’s reign. In his letter to the Romans Paul said,

¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,  ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs- heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.  ¹⁸ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Romans 8:16-18).

        When we suffer as a Christian we are blessed by the presence of the Spirit (14; cf. 2 Tim 4:16,17). John Piper told the story of Corrie ten Boom who was  worried as a young girl whether she would be able to stand against the Germans if she was threatened. She felt so weak when she thought about what might happen. Her father gave her a great illustration. He said,

"When you are going to take a journey on the train, do I give you your ticket three weeks early or just as you get on the train?" She answered, "As I get on the train." "So God will give you the special strength you need to be strong in the face of death just when you need it, not before."

We’ve heard the stories of Christians threatened by Islamic terrorists, “Deny Christ, or die!” Or even worse, “Deny Christ, or watch your children die!” How could they stand against such evil?  Only with Christ at their side, only with the Holy Spirit in their hearts. The suffering of this present age is not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us!  Don’t be surprised if one day we are on the “hot seat.” Believers can expect suffering in this fallen world, but because of Jesus, we can have joy in the midst of it.

II. The Examination: We should make sure that our suffering is not the consequence of our own sin, or the result of God’s chastening (15-16).

¹⁵       But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.  ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

       Don’t invite suffering by sinful behavior (15).  There is such a thing as suffering for righteousness’ sake. But there is also such a thing as suffering for foolishness’ sake!  Sin has consequences. First of all, if we are believers, we know that who the Lord loves, he chastens.  God will not allow our conduct as rebellious sons and daughters to go unchecked. He has given us boundaries, for our good, to protect us and to grow our faith. We in our fallenness will stick our little hairy toe over the line just to test it, wondering if God will notice?! Remember I Peter 3:17, “It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” Chastening is one thing, and we can connect with that also the natural consequences of our sin. Years of alcoholism will have its effects on our body. Drinking and getting behind the wheel is not only illegal, it is foolish. Sin can have dramatic consequences.

       But if we suffer because of our faith, to God be the glory (16)! He says, “…yet if anyone suffers as a Christian…” The word “Christian” isn’t as common in the Bible as you might think. It occurs only three times in the New Testament, here, and twice in the book of Acts. In chapter 11 we learn the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Then Agrippa, after hearing Paul’s testimony in Acts 26, says (or asks) “In a short time you will persuade me to be a Christian! [?]” It probably was used by outsiders for the most part, to describe the followers of Jesus. Peter says “Don’t be ashamed of the name, wear it proudly!” To God be the glory! Believers can expect some “fiery trials,” they may be in the hot seat, but because of Jesus, we can have joy in the midst of it.

III. The Foundation: We can have confidence because of our commitment to God who we trust (17-19).

¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  ¹⁸ And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"  ¹⁹ Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

       Because God loves us, He will chasten us.  Judgment will begin at the house of God. Around election time we sometimes quote verses like 2 Chronicles 7:14  “…if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Good. He is talking to Israel. Calling the nation to repentance and saying that as they call on God He will bring the promised blessing. From our perspective, in this age, that has to be a call to the church. We need to embrace our calling, to live our faith before our neighbors and seek God. We should seek God, pray for our nation, pray for ourselves, pray for our leaders. And we should vote. But our hope should not be in a party or a candidate. Our hope is in the Lord. God be merciful, don’t give us what we deserve, be gracious, give us blessing we don’t deserve. Heal our land.

       If we are only saved by grace, what hope is there for those who reject the Gospel? God has made a path to citizenship, by grace through faith. There is no other way.   So we trust Him, and persevere in our mission (19). Peter says, “….so then those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator…”   That word for [commit] "entrust" is actually a banking term. It means to deposit something for safekeeping. Well, that's what we're to do with our lives when we go through times of suffering. Deposit your life in God's bank (so to speak) for safe-keeping. Do you feel like you are “in the hot seat?” Trust Him to preserve you, to bring you through the fire.

       We choose to live our life in submission to God, trusting that He is present and working. So we live by faith, “…while doing good.” McKnight put it this way,

Because Christians realize that the final day of reckoning is yet to come and is a firm, fixed date in God’s diary, they must strengthen their resolve in the face of suffering and injustice (4:17-18). Here they need a stubborn streak, that no matter what happens to them they must live their lives in the light of God’s judgment. Whether the IRS knows or not it not the issue; God knows. Whether the boss knows of not is not the issue; God knows. Whether your family knows or not is not the issue; God knows. And because God knows everything, we must learn to submit everything in our lives to his final assessment…

Give yourself to the Lord by continuing to “do good.” You remember we were saved “..unto good works…” After all our Father is good, and He does good. You may remember the story of Bethany Hamilton, a teen age surfer in Hawaii who lost an arm to a tiger shark in October of 2003. She is a believer, and her ordeal didn’t cause her to lose her faith. She focused her life on helping others, raising money to restore a man’s sight, and giving to those in need. Her pastor said she has the attitude that she has more than she needs in life. "She's looking forward to the future. She's asking herself, 'How can I show the world I still have a life, that I enjoy my life, and that my life is filled with joy?' She has an underlying trust that God is taking care of her." She entrusted herself to her “faithful Creator.” I read this week that “Christians should be the calmest people on earth.” We should have joy that goes beyond the circumstances, because of Jesus.

What is God saying to me in this passage? Believers can expect suffering in this fallen world, but because of Jesus, we can have joy in the midst of it.

What would God have me to do in response to this passage? Could it be that you are going through a time of testing? Remember, even if no one else understands, God does. We have a High Priest who can sympathize in our weaknesses, who was tempted/tested in all points like as we are, yet without sin.  God has a plan. He is present, and He is working.   

       I thought of the subject of suffering a little differently this week as I worked on this passage. In my mind I used to separate suffering and persecution for our faith from the sometimes painful consequences of living in a fallen world. We are not persecuted, at least not at this moment in America. But think this through with me. God saved us, we who have trusted Jesus, and He left us in the world.  Why didn’t He take us to heaven? Because we are “on assignment.” He left us here and gave us a mission to carry out, to make disciples of all the nations. So any suffering we experience, at a certain level, is for our faith. It’s because of God’s plan.  We are left here, and are not in heaven, because we have a mission to carry out. As Jesus came into the world to accomplish our salvation, He has left us in the world to proclaim His salvation. So we share in the suffering of Christ.  What do we have to fear? As Peter said in the first chapter, “…by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  ⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, as was necessary, you have been grieved by various trials…” (I Pet 1:5,6).