WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:09.500 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.280 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:22.640 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:30.960 This morning, our New Testament lesson is a reading from the first letter of Peter. 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:36.299 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ to God's elect, 00:00:36.960 --> 00:00:43.679 exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 00:00:44.260 --> 00:00:52.299 In all this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:58.899 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith, of greater worth than gold, 00:00:59.340 --> 00:01:07.760 which perishes even though refined by fire, may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 00:01:08.879 --> 00:01:16.879 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, 00:01:17.260 --> 00:01:19.900 as though something strange were happening to you. 00:01:19.900 --> 00:01:25.700 But rejoice as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:29.500 so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. 00:01:30.300 --> 00:01:33.620 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, 00:01:33.940 --> 00:01:38.780 you are blessed, for the spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 00:01:39.480 --> 00:01:45.660 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer, or thief, or any other kind of criminal, 00:01:45.659 --> 00:01:47.679 or even as a meddler. 00:01:48.479 --> 00:01:55.159 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 00:01:55.979 --> 00:01:59.679 For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household. 00:02:00.399 --> 00:02:05.780 And if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:12.420 And if it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? 00:02:13.360 --> 00:02:21.259 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful creator and continue to do good. 00:02:22.080 --> 00:02:23.840 This is the word of the Lord. 00:02:24.520 --> 00:02:25.719 Thanks be to God. 00:02:25.719 --> 00:02:30.080 Thank you so much, Cherubah, and good morning, Christ Church. 00:02:31.080 --> 00:02:39.079 We have, over the past three months, been exploring this amazing letter from the Apostle Peter. 00:02:39.539 --> 00:02:42.000 And as we draw near to the end of this letter, 00:02:43.319 --> 00:02:49.280 Peter is just kind of gathering up various themes that he's laid down. 00:02:50.060 --> 00:02:55.060 And today we're going to talk about one of the great themes of the letter, which is suffering. 00:02:55.060 --> 00:02:58.319 And he uses that word four times here in this text. 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:05.180 And I want you to know up front that Peter's not addressing generic human suffering, 00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:14.159 the kind of suffering that comes through unmet needs and disease and loss and grief and death. 00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:21.580 Every human being has to experience and endure those forms of suffering to varying degrees. 00:03:21.580 --> 00:03:27.980 And, of course, the Bible gives us a theology for how to endure that kind of moral evil and natural evil. 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:31.400 But Peter is talking about something altogether different than that. 00:03:32.100 --> 00:03:37.140 He's talking about something more specific and more particular. 00:03:37.360 --> 00:03:39.480 And if you just draw your eyes to verse 13, 00:03:40.300 --> 00:03:44.820 he talks about participating in the sufferings of Christ. 00:03:45.820 --> 00:03:46.960 What does that mean? 00:03:46.960 --> 00:03:51.760 He talks in verse 14 about being insulted because of the name of Christ. 00:03:52.840 --> 00:03:57.800 And then he talks in verse 16 about suffering as a Christian. 00:03:57.939 --> 00:04:02.420 Now, we become so used to that word, Christian, 00:04:03.060 --> 00:04:08.219 that we forget its original intended meaning was an insult. 00:04:08.680 --> 00:04:14.680 It was meant as a nickname of derision and contempt. 00:04:14.680 --> 00:04:20.300 If you look at the Acts of the Apostles, they go to the city of Antioch in Acts chapter 11. 00:04:20.540 --> 00:04:24.240 And it's there that the disciples of Jesus are first called Christians. 00:04:24.600 --> 00:04:30.160 And this word, this insulting word means little Christ or Messiah people. 00:04:30.280 --> 00:04:33.960 So the gist of the insult is it's basically like saying Messiah freaks. 00:04:34.100 --> 00:04:36.160 That's what a Christian is. 00:04:37.040 --> 00:04:41.519 And Peter wants to talk to us about suffering as Christians. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:51.259 And his basic assumption is that if we live as a minority group of Christians 00:04:51.259 --> 00:04:57.079 in a majority culture that does not know Christ or follow the way of Christ, 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:04.000 then we're very likely going to be insulted because of the name of Christ. 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:08.219 We're very likely to suffer because we're Christians. 00:05:08.220 --> 00:05:14.420 And Peter's goal, his project, I think, with this whole letter is to toughen us up, 00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:18.640 to toughen Christians up, to give us thicker skin, 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:23.760 and to give us more resolve, more resilience. 00:05:24.380 --> 00:05:30.500 In fact, as we'll see in a moment, more rejoicing in the midst of our suffering as Christians. 00:05:30.640 --> 00:05:31.420 Does this make sense? 00:05:32.040 --> 00:05:33.080 Where he's coming from? 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:36.199 Maybe just a nod or, yes, I'm awake. 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:39.120 I'm alive, awake, alert, enthusiastic this morning, 00:05:39.279 --> 00:05:42.019 and so excited for this sermon that's coming my way. 00:05:42.659 --> 00:05:43.099 Yeah. 00:05:43.879 --> 00:05:46.740 So I want to engage two questions. 00:05:46.899 --> 00:05:49.839 The first question is, what is Christian suffering? 00:05:49.899 --> 00:05:52.560 Not generic suffering, but Christian suffering. 00:05:53.399 --> 00:05:57.360 And then I want to ask the question, how does God want us to respond? 00:05:58.219 --> 00:05:59.240 What is Christian suffering? 00:05:59.459 --> 00:06:01.659 How does God want us to respond? 00:06:01.660 --> 00:06:05.240 So let's explore this idea of Christian suffering. 00:06:06.100 --> 00:06:08.800 In chapters 2, 3, and 4 of this letter, 00:06:09.640 --> 00:06:13.560 Peter is talking about these Christians he's writing to as being reviled, 00:06:14.160 --> 00:06:17.600 being slandered, being maligned and verbally abused, 00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:19.580 and socially rejected. 00:06:19.700 --> 00:06:21.780 And he says in chapter 2, verse 12, he says, 00:06:22.540 --> 00:06:27.660 Gentile, the Gentile pagans, they accuse you, Christians, for doing wrong, 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:31.060 and they speak against you as evildoers. 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:35.640 Now, why in the world are these Greco-Roman family members and friends 00:06:35.640 --> 00:06:40.220 and coworkers and neighbors seeing these Christians as evildoers? 00:06:40.260 --> 00:06:41.040 What's up with that? 00:06:42.320 --> 00:06:47.900 What are these Christians doing that is causing their culture to judge them 00:06:47.900 --> 00:06:51.500 as doing something intolerable or something wrong? 00:06:51.500 --> 00:06:56.540 Or chapter 3, verse 14, Peter says, 00:06:57.079 --> 00:06:59.100 you Christians are suffering for what is right. 00:06:59.220 --> 00:07:01.680 You're suffering for righteousness' sake, 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:06.519 and you're being reviled because of your good behavior in Christ. 00:07:07.300 --> 00:07:08.199 What is that? 00:07:08.279 --> 00:07:09.279 What is the righteousness? 00:07:09.519 --> 00:07:13.939 What is the good behavior in Jesus Christ that's being disapproved 00:07:13.939 --> 00:07:17.480 as unacceptable to the broader culture? 00:07:17.480 --> 00:07:20.160 Well, I want to suggest a few things. 00:07:20.540 --> 00:07:27.060 First of all, like Israel, these Christians were theological exclusivists. 00:07:27.540 --> 00:07:31.379 So every day in Israel, morning and evening, 00:07:31.580 --> 00:07:34.000 people would confess their faith with Deuteronomy 6, 00:07:34.060 --> 00:07:34.540 and they would say, 00:07:34.700 --> 00:07:38.000 the Lord our God, the Lord is one, or the Lord alone. 00:07:39.000 --> 00:07:42.480 And basically, in these polytheistic cultures, 00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:46.259 the people of God, they were committed monotheists. 00:07:46.259 --> 00:07:52.800 And so they said that all the gods of the nations around us are actually false. 00:07:53.579 --> 00:07:54.339 They're not real. 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:58.259 They're just blind, deaf, and dumb idols. 00:07:58.379 --> 00:08:01.819 And there's only one true, living creator God. 00:08:01.899 --> 00:08:05.699 And that was a reason why Jewish people were not very liked 00:08:05.699 --> 00:08:10.159 from Egypt to Babylon back then and maybe even still today. 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:14.639 And likewise, these Christians were monotheists. 00:08:14.639 --> 00:08:18.240 They were monotheists with a Christological twist, right? 00:08:18.279 --> 00:08:22.759 Because they said, there's only one God, and Jesus is Lord. 00:08:23.599 --> 00:08:24.879 But they didn't stop there. 00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:30.399 They said, Jesus is Lord, and therefore, we're calling everybody 00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:37.019 to abandon their money gods and their sex gods and their power gods, 00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:41.439 and we're calling all of you to come and worship this Jesus 00:08:41.439 --> 00:08:44.600 and follow this Jesus as Lord with us. 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:48.740 And as if this were not provocative enough, 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:51.899 in this Greco-Roman society, 00:08:52.360 --> 00:08:59.379 it was your civic duty to burn incense in honor of the emperor, right? 00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:04.879 It was your duty to pledge allegiance to Caesar as Lord of all. 00:09:04.939 --> 00:09:06.659 And of course, the Christians couldn't do this. 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:08.820 They were refusing to do this. 00:09:10.080 --> 00:09:14.399 And they were seen, therefore, as subverting the stability of their families, 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:17.600 of the city, and of the empire as a whole. 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:20.159 In fact, in the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 17, 00:09:20.779 --> 00:09:22.620 the Christians are accused of, quote, 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:27.340 turning the world upside down, right? 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:31.539 Because when it came to this question of who is in charge, 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:36.940 who or what has authority over the cosmos and over society, 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:42.840 Christians had distinctive doctrinal beliefs that answered that question. 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:45.279 And that was not very popular. 00:09:46.399 --> 00:09:49.200 And they were being critiqued by their peers. 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:53.920 They were being critiqued by the elites and the intelligentsia of the time. 00:09:54.020 --> 00:09:58.320 In fact, if you fast forward about 50 years beyond this letter 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:02.340 to the early 2nd century, there was a guy named Suetonius. 00:10:02.520 --> 00:10:03.580 He was a Roman historian. 00:10:04.280 --> 00:10:07.620 And he writes about Christianity as a, quote, 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:10.640 wicked superstition, right? 00:10:10.780 --> 00:10:16.180 Another of his colleagues and contemporaries, Tacitus, another historian, 00:10:16.179 --> 00:10:21.099 and he said that Christianity is a dangerous and destructive superstition. 00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:26.319 Or think about in the late 2nd century, about 100 years after this letter, 00:10:27.059 --> 00:10:29.199 there was a cultured despiser of Christianity. 00:10:29.379 --> 00:10:30.359 His name was Lucian. 00:10:31.199 --> 00:10:32.239 And this is what he says. 00:10:32.299 --> 00:10:32.719 He says, 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:55.680 So how does this cultured critic of Christianity define a Christian? 00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:56.579 And he says, 00:10:56.659 --> 00:11:01.879 A Christian is a person who lives under the laws of the crucified Christ. 00:11:02.819 --> 00:11:04.019 And Lucian, I think, was right. 00:11:04.120 --> 00:11:09.659 In addition to these distinctive doctrinal beliefs that there's only one God, 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:15.959 only one Lord, only one Savior, only one hope of the world that can cause us to live for all time, 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:20.539 Christians had these distinctive ethical practices 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:23.539 that were tied to the laws of Jesus, 00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:24.919 or the commands of Jesus, 00:11:25.539 --> 00:11:30.099 concerning the character and the conduct of his followers. 00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:36.139 And what were some of these Christian practices that these Christians were suffering for? 00:11:37.219 --> 00:11:40.199 Well, earlier this summer, I introduced you to the work of a scholar, 00:11:40.699 --> 00:11:42.860 and I'd like to put him back on your radar. 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:47.519 And if you weren't here to teach you about it for the first time, 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:49.539 his name was Larry Hurtado. 00:11:49.659 --> 00:11:53.039 He was a professor at the University of Edinburgh. 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:54.500 He's since passed away. 00:11:55.139 --> 00:11:59.000 But he wrote a book in 2016 called Destroyer of the Gods. 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:04.039 And the subtitle is Early Christian Distinctiveness in the Roman World. 00:12:05.179 --> 00:12:13.740 And what he argues in this book is that the early church engaged in a Christian social project 00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:18.379 and that they were seeking to be this unique kind of human community 00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:21.220 that defied the categories of their time. 00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:26.700 And what Hurtado says, he said that the Christian social project had at least five elements. 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:33.100 First of all, they were committed to multi-ethnicity and the equality between the races. 00:12:33.960 --> 00:12:40.360 They said that we all have a common identity in Jesus that's more fundamental than our racial identities, 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:46.980 which are still important, but they've been radically relativized because we're all now one in Jesus Christ. 00:12:47.919 --> 00:12:53.980 The second aspect of the Christian social project is that they were unusually generous with their money. 00:12:54.860 --> 00:13:00.340 They were highly committed to caring for the poor, for the weak, and for the marginalized, 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:04.379 to caring for vulnerable widows and orphans and strangers. 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:08.159 And they weren't just caring for those from their own group. 00:13:08.259 --> 00:13:11.080 They were caring for people of all backgrounds. 00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:17.019 And the third aspect of this Christian social project for which these Christians were suffering 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:21.200 was this commitment to be non-retaliatory. 00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:26.200 They were marked by a commitment to forgiveness, radical forgiveness, 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:30.759 especially toward the people who were criticizing them and excluding them. 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:37.419 They said, we're going to be bridge builders and peacemakers toward those who are insulting and accusing us. 00:13:38.419 --> 00:13:39.299 You with me so far? 00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:42.439 This Christian social project had a fourth element, 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:48.460 and Hurtado says that they were strongly and practically against discarding unwanted babies, 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:51.059 either through abortion or infant exposure. 00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:57.000 These kids, mostly girls, were thrown out and left on the garbage heap to die 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:59.779 or to be sold into slavery or prostitution. 00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:02.120 And the Christians came along and said, no, that's wrong. 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:04.759 And they rescued them, and they brought them into their families. 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:12.279 And then fifthly, he says the Christian social project was all about this revolutionary ethic of sex. 00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:18.860 And they regarded, they prohibited all sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman. 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:23.180 And they said that sex is not this irresistible appetite, 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:29.899 but it's rather a way for us to imitate the God who's given himself to us in Jesus Christ. 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:34.279 And Hurtado says each of these five practices are there 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:40.919 because Christians sought to submit themselves to biblical authority and to the lordship of Jesus. 00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:46.039 And as we said before, the first two of these practices, 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:50.219 ethnic diversity and caring for the poor, those sound liberal. 00:14:50.339 --> 00:14:52.579 They sound like they're coming to us from the left, right? 00:14:53.399 --> 00:14:57.399 And the last two of these practices, sanctity of life and sexual ethics, 00:14:57.500 --> 00:15:00.679 they sound conservative, like they're coming to us from the right. 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:04.279 And yet this third practice of non-retaliation and forgiveness 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:07.279 sounds like no particular party on offer, 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:11.059 no particular platform or agenda in our society. 00:15:12.579 --> 00:15:17.139 And that churches today are under enormous pressure, 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:19.379 incredible pressure, 00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:24.299 to jettison either the first two or the last two of these practices 00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:26.159 and not to keep them all. 00:15:27.199 --> 00:15:31.600 And yet to give up on any of them would be to make Christianity the handmaid 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:35.419 of a particular political program on the left or on the right 00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:39.879 and would undermine the church's missionary encounter with our culture. 00:15:40.699 --> 00:15:43.799 Now why am I refreshing your memory and putting this back on your radar? 00:15:43.939 --> 00:15:48.459 Because this category-defying Christian social project, 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:52.000 in addition to their Christian beliefs, was deeply offensive. 00:15:53.339 --> 00:15:54.659 It was deeply offensive. 00:15:54.779 --> 00:15:58.959 The earliest Christians, they were ridiculed as a threat to the social order 00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:04.100 because they would not honor all deities and all identities, 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:09.700 all teachings and all practices, all doctrines and all ethics. 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:14.000 And so they were accused and seen to be exclusive and narrow. 00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:18.100 And this is again why Peter says in chapter 2 verse 12, 00:16:18.180 --> 00:16:22.540 the Gentile pagans accuse you of doing wrong and speak against you as evildoers. 00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:28.259 Chapter 3 verse 14, that you suffer for what is right, for righteousness' sake, 00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:32.299 and you're reviled because of your good behavior in Christ. 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:38.539 And yet, this Christian social project that was so deeply offensive 00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:41.439 was also somehow mysteriously attractive. 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:45.360 And it was convincing many people. 00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:49.299 There was a growing number of converts, a staggering number of converts, 00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:52.379 especially in the urban centers of the Roman Empire. 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:54.299 And the question is, why is that? 00:16:55.379 --> 00:16:57.059 What was attracting them? 00:16:58.579 --> 00:17:00.599 And what's interesting is that Hurtado, 00:17:01.459 --> 00:17:04.339 he basically, the same year he published this book, 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:06.899 he went around giving these lectures. 00:17:07.159 --> 00:17:10.399 He published these lectures in a book with a wonderful title 00:17:10.399 --> 00:17:15.480 called, Why on Earth Did Anyone Become a Christian in the First Three Centuries? 00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:18.900 And he's exploring this question, 00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:23.900 why did people begin to follow the way of Jesus 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:28.559 knowing full well that it had serious negative consequences? 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:33.559 Why would you take on obvious relational costs, 00:17:34.180 --> 00:17:38.360 social costs, financial costs, and political costs? 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:42.440 Right, given that Christians at this time 00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:46.620 were met pretty much with negativity and disapproval, 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:49.340 given that Christians were seen as different, 00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:53.380 strange, bizarre, weird, odd, 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:57.559 out of step with and intention with the dominant culture, 00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:59.480 why become a Christian? 00:18:01.140 --> 00:18:01.940 Hurtado says, 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:04.840 if what you desired was greater social acceptance, 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:07.900 early Christianity was hardly the sensible route to take. 00:18:07.900 --> 00:18:13.560 So with a full awareness of all these Christian teachings and practices, 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:16.640 with a full awareness of all the consequences and the costs, 00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:18.160 why become a Christian? 00:18:19.580 --> 00:18:20.460 And Hurtado says, 00:18:21.320 --> 00:18:23.400 it's because of the Christian message, 00:18:23.540 --> 00:18:26.400 because of this message of the gospel, 00:18:27.800 --> 00:18:32.180 that this one, true, radically transcendent, 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:34.580 almighty, sovereign God 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:37.879 was moved with powerful love 00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:39.879 to come and seek you. 00:18:41.139 --> 00:18:43.199 He was moved to take on flesh 00:18:43.199 --> 00:18:46.740 and to come and give himself in sacrificial love 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.960 to save you. 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:52.299 And he came to welcome you 00:18:52.299 --> 00:18:56.259 into a direct personal relationship with him 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:58.359 so that when you worship him, 00:18:58.699 --> 00:19:00.339 he draws near to you. 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:02.679 And when you pray to him, 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:05.959 he bends his ear and he listens to you. 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.299 And when you die, 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:10.720 he's going to share his life with you forever. 00:19:12.339 --> 00:19:13.519 And Hurtado says, 00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:16.679 the logic of these converts was this, 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:21.619 that this God is so powerfully loving 00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:24.299 that suffering for him 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:26.579 because of distinctive beliefs or practices, 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:30.000 that's not a loss for us. 00:19:31.139 --> 00:19:32.319 Given his powerful love, 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:34.480 it's a gain for us. 00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:37.119 Does that make sense? 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:39.339 The question is, 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.740 do we believe this? 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:44.099 Do you believe this? 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:46.679 Are we as a church willing, 00:19:46.879 --> 00:19:49.919 like our mothers and fathers in the faith of old 00:19:49.919 --> 00:19:51.859 and our brothers and sisters around the world today, 00:19:51.859 --> 00:19:53.980 are we willing to link arms 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:56.059 and suffer together 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:59.480 for the way of Jesus Christ in this world? 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.459 That's the question 00:20:01.459 --> 00:20:03.559 that Peter puts before us. 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.720 That's what he wants us to think about 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:07.379 in terms of Christian suffering. 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:08.839 Does that make sense? 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:10.740 I've done my best to try to tell you 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:12.399 what Christian suffering is all about. 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:15.339 But I also want to engage this question 00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:18.199 of how does God want us to respond? 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:20.419 How should we respond to it? 00:20:21.399 --> 00:20:22.879 Well, you've got to remember 00:20:22.879 --> 00:20:24.220 that Peter is an authority 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:25.959 on suffering as a Christian. 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:27.700 In fact, in the Acts of the Apostles, 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:29.140 we're told that two times 00:20:29.140 --> 00:20:32.120 when the church was being initially planted, 00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.880 Peter was arrested, 00:20:34.340 --> 00:20:35.039 thrown in jail, 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:36.840 and put on trial before the authorities. 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.220 He was flogged. 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:41.900 A few years after he writes this letter, 00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:43.160 he's going to be executed 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:45.220 by the emperor. 00:20:46.340 --> 00:20:46.900 And of course, 00:20:47.039 --> 00:20:48.940 many Christians are suffering like this 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.819 in the world today, 00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:50.600 in North Korea, 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:51.840 in Iran, 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.420 in Libya, 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.259 in Bangladesh, 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.759 if you've been following 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.820 that news this week. 00:20:57.060 --> 00:20:57.480 And yet, 00:20:57.900 --> 00:20:59.620 the challenges that the church 00:20:59.620 --> 00:21:00.440 is facing 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:03.080 in our mission to Western culture 00:21:03.080 --> 00:21:04.060 are quite different 00:21:04.060 --> 00:21:06.080 than those challenges, right? 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:07.740 Our challenge is that 00:21:07.740 --> 00:21:09.580 we are entering into an era 00:21:09.580 --> 00:21:11.120 in which there's not only 00:21:11.120 --> 00:21:12.860 no more social benefit 00:21:12.860 --> 00:21:13.600 to being a Christian, 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:15.080 if there used to be one, 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:16.360 there is one no more, 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:18.400 and there's now 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.700 an actual social cost 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:20.480 to being a Christian. 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:21.559 Right? 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:23.440 As beliefs in God, 00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.779 in truth, 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:25.740 in sin, 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.079 in the afterlife 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:29.160 are increasingly disappearing 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:30.759 in our society 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.579 and in our culture, 00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:33.140 Christianity becomes 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:34.500 more and more offensive 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.920 and more and more 00:21:35.920 --> 00:21:37.200 incomprehensible. 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.059 And suffering, 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:39.420 then, 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:39.980 as a Christian, 00:21:40.120 --> 00:21:41.200 in the secular age, 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.720 it's subtle 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:44.480 and it's nuanced, 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:46.099 but it's real. 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.519 It's real. 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.240 And I want us to think 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.180 about a few examples 00:21:49.180 --> 00:21:50.320 and a few illustrations 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:51.279 of how we might 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:52.340 suffer as Christians 00:21:52.340 --> 00:21:52.980 and how we might 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:53.560 respond to that. 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:54.560 Think about your work 00:21:54.560 --> 00:21:55.840 and your career. 00:21:57.980 --> 00:21:58.940 You might be, 00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.680 as a Christian, 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.400 excluded 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:02.019 from circles 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.759 of influence 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.400 and business 00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.539 because your faith 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.259 is perceived 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.320 not as an asset 00:22:06.320 --> 00:22:07.660 but as a liability. 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:10.000 You might be passed over 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.880 for a promotion 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:12.500 because of your standards 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.420 of what's right 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:14.160 and what's wrong 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:16.000 and because of your convictions 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:17.180 about how we, 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:17.740 as Christians, 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.519 are committed 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:19.980 to treat other people. 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.039 Or think about 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.840 your school 00:22:22.840 --> 00:22:23.480 and your friends. 00:22:23.560 --> 00:22:24.460 If you're in high school, 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:26.160 you might not get invited 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:27.160 to social gatherings 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:28.039 because you're a Christian 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:28.920 because they know 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.519 that you're not going 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.200 to join in 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:30.940 with the drinking 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.640 and drugs 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:32.600 and all the other aspects 00:22:32.600 --> 00:22:33.920 of that party culture. 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:36.100 Or if you're in middle school 00:22:36.100 --> 00:22:37.380 and you're a Christian 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.560 and because you're a Christian, 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:39.960 you don't laugh 00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:40.980 at that cruel joke. 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.740 You don't engage 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:44.600 in that inappropriate conversation. 00:22:44.599 --> 00:22:46.139 You don't join in 00:22:46.139 --> 00:22:47.039 making fun 00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:47.980 of your classmate. 00:22:48.719 --> 00:22:50.459 Because you don't go along, 00:22:50.959 --> 00:22:52.359 you might be the next person 00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:53.899 to be made fun of. 00:22:54.899 --> 00:22:56.279 Or think about your family 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.039 and your friends. 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.259 People might say to you, 00:22:59.099 --> 00:22:59.599 gosh, you know, 00:22:59.659 --> 00:23:00.599 I thought you were smart. 00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:01.819 I mean, how can you, 00:23:01.939 --> 00:23:03.139 how can you say 00:23:03.139 --> 00:23:04.259 there's only one God, 00:23:04.399 --> 00:23:05.980 only one way of salvation, 00:23:06.119 --> 00:23:07.859 only one hope of the world? 00:23:07.919 --> 00:23:08.619 I thought you were smarter 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.079 than that. 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:11.219 Or how can you go along 00:23:11.219 --> 00:23:13.139 with this Christian social project? 00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:14.400 I thought you were more caring 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:15.160 than that. 00:23:17.780 --> 00:23:18.759 And Peter says, 00:23:19.280 --> 00:23:19.880 if you're in one 00:23:19.880 --> 00:23:20.680 of those situations, 00:23:21.300 --> 00:23:23.600 how do we respond? 00:23:24.920 --> 00:23:25.640 And he gives us 00:23:25.640 --> 00:23:26.480 several imperatives, 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:27.880 several exhortations, 00:23:28.520 --> 00:23:29.520 starting in verse 12, 00:23:29.600 --> 00:23:30.160 he says this. 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:30.540 He says, 00:23:30.620 --> 00:23:31.220 Dear friends, 00:23:32.820 --> 00:23:33.900 do not be surprised. 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.680 Do not be surprised 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.759 at the fiery ordeal 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.560 that has come on you 00:23:38.560 --> 00:23:39.240 to test you 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.580 as though something strange 00:23:40.580 --> 00:23:42.360 were happening to you. 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:44.200 And when Peter talks 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:46.060 about this fiery furnace, 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:47.060 he's referring back 00:23:47.060 --> 00:23:48.220 to Psalms, 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:48.800 Proverbs, 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.420 the prophets, 00:23:50.300 --> 00:23:50.860 and this idea 00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:52.320 that God puts his people 00:23:52.320 --> 00:23:53.140 through the fire 00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:54.040 to test them 00:23:54.040 --> 00:23:55.540 and to refine them. 00:23:56.540 --> 00:23:57.660 And the picture there 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.560 is that, you know, 00:23:58.640 --> 00:23:59.580 when we dig up 00:23:59.580 --> 00:24:00.120 out of the earth 00:24:00.120 --> 00:24:01.100 this piece of, 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:03.740 this hunk of metal ore 00:24:03.740 --> 00:24:06.240 that contains both metal 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:07.000 and dross, 00:24:08.100 --> 00:24:08.280 right, 00:24:08.380 --> 00:24:09.040 both the pure 00:24:09.040 --> 00:24:09.759 and the impure, 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.560 both the worthy 00:24:10.560 --> 00:24:11.400 and the worthless, 00:24:11.600 --> 00:24:12.180 both the true 00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:12.900 and the false, 00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:14.080 that the only way 00:24:14.080 --> 00:24:15.240 to separate those things 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:15.820 from one another 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.980 is with fire. 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.340 And Peter says 00:24:19.340 --> 00:24:19.980 in chapter 1, 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:20.420 verse 7, 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:22.220 he says this refining fire 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:24.360 of Christian suffering 00:24:24.360 --> 00:24:27.440 is God proving 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.860 the genuineness 00:24:28.860 --> 00:24:29.660 of your faith, 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:31.779 God testing you 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.560 to see who 00:24:32.560 --> 00:24:34.500 and what you really trust 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.640 and where your allegiances 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:37.060 actually lie. 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:39.200 And when he puts you 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:40.119 through that fire, 00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:42.119 all those things 00:24:42.119 --> 00:24:43.480 that you're trusting 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.480 that are not God, 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.759 all of your inadequate 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:47.899 false trusts, 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:50.179 all of your self-interest, 00:24:50.339 --> 00:24:52.019 all of your disordered priorities, 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:53.720 all of your unhealthy attachments, 00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.500 in that fire 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:57.159 they're going to be incinerated, 00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:58.419 right, 00:24:58.539 --> 00:25:00.639 they're going to be destroyed 00:25:00.639 --> 00:25:02.079 like dross. 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:02.980 Why? 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:04.620 So that the depth 00:25:04.620 --> 00:25:06.160 and the quality 00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:08.099 of our Christian faith 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:09.380 in God 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:11.240 can shine like gold. 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.740 And so Peter says, 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:15.099 if you're suffering 00:25:15.099 --> 00:25:16.339 for the right reasons 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.220 as a Christian, 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:19.099 don't be surprised 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:20.360 that God's using that 00:25:20.360 --> 00:25:21.960 to refine your faith 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:23.319 like pure gold. 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:25.399 Okay? 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.839 And then what's the next 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:29.659 imperative and exhortation 00:25:29.659 --> 00:25:31.279 that Peter gives? 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:32.439 He goes on in verse 13 00:25:32.439 --> 00:25:33.039 and he says, 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.460 but rejoice. 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.879 Rejoice in as much 00:25:36.879 --> 00:25:37.859 as you participate 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:39.579 in the sufferings of Christ 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:41.539 so that you may be overjoyed 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:43.759 when His glory is revealed. 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:46.599 Rejoice is that same word 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.939 that Jesus uses 00:25:47.939 --> 00:25:49.079 in the Sermon on the Mount 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:51.240 when He's giving His beatitudes 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:52.980 and He gets that final beatitude 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.779 and He says this. 00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:54.120 He says, 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:54.920 blessed are you 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:57.160 when people insult you, 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.500 persecute you, 00:25:58.559 --> 00:25:59.279 and falsely say 00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:00.240 all kinds of evil 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:00.700 against you 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.440 because of me. 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:03.059 Rejoice and be glad. 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.180 Really, Jesus? 00:26:08.099 --> 00:26:09.519 Really, Peter? 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:12.519 You want us to respond 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:14.680 not with sorrowful self-pity? 00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:17.380 You want us to respond 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:18.920 not with stoic toughness? 00:26:19.839 --> 00:26:21.220 You want us to respond 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:23.100 with joy? 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:26.839 Where does that joy come from? 00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:28.120 How in the world 00:26:28.120 --> 00:26:29.759 can we rejoice 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:31.539 in the midst of suffering? 00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:33.680 And Peter's answer is this. 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.019 He says, 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:36.160 because you have the privilege 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:39.100 of participating in Christ. 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:42.660 Because you have the privilege 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:45.380 of being united to Christ. 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:47.980 Think about that union, 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.299 Peter says. 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:51.160 Our union 00:26:51.160 --> 00:26:52.720 with the highest 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:54.640 and most important 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:56.620 and most powerful 00:26:56.620 --> 00:26:58.279 and most sacrificially loving 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.860 and most joyful person 00:26:59.860 --> 00:27:00.740 in the universe, 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:02.240 that is the source 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:03.259 and that is the secret 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.420 of our joy 00:27:04.420 --> 00:27:05.480 and suffering. 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.400 And that doesn't mean 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:08.599 that we don't hurt. 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.220 It doesn't mean 00:27:09.220 --> 00:27:10.140 we don't feel sad. 00:27:10.220 --> 00:27:11.019 It just means that 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.920 undergirding 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.900 and infusing 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:14.420 all of those experiences 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.720 and all of those emotions 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:19.580 is this kind of unspeakable joy. 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:21.700 A joy that only Christ 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.680 can give. 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:25.200 And Peter here, 00:27:25.320 --> 00:27:26.420 he's not theorizing 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.180 about joy. 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.200 He's just relaying 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:29.140 his own experience. 00:27:29.360 --> 00:27:30.300 If you, again, 00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:31.140 go back to the Acts 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:32.400 of the Apostles chapter 5. 00:27:32.500 --> 00:27:32.940 It says this. 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:34.180 He says that they, 00:27:34.300 --> 00:27:35.000 the authorities, 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.460 they called Peter 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.920 and they called the apostles in 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:39.420 and they had them flogged 00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:40.900 and they ordered them 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.720 not to speak 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:43.779 in the name of Jesus anymore. 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:45.460 And then it says 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.059 that the apostles 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:48.319 left rejoicing 00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:50.299 because they had been 00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:51.259 counted worthy 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:52.900 of suffering disgrace 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:54.259 for the name. 00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:55.920 You see, 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.559 for Peter 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:59.720 to bear this royal title 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.940 of Christ, 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:01.960 of Messiah, 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:04.240 for Peter to share 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:06.180 in this kingly name 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:07.079 of the resurrected 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:08.319 Lord himself, 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:10.220 for Peter to suffer 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:11.120 disgrace 00:28:11.119 --> 00:28:12.119 for this name 00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:12.879 that is above 00:28:12.879 --> 00:28:13.839 every name, 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:15.199 that was his source 00:28:15.199 --> 00:28:16.239 of joy. 00:28:17.819 --> 00:28:18.739 And Peter goes on 00:28:18.739 --> 00:28:19.339 in verse 14, 00:28:19.439 --> 00:28:19.659 he says, 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:20.379 if you're insulted 00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:21.219 because of the name 00:28:21.219 --> 00:28:21.819 of Christ, 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:23.159 you are blessed 00:28:23.159 --> 00:28:25.099 for the spirit of glory 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:25.659 and of God 00:28:25.659 --> 00:28:26.459 rests on you. 00:28:27.419 --> 00:28:28.099 In verse 16, 00:28:28.199 --> 00:28:28.739 if you suffer 00:28:28.739 --> 00:28:29.659 as a Christian, 00:28:30.419 --> 00:28:31.279 do not be ashamed 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:32.339 but praise God 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.099 that you bear 00:28:33.099 --> 00:28:34.199 that name. 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:35.759 See, 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.679 to not be ashamed 00:28:36.679 --> 00:28:37.759 means the opposite 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.399 of that. 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:39.000 It means 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.819 be honored. 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:41.959 Be honored. 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:43.699 There's no higher honor 00:28:43.699 --> 00:28:46.519 than bearing that name 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:48.319 at which every knee 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:49.059 is going to bow 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:49.719 and every tongue 00:28:49.719 --> 00:28:50.519 is going to confess 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:52.359 that Jesus is Lord. 00:28:52.419 --> 00:28:53.500 There's no higher honor 00:28:53.500 --> 00:28:54.139 than having 00:28:54.139 --> 00:28:55.479 that same spirit 00:28:55.479 --> 00:28:56.579 that raised Christ 00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:57.399 from the dead 00:28:57.399 --> 00:28:58.719 living inside 00:28:58.719 --> 00:29:00.379 of you. 00:29:00.439 --> 00:29:01.219 That same spirit 00:29:01.219 --> 00:29:02.719 that's going to glorify us 00:29:02.719 --> 00:29:03.979 and make us like Christ. 00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:05.299 You have that spirit, 00:29:05.399 --> 00:29:06.299 you bear that name, 00:29:06.299 --> 00:29:07.440 and so Peter says, 00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:09.639 praise God. 00:29:10.639 --> 00:29:11.259 Praise God 00:29:11.259 --> 00:29:12.339 for who you are 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:13.819 and what he's made you 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:14.399 to be. 00:29:16.399 --> 00:29:17.059 And then Peter 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:18.139 gives us one final 00:29:18.139 --> 00:29:18.659 imperative, 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:20.399 one final exhortation. 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.099 He says, 00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:22.819 dear friends, 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:24.659 don't be surprised 00:29:24.659 --> 00:29:26.319 but just know 00:29:26.319 --> 00:29:27.099 that your faith 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:28.319 is being refined 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:29.480 like pure gold. 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:31.559 And then he says, 00:29:32.139 --> 00:29:32.379 you know, 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:32.940 rejoice 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:35.059 and consider yourself 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.600 blessed 00:29:35.600 --> 00:29:36.539 and honored 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.400 and praise God 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:38.039 because you've been 00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:39.039 united to God's Son 00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:40.000 and filled with his Spirit. 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.200 And then the last thing 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.180 Peter says is this 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:43.960 in verse 19, 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:45.740 so then 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:47.460 those who suffer 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.480 according to God's will 00:29:48.480 --> 00:29:49.600 should commit themselves 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.840 to their faithful creator 00:29:50.840 --> 00:29:52.559 and continue 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.740 to do good. 00:29:55.080 --> 00:29:56.340 And what is the good? 00:29:57.360 --> 00:29:58.380 What is the good 00:29:58.380 --> 00:29:58.920 that Peter 00:29:58.920 --> 00:30:00.120 is encouraging us to do? 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:00.900 Well, the passage 00:30:00.900 --> 00:30:02.700 just before this one 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:03.860 that we explored 00:30:03.860 --> 00:30:04.360 last week 00:30:04.360 --> 00:30:04.980 is all about 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:06.319 building up the church. 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:06.860 It's all about 00:30:06.860 --> 00:30:08.279 strengthening and enriching 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:09.819 the Christian community. 00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.559 The passage 00:30:11.559 --> 00:30:12.740 just after this one 00:30:12.740 --> 00:30:13.740 that we're going to 00:30:13.740 --> 00:30:15.019 finish this sermon series 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:15.880 in next week 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:16.480 is all about 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.039 the elders 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:18.000 and leaders 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.680 of the church 00:30:18.680 --> 00:30:19.720 and this family 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:20.279 of believers 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:21.180 standing firm 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:21.759 in the faith. 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.779 And so when Peter 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.640 says that we should 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:25.580 entrust ourselves 00:30:25.580 --> 00:30:27.100 to our faithful creator 00:30:27.100 --> 00:30:29.140 and continue to do good, 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:29.740 he's referring 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:31.019 to all the good stuff 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:32.059 we talked about 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:32.720 last week. 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.160 He says, 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:35.440 continue to do the good 00:30:35.440 --> 00:30:36.839 of persevering 00:30:36.839 --> 00:30:37.740 in prayer together. 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:40.079 Continue to do 00:30:40.079 --> 00:30:40.759 the good 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.759 of loving 00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:43.740 and forgiving 00:30:43.740 --> 00:30:44.379 one another 00:30:44.379 --> 00:30:45.220 so that you cover 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:45.759 a multitude 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.759 of sins. 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.700 Continue to 00:30:47.700 --> 00:30:48.940 do the good 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:50.099 of loving strangers 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.879 and welcoming 00:30:50.879 --> 00:30:51.879 newcomers 00:30:51.879 --> 00:30:52.619 and practicing 00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.639 hospitality 00:30:53.639 --> 00:30:55.059 without grumbling 00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:56.279 and with gladness. 00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:57.480 Continue to do the good 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.059 of speaking 00:30:58.059 --> 00:31:00.059 truth to one another. 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:01.339 Speaking to one another 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.460 with God's truth. 00:31:03.420 --> 00:31:04.539 Continue to do the good 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:06.279 of serving one another 00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:07.660 with God's strength. 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:08.620 That is the good 00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:11.339 that Peter encourages us, 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:14.160 the family of faith, 00:31:15.039 --> 00:31:15.559 the community 00:31:15.559 --> 00:31:16.319 of believers, 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.299 those who have the honor 00:31:18.299 --> 00:31:19.059 to bear the name 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.660 of Christ. 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.339 That's the good 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:23.019 that we're to continue 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:23.539 to do. 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:25.720 And so the question 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:27.000 as we conclude 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.360 is, 00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:29.600 is this worth it? 00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:31.819 Right? 00:31:31.880 --> 00:31:32.579 Is it worth it 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:33.660 to live the way 00:31:33.660 --> 00:31:35.019 that Peter 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.660 and the apostles 00:31:35.660 --> 00:31:37.220 teach us to live? 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:38.039 Is it worth it? 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:40.200 Is it worth all the costs? 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:41.600 Is it worth all the consequences? 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:43.220 Is it worth all the sacrifice? 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:45.620 Well, I want to end 00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:46.279 with this 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:47.140 in verse 13. 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:50.400 Peter says, 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:52.519 But rejoice 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.059 inasmuch 00:31:53.059 --> 00:31:53.819 as you participate 00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:54.720 in the sufferings 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.279 of Christ, 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:57.200 so that you may be 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:57.880 overjoyed 00:31:57.880 --> 00:31:58.559 when His glory 00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:59.819 is revealed. 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:02.079 Peter says, 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:03.000 Listen, friends, 00:32:04.120 --> 00:32:05.259 if you persevere, 00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.920 if you don't give in 00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:09.039 to the temptation 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.740 and the pressure 00:32:09.740 --> 00:32:11.920 to relax your faith 00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:12.460 so that you can 00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:13.380 relieve your suffering, 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:15.640 if you continue 00:32:15.640 --> 00:32:16.360 to do the good 00:32:16.360 --> 00:32:17.700 of building up the church, 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.039 he says, 00:32:18.039 --> 00:32:19.000 the time is coming 00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:20.579 when joy 00:32:20.579 --> 00:32:22.339 will overwhelm you. 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:24.360 You're going to be 00:32:24.359 --> 00:32:25.699 overjoyed. 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:26.299 Why? 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.039 Because Jesus 00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:28.979 is going to reveal 00:32:28.979 --> 00:32:29.699 the fullness 00:32:29.699 --> 00:32:31.079 of His glory. 00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:33.019 And Jesus 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:34.199 is going to put 00:32:34.199 --> 00:32:34.879 this sad 00:32:34.879 --> 00:32:36.539 and sinful world 00:32:36.539 --> 00:32:37.379 right. 00:32:38.479 --> 00:32:39.099 And Jesus 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:39.919 is going to 00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:40.719 wipe away 00:32:40.719 --> 00:32:41.500 all the tears 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.119 from our eyes. 00:32:42.199 --> 00:32:42.559 And Jesus 00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:44.019 is going to make 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.899 all things new. 00:32:44.979 --> 00:32:45.740 And when you're there 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:46.639 just flooded 00:32:46.639 --> 00:32:47.579 in that glory 00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:48.379 and overwhelmed 00:32:48.379 --> 00:32:49.359 by that joy, 00:32:49.359 --> 00:32:51.479 you'll have 00:32:51.479 --> 00:32:51.899 the answer 00:32:51.899 --> 00:32:52.599 to your question, 00:32:52.740 --> 00:32:53.419 is it worth it? 00:32:53.459 --> 00:32:54.119 Of course. 00:32:55.979 --> 00:32:56.659 Of course 00:32:56.659 --> 00:32:57.379 it's worth it. 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:58.939 This is what 00:32:58.939 --> 00:32:59.459 our hearts 00:32:59.459 --> 00:33:00.679 are longing for. 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:01.859 Is it not joy 00:33:01.859 --> 00:33:03.740 and glory? 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:06.719 This is the way 00:33:06.719 --> 00:33:07.619 to joy 00:33:07.619 --> 00:33:08.799 and glory. 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:10.559 So may God 00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.039 enable us 00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:11.899 to walk in this way 00:33:11.899 --> 00:33:12.219 in the name 00:33:12.219 --> 00:33:12.659 of the Father, 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:12.919 Son, 00:33:12.959 --> 00:33:13.599 and Holy Spirit. 00:33:14.419 --> 00:33:14.679 Amen.