WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.020 for our good and for your glory we pray amen 00:00:04.020 --> 00:00:13.919 now again if you have your bibles and perhaps you can open them at the book of first peter 00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:23.519 and keep them open there at first peter chapter 4 and we're going to be in verses 12 to 19 just 00:00:23.519 --> 00:00:29.920 two more sundays in first peter this one and then keith will finish up our time in chapter 5 00:00:29.920 --> 00:00:40.240 next week so first peter chapter 4 at verse 12 dear friends do not be surprised at the fiery 00:00:40.240 --> 00:00:46.160 ordeal that has come on you to test you as though something strange were happening to you 00:00:46.160 --> 00:00:53.000 but rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of christ so that you may be overjoyed 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:58.579 when his glory is revealed if you are insulted because of the name of christ you are blessed 00:00:58.579 --> 00:01:06.759 for the spirit of glory and of god rests on you if you suffer it should not be as a murderer or thief 00:01:06.759 --> 00:01:13.939 or any other kind of criminal or even as a meddler however if you suffer as a christian do not be 00:01:13.939 --> 00:01:20.840 ashamed but praise god that you bear that name for it is time for judgment to begin with god's household 00:01:20.840 --> 00:01:26.819 and if it begins with us what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of god and 00:01:26.819 --> 00:01:34.739 if it is hard for the righteous to be saved what will become of the ungodly and the sinner so then 00:01:34.739 --> 00:01:40.579 those who suffer according to god's will should commit themselves to their faithful creator 00:01:40.579 --> 00:01:48.539 and continue to do good amen this is god's word for us today so what we're going to think about today 00:01:48.539 --> 00:01:54.619 as peter continues to take us to the theme of suffering is about troubleshooting our view of 00:01:54.620 --> 00:02:00.579 suffering and especially our view of suffering as christians now i am sure that we are most of us 00:02:00.579 --> 00:02:05.300 at least or probably all of us familiar with troubleshooting many times it is a modern day 00:02:05.300 --> 00:02:12.240 lifesaver isn't it your computer freezes or your washing machine won't spin or you find your phone is out 00:02:12.240 --> 00:02:17.659 of memory what do we do perhaps almost by instinct now we either go to our troubleshooting guide or we 00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:25.699 look up online for those set of questions that are given to us that logical working through of questions 00:02:25.699 --> 00:02:31.840 to identify the source of our problems ideally then to provide the simple fix 00:02:31.840 --> 00:02:41.340 what's the problem that peter is bringing to us he's bringing to us the problem of suffering 00:02:41.340 --> 00:02:48.980 suffering as a christian suffering because you are a follower of jesus now we've seen through this 00:02:48.980 --> 00:02:55.439 letter that that for the people that peter writes to that's that's things like insults and rejection 00:02:55.439 --> 00:03:01.900 and slander it's the beginning of opposition and perhaps the question that emerges is that 00:03:01.900 --> 00:03:09.379 why am i suffering i'm trying to be faithful to jesus why is this happening why should i bother being a 00:03:09.379 --> 00:03:17.579 follower of jesus if life becomes hard for me a few months ago i was recommending a book called 00:03:17.579 --> 00:03:24.079 evangelism as exiles it was written by a guy called elliot clark who'd spent over 10 years in the middle 00:03:24.079 --> 00:03:28.960 east and then came back to the states and having lived in a place where persecution was normal 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:34.900 one of the things he was recognizing was that in the western church we really struggle we've got used 00:03:34.900 --> 00:03:43.640 to the idea of respect and perhaps we are struggling and sometimes fearful with this new reality that we 00:03:43.640 --> 00:03:49.500 tend to be ignored as christians our views are on the margins and we perhaps often find ourselves on the 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:55.280 margins and that can cause us to be fearful and cause us to have questions and that's why i think 00:03:55.280 --> 00:04:03.360 first peter is so helpful for us as a church today as he repeatedly remind us about the realities of 00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:12.380 suffering and how to respond so we're going to use verses 12 to 19 as a troubleshooting guide with some 00:04:12.380 --> 00:04:19.460 questions for when we suffer but before we get to that let me remind each of us of two important 00:04:19.460 --> 00:04:25.100 principles and that have governed peter's whole discussion of suffering and he's come back to it again 00:04:25.100 --> 00:04:31.040 and again throughout his letter the first big principle is that all of our suffering comes to us 00:04:31.040 --> 00:04:40.420 from a sovereign a wise a faithful a good god and father that's important to recognize we can see 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:47.080 that in a couple of places chapter 3 verse 17 for it is better if it is god's will to suffer for doing 00:04:47.080 --> 00:04:53.939 good than for doing evil and then the last verse we just read chapter 4 verse 19 so then those who 00:04:53.939 --> 00:04:59.140 suffer according to god's will should commit themselves to their faithful creator and continue to do good 00:04:59.139 --> 00:05:06.259 so all our suffering passes through the hands of our sovereign wise and good god and also and he keeps 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:13.159 reminding us of this christian suffering is always set in the context of the gospel of a suffering servant 00:05:13.159 --> 00:05:18.860 a suffering savior who gave his life in order to save his people to bring them to god and again we can 00:05:18.860 --> 00:05:25.599 see that a couple of places chapter 3 verse 18 for christ also suffered once for sins the righteous for the 00:05:25.600 --> 00:05:32.300 unrighteous to bring you to god or how he begins chapter 4 therefore since christ suffered in his 00:05:32.300 --> 00:05:38.180 body arm yourselves also with the same attitude so we're invited to trust in our good god and we're 00:05:38.180 --> 00:05:43.520 invited to remember the reality of the gospel and a savior who loved us and gave himself for us 00:05:43.520 --> 00:05:49.420 and now we get to our specifics here we get to our four troubleshooting questions when it comes to 00:05:49.420 --> 00:05:55.100 suffering for jesus first of all what is my expectation that's be question number one secondly what is my 00:05:55.100 --> 00:06:04.000 attitude when that suffering comes thirdly what is my perspective on the suffering and fourth and finally 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:14.460 what is my response what does life look like when suffering comes my hope is that this will be helpful for us 00:06:14.459 --> 00:06:19.959 perhaps laying a foundation perhaps we're not suffering right now for the sake of jesus and we 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:23.919 hear some principles to apply and to reflect on for when that day comes 00:06:23.919 --> 00:06:31.339 but some of us will be right in the middle of that right in the heat of suffering for 00:06:31.339 --> 00:06:40.099 the gospel and again i hope that these truths will be an encouragement and if we're wondering 00:06:40.100 --> 00:06:47.540 it is faith in jesus worth it for not yet christians that hopefully this will a point us towards the 00:06:47.540 --> 00:06:53.760 reason why it's worth it even with suffering so let's get to our questions the first question 00:06:53.760 --> 00:07:01.000 what is my expectation and this takes us to verse 12 you can look down there at verse 12 and what we 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:09.240 see peter say is don't be surprised by suffering dear friends do not be surprised 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:13.819 at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you as though something strange 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:21.819 were happening to you you gotta love peter's honesty don't you as he recognizes and he's not ashamed of 00:07:21.819 --> 00:07:28.639 the fact that suffering is normal not abnormal it's not weird if our friends think that we are weird 00:07:28.639 --> 00:07:36.939 because we're followers of jesus with this fiery ordeal image he goes back to something he's already used 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:44.259 chapter 1 verses 6 and 7 the idea of suffering as a refining process we'll come back to that 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:51.500 the reality that god is able to use suffering for his good purposes in our lives and so in a sense 00:07:51.500 --> 00:07:58.240 here is peter giving advance warning don't be surprised if following jesus brings suffering 00:07:58.240 --> 00:08:03.240 we recognize that if we think about the life of jesus 00:08:03.240 --> 00:08:08.579 we think about what happened when jesus came to earth we see the evil targeted jesus 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:18.439 as an infant king herod tried to have jesus killed as he began his public ministry the devil tried to 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:27.759 pull jesus off course from following god's will and as hostile forces came together to have jesus 00:08:27.759 --> 00:08:39.580 arrested and then killed on the cross we recognize jesus life was one marked by suffering and peter says 00:08:39.580 --> 00:08:43.000 remember we follow in his footsteps 00:08:43.000 --> 00:08:50.399 peter of course heard the words of jesus for example in john chapter 18 if the world hates you 00:08:50.399 --> 00:08:59.000 keep in mind that it hated me first a servant is not above his master 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:08.579 so our most basic question is what do i expect peter says don't be surprised by suffering 00:09:08.579 --> 00:09:14.819 it's a challenge to us it's a challenge to us because we live in a very comfortable part of the world and we 00:09:14.820 --> 00:09:22.080 live in the culture of comfort makes us ask the question am i ready to count the cost for following 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:29.660 jesus am i ready to share this as part of our message knowing that people like ease and leisure 00:09:29.660 --> 00:09:34.740 and pleasure nobody likes the idea of suffering and cost is this something that i'm going to share 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:40.960 with someone as i share the reality of of the gospel that it might involve and it should involve 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:47.700 suffering for jesus in different times and in different ways do we recognize that suffering 00:09:47.700 --> 00:09:51.860 for the sake of jesus is not a bad thing to avoid at all costs 00:09:51.860 --> 00:10:00.780 peter also gives us encouragement the encouragement that when we suffer we're not alone in the sense that 00:10:00.780 --> 00:10:06.940 it's not something that's unique and unusual for us rather it's normal but there's also the comfort of 00:10:06.940 --> 00:10:15.160 shared support what we are going through brothers and sisters in christ perhaps are going through too 00:10:15.160 --> 00:10:20.700 or have been through and so there is support and fellowship for us in our sufferings built into the 00:10:20.700 --> 00:10:29.500 church and even more than that we recognize that jesus does not leave us alone as we suffer for him 00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:38.220 i've been reading a book by paul tripp about church leadership and he says this he says at the heart of 00:10:38.220 --> 00:10:46.860 every hope that the gospel offers is a suffering servant jesus is our hope he's the center of all our 00:10:46.860 --> 00:10:54.299 hopes all our hopes are pinned on him and without his willingness to suffer even to death there would be 00:10:54.299 --> 00:11:02.759 no forgiveness there would be no church so we suffer we think about suffering we must never lose sight of 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:10.659 what jesus suffered for our sake so that's the first question what's my expectation we're told not to be 00:11:10.659 --> 00:11:18.519 surprised by suffering second question what's my attitude and here peter using again very striking 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:29.579 language says that we can rejoice in suffering for jesus in verses 13 to 16 now normally in about two 00:11:29.579 --> 00:11:35.439 weeks time our city would be so inundated by people coming from all over the country all over the world to 00:11:35.439 --> 00:11:44.000 run the edinburgh marathon and we can look back fondly on those days and the travel chaos that we used to 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:49.720 have on a sunday morning when the when the marathon was on um i don't know if you've noticed i i spot 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:56.779 them still occasionally the people wearing the blue t-shirts uh proudly saying edinburgh marathon 00:11:56.779 --> 00:12:02.019 finisher and sometimes they're like really old t-shirts sometimes they're just from a couple of years back 00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:09.080 whenever i see that my my thought is always how in the world has anyone put themselves through that 00:12:09.080 --> 00:12:14.360 much suffering i was like no wonder they're wearing that if i managed to finish a marathon i'd be 00:12:14.360 --> 00:12:20.259 wearing that i'd be wearing the medal and everything it's a badge of honor isn't it if you complete that 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:28.620 most grueling of races the t-shirt it's that badge of honor i suffered by finished as peter continues 00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:33.840 troubleshooting our view of suffering he uses really striking language in this section so verse 13 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:42.200 you see he talks about rejoicing in verse 14 he talks about being blessed in verses 15 and 16 he 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:48.100 says it's not a social shame rather it should be a source of honor to suffer for jesus in other words 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:54.780 christian suffering should be like that marathon t-shirt it should be a badge of honor for us as the 00:12:54.780 --> 00:13:02.840 people of god that we are so closely identified with jesus that we have the privilege of suffering for him 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:10.519 now what does he mean and what does he not mean when he talks about this how can he call us to rejoice 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:16.240 well let's have a look at the language let's look at verse 13 and think about what he says about joy 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:23.879 rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of christ so that you may be overjoyed 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:31.200 when his glory is revealed again he's calling to mind that as christians we follow in the footsteps of 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:37.520 jesus jesus jesus life on earth was one of suffering first before entering into glory 00:13:37.520 --> 00:13:41.600 and that's where our joy is found 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:53.540 that that will be our joy too that we will see and enjoy the glory of jesus in the glory of heaven 00:13:53.539 --> 00:14:02.120 and so we can have joy as we keep our eye on the prize as we remember future glory that's laid up 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:08.179 for us we don't rejoice in suffering for suffering's sake we rejoice because there's a reward coming 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:12.259 then in verse 14 he talks about being blessed 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:19.919 and notice how he reminds us again of the nature of their suffering verse 14 if you are insulted 00:14:19.919 --> 00:14:24.159 because the name of christ you are blessed 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:29.860 for the spirit of glory and of god rests on you 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:41.159 there is blessing to be insulted as a follower of jesus it is evidence of faith the reality that the 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:47.919 spirit of god lives in a believer that the glory of god is made visible 00:14:47.919 --> 00:14:54.799 that we get to bring glory to god as we suffer there's blessing in that 00:14:54.799 --> 00:15:02.319 again we remember that peter heard the teaching of jesus and no doubt peter is remembering 00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:06.899 words of jesus in the sermon on the mount at the end of the beatitudes 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:11.399 let me remind you of what jesus said in matthew chapter 5 and verse 11 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:20.679 blessed are you when people insult you persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you 00:15:20.679 --> 00:15:26.100 because of me so there's the qualifier that's always there because of jesus rejoice and be glad 00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:33.919 there's a rejoice word as well because great is your reward in heaven so there's blessing because there's 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:42.879 reward because we're identified with jesus and because we have the spirit in us and then verse 15 and 16 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:51.839 we see that there's honor to bear christ's name now we recognize in verse 15 not all suffering 00:15:51.839 --> 00:15:58.679 it is good and honorable he says if you if you suffer for being a criminal for hating and hurting others 00:15:58.679 --> 00:16:04.199 or if you suffer for being a busy body that's meddling in the lives of others there's no honor 00:16:04.199 --> 00:16:10.839 in that rather that's that's a shameful thing for a christian but verse 16 however if you suffer as a 00:16:10.839 --> 00:16:17.699 christian do not be ashamed but praise god that you bear that name there is again there's no shame 00:16:17.699 --> 00:16:24.459 in suffering because you are a christian rather there is honor maybe not honor from the world but honor 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:31.960 from god takes us again to peter's own example if you read acts chapter 5 it's a wonderful chapter 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:36.680 of courageous faith peter and some of the apostles they've been arrested they've been told stop talking 00:16:36.680 --> 00:16:43.180 about jesus and they say well we can't we got to obey god not men and so eventually they're released 00:16:43.180 --> 00:16:49.560 but not before they've been beaten before they've been flogged and what's said of peter and the other 00:16:49.559 --> 00:16:55.459 apostles is that they they came back to the church and they were rejoicing why were they rejoicing after 00:16:55.459 --> 00:17:03.339 being beaten and imprisoned rejoicing because they've been counted worthy of suffering disgrace 00:17:03.339 --> 00:17:05.779 for the name 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:15.619 to so honor jesus to recognize the privilege of being one of his is to be able to rejoice in suffering 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:22.539 that's the attitude that we are to have but that's a hard attitude to have isn't it that's really hard 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:31.879 to cultivate to have joy as we suffer for jesus is that a t-shirt i'm ready to wear as a badge of honor 00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:42.059 that will only be true if we see jesus is worth it only true if we understand all that jesus has done for us 00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:49.579 the bible is inviting us to see suffering for jesus as a gift of god's grace 00:17:49.579 --> 00:17:57.460 freeing us from focus on ourself and pursuing happiness in in self and now rather pursuing ultimate 00:17:57.460 --> 00:18:05.700 happiness in jesus our savior having our life centered on him we're being invited to see suffering for jesus 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:12.080 as a source as a source of honor not shame think about that if someone else sees something of jesus 00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:20.039 in us if somebody else hears about jesus from us that should be a good thing 00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:26.200 we should be glad of that even if people don't respond well there's honor in that 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:32.440 and of course he's reminding us always to see suffering for jesus in light of the gospel 00:18:32.440 --> 00:18:41.259 our suffering can seem hard seem all-encompassing until we think about jesus suffering and dying to 00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:49.400 forgive us suffering and dying to adopt us into his family suffering and dying to give us eternal life 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:56.299 suffering and dying to show us the full extent of god's love for us and in that light then our suffering 00:18:56.299 --> 00:19:05.700 seems so small and temporary especially when we remember our reward is eternal and that takes us 00:19:05.700 --> 00:19:15.480 towards the third troubleshooting question which is this what's my perspective on suffering and here in 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:23.359 verses 17 and 18 we are certainly being reminded that suffering for the christian it refines and not 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:32.339 destroys again going back to that that picture from verse 12 and back to first peter chapter 1 let me read 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:40.919 verses 6 and 7 of first peter 1 you can turn there if you have your bible in all this you greatly rejoice 00:19:40.919 --> 00:19:46.579 though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:55.679 these have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith of greater worth than gold which perishes 00:19:55.679 --> 00:20:03.119 even though refined by fire may result in praise glory and honor when jesus christ is revealed so 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:10.619 peter uses this image for the church to think about suffering imagine a furnace and that process of 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:19.319 applying fire and heat to a metal ore in order to burn off the impurities so that we might be left with pure 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:26.679 metal with solid gold that purifying process and when we think about that being applied to a person's life 00:20:26.679 --> 00:20:34.679 that brings a lot of heat that sounds uncomfortable but there's promise the end result is pure gold so peter uses 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:42.560 this picture in this section to say that that suffering that's the heat and we remember of course that suffering comes 00:20:42.560 --> 00:20:50.259 from god's wise and loving hands as he purifies and tests his people with the result that 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:55.980 those who pass the test those who have true faith are those who are saved 00:20:55.980 --> 00:21:02.839 so let's bear that in mind as we follow the logic of verses 17 and 18 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:05.519 verse 17 says for it is time 00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:10.180 for judgment to begin with god's household 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:12.680 remember malachi 3 00:21:12.680 --> 00:21:16.500 when the lord came where did he come first the lord would come 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:20.620 to the temple where would the refining the testing process begin it would begin 00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:28.059 among among among the levites and the priests and now judgment will begin with god's household 00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:31.359 new testament language for the church 00:21:31.359 --> 00:21:38.059 god has this work of testing this fire of testing now for the people of god 00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:42.879 and notice in our section there is a contrast drawn 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:47.819 between god's household also in verse 18 known as the righteous 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:53.000 and those in verse 17 who do not obey the gospel of god 00:21:53.000 --> 00:21:57.119 those who reject the gospel and verse 18 the ungodly and the sinner so two 00:21:57.119 --> 00:22:04.879 different people groups types in view and the key point for us to recognize is this 00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:14.379 that yes peter says christians suffer and are tested in this life and that is to use the language of verse 18 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:21.420 that's heart simply put the the road of the christian faith which involves suffering for jesus 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:27.960 it will not always be easy it is heart but the final outcome 00:22:27.960 --> 00:22:31.460 is that we are saved 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:36.880 yes there is pain but there is great gain 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:40.680 those hard experiences that we go through those 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:48.380 those fires of testing to use the imagery is the worst that christians will ever face 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:57.360 we will never face a worse judgment but rather we look forward when our faith is in jesus to an 00:22:57.360 --> 00:23:01.360 eternity of joy and peace and without suffering 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:05.319 that's the perspective we need to have 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:09.539 that yes we suffer now but we will not suffer then 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:11.899 rather we have joy to come 00:23:11.899 --> 00:23:15.339 but then the flip side 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:19.619 as peter gives this solemn reminder 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:22.299 to reject jesus 00:23:22.299 --> 00:23:25.199 to say no to his forgiveness 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:31.860 his point is that if if christians suffer now how much worse will 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:36.480 judgment be for those who reject the gospel who say no 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:41.080 to jesus that won't just be temporary that will be 00:23:41.080 --> 00:23:46.279 eternal eternal loss and not gain 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:51.440 so our perspective on suffering for jesus matters so much 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:54.500 it matters that we recognize it's not punishment 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:56.860 it's purifying 00:23:56.860 --> 00:24:01.840 it's not a sign that we've been abandoned and forgotten by god but rather 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:07.960 he is testing us for his good purposes even when we can't necessarily always see that 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:15.519 it's important that we take this long-term view of suffering that we would be ready to suffer now for jesus 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:18.920 because we long for eternal glory 00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:22.859 recognizing that to say no to jesus 00:24:22.859 --> 00:24:26.339 is to face the prospect of eternal misery 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:35.099 we recognize through the teaching of the bible that jesus has come to destroy evil that jesus has come to destroy 00:24:35.099 --> 00:24:41.879 sin all that's wrong with the world all that's wrong in our hearts jesus has come to deal with that 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:49.260 and he will return to deal with that once and for all but even right now there's a refining process going on in the hearts of his people 00:24:49.260 --> 00:24:52.940 that jesus is working renewal in us 00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:55.580 right now and that process will be complete when he 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:56.780 returns 00:24:56.780 --> 00:25:00.980 and so we need to have that perspective 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:06.700 so that we might trust god to do his work in us even when that involves 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.980 suffering 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:11.079 our final 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:12.819 troubleshooting question 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:15.360 is this one what's my 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:17.700 response what am i going to do 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:19.319 when suffering comes 00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:20.700 how am i going to live 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:24.299 peter urges us to trust god 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.640 and do good 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:28.120 it's there in verse 19 00:25:28.120 --> 00:25:33.400 so then those who suffer according to god's will should commit themselves to their faithful creator 00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:35.620 and continue to do good 00:25:35.619 --> 00:25:41.179 peter and his troubleshooting guide has told us suffering for jesus is normal not strange 00:25:41.179 --> 00:25:46.239 suffering for jesus marks us out as his so it could be cause of joy and not despair 00:25:46.239 --> 00:25:51.719 suffering for jesus is part of god's work in us so we can persevere and not give up 00:25:51.719 --> 00:25:54.500 and now he takes us to this final question 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:56.000 when suffering comes 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:58.239 which way are we going to go how are we going to respond 00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:06.759 for exploring christianity is this our response we're ready to make when we think about verse 19 and in light of suffering 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:11.539 as we've lived as christians for years when suffering comes are we ready to keep 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:13.880 going in this pattern 00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:16.120 one that we would trust god 00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:20.039 commit ourselves to god 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:22.359 commit ourselves to his care 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:26.139 recognizing two things that peter draws to mind here one 00:26:26.139 --> 00:26:29.599 that we commit ourselves to our faithful god 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:31.799 the one who's faithful to his promises 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:33.819 faithful to his people 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:36.419 faithful and true to his own character 00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:38.019 and that he is a faithful 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:39.059 creator 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:41.519 he's in control 00:26:41.519 --> 00:26:43.719 he knows us he knows what's best for us 00:26:43.719 --> 00:26:45.939 he can be trusted he knows what he's 00:26:45.939 --> 00:26:46.459 doing 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:50.180 so we commit ourselves to our faithful creator and 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:52.519 we continue doing good 00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:56.420 which in this context means keep on living for jesus 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:59.480 even if that brings us into more suffering 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:01.980 remember that's the thing that brings the suffering is doing good 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:08.579 so we trust god and we continue to love and serve jesus love and serve others well 00:27:08.579 --> 00:27:11.539 challenging isn't it 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:15.840 can i entrust my life to god in the bad times and in the good times 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:23.059 can i trust the character of god and especially can i trust the character of god as i see it revealed in jesus 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:28.480 can i entrust my life to god as i remember 00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:29.939 the gospel 00:27:29.939 --> 00:27:32.579 as i remember all that jesus has done 00:27:32.579 --> 00:27:35.599 it's really interesting peter uses the same language 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:38.220 of jesus himself in first peter chapter 2 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:41.959 and let me read again first peter 2 and at verse 21 00:27:41.959 --> 00:27:44.240 to this you were called 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:46.579 suffer for doing good 00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:49.500 to this you were called because christ suffered for you 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:51.460 leaving you an example 00:27:51.460 --> 00:27:54.500 that you should follow in his steps 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:56.099 he committed no sin 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:58.460 and no deceit was found in his mouth 00:27:58.460 --> 00:28:02.039 when they hurled their insults at him he did not retaliate 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:04.539 when he suffered he made no threats 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:05.460 instead 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:07.779 he entrusted himself 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:10.359 to him who judges justly 00:28:10.359 --> 00:28:12.619 jesus entrusted himself 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:13.740 to his father 00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:15.759 and he invites us as his people 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:17.619 to do the same 00:28:17.619 --> 00:28:18.879 to trust him 00:28:18.879 --> 00:28:20.079 and continue 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:21.339 doing good 00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:25.420 so peter's been helping us to troubleshoot our response to suffering 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:28.259 peter's realistic and the bible is realistic 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:30.920 that suffering will come for the people of god 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:33.180 and that's why he spends so much time on the topic 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:35.600 with these young christians 00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:37.480 our culture 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:40.640 and most likely our natural temperament 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:43.400 would make us want to avoid suffering 00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:47.560 would make it perhaps hard for us to learn lessons 00:28:47.560 --> 00:28:51.600 to see that god can do something good as we suffer 00:28:51.599 --> 00:28:56.179 and so peter has looked always to keep us close to two big truths 00:28:56.179 --> 00:29:00.939 about the fact that our suffering comes from our god 00:29:00.939 --> 00:29:02.019 and our god can be trusted 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:02.659 and he's faithful 00:29:02.659 --> 00:29:03.179 and he's wise 00:29:03.179 --> 00:29:03.619 and he's good 00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:06.799 and that jesus suffered for us 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:09.859 jesus came as god's answer to sin and suffering 00:29:09.859 --> 00:29:14.000 jesus gives the hope of a world without sin and suffering 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:16.099 jesus gives strength today 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:19.619 to respond well in our suffering 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:24.679 so when we think about suffering for jesus name 00:29:24.679 --> 00:29:26.879 is it something that we will expect 00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:28.319 be ready for 00:29:28.319 --> 00:29:31.779 ready to see god's purpose in it 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:35.319 to have that right perspective on it 00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:38.979 and will we commit ourselves 00:29:38.979 --> 00:29:41.019 to our faithful creator 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:43.000 to jesus our savior 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:45.779 and continue to do good 00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:48.019 let's pray for his help 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:49.000 in that 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:49.879 let's pray 00:29:49.879 --> 00:29:52.799 lord god we recognize that 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:55.200 that no suffering in and of itself 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.619 is enjoyable 00:29:56.619 --> 00:29:59.619 but we thank you that 00:29:59.619 --> 00:30:02.500 you are a wise and a good and a faithful 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:04.039 and a trustworthy god 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:07.319 and that if it is your will that we suffer 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:08.799 for the sake of jesus 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:10.759 you have good purposes behind that 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:13.160 so we pray that you would help us 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:16.620 to be ready to commit ourselves to you 00:30:16.620 --> 00:30:18.560 our faithful creator 00:30:18.560 --> 00:30:20.720 that we would be committed 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:24.960 to living for the glory of the lord jesus 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:28.920 because we recognize all he has suffered 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:30.600 in our place 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:32.400 to bring us salvation 00:30:32.400 --> 00:30:36.519 that in light of the gospel 00:30:36.519 --> 00:30:39.619 it would seem a small thing 00:30:39.619 --> 00:30:43.660 and indeed it would seem like a great act of worship for us 00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:46.480 to suffer for the sake of the lord jesus 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:50.460 help us to respond well we pray 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:53.819 prepare our hearts 00:30:53.819 --> 00:30:56.500 so that when suffering comes 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:58.839 that we might live for you 00:30:58.839 --> 00:31:01.099 we pray in jesus name 00:31:01.099 --> 00:31:01.980 amen 00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:06.559 now we will hear 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:08.180 as we close 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.660 a hymn 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:11.720 i will wait for you 00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:31.660 out of the depths i cry to you 00:31:31.660 --> 00:31:36.920 in darkest places i will call 00:31:36.920 --> 00:31:40.820 incline your ear to me 00:31:40.820 --> 00:31:47.160 and hear my cry for mercy lord 00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:52.620 were you to count my sinful ways 00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:57.460 how could i come before your throne 00:31:57.460 --> 00:32:03.160 yet full forgiveness meets my gaze 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:07.400 i stand redeemed by grace alone 00:32:07.400 --> 00:32:11.060 i will wait for you 00:32:11.060 --> 00:32:13.400 i will wait for you 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:15.400 on your word 00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:18.340 i will be life 00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:21.220 i will wait for you 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:23.720 surely wait for you 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:25.720 till my soul 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:27.620 is satisfied 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:40.679 so put your hope in god alone 00:32:40.679 --> 00:32:45.779 take courage in his power to save 00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:49.680 completely and forever 00:32:49.680 --> 00:32:49.700 completely and forever 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:51.160 one 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:53.799 by christ's emerging 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:56.160 from the grave 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:58.740 i will wait for you 00:32:58.740 --> 00:33:01.220 i will wait for you 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:03.519 on your word 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.899 i will rely 00:33:04.899 --> 00:33:08.480 i will wait for you 00:33:08.480 --> 00:33:10.980 surely wait for you 00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:12.980 till my soul 00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:14.980 is satisfied 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:25.720 now he has come 00:33:25.720 --> 00:33:27.579 to make a way 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:30.339 and god himself 00:33:30.339 --> 00:33:32.660 has paid the price 00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:37.360 that all who trust in him today 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:39.359 finds healing 00:33:39.359 --> 00:33:41.359 finds healing in his sacrifice 00:33:41.359 --> 00:33:45.319 i will wait for you 00:33:45.319 --> 00:33:47.359 i will wait for you 00:33:47.359 --> 00:33:49.740 on your word 00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:51.359 i will rely 00:33:51.359 --> 00:33:54.359 i will wait for you 00:33:54.359 --> 00:33:57.359 surely wait for you 00:33:57.359 --> 00:33:59.359 till my soul 00:33:59.359 --> 00:34:01.359 is satisfied 00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:04.659 i will wait for you 00:34:04.660 --> 00:34:07.040 i will wait for you 00:34:07.040 --> 00:34:09.039 through the storm 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:11.720 and through the night 00:34:11.720 --> 00:34:14.200 i will wait for you 00:34:14.200 --> 00:34:16.599 surely wait for you 00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:18.680 for your love 00:34:18.680 --> 00:34:21.099 is my delight 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:34.940 let's stand together 00:34:34.940 --> 00:34:37.900 for our closing prayer 00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:38.980 which is drawn from 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:41.099 some of moses final words 00:34:41.099 --> 00:34:43.279 as he blesses the people of god 00:34:43.279 --> 00:34:45.079 deuteronomy 33 00:34:45.079 --> 00:34:46.860 verse 12 00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:49.299 let the beloved of the lord 00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:51.560 rest secure in him 00:34:51.560 --> 00:34:53.420 for he shields him 00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:54.460 all day long 00:34:54.460 --> 00:34:56.820 and the one the lord loves 00:34:56.820 --> 00:34:59.500 rests between his shoulders 00:34:59.500 --> 00:35:03.360 the eternal god is your refuge 00:35:03.360 --> 00:35:05.120 and underneath 00:35:05.120 --> 00:35:07.480 are the everlasting arms 00:35:07.480 --> 00:35:08.780 amen 00:35:19.300 --> 00:35:20.360 who five 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:50.340 Thank you. 00:35:50.360 --> 00:36:20.340 Thank you. 00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:22.360 Thank you. 00:36:50.360 --> 00:36:52.360 Thank you. 00:37:20.360 --> 00:37:22.360 Thank you. 00:37:22.360 --> 00:37:24.360 Thank you. 00:37:52.360 --> 00:37:54.360 Thank you.