16/02/2025
Salvation for the Suffering
Sunday Evening, February 16, 2025
“For when two or three are gathered in my name,
there am I among them.”
Matthew 18:20
Scripture Reading:
This evening’s scripture reading is from 1 Peter 4. I am using the English Standard Version. If you need a Bible, please let me know and we will make sure you get one.
Stewards of God's Grace
4 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, or**es, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
7The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering as a Christian
12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17For 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? 18And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Tonight’s Message:
Salvation for the Suffering
When you are suffering, nothing is more welcome than good news. And the news that Jesus Christ provided salvation for the suffering was indeed good news for the persecuted Christians in Asia Minor. In fact, Peter uses the word suffering fifteen times in this letter.
Peter was writing to a young church suffering at the hands of local authorities.
“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.”1 Peter 4:12
The church’s trial was quite literally a “fiery trial” because every night Christians were being burned.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”1 Peter 5:8
The Devil, “as a roaring lion,” was indeed walking about seeking whom he might devour.
Peter encouraged his readers to not think it was odd or strange that they had to suffer. And he reminded them that they were not forgotten and that through suffering Christ purchased their salvation.
To encourage the church in a time of persecution, Peter underscored four basic truths about salvation for the suffering.
The first truth is the certainty of salvation.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3–5
It isn’t difficult to hold on to our assurance as long as all is well. But when the clouds of adversity seem to hide God, we may wonder if God has not forsaken us.
To these persecuted and mistreated believers, Peter says that especially in such trying times they should praise the name of their heavenly Father because of the certainty of salvation that will see them through. He describes this certainty in strong words.
The source of this certainty is “His great mercy.” God’s mercy is abundant, great, overflowing, immeasurable.
The duration of this certainty is “to a living hope.”
The means of this certainty is Christ’s resurrection makes possible our resurrection.
The content of this certainty is “to an inheritance.” An inheritance is a settled and secure possession.
The quality of this certainty is “imperishable,” Our inheritance is “unravaged by any invading army.”
The quality of this certainty is “undefiled.” Our inheritance is incapable of being defiled.
The quality of this certainty is “unfading.” The certainty of salvation does not fade with the passing of time.
The quality of this certainty is “kept in heaven for you.” It is being guarded preserved.
The quality of this certainty is “being guarded through faith.” This means that God enables us to face and experience problems, to bear them, to conquer them and to move on.
The quality of this certainty is “ready to be revealed.” Our salvation in all of its completeness is as though it were already ours. It is ready right now in heaven for us to claim.
The second truth is the cause of salvation.
“Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” 1 Peter 1:18–19
It is reassuring when we are suffering to know that we were saved and kept saved not by our own righteousness but by “the precious blood of Christ.”
There are some things, then, that silver and gold cannot do. There are some tragedies that silver and gold cannot mend. If a heart is aching, silver and gold cannot soothe it. It requires “love divine,” the kind of love expressed in the “precious blood of Christ.”
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
The third truth is the conduct of salvation.
Most of us who have felt bad know that it is hard to be good.
Peter, realizing this to be true, encourages suffering Christians to be good even though they may have every reason to feel bad. He contends that regardless of our suffering, salvation demands a certain kind of conduct.
Saved people conduct themselves differently than unsaved people, and circumstances should not alter that conduct.
Some things must be stripped off. The words “laying aside” are descriptive.
They describe stripping off one’s clothes. Peter lists some of these soiled garments.
They are malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy and evil speaking.
“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.” 1 Peter 2:1
Then he mentions five areas of life in which we are to portray the conduct of salvation.
Our salvation should be evident in our conduct as citizens.
“Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” 1 Peter 2:13–17
The view of the New Testament is perfectly logical and just. It holds that a man cannot accept the privileges of the state without also accepting the responsibilities the state demands from him.
Our salvation should be evident in our conduct as employees.
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:18–25
Peter is saying that even when we are treated unfairly by our “masters,” we are to portray the conduct of salvation.
Who knows? Through this we may lead a lost employer to Jesus.
Our salvation should be evident in our conduct as wives.
“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.” 1 Peter 3:1–6
Our salvation should be evident in our conduct as husbands.
“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7
Our salvation should be evident in our conduct as church members.
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8–9
Peter writes that church members are to have unity, compassion, love, pity, and courtesy.
And the fourth truth is the challenge of salvation.
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed.” 1 Peter 5:1
In other words, “I challenge you.” Peter was challenging each and every one of us.
“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” 1 Peter 5:1–4
The challenge to “shepherd the flock of God” includes preaching, teaching and being an example in serving.
He was challenging us to learn to follow.
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” 1 Peter 5:5
He was challenging us to practice humility.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” 1 Peter 5:6
He was challenging us to trust God.
“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
And he was challenging us to be on guard against Satan.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Missionary Adoniram Judson experienced many hardships trying to reach the lost for Christ. For seven years he suffered hunger and privation. During this time he was put into Ava Prison and for seventeen months was subjected to incredible mistreatment. For the rest of his life he carried scars made by the chains and iron shackles that had cruelly bound him.
Unbroken in spirit, upon his release Judson asked for permission to enter another province where he might resume preaching the gospel. The ruler denied his request, saying, “My people are not fools enough to listen to anything a missionary might say, but I fear they might be impressed by your scars and turn to your religion!”
Suffering need never defeat us. Rather, it can become a platform from which we can better bear testimony of Jesus Christ.
Inspiration and contributions by:
The Zondervan 2025 Pastor's Annual
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NOTIFICATION: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016 The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Counsel of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.S. All rights reserved.
