LESSON 16 • Suffering and Persecution
1 Peter 4: 12-19

Is your Christian life lived on the basis of conviction or convenience? The Supreme Court ruled that the only religious beliefs protected under the First Amendment are convictions, and gave clear criteria to distinguish them from preferences. We are willing to change our preferences on occasion but a conviction is a belief that does not change regardless of the circumstance. A conviction is predetermined, nonnegotiable, and is held regardless of the consequences for holding such a position, and is lived out consistently in your life. 

We have learned in chapter 3 and the first part of this chapter: 1) that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection and our baptism, we are to be dead to sin; 2) that as a result of our new life, our old friends will abuse us, but we need to remember that God will judge and make all things right; and 3) we should help each other by being loving and compassionate. 

Is this section, 4:12-19, Peter warns his readers about the coming of a more intense period of persecution. He stresses mental readiness because suffering is coming. Jesus taught that His followers would suffer: (Matt 5:10-12; 10:22, 24-25; Mark 13:9-13; John 15:18-21; 16:1-4), and He Himself suffered, setting an example for us to follow (1 Peter 2:21-25). Peter tells us how to live through suffering, not run away from it! So be ready to: expect it, rejoice in it, examine your life, and commit yourself. 


Suffering for Being a Christian

I Peter 4: 12-19
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, 
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" 19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 

The first thing that Peter says is to expect suffering! It’s interesting that when something bad happens, our first response is to be surprised. Do we have the idea that we should always be comfortable with no problems? Is this the example that Job and Stephen gave us? 


I. EXPECT PERSECUTION (I Peter 4:12)

A. IT IS NOT UNUSUAL...
1. A point Peter stresses twice in verse 12
a. "do not think it strange"
b. "as though some strange thing happened to you"
2. It is something other Christians were experiencing at that
time as well - 1 Peter 5:9
3. Jesus warned His disciples of hard times to come - John 15:18-21
4. Why does God allow such things to happen? 

B. "FIERY TRIALS" SERVE TO TRY ONE'S FAITH...
1. Just as gold is tested by fire, so our faith is tested by
persecution - cf. 1 Peter 1:6-7
2. This is why God allows the devil to bring such persecution
(remember Job?)
3. But just as God blessed Job after his trials, so He will bless
us! - 1 Peter 5:10

“If we view life as a schoolroom and God as the instructor, it should come as no surprise when we encounter pop quizzes and periodic examinations…Maturity in the Christian life…is measured by our ability to withstand the tests that come our way without having them shake our foundation or throw us into an emotional tailspin”. Charles Swindoll

A lot of Christians have an ejection seat mentality; as soon as difficulty arises, we want to pull the cord and fly off into glory, hoping to get away from it all. It is easy to get accustomed to the concept that Christianity costs us nothing. The Bible is clear that if you not only believe but also obey, you are to expect suffering for Christ’s sake as part of your life.

So when suffering comes, what then?

II. REJOICE IN PERSECUTION (I Peter 4:13-14)

A. THE CALL TO REJOICE IS NOTHING NEW...
1. Jesus taught it in His sermon on the mount - Mt 5:11-12
2. Paul found reason to "glory in tribulations" - Romans 5:3-5
3. And James taught that trials ought to be an occasion for joy 
- James 1:2-4

B. WHY REJOICE IN PERSECUTION?
1. As explained by Jesus...
a. "for great is your reward in heaven"
b. "for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you"
2. As explained by Paul...
a. "tribulation produces perseverance"
b. Which in turn produces "character, and character, hope"
3. As explained by James...
a. "the testing of your faith produces patience"
b. And patience can help one be "perfect and complete, lacking nothing"

C. PETER OFFERS THREE REASONS TO REJOICE IN PERSECUTION...
1. It means glory in the future...
a. "when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with 
exceeding joy"
2. It means blessing in the present...
a. "blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests 
upon you"
3. It means Christ is glorified...
a. "on your part He is glorified"
b. When we endure persecution through the strength Jesus gives us, we make manifest the "life" (power) of Jesus - 2 Cor. 4:7-11
c. And so by our conduct we can bring glory to Christ (God) 
- 1 Peter 2:12

It is the highest privilege in the world to suffer for the sake of Jesus. When we suffer shame for Him, we need to realize that we are sharing in the suffering of Christ, and that God is preparing a better day for us, and that the Spirit is giving us extra doses of His strengthening ministry at that time. Remember Stephen? (Acts 7:54-60) 

We have every reason then to rejoice in times of persecution. But, for us to make the most of those situations, we must not only rejoice, we need to use that time to reflect. 

III. EXAMINE YOUR LIFE (I Peter 4:15, 16)

A. IF WE MUST SUFFER, MAKE IT WORTHWHILE...
1. Make sure it is not for reasons listed by Peter...
a. As a murderer, a thief, an evildoer
b. Or for doing what often brings unnecessary suffering to the
Church: "as a meddler in other people's matters"
2. Make sure it is because we are Christians...
a. In which we have an opportunity to glorify God
b. In which we can demonstrate the grace He gives us to endure
it


B. CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT REMAINING FAITHFUL...
1. God allows persecution of the righteous because it serves as one way to judge "the house of God" (God's family, the Church) - 1 Peter 4:17
2. As Paul wrote, it is "evidence of the righteous judgment of 
God that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer" - 2 Th 1:4-5
3. If God is willing to so "judge" His own faithful children,
what about those who are disobedient? As Peter asks:
a. "What will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel
of God?"
b. "Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
4. Paul provides the answer, in 2 Th 1:6-9...
a. Those God will "repay with tribulation"
b. Jesus will come "in flaming fire taking vengeance on those
who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ"
c. Yes, they "shall be punished with everlasting destruction"

We are not exempt from suffering, and our sufferings are part of God’s evaluation of us. Do you just believe the Bible or do you believe and obey it? 

You can be successful in persevering through persecution if you will…

IV. COMMIT YOURSELF TO GOD (I Peter 4:19)

A. "HOW" TO COMMIT YOURSELF TO GOD...
1. By doing good, no matter the circumstances
a. Whatever evil is done to you, respond by doing good - 
Lk 6:27-28
b. Remember the example of Jesus (Lk 23:34) and Stephen (Acts
7:59-60)
2. Don't let persecution be an excuse for misconduct

B. "WHY" COMMIT YOURSELF TO GOD...
1. Because God is a "faithful Creator"
2. As "Creator", He has the power to do what is right in the end
3. As "faithful" (trustworthy), He can be trusted to do what is 
right in the end

God knows what He is doing with the world and with your life. You will have times of difficulty and may not understand what is happening. You must still trust God to save your soul. Commit and entrust. Give your life to Him and then trust Him. Know that whatever the circumstance, we are completely safe with Him. Endure the trials and tribulations by exercising faith in Jesus. By trusting Him and depending on Him:
a. it strengthens your walk with God
b. it builds character
c. it brings glory to God


God tries our faith to strengthen it, to prove us to be genuine. Are you open to see where he is working in your life? Jesus bore the cross of Calvary alone so that sinners might be set free from sin and death. There is a cross that every Christian must bear; the cross of self-denial and suffering for Christ’s sake. A cross has only one real usage – to die on. When Jesus said (Matthew 16:24) for us to take up our cross and follow Him, it is for us to crucify ourselves (Gal. 2:20), to bury our dead body (Romans 6:4) and to walk in “newness of life” with Christ living in us. In and of itself, suffering is no pleasure but Peter has taught that it is a privilege and a cause for rejoicing. Suffering is a part of God’s divine plan for Christians as well as for the lost. Suffering is included among the “all things” God causes to work together for His glory and our good (Romans 8:28), thus making it a privilege. Suffering is a choice. When suffering unexpectedly comes our way, we must choose whether to rejoice in it or to react in surprise. Suffering is a path that we must choose or reject. Only you can determine what you will do when you are faced with it. Do you live your Christian life as that of a conviction or a preference? 

Discussion

1. Why don’t we expect suffering?
2. Why are we surprised when it comes?
3. Why are we ashamed to stand up for Jesus, even if it means we will be insulted or shamed?
4. What similarities are there between the sufferings we face and those of Christ?
5. Why is it considered blessed to suffer in Christ's name? 
6. What constitutes suffering for Christ? 
7. Does all suffering count as suffering for Christ? (Eccl 9:11)
8. What is a meddler and why would such a person suffer? 
9. What makes a person worthy of the name Christian? Do we tend to use it too casually? Is a person worthy to be called a "Christian" just because he calls himself one?
10. How is suffering as a Christian related to our salvation status? (Mark 13:13) 
11. When you suffer as a Christian, remember that you are dead to the world and Christ is living in you. (Gal. 2:20)






Mark Mickholtzick

Originally from northeast Ohio, I graduated from Lipscomb University in May of 2001 with a double major in Marketing and Management. I moved to Little Rock in May of 2001 to start work with Nalco chemical company where I am the District Representative. I have been with the church here for three years and feel very blessed to help serve and contribute to our growth with one another for the Lord.