Title: When You Suffer as a Christian
Contents
When you suffer as a Christian (1 Peter 4:12-19) 2010 Wednesday
We have dealt with suffering several times before, but we will also deal with suffering.
Because the subject of 1 Peter is suffering. Because it is a letter written to comfort the suffering saints. Nevertheless, as a preacher, it is burdensome to preach the problem of suffering to you again. Because the subject is heavy. Nevertheless, it is also the position of the preacher that he cannot but preach.
There is a greater reason for preaching about suffering apart from this, because, as already mentioned, suffering is inseparable from our believers. Because the Christian life can never be talked about except suffering.
1. The purpose of suffering (12)
1) Fire test (12)
Today's text describes the fire test that Christians face. That means it's hot. That means the hardship is hard. However, a more accurate meaning is <smelting in a hot furnace>.
Just as all impurities come out of a hot furnace and only refined ore comes out, the fact that the sufferings that come to the saints are painful is that all the wrong things and sins in us are removed through that suffering and we become a more complete person of faith. will give (Proverbs 27:21) “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tried with praise (Proverbs 25:4). That is why verse 12 also said that the fire trial is not for the purpose of destroying us, but for the purpose of refinement. It comes to refine us further.
If a difficult test comes to you, think of it this way.
<God has started working on me to make me more beautiful!> Now expect how wonderfully God will shape me. There is no one in the kingdom of God who does not go through the furnace of trial and has a beautiful personality of faith.
An ordinary object becomes a work of art when the hand of a craftsman passes by once. the same We are like clay at the hand of the Lord. If left alone, it is really ordinary and of no value, but once our Lord begins to knead the clay, it becomes a wonderful work of art. The work that the Lord is kneading is a fire test. The traces of God are left in the characters of those who have passed the test. I hope there are traces of the Lord's touch in your character.
I hope that there will be changes like this, where the angular personality becomes a good personality, the stubborn self becomes soft, the proud neck becomes humble, and a person who loved the world becomes a person who loves the Lord.
2) Another thing you must remember is that if we truly become children of God, God has already planted in us the ability to overcome any kind of fire test. Even when the wind and rain of ordeal blow, we never fall. Surprisingly it overcomes Because the life of God is already in us. I hope you have this belief.
So remember that suffering does not come to us to stay, but to pass. No matter how difficult the hardships are, they will pass in time. Even while staying with us, it is actually a period of refining us, and as time passes, you will realize that I have matured that much. Suffering will pass.
2. Attitude toward suffering (12-13)
What attitude should we have when we suffer?
1) Don't be surprised (12)
Why should we not be surprised that we suffer? Because Christ suffered. And because we are His children. In that sense, what does it mean for us to suffer? that we are one with the Lord. mean on the one hand.
(John 15:18-19) [18] If the world hates you, know that it hated me before you [19] If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but you are not of the world, but out of the world. Because you are my chosen ones, the world hates you.”
What the world is persecuting us is actually persecution because of the Lord. hate the Lord. And they hate us because we are of the Lord, not on the side of the world. So don't be surprised that we suffer.
2) <Have fun>(13).
The second is to have fun. It's understandable to some extent not to think it's strange, but this time it's even called <Have fun>, so it may not be understood. Why should you be happy?
First, because our suffering is suffering for the Lord.
Among the gag concert corners, there was a corner called Teacher Kang in the dressing room. Among those lines, there is a famous line saying <I know it is an honor, these things!>. Maybe it's a similar situation. It is an honor for beings like us to suffer for the great God and to be used by that Lord.
Second, it is when we think about the future rather than the present.
Although the Lord suffered shameful crucifixion, there was the glory of resurrection because of that suffering. And now, when he comes again, he will return as the King of Glory.
Likewise, when we suffer on this earth for the Lord's sake, when He comes back in His glory, we too will receive unspeakable glory from the Lord. From the Lord <You have worked hard. Good and faithful servants> There will be such praise. This is the hallmark of Christian suffering and glory. Without suffering, there is no glory (no cross no crown).
Verse 14 says that blessed are those who suffer reproach in the name of Christ. It is actually a blessing to be treated with all sorts of disregard and contempt because of the Lord. How great is the reward before the Lord!
There is one thing that gives us greater confidence in our faith, especially when we suffer so severely, and that is to experience vividly that the Holy Spirit is with us. When great difficulties come, I am afraid on the one hand, and will I overcome these difficulties! I have this thought, but when it really comes down to it, strangely, a power I don't know springs up inside me and I experience enduring it.
what power? The Holy Spirit within me is with me. The Holy Spirit helps. That is why some people praise the Lord even when they die. Human power cannot do that. Because the Holy Spirit is with you.
3. Beware of suffering for evil deeds (15-16)
What we need to beware of is that we suffer for our mistakes. Occasionally, we see Christians in the leading classes of society being tried or imprisoned for certain wrongdoings. But what is really embarrassing is how they are introduced to reading the Bible, or when they go to trial, in the name of the Bible or in the name of God, they swear that they are never innocent.
I can't say anything because it's my personal faith, but I think that at least people with food should think about how they will be reflected in the eyes of the world. It is never virtuous to speak the Bible and the name of the Lord in front of the world with such a shameful appearance.
We must not do things that in any way will be criticized by people for our wrongdoing. Be careful. We must somehow give glory to God (16).
< Conclusion >
Let's understand hardship properly.
1. The purpose of suffering is not to destroy us, but to refine us.
2. Therefore, we should not be surprised about suffering and should be happy.
3. We must not let the glory of the Lord be obscured by our wrong actions. Let's become saints who glorify only the Lord.
< Prayer >
1. Help us to realize that the difficulties we face are the hand of God who shapes us and strive to become more perfect before God.
2. Do not be surprised by suffering, but rejoice and look forward to the glory you will receive before the Lord.