Why Overcome Suffering? (1 Peter 4:12-16)

Why Overcome Suffering? (1 Peter 4:12-16)

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

  13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Intro)

1. Byung-chul Lim served as a missionary for 3 years starting in 1993 on the small island of Chuuk just south of Guam. During those 3 years the unbearable heat and humidity combined with the lack of a refrigerator left his body tattered. The doctor told him he had barely a year left to live if he continued to live this way.

Missionary Lim made the difficult decision to return to New York. But moving back was not going to be easy. New York City was, and still is, one of the most expensive places to live. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment was easily over $1,000 at the time.

The missionary prayed, “God, rent is far too expensive in New York. I would much prefer to live where I can pay a mortgage instead. But I can’t afford to pay $1,000 each month. Please help me find a place where the mortgage is less than $1,000.”

Anyone who knows how expensive New York is knows how impossible his prayer was. But one day the missionary heard of a house that was up for sale in Queens. It was a 2-story, 3-bedroom house that was valued over $300,000 but was being sold for $270,000. Its surprisingly low asking price was because the house was rumored to be haunted.

When Missionary Lim visited the house he could see why people thought it was haunted. It was dilapidated, decrepit, and a frequent stop for drug gangs. Being a Christian, the missionary had no fear of ghosts, so he began negotiating. The seller had inherited the desolate home and was eager to get it out of his hands and run off to Las Vegas.

The seller brought the price down to $190,000 but at the last minute the missionary mentioned how expensive the repair costs would be and hesitated. The anxious seller deducted another 10 grand from the asking price. Missionary Lim bought a $300,000 house for merely $180,000.

He ended up paying $998 every month for his mortgage. God had answered his prayers exactly as he requested. After buying the house, Missionary Lim spent a year slowly repairing the house with his own two hands.

When the home was finished, his own health had recovered. He had managed to turn a house rumored to be full of death and ghosts into a home that was overflowing with life and the Holy Spirit. Ten years later, the house was worth $820,000.

2. The secret to success is to tackle head-on what everyone else avoids. When people turn the other way, we need to push forward. That will take us to the land of opportunity. When we face trials and suffering, if we have faith we can overcome all of it and emerge in the land of blessings.

3. Genesis 1 depicts the 6 days God dedicated to creating the universe. Each day ends with this verse, “And there was evening, and there was morning—the 1st/2nd/3rd/etc. day.” Each day starts with the evening, meaning the night is not a meaningless time. When the day gets dark, it does not mean our day becomes futile.

The same applies to our own lives. When times of darkness take over our lives in the form of suffering, we cannot give up and deem this time useless. In fact, suffering is something we all need. Then how should we face suffering? Today’s scripture teaches us a few important lessons about suffering.

Body)

A) Suffering is Normal

1. Take a look at verse 12, “12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” In 1 Peter, Peter warns King Nero of the “fiery trial” that is coming and that it is nothing strange.

A “fiery trial” is a something that separates pure gold from debris; it separates what is genuine from what is fake. The fiery trial for Christians separates those who remain steadfast in joy and faith despite the suffering they face.

2. Job 23:10 says, “10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Suffering cleanses a Christian’s life. When you face suffering and trials, do not be taken aback. Do not think it strange. Remember that it is completely normal and to be expected. It is a necessary step for all Christians that humbles us and becomes a stepping stone to learning prayer and meeting God.

B) Join in Christ’s Suffering

1. Verse 13 of today’s scripture says, “13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings.” Peter describes a believer’s suffering is Christ’s suffering. He is telling us that suffering is painful, but be joyful in that we are suffering with Christ.

When people go through hardships together, they grow closer and become unforgettable. Just as human relationships develop a stronger bond through hardship our bond with Jesus becomes stronger when we acknowledge we are going through our trials with him. When we know we suffer with him, we feel the Holy Spirit.

2. Philippians 1:29 says, “29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” The two graces Jesus gave us are faith and suffering.

Faith is not something you inherently have. Some can’t bring themselves to believe no matter how hard they try. Faith is a gift from God. But Paul tells us that suffering is an equally valuable gift to us from God because suffering is what brings us closer to God. Thus, suffering is not something Christians should avoid and fear, it should be welcomed and endured.

We must sacrifice more of ourselves for our Lord. All good things of value require sacrifice. Serving the church requires one to sacrifice their time and sometimes money. A boxer can’t knock out his/her opponent with light jabs. They need a hit that carries the weight of their whole bodies in a single kick or punch.

Like this, we won’t experience true joy when we’re just dabbling in church activities. We need to fully and completely dedicate ourselves if we want to reap the joys. When we do this, we will be given the strength to overcome our sufferings.

C) Remember What Suffering Brings

1. The second half of verse 13 says, “that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” God gives us trials so that He can give us blessings. We must constantly remember this when we face trials. We all have the ability and strength to overcome our sufferings.

2.  One day a pastor was returning home when he came across a rooster with a few

hens. The rooster saw the pastor and darted toward him. The pastor ran away frightened. When he was inside his house he thought back to the rooster that attacked him.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got about being chased by his own rooster. So he took a small dog from next door and set him on the rooster. The once ferocious rooster took one look at the small dog and ran away. Despite the dog’s small size, the rooster’s DNA and natural instinct caused him to run away. The dog is “programmed” to win a rooster by nature.

Christians are “programmed” to overcome suffering. It is in the DNA of every Christian. John 16:33 says, “33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Jesus gave his disciples the natural ability to overcome trials. Any Christians that stand steadfast in the face of suffering will always overcome. There is no trial that can defeat a true Christian.

3. Let us continue to look at verse 14 of today’s scripture, “14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.” Glory and suffering are one and the same. There is glory in suffering. You cannot have one without the other. If you seek glory, then you must overcome suffering. Many people today want the glory but not the suffering, and that is impossible.

4. Romans 8:17 tells us, “17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Paul knew that suffering came with glory and so he always remained unwavering and become a great apostle.

D) Overcome Suffering Through Prayer

1. The latter half of verse 14 says, “: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” The Holy Spirit is closest to those who are in suffering. Think about those who are persecuted. Many tell stories of almost being martyred, but through the power of the Holy Spirit they escaped impossible circumstances.

2. This is the story of Corrie ten Boom. The ten Boom family hid many Jews from the Nazis during World War II. Knowing that if the Nazis ever found out they were hiding Jews they would also face death Corrie grew scared.

“Mother! I am scared of dying! How do we die?” Corrie’s mother replied, “Corrie, when we get on a train what do we need?” “A ticket.” “And when do we get the ticket?” “Before we get on the train.” “Correct. When it comes time for us to die Jesus will give us the ticket to face death with courage.”

Jesus does not leave us in our times of suffering. He clearly tells us in Hebrews 13:5, “5 I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Jesus promised to be with us until the end of the world. Jesus will never leave us alone in our suffering.

3. In Israel, sheep are raised with goats. Sheep have a tendency to be laid back and lazy, jeopardizing their health. When sheep lay down with full bellies, nearby goats will charge at them on instinct forcing the sheep to get up and run. The goats exercise the sheep. The sheep may think it is torturous, but it is what actually keeps them strong and healthy.

Suffering is the goat in our lives. When we get lazy and complacent, suffering forces us to get back up and fight back. Suffering may be difficult, but it is not a plague that destroys our lives. It makes us stronger and leads us to glory.

4. A farmer’s son inherited his father’s farm when he died. He wanted to sell the farm and start a new business when a friend told him mining was the way to riches. The son sold the farm and started mining. But he never saw a single speck of gold even until his last dollar was invested.

Feeling defeated the son sold his mine for a fraction of the price. Imagine his shock when the new buyer hit the mother lode after mining merely a few feet deeper in the exact same spot he had been digging!

Con)

Life can get us down. When reality seems difficult, we can easily fall into despair. We want to give up what we are doing so things will get easier. But take a moment to look to God first. Believe that God will guide you in faith and bring you to great blessings. No matter what sufferings you face, remain steadfast in faith. Do not waver and you will overcome. When the time comes, God will open doors to blessings you never could have imagined.

 

040619 Ik Sun Ahn