A Veteran's Battle With Persecution

1 Peter 4:12-19 "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 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. 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. 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. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."

 

(1) Jesus warns of persecution.

John 15:10 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you."

 

(2) Jesus emphasizes why you will be persecuted.

John 15:19 “Because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

(3) Jesus gives the motive of the persecutors.

John 16:2, 3 “They will put you out of the Synagogues . . . who kills you . . . because they have not known the Father or Me.”

(4) A Veteran of the faith must expect trials.

1 Peter 4:12  “Think it strange concerning the fiery trials which is to try you.”

-Don’t doubt your faith. God still loves you.
-Don’t think you are unusual. You are not the only one suffering.

Our usual reaction is
-Why me?
-Why this?
-Why now?

(5) You identify with Christ when you are suffering.

Verse 13a “You are partakers of Christ’s suffering.”
a. Your sins were identified with Christ thru His death as your substitute.
b. You identify with His sufferings in your present trials of life.
c. Your reaction through your suffering will eventually result in joy.

Your suffering guarantees your present faith and your future fate.

Verse 13b  "... that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. "

(6) Persecution is a sign that the Holy Spirit rests on you.

Verse 14 “If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.”
a. Not happy for pain or suffering.
b. Happy to be identified with Christ.
c. The word “happy” is “blessed,” as in the Beatitudes.

Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”

 

Not just future benefits, but present blessings. You may suffer outwardly, but rejoice inwardly.

(7) The cause of persecution is confessing Christ’s name.

Verse 14 again says, “If you be reproached for the name of Christ.”
a. Will silent Christians escape suffering?
b. Will Christians suffer the most who confess the loudest, or the most effective?
c. Opposites led to opposition.

Verse 14b “On their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.”  
d. The “spirit of glory” is our Shekinah, the presence of God.

(8) Our suffering is not the issue-it is our identification with Christ.
a. Not punished the same way as a murderer, thief, or evil doer.
b. Not because you do those evil things.
c. Don’t seek suffering for the sake of suffering. Suffering is not a virtue, Christ is our virtue.
(9) Identify with the name Christian-A “swear” word for the world.
a. Acts 11:26 “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

b. Acts 26:28 “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
c. 1 Peter 4:16 “If any man suffer as a Christian.”

-I belong to Christ.
-I proclaim Christ.
-I live for Christ.
-I love Christ.

You should “not be ashamed”-Verse 16 "... let him not be ashamed."
a. Don’t be ashamed of your suffering.
b. Don’t be ashamed of Christ.
c. Don’t be ashamed, be your self-identity.

(10) Persecution separates the dedicated Christians from the casual professing ones.

Verse 17“For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God.”
a. Clean up the house of God.
b. Clean out the house of God.

(11) Our persecution and suffering guarantees their punishment.

Verse 17 “...And if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the Gospel of God?”
a. The persecutors will be persecuted even more.
b. Verse 18 declares, “If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly or the sinner appear?” Their punishment is guaranteed.
c. Therefore, Christians be humble and grateful.

(12) Verse 19 says that persecution is already here, not some future thing.

“Let them that suffer according to the will of God” is present time or already in the midst of suffering.
Verse 19 also says that we must:

a. Commit our souls unto Him.

b. For He is the faithful Creator.