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. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For 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? And

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.—1 Peter 4:12–19

Last week Pastor Jason concluded with Jesus’ words: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34). What I want to do this morning is ask, what does it mean to take up our cross as disciples of Jesus Christ? The cross was an instrument of suffering, torture, and execution. So what does it look like to take up our cross? Join me in asking God for help.

Prayer

Introduction

“I know the allegations against my father are absurd. He is not an armed terrorist trying to overthrow any government. My father is a peaceful pastor. My family loves and respects the Turkish people, and my father has been dedicated to serving them for over two decades.” Those words were spoken by Jacqueline, the daughter of Andrew Brunson, a Christian pastor, who has been imprisoned in Turkey for over 19 months. Andrew Brunson’s hometown is Black Mountain, North Carolina. He went to Wheaton College for undergrad, then Trinity for an MA, then later an MDiv and PhD from Aberdeen. He has lived 23 years with his wife and three kids in Turkey, as the pastor of Izmir Resurrection Church (roughly 25 congregants). On October 7, 2016 he was arrested, and has been in prison in Turkey ever since. His daughter gave an appeal before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. She passed along these words from Pastor Brunson:

Let it be clear, I am in prison, not for anything I have done wrong, but because of who I am—a Christian pastor. I desperately miss my wife and children. Yet, I believe this to be true—it is an honor to suffer for Jesus Christ, as many have before me. I know that God’s grace is sustaining me, even when I do not feel that grace, and I know that the prayers of God’s people are surrounding me and giving strength. (christianitytoday.com) 

Imagine for a moment if you were Andrew Brunson. Would you be surprised? Outraged? Would you be angry at the government, after 23 years of service? How would you react in such a situation? If this was you, or this was your husband, father, grandfather, child or grandchild, would you be tempted to be shocked?

If we’re honest, suffering for being Christian tends to surprise us, catches us off guard. Hostility from others for being disciple of Jesus is disorienting. What do you mean you don’t like me for what I believe? Yet, we are increasingly living in a world where the Christian worldview is unwelcomed in the public sphere. 

What do we do? How do we respond? Do we fight or flee? Attack or withdraw? Our passage in 1 Peter gives us the answer. Because Christ removes the sting suffering, we can face it with overflowing joy in God.

This is Peter’s aim throughout the letter. He’s writing to discouraged believers in Asia Minor who are facing persecution, likely that of suspicion, hostility, criticism, mocking, and discrimination. Peter throughout this letter has called them to remember who they are in Christ (born again to a living hope with an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading) and to suffer righteously.

My aim for us this morning is that we would be like redwood trees in the midst of the cultural winds of our day. That we would have deep roots, thick trunks, and be steadfast and unshakeable in our commitment to Christ.

My plan is to walk through our passage looking at the six imperatives—six commands—that we see in this passage. And we’ll take them in the order they appear in this passage.

How should we live in the midst of increasing cultural pressure? How do we respond without compromising our Christian distinctiveness?

Command 1: Do Not Be Surprised

“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

Peter opens with “beloved” lest his readers forget that God loves them. Peter has addressed his readers as the “elect exiles” (1:1), “chosen race, royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for his own possession” (2:9), and “sojourners and exiles” (2:11). Peter’s is reminding them “you are the beloved of God,” because it would be reasonable for Peter’s readers to think that God had somehow stopped loving or caring for them because they were experiencing trials.

Peter wants his readers to live in the tension of being both elect of God and exiles in this world. Peter calls them to not be surprised at the “fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you” as though it were strange. Peter likely refers back to chapter 1, verses 6–7: “you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6–7). Peter has already established that trials are not punishment, but testing. Because the sting of suffering is gone, we can be unsurprised when it comes. What can separate you from the love of God? Tribulation? Famine? Distress? Persecution? Danger? Sword?

When trials come, it is a sign of God’s purifying presence and not his absence. Exercise, like lifting heavy weights, stresses your muscles so that your body will repair or replace damaged muscle to form new muscle fibers. Trials stretch and stress our spiritual muscles so that we search out God’s promises and cleave to them afresh. None of us would choose to go through trial, but in those moments God’s grace is present and powerful. 

It’s a word that many of us need to hear this morning. Don’t be surprised if you’re passed over for a promotion because you’re a Christian; God still loves you. Don’t be surprised if family members think you’re insane for following Jesus; God still loves you. Don’t be surprised if neighbors give you the cold shoulder because you’re “one of those Christians;” God still loves you. Don’t be surprised if Christian convictions are increasingly unwelcomed and mocked; God still loves you.

Hostility towards followers of Jesus isn’t strange, but is in fact very normal. Jesus gives us sobering words in Matthew 10:16–25 as he sends out his twelve disciples.

Excerpts from Matthew 10:16–25:

• Verse 16: “I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.”
• Verse 17:“Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues.”
• Verse 22: “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” 
• Verse 25: “If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.” 

Some might wonder, what if I don’t experience any hostility or suffering? 2 Timothy 3:12 makes it clear for us that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Perhaps not tomorrow, but it will come. As we seek to be salt and light in our world, sharing the gospel, holding to biblical convictions, and making disciples, hostility will come.

Command 2: Rejoice in Suffering

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.—1 Peter 4:13–14

Christians are not to be morose and downtrodden in trials and hostility, but rather rejoice! We are blessed! Jesus says in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11–12).

This is profoundly counter-cultural teaching. Not only be unsurprised, but count it as blessing and rejoice in suffering. Why? Because following in the footsteps of Jesus and receive a heavenly reward. Earlier in 1 Peter he recounts for them their inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Christ is better than all the riches, acceptance, approval, or praise that the world can offer. In Hebrews we read of Moses choosing the path of suffering and obedience with Christ as better than all that Egypt could offer.

“He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward” (Hebrews 11:26).

Moses was looking to a greater reward. We can rejoice because trials refine us so we love Jesus more, long for heaven, see the fragility of life more clearly, loosen our grip on possessions and money, see the fleeting promises of good health, and we desire the reward of Christ. 

If you’re insulted, you’re blessed. It means you’re a true Christian. Peter the night he denied Christ, would not claim Christ. But after his restoration, he boldly receives insults and beatings for the name of Jesus.

To see insults as blessing requires renewed spiritual eyes and hearts. This is only possible with the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Rather than compromise our beliefs, we are to willingly suffer. This reveals the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

This phrase “Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” likely alludes to Isaiah 11:1–2 “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him…” In the same way the Holy Spirit would be with the messianic king who would come to sit on the throne of David, Peter applies that to his listeners. In the same way that Jesus came, and in his baptism the Spirit of God rested on Jesus, this is now true for followers of Christ.

This truth is beautiful illustrated in Acts 5:41. After the apostles are arrested, give testimony to Jesus, they are ready to kill them, instead they are beaten and then released, Acts 5:41 says, “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.” They rejoice they are “counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” of Christ. This is the transforming power of Christ. To take our greatest fear and anxiety—that someone seeks to do us harm—to be an occasion for great rejoicing.

Command 3: Do Not Suffer for Doing Evil

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.”—1 Peter 4:15

This point seems fairly simple and self-explanatory, but let me note a few things. Peter is saying that not all suffering is good suffering. If you’re deceiving others, doing evil, defrauding some, stealing, killing, or any other manner of evil, then your suffering is deserved. It’s not good to suffer for evil. There is no benefit for you or for the name of Christ. It is deserved punishment. We ought not to rationalize all suffering.

Note with me one really interesting word here: meddler. It only shows up here in the NT, and never shows up in the Greek OT (LXX). Peter’s point is that followers of Christ should not practice heinous sins such as stealing or murder, but not even less severe sins of meddling and being a busybody. If you’re being a pest, then some might treat you poorly. Don’t suffer for doing evil, not even being a meddler.

I remember when I was in college, at our secular campus, a group would come and do open air preaching, mainly a message of condemnation, accompanied with inflammatory signs with “God hates _____”. They were met with anger. I don’t believe this was necessarily righteous suffering. This group undermined much evangelism. Intentional obnoxiousness that begets hostility isn’t what God wants.

There is a certain level of shrewdness in being a Christian today in our world. Not to hide our beliefs, but to earn the ability to share it with others. Many of us need to put away the tracts and invitations to church, and to instead open our homes and build relationships with unbelievers. Will we listen to their stories, persevere in prayer, and develop friendships that can withstand sharing difficult truths?

Command 4 & 5: Do Not Be Ashamed of Suffering & Glorify God in Your Suffering

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For 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? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”—1 Peter 4:16–18

Peter now turns to his readers to reiterate how they are to respond to eternal pressure, hostility, mocking, and ridicule. Don’t be ashamed! The natural reaction when others are calling you names—bigot, close minded, on the wrong side of history—is to feel ashamed. Yet in Jesus we have a perfect example. 

Jesus as our forbearer took the shame on himself. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus endured the cross and “despising the shame,” and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus both bore the shame, and did not allow shame to deter him from his mission of bringing redemption for all mankind. Peter likewise calls his readers to not be ashamed of suffering.

How can we be unashamed? Because suffering has a purifying effect on believers and allows us to escape condemnation. Let me show you how I got that.

“For 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?” (1 Peter 4:17).

Judgment here isn’t the judgment of condemnation or punishment, but rather the determination of those who are truly of Christ. This would not be unlike Jesus speaking about separating the sheep and goats in the last days (Matthew 25:31–46). Peter’s point is that if believers, those who are loved by God, must face judgment, imagine the judgment for those who do not obey God. Like Hebrews 12:6, God “disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” If beloved sons are disciplined in this life, then those who rebel, hate, disobey God will experience much greater punishment in eternity.

“And ‘If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” (1 Peter 4:18).

Then in verse 18 we see the quotation of the Greek OT from Proverbs 11:31. It has a curious phrase, “the righteous is scarcely saved,” which could indicate it’s difficult for God to save (which is untrue). Instead, if disciples of Jesus must endure and experience purifying trials and suffering, then it’s going to be horrific for sinners. Suffering in this life will be nothing compared to eternal separation from God. And if we persevere here and now, we will receive the crown of life and escape the coming judgment. 

Peter is saying, “don’t be tempted to renounce Christ and return to pagan beliefs.” Though you suffer now, don’t be envious of the wicked because God will get justice. No one escapes judgment. In this life now, there is some measure of temporal suffering and trial, but it is nothing compared with the lake of fire.” 

As we continue to pray for and embark upon reaching 25 unengaged and unreached people groups, pray for Global Partners that understand these truths. There’s a reason why most of them are unengaged: it’s difficult or dangerous. It requires travel for days to reach the interior regions, or they are openly hostile to missionaries. We need Global Partners that are so overcome by the beauty and glory of Christ, that they are unashamed of Jesus, willing and ready to suffer, and to give glory to God in their suffering.

Command 6: Entrust Yourself to a Faithful Creator

“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”—1 Peter 4:19

As we suffer we are to entrust ourselves to God knowing that he is with us. This is the same word Jesus used on the cross, “calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this he breathed his last” (Luke 23:46). We can trust God like Jesus trusted his Father, even in dying on the cross. 

In 1 Peter 2:23 it says, “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.” Remember, God is just. The God of the universe will do no wrong. Every sin will be paid for, either at the cross or in the final judgment.

We are called to trust our “faithful Creator.” This title for God recalls God’s sovereignty as our Creator. He began all things and will ensure they are completed. He creates all things, and knows what his creation can withstand. Furthermore, God is faithful. He will be faithful to his children, faithful to keep his promises, and faithful to never allow the wicked to go unpunished.

Peter throws this phrase in at the end, “while doing good.” Peter fully expects that disciples of Jesus will continue to live in the world with gentleness, patience, and doing good. What type of good does Peter have in mind? Here’s a sampling:

• We are called to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
• “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12).

Our lives are to be a witness to a watching world. Hostility in our world against Christ is an opportunity for us to do good and glorify God. We can do good, because Christ has removed the sting suffering, we can face it with overwhelming joy in God. We can respond with a heart of rejoicing, and even seeking the good of those who might persecute us.

Conclusion

We ought not be fearful, or anxious, or fretful. With confidence, live a godly life in Christ, knowing that hostility, mocking, ridicule, or worse, will come. And when it does, the poison and pain is removed, and we can walk through it rejoicing we are counted worthy to suffer with Christ, knowing that he’s preparing us for eternal glory.

Peter says don’t be surprised as though it were strange. Yet deep down we know this is not the way it’s supposed to be. Suffering and death are part of the curse. Christ came to banish sin, death, and Satan. So someday, after we have endured and persevered to the very end, we will receive the crown of life, and there will be no more hostility, no more mocking, no more disdain, no more ridicule, no more pain, no more sadness, tears, or bitterness. Someday, in God’s kingdom, all that is opaque will be made clear, the sun will shine but never scorch, the rains will fall but never flood, the winds will blow but never destroy, the waves will crash but never drown. All that is wrong will be made right, and we will everyday be surprised and overwhelmed by the mercy, love, and glory of God and rejoice for all eternity. Why? Because he holds us fast.