An Approach to Suffering that is Both Surprising and Superior

Our annual theme, Hope for Everyday Life, reminds us of the context of the book we’re currently studying

1 Peter is a letter written to a persecuted and fractured people, spread abroad the ancient near east

Suffering wouldn’t have been unique to their experience, but the ire that was leveled against Christians in that time would have been unexpected and rather novel to many who would’ve read this original letter

Peter, carried along by the Spirit of God, writes about how hope is possible in those circumstances if that hope remains fixed on the person of Christ

Our text this morning is no exception… I’ll invite you to open up to 1 Peter 4:7 (pg. 182)

And let me start off our time with a confession… I’m a terrible golfer…

I’d like to think logic has led me to this blight, but I can only assume logic is suspended during a round of golf, based on my experience

Let me explain: if I’m shooting for a hole located over there (*point), where should I be looking as I hit the ball? OVER THERE

And yet I’ll take my driver – the only club I’ll ever use – and smash the ball with all my might, faithfully looking at the direction the ball ought to go

…now, I say ought to go, because, as I mentioned before, logic is suspended in any round of golf

Sometimes I slice it, sometimes I hook it, and often I biff it—but only on the rarest of occasion will that ball obediently track towards my line of sight

Golf experts: (and I know we have one or two in this room), where should I be looking?

At the BALL!

But that’s not where I’m aiming—that’s just the thing I’m smacking!

I don’t think I’m alone when I say: if my conclusions don’t match that of the experts, and they evidence is stacked on their side, it’s hard to keep convincing myself that I’ve come to the right conclusion…

This morning, we’re going to be discussing…

An Approach to Suffering that is Both Surprising and Superior

We think we know how to handle suffering—we’ve got all sorts of tips and tricks—look no further than how we live our life!

(*hold up Bible) But what does the Expert have to say on the matter? Does His wisdom align with what we believe, and (though we’re not pragmatists), what does the evidence show?

Hopefully not a lifetime of slices, hooks, and biffs…

Text

⁷ The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. ⁸ Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Be hospitable to one another without complaint. ¹⁰ As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ¹¹ Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Again, we’re talking about…

An Approach to Suffering that is Both Surprising and Superior

Three principles for handling trials that are dramatically different than our natural instincts.

In order to do so, you must first…

I. Understand the Temporary Nature of Your Suffering

Peter begins this section by putting it into the context of eternity

He’s coming right off a discussion about the behavior of the wicked and their disapproval of Christians, seeking to follow after Jesus

The hope he provides, starting in verse 5, is that “they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.”

Keeping our focus on this final judgment, he continues by saying…

1 Peter 4:7 - The end of all things is near…

College students – let’s say, theoretically, you were taking an exam…

And let’s say that exam had 30 questions that needed to be completed in 2 hours

After an hour and a half, you’d completed 5 of the 30 questions

As your TA, I announce: “the end of your time is near…”

What does that elicit in your heart?

“I have 30 minutes to complete 25 questions—I’m doing just fine…”

NO! (*urgency)

Why then does Peter point us to the pending end of time?

For the same reason—it ought to conjure up a sense of urgency and duty in our hearts

But there’s a question that may be in your minds, before we get into the implications of verse 7, such as…

A. How could this statement be true?

How could it be true that the end of all things is near? Wasn’t this written about 2,000 years ago, and who knows how much longer will it be until the end finally comes?

That seems to steal away his argument for us today, doesn’t it?

The Lord, in his sovereign understanding, is thinking of so much more than time (which we’ll get to in a few minutes)

He could say “the end of all things is near…”

1. Because of their pending martyrdom

Peter is writing in the midst of Emperor Nero’s reign

Those who know their history understand this to be a violent time for Christians

Church history records Peter’s martyrdom to have taken place during this time—John Foxe (a contemporary of the Reformers, such as John Calvin) even claims Nero himself sought Peter’s life, ending in his crucifixion

By the way, if you don’t have a copy of…

“Foxe’s Book of Martyrs”

…I’d recommend ordering one right away

But Foxe also recounts the historical occasion where Nero sets Rome on fire, only to watch it burn

He continues…

This dreadful conflagration continued nine days; when Nero, finding that his conduct was greatly blamed, and a severe odium cast upon him, determined to lay the whole upon the Christians, at once to excuse himself, and have an opportunity of glutting his sight with new cruelties. This was the occasion of the first persecution; and the barbarities exercised on the Christians were such as even excited the commiseration of the Romans themselves. Nero even refined upon cruelty, and contrived all manner of punishments for the Christians that the most infernal imagination could design. In particular, he had some sewed up in skins of wild beasts, and then [mauled] by dogs until they expired; and others dressed in shirts made stiff with wax, fixed to axletrees, and set on fire in his gardens, in order to illuminate them. This persecution was general throughout the whole Roman Empire; but it rather increased than diminished the spirit of Christianity. In the course of it, St. Paul and St. Peter were martyred. – Foxe, Book of Martyrs, 5.

The idea that “the end of all things is near…” was not a distant mirage but a very present reality to many who would have heard this original letter

But the meaning also carries spiritual implication when you compare present suffering with eternal glory…

2. By comparing a full life filled with trials with the length and glory of eternity.

Foxe mentioned Paul’s martyrdom along with Peters

He was a follower of Christ who knew very well the pressures of affliction and the heat of trial

In defense of his apostleship, Paul speaks about the contrast between those who want to drive his beloved Corinthian church away from Christ and towards themselves…

2 Corinthians 11:23–29 - Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?

Have you ever been in excruciating pain?

A second feels like a minute, and a minute feels like a lifetime

Surely Paul combats Peter’s silly notion of the temporary nature of suffering, right?

2 Corinthians 4:7–11 - But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

He goes on to say…

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 - Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

When we compare our life to eternity, the equation changes drastically

I could spend my whole life worried about a four-minute torturous death in Nero’s garden…

Or I could fixate on eternity and put every moment of my life—whether it’s a time of pleasure or pain—in the context of the life to come

Which fixation will produce more joy? Which life will be more worthwhile?

(*application—where is your focus? Look at the fruit – crippling anxiety or productive JOY)

Everything is temporary—Peter is pointing us to the one thing that isn’t

Because as Christians, we understand that…

3. Jesus may return for His children at any moment.

Do you believe this?

Is there room in your theology for the fact that the roof of FW could rip off at any moment and we’ll see what’s described in 1 Thess 4…

I Thessalonians 4:16-18 - For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

This may lead many to scoff—“those words were written over 2,000 years ago!”

They don’t realize that…

4. God’s timing is not our timing.

Peter must have gotten similar pushback that we may have today, because he addresses the matter of God’s timing in his second letter:

2 Peter 3:3 begins with restating the issue – “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’”

He goes on by giving his answer in verse 8…

2 Peter 3:8-9 - But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Perhaps God has waited this 2,000 years for you to bow your knee to Lord Jesus

“the end of all things is near…” are you ready to face the coming judgment?

Have you, as Peter points out in his second letter, “come to repentance”?

(*repentance + forgiveness + invitation)

Getting back to the flow of our passage, we still have the issue of the present

In other words, while focusing on eternity might be a fine platitude in the mind of some, how do I think about suffering before eternity is ushered in?

In other words…

B. What is the evidence of this understanding?

Last week, Pastor Birk talked about the evidence to the contrary—looking back to verse 3, it says…

1 Peter 4:3 – For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.

This is the evidence of someone who has a temporal fixation: someone who will not or cannot focus on the end of times

But what about those who are keeping their eye on the ball? What about those who look to eternity?

Our text says they’ll have…

1. sound in judgment

This is from the Greek word σωφρονέω (soh-fron-eh-oh), which is commonly translated as “having the right mind”

This comes in contrast to those described in verse 3 as “pursuing a course of sensuality [and] lusts”

Someone characterized by sound judgment, on the other hand, will have the final judgment in mind

His time will not be spent selfishly clamoring after whatever pleasure he can attain, regardless of cost—a fruitless pursuit far more worthless than looking at the green while trying to smash the ball

Instead, a focus on the end will inexplicably lead to incredible productivity—towards righteousness and right living, simultaneously

“We are reminded of what Martin Luther said when asked what he would do if the end would come today. He replied that he would plant a tree and pay his taxes. What Luther meant, of course, was that he lived every day in light of the end, and hence he would do the appointed task of that day.” – Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude (NAC), 211.

…according to Tom Schreiner (*explain quote if time)

Live sound in judgment, but also…

2. sober in spirit

This comes in obvious contrast to the next few descriptors in verse 3: “drunkenness, carousing, [and] drinking parties…”

What characterizes a drunk person?

Senseless, numb, uncoordinated, sloppy, unfocused, detached—so much more

This can be a tempting escape for someone facing trial, can’t it?

The lie we believe is that relief to life’s difficulties will come through disengaging our minds from our circumstances in some way—in other words, living intoxicated

This can come in the form of literal loss of sobriety through alcohol or drugs, but there are many other ways that we pursue escape—mindless amusement when we ought to engage, running to food or more illicit things for a moment’s comfort, or so forth

Looking to eternity ironically allows us to engage appropriately with the present, as Christ empowers us to handle trial in a sober and dependent way—not dependent on alcohol or entertainment, but dependent on HIM

We’re called to be sound in our judgment and sober in spirit, while keeping…

3. fervent in prayer

This rounds out the contrast of the man described in verse 3, who pursues “abominable idolatries”

In other words, he’s focused on anything but Christ to provide for his wants and needs

Brothers and sisters, who ALONE is able to help in time of trouble?

*kid struggling with fear

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

He ALONE is the One we must talk to and run to when the light, momentary afflictions weigh down our lives

But then, Peter takes a rather unexpected turn in the passage

Not only are you to focus on eternity, rather than the temporary discomforts of this world, but you are to…

II. Use Your Limited Time and Resources to Invest in Others

Who is he taking the focus off of?

When trial and suffering hits, we tend to cave inward

Instead, we ought to…

A. Keep fervent in your love for another – v. 8

By God’s grace, he’s allowed my family to be a part of a wonderful church body…

*all needs met – seeing needs of others met

This isn’t to say we’re a perfect church—far from it—I’ve failed many of you, and we’ve failed one another

After all, 1 sinner + 1 sinner does not equal 1 fully sanctified saint… and extrapolate that out on however many of us there are…

But it’s worth mentioning that if you’re overall assessment of the church is: “they have failed me in every way”—is it possible that the issue is more with an inordinate fixation on YOURSELF, and less about the possible failures of OTHERS

God wants us to avoid caving into ourselves when we meet trial, and

1 Peter 4:8 - Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another…

Or more specifically…

1 Peter 4:8 - Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

There are certainly times where it’s most loving to confront sin head-on—I pray you have the courage to do so when it pleases Christ

But there are also times where it’s most pleasing to Jesus for you to allow love to cover sin

…does Jesus deal with us precisely as our sin deserves?

100% no—and the cross is full evidence of that fact

So in light of the forgiveness that those in Christ have received, let’s continue to love one another in light of that amazing grace, and…

B. Be hospitable to one another – v. 9

This is the second way we are to have an external focus in the midst of trials…

1 Peter 4:9 - Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

And you don’t need an extravagant home to practice hospitality – you simply need a willing and generous heart!

*Friend in Africa (Theo) who invited Allie and I to mud hut (that housed his whole family) for dinner

Were we offended that he didn’t seem to have enough space for us, or food for us, or things kept tidy for us?

NO—because that’s never the point of hospitality

It’s about growing in our fellowship with one another and love/consideration for each other

This is all a part of…

C. Employ your gifts in serving one another – v. 10

By the way, did you notice how many times an iteration of the phrase “one another” was used in our passage?

1 Peter 4:10 - As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

First off, what an incredible encouragement: God has not only gifted us with His Son and the guarantee of eternal life to those who trust in Him—He’s given each of us a spiritual gift upon the indwelling of His mighty Spirit

This is something that goes beyond the natural capacity—and look no further than around you for wonderful examples of this played out

There are some who have a spiritual gift of service in our midst—you may have this gift or perhaps you’ve encountered someone who does

Others may have a spiritual gift of hospitality, as we’ve discussed before

There are many, many more of these special gifts, and we know that according to 1 Cor 12, the Spirit apportions these gifts to whomever He wills, however He wills

But remember the context of this whole discussion…

God’s Word isn’t calling us 1) identify and 2) utilize this gift once we get our lives all figured out, or once we’re in a comfortable place, or when we finally achieve a certain arbitrary status of sanctification…

This is all in the context of suffering

The person described above is seeking to exercise this gift on his or her own strength—but what does God’s Word have to say to that?...

1 Peter 4:11 - Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies…

It’s never about what I can do in my own power—it’s about sacrificially serving Him with the strength HE supplies

1 Peter 2:24–25 - and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

The gospel is powerful enough to provide any needed measure of strength and selfless focus in the midst of trials

So set your focus on eternal matters, utilize your God-given gifts for the service of OTHERS, and…

III. Rejoice that Such a Life Brings Glory to God

In other words, all of this is to be done…

1 Peter 4:11 - …so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

A focus on eternity will inevitably lead to a life that glorifies Jesus

If you’ve never done it, start off by trying it for a day and see if it leads to the stereotype you may be imagining (*aloof / detached / unproductive)

I guarantee, on the grounds of God and His Word, that it will lead to Christ’s glory, your sanctification, and growth in loving Him more

It’ll also result in serving others with the spiritual gift or gifts with which the Lord has entrusted to you

And this is all independent of circumstances—whether you’re in the season of trial or flourishing, God wants you focused on Him and others (*grab Bible)

So keep your eye on the ball, and trust the Expert (*hold up Bible) regarding the outcome…