As we read our text this morning, see if you can identify the five ways Peter describes persecution. Read 1 Peter 4:12-19. Did you find all five? (v.12, 13, 14, 16, 19).

In this section, God gives six commands to persecuted Christians. Those commands were to help persecuted Christians endure trials and to bring honour to the Lord through their trials.

Transition

This morning, I want us to examine those six commands and learn how they can help us as we face persecution for the Lord.

The first command is

Think it Not Strange (v.12)

  1. Persecution is a fiery trial
    1. The word Peter used refers to a smelting fire. That is a fire hot enough to melt metal so it can be purified.
    2. Persecution, like a fire, was already hot. Future trials would become even more severe.
  2. Do not think of fiery trials as strange
    1. We must not be surprised or shocked by persecution.
    2. Persecution is normal for Christians. (2 Timothy 3:12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. If you live a godly life and stand up for right, people will oppose you. God allows persecution as part of the purifying process in a Christian’s life. Don’t be shocked when it comes. It is purifying you! (1Peter 1:7)
      The second command is

Rejoice (v.13-14)

  1. Be glad that you can take part in Christ’s suffering.
    1. Is Peter saying that suffering will be a fun time? No!
    2. Since Christ suffered God’s wrath to save us from hell, we ought to be happy to suffer a little for Christ. The Apostle Paul’s prayer was, That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (Philippians 3:10). We may not rejoice in the pain, but we can rejoice in the Lord. (Philippians 4:4) Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
    3. When Christ’s glory is revealed and we see Him, you will be glad you suffered for Him (v.13).
  2. God blesses those who suffer for Him.
    1. Sufferers for Christ will be happy or blessed by God (v.14).
    2. Here is how God will bless. . .
      1. God’s Spirit rests on such sufferers. The Holy Spirit gives rest or a quiet spirit to those who suffer for Christ.
      2. Unbelievers blaspheme God, but those who suffer for Christ have the opportunity to glorify God.
        The third command is

Do Not Suffer for Sin (v.15)

  1. Christians must resist the temptation to sin.
    1. Temptation to sin is a daily threat.
    2. God warns us. (Proverbs 4:23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (1 Peter 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
  2. Peter lists a few sins as examples for us.
    1. True Christians are able to fall into big sins like these. (1 Corinthians 10:12) Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
    2. Note that busybody is in the list with “big” sins. A busybody is one who meddles in other men’s matters.
    3. When a Christian sins, it brings shame to Christ.
      The fourth command is

Be Not Ashamed (v.16)

  1. Suffering as a Christian is not shameful.
    When family, neighbours, or work mates persecute you because you live a godly Christlike life, that is not shameful or a disgrace.
  2. God commands us not to be ashamed of Christ.
    1. There is a time for shame and Christians today need to cultivate a godly sense of shame. We ought to feel embarrassed or ashamed of ourselves if we do wrong.
      1. We ought to be ashamed if we wear immodest clothing (e.g., swimsuits, short shorts, bare bellies, exposed shoulders, low necklines, form-fitting or cross-gender clothing, shirtless men).
      2. We ought to be ashamed if we yield to sinful activities, drink alcohol, or look at indecent things.
      3. We ought to be ashamed if we listen to music that feeds the flesh not the spirit.
    2. But Christians should not be ashamed of living godly even if the world persecutes us for it. You will answer to God not to man for the way you live. (Romans 14:12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
      The fifth command is

Glorify God (v.16-18)

  1. You glorify God through suffering for Christ.
    1. Live to glorify God not man.
    2. Seek to honour God in all that you do. Do only those things that would please and praise him.
  2. The time has come for judgment.
    1. God’s judgment was beginning with the Christians.
      1. This judgment does not mean punishment for sin. Christ took our sin’s punishment and paid our debt in full on the cross. True Christians will never be punished for sin. (Romans 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. However, Christians will one day stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ. That will be a judgment for reward or rebuke based on our Christian life and service. (2 Corinthians 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
      2. In 1Peter 4:17, this judgment is persecution. God allows persecution to purify and make Christians more like Christ and to give them an opportunity to glorify God. God is glorified when Christians stand up for Him. I do not believe that God causes persecution but He has woven persecution into His plan for the Christian’s benefit.
    2. Since God allows Christians to be judged by persecution, what will happen to unbelievers?
      1. Those who do not obey the gospel face a much worse end – suffering in hell.
      2. Since those made righteous by the blood of Christ are scarcely saved (i.e., delivered with difficulty), where will the ungodly and sinners be judged? Scarcely saved may mean, “The sufferings of the age make great demands on believers, so that it is only with difficulty that they will survive the test and stand in the judgment.” TDNT Or it may refer to the difficulty Christ suffered to pay for our sins and save our souls.
        The sixth command is

Commit the Keeping of Your Souls (v.19)

  1. Sometimes persecution is the will of God.
  2. We must commit our souls to the Lord.
    1. Commit means to place something in the charge of another. Thus, place your soul or life in God’s hands. Trust Him to decide what is best for you. Continue well-doing or doing right even during persecution.
    2. Remember that God is a faithful Creator. He knows what is best for His creation.

Conclusion

The commands in this passage are to persecuted Christians. They represent duties that every true Christian needs to put into practise. Don’t be surprised by persecution. Rejoice in the Lord when you are persecuted. Don’t suffer as a sinner. Don’t be ashamed if persecuted, but glorify God. Then, commit your soul to Christ.

Let’s ask God to help us practise these commands when people reject our witness, call us names, and when family members get upset with our Christian testimony. We are on the victor’s side. Remember, our judgment is mild compared with the judgment persecutors will receive.

Song: Take My Life and Let – 393
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Commands for the Persecuted
27 September 2015 AM – 1Peter 4:12-19 – 1Pe15 – Scott Childs