Why Do People Suffer? Living with the End in Mind | 1 Peter 4:12-19

Series: A living Hope in a dying world

Title: Why do people suffer? Living with the end in mind

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19; Matt 5:11-12; Phil 2:5-11; Luke 9:26; Acts 5:41; Mark 10:17; James 1:2-4; Rom 8:28 NIV

How do we maintain our joy in the midst of suffering?

How do we arm ourselves with this attitude of Christ?

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Bottom Line: We live in light of the end by not being surprised (but rejoicing) at or ashamed of our suffering (but pressing on) but instead by entrusting ourselves to the Lord’s good works of doing good works until we go home.

SERMON OUTLINE
NOTES
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
OUTLINES
MAIN REFERENCES USED

SERMON OUTLINE

Introduction

We said last week that we live with the end in mind by arming ourselves with the attitude of Christ. (Regarding suffering)

This week Peter continues with this thought by adding how we do this.

If I were in Ephesians 6, I’d say this includes putting on the full armor of Christ. Peter adds this to Paul’s teaching:

Entrust yourself to your faithful Creator, and
Continue to do good until you go home.

I told the story at the end of last week about Barnie Reeves. He was a member of this church for years until he went home to be with the Lord. He was in the hospital in those last days with intestinal cancer of some kind. I was visiting him in the hospital one day downtown when he started tearing up. He said that there had been times that week when he felt like Jesus was in the room with him. He said he’d never felt closer to the Lord than in those moments. This was in the midst of the worst suffering he’d ever been through. This retired USAF sergeant, tears rolling down his aged cheeks, was smiling and glowing with the joy of the Lord in the midst of suffering because he was able to make the connection between suffering and glory. That when he suffered for doing good (not evil), and he was vocal with anyone who would listen about his faith in Christ, he experienced the joy of the Lord. He fellowshipped with a Jesus who understood great suffering.

It’s this empathy towards suffering with purpose that gave him joy.

How are you suffering today? Is it for good? Because of evil? Because of the sin of others? Because of your sin?

What does God say about this?

“This lesson is one that George Matheson, born in Glasgow, Scotland, in March 1842, put before us in elevated language. At birth Matheson's eyesight was poor. By age eighteen he had nearly lost it completely. Robbed of physical sight, he nevertheless recognized spiritual truths with penetrating clarity and insight. Take the role of suffering in the life of a believer, for example. It never caught him by surprise. He never thought suffering for his Christian faith strange. And when, according to God's will, he was asked to enter into it, he was never ashamed. He writes:

There is a time coming in which your glory shall consist in the very thing which now constitutes your pain. Nothing could be more sad to Jacob than the ground on which he was lying, a stone for his pillow. It was the hour of his poverty. It was the season of his night. It was the seeming absence of his God. The Lord was in the place and he knew it not. Awakened from his sleep he found that the day of his trial was the dawn of his triumph.

Ask the great ones of the past what has been the spot of their prosperity and they will say, "It was the cold ground on which I was lying." Ask Abraham; he will point to the sacrifice on Mount Moriah. Ask Joseph; he will direct you to this dungeon. Ask Moses; he will date his fortune from his danger in the Nile. Ask Ruth; she will bid you build her monument in the field of her toil. Ask David; he will tell you that his songs came in the night. Ask Job; he will remind you that God answered him out of the whirlwind. Ask Peter; he will extol his submersion in the sea. Ask John: he will give the path to Patmos. Ask Paul; he will attribute his inspiration to the light which struck him blind.

Ask one more! — the Son of God. Ask Him whence has come His rule over the world; he will answer, "From the cold ground on which I was lying — the Gethsemane ground —I received my scepter there."

OUTLINE

Relying on David Helms’ commentary for this outline:

III. The connection between suffering and glory

Don’t be surprised or think it strange when you, a Christian, suffers for doing good. (12) (This is another way to ask the question: why do bad things happen to good people?)

But rejoice

Why?
Because we suffer with Christ
So that we may be overjoyed when glory is revealed
What is God's glory exactly? It's the sum of his attributes like his

Holiness (justice, righteousness)
Love
Life
Light--like the sunrays
Truth
Faithfulness
Omni-benevolence (he's all good)
Omnipotence (all powerful)
Omniscience (all knowing)
Omnipresence (everywhere all the time; even outside of time)
Immutable (unchanging and therefore perfect)
Glory is meant to be visible

Like a gold medal shines and has intrinsic value
It also represents hours, days, months of work and preparation needed to earn that medal
Our job is to reflect his glory

If insulted, notice you are blessed

Why?
Because the spirit of Glory rests on you (Persecution University -Greg Stier)

If you suffer,

It should be for good, not evil
If as a Christian, don’t be ashamed
But praise God that you bear his name

Why?
Because it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household

Don’t be ashamed (16)

Jesus said, if you are ashamed of me

Acts 5:41, “The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”
Luke 9:26, “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

Th e Poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox penned these words:
“All those who journey, soon or late,
Must pass within the garden’s gate;
Must kneel alone in darkness there,
And battle with some fierce despair.
God pity those who cannot say,
‘Not mine but thine,’ who only pray,
‘Let this cup pass,’ and cannot see
The purpose in Gethsemane.”

Therefore, press on, brother! -Barnie Reeves

Embrace your suffering—if it’s for your own good.

Notice God is making a connection between our suffering his judgment—most surprising!
First time his reference to suffering isn’t at the hands of ungodly people.
Yet, still about ungodly behavior.
So, at times, our suffering comes to us because we deserve it. God disciplines us. (Prunes us?)
“The apricot tree at 2828 Hill Heights Park was trimmed back so much I wondered if the branches and leaves would ever grow back, let alone the leaves. We needed up that next year having apricots coming out of our ears; Mom made apricot pie, jam, and we had it as fresh fruit, an there was still an abundance left for the birds.” -Spurgeon
When we sink, we tarnish his glory. So he disciplines us to multiple reasons (see below)
And if you’re discouraged, take note of what Peter says about unbelievers.
Like Spurgeon, learn to say, “I have learned to kiss the wave that strikes me against the Rock of Ages.”

Entrust your souls—v. 19

Most succinctly summarizes this theme of suffering and how we’re to live in light of the end:.
Regardless of whether we are suffering from sins we’ve committed or for doing good, we’re called to trust the Lord for the care of their souls.

While doing good

Don’t be surprised when hardship comes; don’t think it strange
Don’t be ashamed
Don’t hesitate, instead, to

Commit or Entrust yourself to God’s eternal plan, and

Faithful creator = sovereign; no suffering happens that he doesn’t allow
Faithful to his people no matter what
“The word for commit (19) is used for making a deposit. The Hellenistic world lacked our modern banking system. Someone undertaking a journey might deposit his or her funds with a neighbour while away. Naturally, the neighbour's integrity would be a concern! God's grace appears in his entrusting the gospel to us; how much more readily may we commit our souls to the faithful keeping of our Creator (19)!

Continue to do good along the narrow way

This shows that we’re entrusting our lives to him in the midst of suffering and persecution
“Press-on” were words of Paul that Barnie would say often in his latter years. Barnie—son of encouragement—knew how to encourage discouraged believers.

Conclusion

When we entrust ourselves to the Lord, we find ourselves resting in him. This frees us up to do good as we head to the end.

Pray

Q. What do I want them to know?

A. How live rejoice in their trials and suffering.

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A. Because it will encourage them to press-on towards joy when they suffer instead of fall into despair.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A. Live with the end in mind by continuing to do good as you commit yourself to your faithful creator.

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A. Because this leads to joy and glory and changed lives

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A. By

Committing yourself to your faithful Creator.
Continue to do good until you go home.

NOTES

Richard Wurmbrand story.

“Two present-day examples ought to encourage us in this direction. The death of Richard Wurmbrand in 2001 didn't attract a huge amount of attention, but back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, he was one of the better-known dissidents in the Communist bloc. And unusually for a dissident at that time, he was no intellectual but an evangelical minister in Romania who was suffering for the gospel. He described the joy he possessed amid persecution. He had been confined in solitary confinement. He had been beaten and bore many scars.

Yet he said that in it all there were times when he was overcome with joy. In fact, he writes that he would actually stand up in his weakened state and dance around his cell as if the angels were dancing with him.

That is Beatitude-like rejoicing! That is the proper stance that every Christian ought to have in the day of trial. We ought to be known for dancing—as if all the host of Heaven are joining in.

Helen Roseveare was a Christian British medical doctor who served more than twenty years in Zaire, Africa. In 1964 a revolution overwhelmed the country. She and her coworkers were thrown into five and a half months of unbelievable brutality and torture. For a moment she thought that God had forsaken her, but then she was overwhelmed with a sense of his presence, and she records that it was as if God was saying to her:

Twenty years ago you asked me for the privilege of being a missionary, the privilege of being identified with me. This is it. Don't you want it? This is what it means: These are not your sufferings, they are mine. All I ask of you is the loan of your body.

What an encouraging model for us all. Are you feeling forsaken? Peter wants you to see that just behind the curtain, if you could pull back the veil, is the presence of the God of glory and his Spirit resting upon you. So don't be surprised, don't think it strange, and don't be ashamed.” -Helms, p. 151

Why do bad things (suffering) happen to good people?

First of all, who’s really good?

Jesus says no one is good.

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.” Mark 10:17

Paul says no one is good.

As it is written, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” Romans 3:10-12 NIV quoting parts of Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccle. 7:20

No one is good in God’s eyes until he’s justified them (declared righteous) empowering them to do good.

What good people?

If we mean people who do good things and maybe don’t murder or cheat on their spouse (low bar), then the answer is likely they are not being perfect as their father in heaven is perfect. Suffering comes because

We have to deal with the consequences of our actions and sins
We live in a broken world so we are impacted by the consequences of original sin
We have to deal with the consequences of other people’s sins

If we mean people who love God and love people, by grace through faith, then Peter answers this question in 1 Peter.

We have to deal with the consequences of original sin. Hurricanes hit all people
We live in a broken world so we are impacted by the consequences of original sin
We have to deal with the consequences of other people’s sins
To test our faith to see if it’s genuine
To give us the opportunity to persevere by grace through faith and become mature and complete not lacking anything (James 1:2-4)
To purify our faith (like discipline) so that we’re better equipped to be holy and not sin

To cleanse and purify the spiritual believer
To chasten and punish the carnal believer
To convict and punch the non-believer so as to save them from eternal punishment

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process:

Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story

What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?

Who am I going to tell about this?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

OUTLINES

NIV Study Bible brief outline

After the opening (1:1-2), the letter has three main sections:

1: Peter first tells his readers to be holy in all you do. As Gentiles they once lived in ignorance (they did not know the ways of God). But they are now a holy nation, part of God's own people, and are called to a new way of life.

2: Peter then explains how this way of life will impress those who might accuse and persecute them without just cause.

3: Peter acknowledges that his readers are suffering for their faith, but he explains that this is only to be expected. The Messiah himself suffered, and believers all over the world are facing the same challenge. The followers of Jesus are waiting for the day God will visit them, and even in their suffering they can show they belong to God.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®

P Schreiner Commentary

“Their ultimate enemy, that roaring lion, stands ready to devour them, but they have the conquering, suffering Shepherd at their side.” - P Schreiner

0. Elect exiles (1:1-2)

Hope as Exiles - The church has hope amidst trials because of their new future and new family. (1-2)

New future - Their new birth grants them an inheritance that can never be taken away. (1:3-12)
New family (and new calling) - Their new birth grants them the rights and responsibilities of God’s people. (1:13-2:10)

Exile Identity - In the midst of the world, they are to live as chosen exiles. (2-4)

Submit - They are to submit to authority figures because this is how Christ acted. (2:11-3:7)
Suffer well - Like Christ, they are to suffer for good because suffering leads to life. (3:8-4:11)

Stand Firm - To keep their exile identity, they must stand firm to the end. (4-5)

Suffer joyfully - They are to entrust themselves to God while doing good. (4:12-4:19)
Resist the devil - The elders should shepherd the people, recognizing the danger they are in. (5:1-11)

In Babylon (5:12-24)

Relying on Willmington’s Outline Bible

1 Peter 4 - Peter writes about suffering

I. The purpose of suffering (4:1-11, 15, 17-18)

A. To cleanse and purify the spiritual believer

B. To chasten and punish the carnal believer

II. The privilege of suffering (4:12-14, 16)

A. It is to be expected (4:12): All believers will be allowed to suffer

This is God disciplining his children i.e. refining them by fire
Illustration: “Go sit on the bed” - how we’d begin a conversation about something our girls needed to be disciplined over.

B. It is to be esteemed (4:13-14, 16):

To suffer for Christ means to share his past grief
To suffer for Christ means to share his future glory

III. The patience in suffering (4:19)

A. We are to commit ourselves to God. (4:19b)

B. We are to continue to do good. (4:19a)

1 Pet 4:17-18 This refers not to final judgment but to God's refining discipline (Heb 12:7). God often allows believers to sin and then experience the consequences.

He does this for several reasons: (1) to show us our potential for sinning, (2) to encourage us to turn from sin and more constantly depend on him, (3) to prepare us to face other, even stronger temptations in the future, and (4) to help us stay faithful and keep on trusting him. If believers need earthly discipline (judgment) from God, how much more will unbelievers receive it? If the righteous are barely saved (only because of God's mercy), what chance have those who reject Christ?

1 Pet 4:19 Everywhere the Bible counsels that we trust God—in good times and bad, during sunny skies and thunderclouds, when we have a pocket full of change and a pocket full of sawdust. How does trust work? (1) Trust overcomes fear. Genuine trust in God says, "Whatever mess I'm in, my heavenly Father will lead me." (2) Trust overcomes depression. No matter how overwhelming the situation or how low it makes you feel, God can draw you back to the light.

(3) Trust overcomes hate. When careless or cruel people hurt you, sometimes irreparably, you can hate forever or you can trust God, but you can't do both. God is there to steady even the worst situation —always with a promise, always with hope. Commit your life to him for safekeeping. Rely on him when you face your worst circumstances.

-Chronological life application, study Bible notes

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“1 - 2 Peter and Jude,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

“1 & 2 Peter ” by RC Sproul

“1 & 2 Peter and Jude” by Thomas Schreiner

“The Message of 1 Peter” by Edmund Clowney

“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)

“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner (VW)

“1 Peter: A living hope in Christ”, Jen Wilkin Bible study

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)