Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.
James 1:22
1st Peter Chapter 3 - How to suffer well in a Hostile World
Sunday services on May 8, 2022
How to Suffer well
in a Hostile World
1st Peter 3
CIT: Peter continues teaching and reminding the church to live as exiles and to endure long suffering in light of the Gospel.
CIS: To encourage ROLC to remember the central calling of suffering as a believer and follower of Christ Jesus.
SO: To bring encouragement to the suffering and compassion to those will suffer soon. Also to remind ROLC of the nature of Godly suffering.
MO: Devotional
Intro: Speaking of Motherhood.. How many of you know that motherhood begins in deep suffering. You might be saying how cheeky pastor Sam to be speaking about giving birth, what do you know about it. Want to know the quickest way to offend a
group of mothers? Underestimate and mock the suffering of childbearing. “It’s no big deal” “I have a big belly too!” “I never complain when I am in pain”
These are things not to say! (Unless you want to get smacked!)
What mother in this room would trade all that pain away for holding that sweet little child!
Is the suffering worth it!?
Undoubtably!
Christianity is like that too! We suffer for a little bit, but none of it compares to the reward that awaits. This passage in Peter is all about how to suffer well.
“Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus - a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you.”
——Mother Theresa of Calcutta
T/S: Jesus was called a man of suffering, but now is seated at the right hand of the Glory of God! Church will you suffer along side him? Will this life defeat you or will you be victorious?
1. Suffering with the ones you love
(Sam Read)
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
(Read together)
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
Exp: Great way to start a message especially since I have already offended a bunch of you women. Nevertheless if you think that this passage is about the patriarchy and pushing women down then I am really sorry. Its not! Women are not lesser than men, they may have different roles, and responsibilities, they may have a different heart and different minds, but this message is for men just as much as it is for women.
Notice this situation is spoken to women who are not married to christians! Do you know why? Last week we spoke about how Christianity appealed to slaves and how upwards of 20% of Rome was enslaved. This week we are addressing another underprivileged class in the Roman Empire (The context of this book) Women. Women were not considered equal with a man, they couldn’t testify singularly against a man in court and they were in all essence second class citizens of a society that didn’t value their opinion.
Here Peter gives them advice on how to convince their husbands of what Jesus was doing in their life. Your conduct under pressure, your conduct under suffering, is the greatest test of your faith!
Ill: Pepetua, there is a famous story of a wealthy young woman Named Perpetua, who was born in the roman empire not too long after this book was written. She was a beautiful young woman by all accounts, and came to know Christ through her little brother! She called herself a Christian. For this crime during severe persecution, her own father condemned her to die in the arena. He tried to convince her to renounce her
faith but she wouldn’t budge! (She was condemned to die, along with her brother, and servant, who was pregnant) (We know her story because she kept a diary)
Perpetua was terrified of death, and was already suffering in jail awaiting Certain death. God gave her a vision, a vision of victory over her enemy.
At that moment, she woke up and realized that she wouldn’t be fighting with beasts but with the devil. However, she knew the victory was hers. When the actual day came for her to be martyred, her face shone, and she sang a hymn of triumph. Perpetua was put in the arena with a bull. She was tossed in the air, and her robe tore. When she got up, the bull wouldn’t attack her again, and she left the arena. Perpetua was then brought back to be martyred by the gladiators. She was assigned a young, inexperienced gladiator who wasn’t used to the violence. He stabbed her several times between the ribs, but this did not result in her death. She then guided his wavering hand to her throat. Before she died, she had written these final words in her diary,
“Do not be ashamed by my death. I think it is the greatest honor of my life and thank God for calling me to give my life for His sake and in His cause. He gave the same honor to the holy prophets, His dearly beloved apostles, and His blessed, chosen martyrs. I have no doubt that I am dying for God’s cause — the cause of truth.”
App: How many of you know that just because someone looks weak, and timid and isn’t leading the charge, doesn’t meant that they cannot face down lions! This is how women (and men) of God act, they don’t adorn themselves with fine jewelry or the best clothes, they are not about that life, they instead live (Read it)
but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.
That hidden person of the heart. There is something beautiful and surpassingly wonderful about someone who knows Jesus. By the way to the unmarried don’t think this doesn’t apply to you as well.
God knows your heart, he sees the hidden person. God sees your tears, and knows your thoughts. You are not alone. No one can take that away.
Husbands!
Live likewise, honor your wife, recognize that she may not be as strong as you but you are partners not competitors. She is your love, your helper, and your treasure, love her like you love your own body. Be willing to give your life for her. Lead her, treasure her!
T/s:You are both heirs of grace
2. Be Ready to Suffer and Fight
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, then for doing evil.
Exp: Real honest practical instruction. Have brotherly love, a tender heart. A humble mind. Be a real person. Love Jesus and Love others, don’t make this about being right or winning debates, instead love Jesus and love others.
God knows that hidden person.
Who is that hidden person? Who are you in secret? Who are you in the middle of the night? Who are you when no one is home? God knows your heart, let him be known in your devotional life, get to know Jesus. For reals. Christianity is simple. Be known by Jesus and make him known. Wake up early! Stay up Late! Skip the Tv! Go take a hike a spend some time with Jesus. You will radically change the world if you are willing to let him radically change your heart.
What can anyone say or do? Suffering for doing good?! What is your reputation as a Christian worth?
Ill:
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
The term apologetics comes from this passage in Peter.
Do you know why you believe what you believe? Can your faith stand up to the scrutiny of a world that wishes to attack you?
If God is real how come there is so much evil in this world?
What is true for me isn’t what is true for you? All truth is subjective and relative.
Man is the source of all meaning and purpose. We are all just evolutionary byproducts of primordial ooze. How can you find God in all of this?
Be prepared to make a defense for your faith. Study God’s word don’t be taken in by some honey dripped words by a charlatan preacher, or a fast talking you tuber. Know what ground you stand on.
App: How!? With gentleness and respect. We are not opponents of people who are in bondage or are deceived. (I did this)
We are called to do all of this with gentleness and respect. Be respectful of peoples backgrounds and histories. Be slow to speak, don’t start a bunch of arguments, be someone who is confident in their beliefs but doesn’t need to show off how much knowledge they have.
T/S: Suffering for your story is incredible, suffering for the sake of Christ is Holy! 3. The results of suffering
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Exp: Jesus put three nails into suffering forever, there will be a day when we will no longer suffer.
One day he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
He will wipe away disease, He will wipe away abuse, he will wipe away tragedy. One Day Christ will right every wrong.
Peter makes an odd allusion in verse 19-20. Talking about preaching to spirits in prison. Some have taken this to mean some sort of limbo or spirit prison. Any bible commentator or teacher worth his or her salt will tell you 2 things.
1. Don’t take an unclear passage and superimpose it over a very clear passage. 2. Don’t take one verse out of context and fit doctrine around it.
Classical interpretations are that Jesus proclaimed his victory over death to those who are in hell awaiting final judgment. It has also been alluded to this being the victory of those who were saints in the times of Noah, that they now see Christ and his resurrection as their final deliverance.
In any event we see the clear implication of this passage as this:
Jesus has final victory
He has the final word over you
Your family
Your life
I can suffer because I know that the day of deliverance is coming. I can suffer because I know that everything has purpose and meaning because my eyes are fixed on Jesus. Like a mother I can suffer because I know that in the end it is worth it.
(Kids special)
