Lesson 13: Hooray for Suffering

1. Lesson 13: Hooray for Suffering! Hi everyone, my name is Jason and tonight we will be continuing in our study of the Book of 1 Peter where we will be learning why we should rejoice in our suffering. But before we begin, let us pray... Hi everyone, my name is Jason and tonight we will be continuing in our study of the Book of 1 Peter where we will be learning why we should rejoice in our suffering. But before we begin, let us pray...

2. Introduction The 21st Century Good Samaritan: WWJD What Would John Do next time he is called to do the right thing? Let's beging the lesson with a story of The 21st Century Good Samaritan: In December of 2004, in the town of Normal Illinois, John Weaver, owner of a small construction company, received a call from the fire department to help rescue a construction worker who had been trapped by collapsing concrete slabs. John immediately dispatched two mobile cranes to assist in the rescue for free. He simply wanted to do the right thing. A few weeks later, John was surprised when he was served with a lawsuit on behalf of the victim's family. To his horror, John found no support from the town's attorney nor from his own insurance company who immediately jacked up his premiums 800% in response to the lawsuit. Currently, John finds himself hip deep in legal costs and is struggling to keep his small business afloat. You've heard this question many times before in the church, WWJD: What Would John Do next time he is called to do the right thing? (Ask around). Common sense, as well as the advice of any astute lawyer, would tell us that John should just say, "No" the next time the town fire department asks him to help rescue someone. But is this how the Apostle Peter would answer WWJD? Let's flip the slide and find out.Let's beging the lesson with a story of The 21st Century Good Samaritan: In December of 2004, in the town of Normal Illinois, John Weaver, owner of a small construction company, received a call from the fire department to help rescue a construction worker who had been trapped by collapsing concrete slabs. John immediately dispatched two mobile cranes to assist in the rescue for free. He simply wanted to do the right thing. A few weeks later, John was surprised when he was served with a lawsuit on behalf of the victim's family. To his horror, John found no support from the town's attorney nor from his own insurance company who immediately jacked up his premiums 800% in response to the lawsuit. Currently, John finds himself hip deep in legal costs and is struggling to keep his small business afloat. You've heard this question many times before in the church, WWJD: What Would John Do next time he is called to do the right thing? (Ask around). Common sense, as well as the advice of any astute lawyer, would tell us that John should just say, "No" the next time the town fire department asks him to help rescue someone. But is this how the Apostle Peter would answer WWJD? Let's flip the slide and find out.

3. Scripture Reading Tonight's lesson is titled, "Hooray for Suffering!" As silly as it sounds, it is an appropriate title because Peter will tell us to rejoice and praise God for the suffering we receive. Can I have a volunteer read the scripture verses for tonight? (pick someone).Tonight's lesson is titled, "Hooray for Suffering!" As silly as it sounds, it is an appropriate title because Peter will tell us to rejoice and praise God for the suffering we receive. Can I have a volunteer read the scripture verses for tonight? (pick someone).

6. (thank the reader)(thank the reader)

7. The Privileges of Suffering A second title for tonight's lesson could be, "The Privileges of Suffering". This is another title which should strike you as odd, but in the slides that we just read, 3 privileges were given by the apostle, and I will point them out to you as we come across them.A second title for tonight's lesson could be, "The Privileges of Suffering". This is another title which should strike you as odd, but in the slides that we just read, 3 privileges were given by the apostle, and I will point them out to you as we come across them.

8. The Privileges of Suffering ��� 12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. Painful trial Pyrosis~burning process to refine metal Burning by Nero Don't be surprised John 15:18~If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. (read verses) "Painful trial" is just one word in the Greek: Pyrosis~, where we get the word "pyro"; meaning a burning process to refine metal. The choice of the word pyrosis was intentional by Peter as he was probably referring to the Burning of Christians by Emperor Nero. Around the time that 1 Peter was written, a fire swept through Rome and left 70% of the city in smoking ruins. To quell rumors that it was Nero himself was responsible for the fire, the Empower blamed Christians for the blaze. Thus began the Great Persecution of Christians throughout the Roman Empire. Believers in Peter's audience were shocked and surprised that they suffered in this way. But the apostle warned them: Don't be surprised when suffering comes your way. And we shouldn't be surprised either. Jesus himself said in John 15:18~If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. I'm not trying to be a fatalist here, but remember that if you choose to follow Christ, you make yourself an enemy of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and they will come after you for your faith. Since you can't predict or change the arrival of suffering, the only thing you can change is your response to it. Peter says not to react badly...(read verses) "Painful trial" is just one word in the Greek: Pyrosis~, where we get the word "pyro"; meaning a burning process to refine metal. The choice of the word pyrosis was intentional by Peter as he was probably referring to the Burning of Christians by Emperor Nero. Around the time that 1 Peter was written, a fire swept through Rome and left 70% of the city in smoking ruins. To quell rumors that it was Nero himself was responsible for the fire, the Empower blamed Christians for the blaze. Thus began the Great Persecution of Christians throughout the Roman Empire. Believers in Peter's audience were shocked and surprised that they suffered in this way. But the apostle warned them: Don't be surprised when suffering comes your way. And we shouldn't be surprised either. Jesus himself said in John 15:18~If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. I'm not trying to be a fatalist here, but remember that if you choose to follow Christ, you make yourself an enemy of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and they will come after you for your faith. Since you can't predict or change the arrival of suffering, the only thing you can change is your response to it. Peter says not to react badly...

9. The Privileges of Suffering ��� 12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. Rejoice Chariro~To keep on being glad Participate Koinoneo~To be made partner in 1st Privilege of Suffering Future rewards (read verses) The word Rejoice comes from Chariro~ It is an ongoing command to keep on being glad. When times are good, it is easy to rejoice. Peter says that when times go bad, we should keep on rejoicing so that we can Participate in the sufferings of Christ. Participate comes from the word Koinoneo~To be made partner in. You see, all believers are handcuffed to Christ. Because Christ was persecuted for doing the right thing, believers can also expect to be persecuted for doing the right thing. But we are to rejoice because just as Jesus was raised from the dead and glorified and we too will be raised and glorified because we are handcuffed, koinoneo, to him! And this brings us to our first privilege of suffering Future rewards when Christ comes back (read circled text).(read verses) The word Rejoice comes from Chariro~ It is an ongoing command to keep on being glad. When times are good, it is easy to rejoice. Peter says that when times go bad, we should keep on rejoicing so that we can Participate in the sufferings of Christ. Participate comes from the word Koinoneo~To be made partner in. You see, all believers are handcuffed to Christ. Because Christ was persecuted for doing the right thing, believers can also expect to be persecuted for doing the right thing. But we are to rejoice because just as Jesus was raised from the dead and glorified and we too will be raised and glorified because we are handcuffed, koinoneo, to him! And this brings us to our first privilege of suffering Future rewards when Christ comes back (read circled text).

10. The Privileges of Suffering 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. �� 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. Spirit of Glory and God Pneuma~A blast of wind, the Holy Spirit 2nd Privilege of Suffering Proof of salvation (read verses) The Spirit of Glory and God comes from the Greek word Pneuma~where we get the word, pneumatic, meaning A blast of wind, this is talking about the Holy Spirit, which is living inside each believer. Here we see the 2nd Privilege of Suffering Proof of salvation (read circled text). Just to be clear, Peter takes time to inject a "Legal Disclaimer" to differentiate between valid suffering and just plain stupid suffering(read verses) The Spirit of Glory and God comes from the Greek word Pneuma~where we get the word, pneumatic, meaning A blast of wind, this is talking about the Holy Spirit, which is living inside each believer. Here we see the 2nd Privilege of Suffering Proof of salvation (read circled text). Just to be clear, Peter takes time to inject a "Legal Disclaimer" to differentiate between valid suffering and just plain stupid suffering

11. The Privileges of Suffering 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. �� 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. Peter is not talking about suffering due to Civil disobedience Personal sin (read verses) Peter is not talking about suffering due to Civil disobedience Personal sin (read verses) Peter is not talking about suffering due to Civil disobedience Personal sin

12. The Privileges of Suffering 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? Ashamed Aischuno~To be disgraced because of disfigurement Time Kairos: In season 3rd Privilege of Suffering: Suffering is temporary for believers But it is eternal for the unsaved. (read verse) The word Ashamed comes from Aischuno~ which means To be disgraced because of disfigurement. What Peter is saying here is that suffering for your faith will sometimes make you feel humiliated, like you have some sort of physical deformity. But do not be ashamed. For it is Time for judgment to begin with the family of God. Time comes from the word Kairos: meaning "In season" or just the right time. You see, from our point of view, there is no right time to suffer because suffering just plain sucks! But Peter's argument is that all of us must suffer for sin, whether it is from our own sin or collateral damage from other people's sin. But now is the karios, the right time, for judgment to begin with the believer, here on earth, where the suffering will end once our bodies die. But the outcome is not so favorable for the unbeliever who will suffer judgment at the end, when it is too late to be forgiven. This is where our 3rd Privilege of Suffering appears: Suffering is temporary for believers But it is eternal for the unsaved. To hammer the point home, Peter quotes from the Old Testament Book of Psalms...(read verse) The word Ashamed comes from Aischuno~ which means To be disgraced because of disfigurement. What Peter is saying here is that suffering for your faith will sometimes make you feel humiliated, like you have some sort of physical deformity. But do not be ashamed. For it is Time for judgment to begin with the family of God. Time comes from the word Kairos: meaning "In season" or just the right time. You see, from our point of view, there is no right time to suffer because suffering just plain sucks! But Peter's argument is that all of us must suffer for sin, whether it is from our own sin or collateral damage from other people's sin. But now is the karios, the right time, for judgment to begin with the believer, here on earth, where the suffering will end once our bodies die. But the outcome is not so favorable for the unbeliever who will suffer judgment at the end, when it is too late to be forgiven. This is where our 3rd Privilege of Suffering appears: Suffering is temporary for believers But it is eternal for the unsaved. To hammer the point home, Peter quotes from the Old Testament Book of Psalms...

13. The Privileges of Suffering �� 18And, �"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" ��� 19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit them-selves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. Are you going to heaven? The righteous just barely make it into heaven. Everyone else fall short of God's standard. Can you handle the truth? John 14:6~"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Hebrews 11:6~And without faith it is impossible to please God (read verse) This is a hard pill to swallow in our feel-good, I'm OK-You're OK, generation. I heard an interview on Christian talk radio a few months back where someone asked unbelievers, "Are you going to heaven?" The answers were: "Yeah, I'm a good person, I'm nice to everybody, I give to charity, I help people in need..." That's great and all, but that's not enough to get to heaven. Peter's quote spells it out clearly: The righteous, i.e., those who believe and obey Christ, just barely make it into heaven. And if believers are barely qualified, that means Everyone else fall far short of God's standard. You want the truth? Can you handle the truth? Jesus himself said in John 14:6~"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. And again, the writer of Hebrews 11:6 said~And without faith it is impossible to please God. Being a good moral person and helping those in need are nice, but they don't please God in any way if you don't place your faith in Jesus for salvation. Are you going to heaven, my friends? I know I am. Not because I'm qualified in my own merrits, but because I put my faith in the only one who has ever been qualified, and that is Christ Jesus our Lord! Um, this is the part where you all are suppose to shout, "Amen!. Preach it brother. Halleluiah" Let's move on...(read verse) This is a hard pill to swallow in our feel-good, I'm OK-You're OK, generation. I heard an interview on Christian talk radio a few months back where someone asked unbelievers, "Are you going to heaven?" The answers were: "Yeah, I'm a good person, I'm nice to everybody, I give to charity, I help people in need..." That's great and all, but that's not enough to get to heaven. Peter's quote spells it out clearly: The righteous, i.e., those who believe and obey Christ, just barely make it into heaven. And if believers are barely qualified, that means Everyone else fall far short of God's standard. You want the truth? Can you handle the truth? Jesus himself said in John 14:6~"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. And again, the writer of Hebrews 11:6 said~And without faith it is impossible to please God. Being a good moral person and helping those in need are nice, but they don't please God in any way if you don't place your faith in Jesus for salvation. Are you going to heaven, my friends? I know I am. Not because I'm qualified in my own merrits, but because I put my faith in the only one who has ever been qualified, and that is Christ Jesus our Lord! Um, this is the part where you all are suppose to shout, "Amen!. Preach it brother. Halleluiah" Let's move on...

14. The Privileges of Suffering �� 18And, �"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" ��� 19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit them-selves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. Commit Paratithemi~To deposit, invest Faithful Pistos~Trustable in business So everything comes right back to the the question I asked at the beginning. WWJD: What Would John Do the next time he is called to do the right thing? The answer is given here: (read verse) The word, Commit, comes from the Greek word Paratithemi~, which is a financial term, meaning "To deposit, or invest". And so is the word Faithful, or Pistos~which is used to describe someone who is, "Trustable in business". Peter is using "investment terms" make his point, and he distinctly adheres to the , "buy and hold strategy". Those believers who find themselves suffering for doing good need to invest their souls in the trustable God who has never lost a deposit nor given a negative rate of return, but guarantees your future so that you can continue to do good without worry. So everything comes right back to the the question I asked at the beginning. WWJD: What Would John Do the next time he is called to do the right thing? The answer is given here: (read verse) The word, Commit, comes from the Greek word Paratithemi~, which is a financial term, meaning "To deposit, or invest". And so is the word Faithful, or Pistos~which is used to describe someone who is, "Trustable in business". Peter is using "investment terms" make his point, and he distinctly adheres to the , "buy and hold strategy". Those believers who find themselves suffering for doing good need to invest their souls in the trustable God who has never lost a deposit nor given a negative rate of return, but guarantees your future so that you can continue to do good without worry.

15. Application When you are suffering according to God's will: Do not react badly Commit more to God Keep on doing good! Let us bring this to a point of application: When you are suffering according to God's will: Do not react badly: Don't be surprised or ashamed, but rejoice and praise God that you are counted as one of Christ's followers. Commit more to God because He is trustable and has never failed those who invest in Him. Keep on doing good because suffering is temporary for the saved but eternal rewards are eternal. Let us bring this to a point of application: When you are suffering according to God's will: Do not react badly: Don't be surprised or ashamed, but rejoice and praise God that you are counted as one of Christ's followers. Commit more to God because He is trustable and has never failed those who invest in Him. Keep on doing good because suffering is temporary for the saved but eternal rewards are eternal.

16. Lesson 14: Mentorship Good Next Time...Next Time...