06-12-11 PM - Seven Perspectives of Persecution

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1 Peter 4:12-19
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

1. DON’T THINK IT STRANGE Vs. 12

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened (walk together) unto you:

The world cannot begin to comprehend the life of denial, self-discipline, and the call to purity and righteousness.

There were five slanders against the early church.
1. That they were cannibals because of the language that was used at the Lord’s table.
2. They were charged with breaking up homes and family relationships.
3. They were charged with heresy
- because they refused to put tradition before God.
– and they were charged with heresy because they refused to put Caesar and the worship of other gods first.
4. They were charged with lust and immorality because they celebrated the love feast and were known to be very close to each other. The public perverted this closeness and twisted it to be immoral.
5. They were charged with insurrection and being traitors.

2. REJOICE IN PERSECUTION Vs.13
1. When we suffer we are sharing in Christ’s suffering. Acts 5:41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
2. Along with our suffering comes great reward when Christ returns in glory.

Rom. 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
3. GOD’S GLORY REST ON YOU Vs. 14
Col. 1:24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

4. DON’T BRING IT ON YOURSELF Vs. 15
1 Tim. 1:9-10 We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers--and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine

5. DON’T BE ASHAMED Vs. 16
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

6. ACCEPT IT AS PURIFING JUDGEMENT Vs. 17-18
Luke 3:17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

7. COMMIT TO DOING GOOD Vs. 19
The word “commit” means to deposit or entrust into the hands of a trusted banker or friend
2 Tim 1:12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.