1 Peter 4:12–19; 5:6–11

7^th Sunday of Easter

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¹²Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

No one actually enjoys suffering. But not all suffering is bad. In fact, some is actually good for us. For example, there is the suffering of the Olympic athlete who trains hard for the games. There is the marathon runner who exercises daily just to compete. Another example might be a bee hive and its keeper. Every so often the bee keeper has to go into the hive to remove the honey. In the process he gets stung by the angry bees. However, over time, he develops immunity to the stings and eventually they no longer bother him. The sting actually makes him stronger. Christian suffering, like the suffering of an athlete in training or a bee keeper, also results in good, only more so. For a Christian never suffers alone, but always with Christ. and suffering with Christ is a blessed suffering.

Our problem as humans is that we define good and evil in terms of what we like; what makes us comfortable, what gives us pleasure. But this is not the way God defines things. Often what gives us pleasure or makes us comfortable is not good for us, and on the other hand, suffering and discomfort are often what builds us up and makes us stronger and better people.

Now when we talk about Christian suffering, we are not talking about suffering on account of our own sins. We are not talking about being put in prison for murder or theft. That is not Christian suffering; that is the just retribution and punishment for our own evil doing. But as Christians there is another suffering. It is suffering on account of being a follower of Christ. It is suffering along with Christ and sharing in his own suffering.

The Holy Spirit tells us in our text today that we as believers in Christ can expect to suffer in this life. He tells us in verse 12 of our text "do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon us to test us." Once again, I remind you, that this was penned by the Apostle Peter in the year 64 AD, the very year that the Emperor Nero accused the Christians of burning Rome to the ground and began one of the most notorious waves of persecution against believers in Roman history. Peter and his readers knew what it meant to suffer with Christ. The Holy Spirit, through Peter was giving them this message to encourage and comfort them. He was preparing them for the fiery trials that would come. They would come to test their faith to see if it was genuine. And likewise, the Holy Spirit is telling us today not to be surprised when the fiery trials come to test our faith as well. "It is time for judgment to begin at the household of God," it says in verse 17.

The fact is, being a follower of Jesus Christ is not for wimps or weaklings. There is a price tag attached to discipleship. There is a cross to bear and all who follow Christ will bear their crosses. I'll be real honest with you today. I am not a prophet nor have I had some private revelation from God, but the trends in our society today are obvious. We are quickly moving in a direction toward persecution of the church of Christ. Indeed, such persecutions have already begun and unless something happens that changes the direction in which society is moving, these persecutions will become progressively more severe in the years to come. Even though this prediction is based on socio-politico data, it is entirely consistent with Biblical prophecies.

Gone are the days when we can just come to church and sit comfortably in the pews. Though there are some in the church who expect to receive the crown at the end of their earthly course without a cross. We are comfortable with the way things are and want to keep it that way. We are afraid to take a stand for fear of recrimination or that it will upset the peace and calm we enjoy today. We are afraid our friends will ridicule us or that someone might give us bad publicity. But that is nothing compared to what is coming for the church in this land. Pressure is being put on Christian witness to remain silent about certain sinful behaviors in the name of tolerance. Government persecutions have already begun against churches who wish to remain faithful to God's commandments calling sin, sin. Already bills have come before our state legislature proposing laws that would require churches to allow female and even homosexual pastors. Many employers are putting restrictions on what people can say about Christ in the work place; people have already lost jobs merely for wearing a cross of placing a picture of Jesus in their office. Children have be expelled from schools or disciplined for merely carrying a Bible or saying a prayer before eating lunch. And today, sadly enough, even our own church body and Synod is guilty of firing pastors from their radio ministry in what appears to be an attempt to silence their Scriptural and confessional message.

Others are afraid to do the works of love which God requires of his children for fear of causing a division in the church. Some are willing to compromise the teaching of Scripture for the sake of earthly unity and peace. They put fellowship with other people before fellowship with God. But earthly communion with one another is merely superficial. It is not real unity because it is merely human communion not based on fellowship and communion with Christ. These are simply attempts to avoid the crosses that Jesus tells us to take up daily and carry.

The trials have already begun, and the Scriptures tell us clearly to expect the crosses that must come before we receive the crown. Let's speak clearly; if we are faithful to Christ we will share in the suffering of Christ. Friends, family, government and even false members within the church itself will test the genuineness and endurance of our confession of faith. Some will no doubt fail the test and their weakness of faith will be exposed by such trials. This is what Jesus was talking about when he said, "Some seed will fall on rocky ground and will spring up and endure for awhile, but having no root, when tribulation or persecution arises they will immediately fall away." (Mark 4:17.)

Those who have a solid faith believe the teaching of Christ. He taught his disciples that the world hates those who boldly confess him as savior and live that confession. Jesus said, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you." (John 15:18) True followers of Christ are not willing to compromise any teaching of Scripture for the sake of earthly unity and peace. But for this insistence they will be persecuted and despised.

Looking then at verse 13 in our text it says: "But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." We share in Christ's sufferings, and he suffered in order that we might rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If we are insulted for the name of Christ we will be blessed and the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us. Glory does not come until after humiliation. The crown does not come until after the cross. Jesus suffered the humiliation of becoming one of us and being made sin for us. Jesus suffered hatred, scoffers, and rejection by his own people; even by his own friends and family. Jesus suffered rejection by his own Father in heaven and was left alone on the cross to suffer the pangs of hell and the torments of God's eternal wrath against our sin and rebellion. Jesus suffered the pouring out of his blood and gave himself over unto death in order that we should live eternally. He was humiliated so we could receive glory. He died that we might live.

And in our baptism, we are united with Christ in his sufferings and death. We share in his suffering by virtue of our baptism. We join him on the cross where his body was broken and his blood was poured out in Holy Communion. For by his suffering and death we are healed. By his suffering and death we are forgiven and our sins are wiped away. By his suffering and death we are declared righteous and God's verdict on us sinners is "not guilty." By his suffering and death he earned glory and life for us. By his resurrection he declares to every one of you, "Your sins are forgiven."

So today we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, willingly and joyfully accepting our crosses of suffering so that at the proper time he may exalt us. After we have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called us to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish us. In our sufferings and trials we share with Christ. Christ suffered alone, abandoned on the cross by his own Father; but we never suffer alone. When we suffer He suffers with us. He shares our sufferings. He is faithful to his people and will never abandon us or allow trials too great for us to bear. For He has risen from the dead and ascended into heaven and today He reigns over heaven and earth until every foe lies vanquished beneath his feet.

In our suffering we have an advocate in heaven. It is the Lamb who was slain and who now lives who reigns even over our enemies.

It is Christ the world's redeemer who is our trust and hope secure. The armor of his soldiers surrounds us; the army of martyrs wave their palms in triumph and fire us for the fight. Drawn through the realm of darkness, Christ strode to victory and now sits upon the throne, the Lord of earth and sky.

In the fiery trials we rest secure. If God himself be for us, we may a host defy. Christ is our friend from above and no foe or disaster can drive us from his love. Jesus and his blood are our sure salvation. He canceled our offenses, delivered us from death, and cleanses our soul from sin. In him we can be cheerful and courageous, fearing neither man nor the judgment of God. He shields us with his grace and though Satan roars and seeks whom he may devour, and heaps a thousand plagues and crosses upon our head, we cleave to Christ alone. No danger, thirst, or hunger, no pain or poverty, not even the anger of an earthly tyrant shall ever vanquish us.

For Christ, our sure foundation, shouts, "Fear not! I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God and will still give you aid. I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand."

So, my friend, when trials besiege us, be strong in the Lord. Gird yourself with integrity to impart the truth of his Word. Stand firm and go forth for God with his good news of grace. No foe shall disarm you nor arrow harm you. Sing to Jesus, Alleluia! He has redeemed us by his blood out of every nation. His the scepter. His the throne. His the triumph and victory won.

Amen.