Suffering-What Do We Need to Know? -What Do We Need to Do?

I invite you to take your Bibles and turn with me to First Peter.

First Peter chapter 1, taking a short break from our series in

1 Peter 1 · chapter mention

Isaiah. Lord willing, we will be back in

Isaiah next Sunday. Today we're looking at First

1 Peter 1 · chapter mention

Peter chapter 1. We're going to focus in on

verses 6 through 9, but to give us a little bit more of the

context of what Peter is saying here, I'm going to begin reading

in verse three of First Peter chapter 1.

1 Peter 1 · chapter mention

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

According to His great mercy. He has caused us to be born

again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ

from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled,

and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are

being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed

in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now

for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved

by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your

faith, more precious than gold that perishes, though it is

tested by fire, may be found to result in the praise and glory

and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.

Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice

with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining

the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Let's pray together. Father, as we pray so often, we

ask for You to be at work in these moments as we read Your

Word, as we meditate upon it through the Holy Spirit, open

our eyes, open our hearts to receive it and to understand it.

And we would ask boldly, Father, that You would actually change

us because of what Your Word says.

Do this. We ask because we ask it in

Jesus name, Amen. A number of years ago, someone

mentioned to me and shared with me about a documentary they had

watched about D-Day in World War Two.

I've looked for the documentary, I haven't been able to find it

anywhere, but as this person described it, it was an

interview of a number of soldiers that were involved in

the D-Day events, looking at all of their different perspectives

around the same events that were taking place.

Many different perspectives, many different angles of

thinking and seeing. At one point in the documentary,

two men are interviewed back-to-back with different

perspectives about the exact same events.

The first man was involved as a foot soldier who arrived by

boat, pushing back the the German army and coming on to the

beach and looking around and and seeing men being killed left and

right by the German gunfire. Horrific carnage and death.

And he said to himself that he remembered that he thought

there's no way we're going to win this beach.

The man right after that he was interviewed was an American

pilot who was flying a bomber over the same beach at the same

time, watching the events from a vantage point in the sky.

He said he watched the events unfolding on the beach and he

saw line after line after line of the American troops coming

and coming and coming. And he said he realized there

was no way they weren't going to take that beach.

Both men saw the exact same events, but with completely

different perspectives. One on the ground with the

events happening all around him. In the midst of battle, he could

only see what was right in front of him.

That's the whole picture of truth that he had at that

moment. The other man in the plane,

thousands of feet above, could see the battle.

In the big picture, he could see what the man on the beach

couldn't see. He could see more of the whole

story and so he had a different and more accurate perspective.

When we go through difficult things, when when we go through

suffering, when we go through trials and afflictions, it helps

immensely for us to have the right perspective, an

understanding of the big picture.

If if we're only in the moment and only able to see what is

right in front of us, then it easy.

It is easy for us to become discouraged and distressed,

doubtful and even devastated. But if we're able to see the

bigger picture from a higher vantage point, we realize the

difficulty that we experience is not the final story.

That's what Peter is doing here. In these first verses of his

letter. He's writing to people who are

experiencing an extreme suffering, grief, being

persecuted, and wondering if they would survive.

Some of you may know that verses 3 through 12 is just one long

sentence in the Greek. Peter's attempting to give them

the right perspective, the big picture, to help them to see

what actually is happening. In verses 3 through 5 that we

read, he goes at length to tell them about the accomplished and

the secured glorious inheritance they have because of their faith

in the Lord Jesus Christ. And then at the beginning of

verse 6, he tells them that they are to rejoice in this great

truth about the inheritance that is theirs, even though they may

face suffering, even though he says you are grieved by various

trials, you are, you are pained, you are saddened, you are, you

are suffering unjustly, even through temptation.

There's a sense in which we should still rejoice.

How could Peter say this? How are we supposed to be joyful

and rejoice in the midst of affliction and trials and

suffering? Peter says it again in chapter 2

and verse 19. He talks about enduring sorrow

and suffering unjustly as a gracious thing.

Paul said similar things in Colossians chapter 1.

Colossians 1 · chapter mention

Paul said he rejoices in sufferings for the sake of the

Colossians. Romans chapter 5.

Romans 5 · chapter mention

He says we rejoice in hope of glory of God and we rejoice in

our sufferings. Second Timothy 1.

Paul says that we should aspire to share in suffering for the

sake of the gospel. Second Timothy chapter 2.

2 Timothy 2 · chapter mention

He says we should share in suffering as a good soldier of

Jesus. James said something similar as

well in James chapter one. We should count it all joy when

we have trials of various kinds. Solomon in his wisdom sorrow is

better than laughter because a sad face is good for the heart.

What about Jesus? Matthew chapter 5.

Matthew 5 · chapter mention

We are blessed when persecuted for Jesus sake we should rejoice

and be glad. How possibly can we endure

suffering, let alone welcome it and rejoice in it?

Buddhists, Eastern religions say suffering is an illusion.

Western people secularist saying suffering is a curse and it

should be avoided at all costs. Christianity has a different

perspective. We have to get the right

perspective on affliction and suffering in trials, the

biblical perspective. So what is that perspective?

What do we need to know and what do we need to do?

Let's look at those two things. What do we need to know and what

do we need to do? As we look at these verses now,

before we dive in and and look at what Peter is saying, in

order to get the full impact of what he's saying, we need to

remind ourselves who he's writing to.

These people are suffering significantly and they're not

suffering because they're only able to buy a $10,000 car as

opposed to a $25,000 car. They're not suffering because

they got a flat tire on the Interstate.

They're not suffering because they've got three tests in one

week at school. They're not suffering because

they got a new health diagnosis. Now, I'm not diminishing our

suffering, our afflictions, our trials.

Those are real things. We have significant trials and

afflictions and suffering as well.

But we have to remember that the people that Peter was writing

to, they are suffering and being persecuted because of their

faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They are suffering because they

trust and love Jesus. They are facing persecution for

their faith. They are facing exile and they

are facing death. That's who he's writing to.

And what does he say that they need to know several things.

The first is this suffering is temporary.

Verse 6, he says, though now for a little while you'll be grieved

by trials and suffering for a little while, it's temporary.

Now it's not necessarily meaning that the suffering will only

last for a short period of time. It does mean that it's

temporary. Several times in these verses,

Peter references eternity and eternal life.

He he did it earlier in the first verses.

He did it in verses 4-5 and nine as well.

And what he's telling us is compared to eternity, compared

to eternal life, our suffering in this life is temporary.

Paul said that as well in Romans chapter 8.

Romans 8 · chapter mention

He said, I consider that the sufferings of this present time

are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to

us. He said something similar in

Second Corinthians chapter 4. He said, for this light

2 Corinthians 4 · chapter mention

momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal

weight of glory beyond all comparison.

We are to view our sufferings and our afflictions and our

trials in the light of eternity. They are temporary, they are

momentary, and they help us to endure and persevere through

them. Paul says nothing that we endure

now all of these things that are temporary, nothing can compare

to what's coming for us. Our suffering is temporary.

But he also says our suffering is necessary.

See that in verse 6 again, he says if necessary, it's the

little Greek word day and and it literally means it is necessary.

Now, the way that our English translation reads, it sounds

like Peter is saying maybe it'll be necessary, maybe it won't be

necessary. But that's actually not the

sense of the Greek construct. The sense here is more of a as

it is necessary, more of a factual reality.

Now that Peter doesn't elaborate here.

He doesn't go into why we suffer or who it is that that is in

charge. But he doesn't need to elaborate

in this specific verse if we just look at what he's already

said in the letter. Verse 2, he speaks about the

work of the Trinity. Verse three, he says God causes

new life and living hope. Verse 4, God is the one who

keeps our inheritance in heaven for us.

Verse 5, God guards and prepares us for our inheritance and

salvation. So who it is that he's talking

about that's at work in verse 6, it is God.

God is the one who is in control of all things, and he's even in

control of our trials and our suffering.

Now we have to be careful. God is not the author of sin.

God is not the author of evil, but in his sovereign and good

Providence He does ordain and oversee the trials and

afflictions and suffering in our life.

We see this truth in other places in Peter as well.

First Peter chapter 4 verse 19. He says therefore let those who

1 Peter 4:19

suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a

faithful Creator while doing good.

First Peter 2 verses 20 and 21. But if when you do good and

1 Peter 2:20

suffer for it, you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight

of God. For to this you have been

called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an

example so that you might follow in his steps.

We see at other places in the Bible as well.

Job chapter 1. Satan has to go to God to get

Job 1 · chapter mention

permission to deal with Job. Genesis chapter 50 Joseph going

Genesis 50 · chapter mention

through incredible suffering from his brothers, tells his

brothers you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.

Jesus himself in John Chapter 9, addressing the man that was born

John 9 · chapter mention

blind, his disciples asked who sinned, this man or his parents?

And Jesus answers, it was not that this man sinned or his

parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Now some might argue that this makes God sound harsh.

It makes God sound mean. How can we embrace a God who is

in control of afflictions and trials and sufferings in our

life? But don't we want a God who is

sovereign even over our suffering and trials?

Isn't that a comfort to us? Our trials, our afflictions, our

suffering? It is not arbitrary.

It is not because of fate, it is not a result of some impersonal

force or chance. It is God Almighty, the

sovereign who is in control. RC Sproul said this.

When we say God is not involved in any way in our suffering and

affliction, we of all people are most to be pitied.

The comfort that we received from the Word of God is that God

is involved with our suffering even to the extent He ordains

them. But the purpose of that

ordination is always good and righteous.

Enduring suffering with even a measure of joy comes not just

from knowing that God is in control, but it is as we know

that He is in control and that He has a good and righteous

purpose for it, which is the next thing.

Peter tells us that our suffering has a purpose.

You can see it in verses 7 and 9.

He says so that the tested genuineness of our faith, more

precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by

fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at

the revelation of Jesus Christ, obtaining the outcome of your

faith, the salvation of your souls.

The Lord uses trials and suffering and afflictions and

difficulties to test and to refine and to shape our faith,

to burn away our impurities, to help our faith to be even more

genuine, more precious than purified gold that results in

the praise and the honor and the glory for God and results in US

obtaining the salvation of our souls, our suffering as a

purpose. David Brooks gave a lecture at a

place called The Gathering in October of 2014.

Brooks is an American political and cultural commentator, a

journalist for a number of publications and organizations.

And the speech that he gave and that on that occasion was how to

be religious in the public square and more specifically

about what the culture needs to hear from Christians.

He spoke about the need for Christians to demonstrate love.

But then he also talked about how Christians need to view and

deal with suffering. He said this when people think

about their future, they're often thinking about happiness.

What can I do that will make me happy?

But when you look in the past and think about things that

formed you, it's really the happy moments.

It's more often the moments of suffering.

So we shoot for happiness, but were formed by suffering.

Now, it should be said that there's nothing intrinsically

noble about suffering. If it's not connected to any

larger transcendent purpose, it's just dehumanizes people and

shrinks them. But if it's connected to some

greater design, people are clearly ennobled by it.

Brooks is right here. He's saying what Peter said.

He's saying what we read in other places in the scriptures,

in James chapter 1. Count it all joy, my brothers,

James 1 · chapter mention

when you meet trials of various kinds.

For you know that the testing of your faith produces

steadfastness, and let steadfastness have its full

effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in

nothing. Romans chapter 5, Paul says not

Romans 5 · chapter mention

only that, but we rejoice in our suffering sufferings, knowing

that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces

character, and character produces hope, and hope does not

put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our

hearts. Referenced earlier Second

2 Corinthians 4 · chapter mention

Corinthians chapter 4. Our afflictions are suffering

prepares us for an eternal weight of glory beyond

comparison, right? This is the biblical

perspective. This is the right perspective.

Our suffering, our afflictions, our trials, they have a purpose.

God is in control. He is at work through our

suffering and affliction, preparing us for an eternal

weight of glory, strengthening our faith and making our faith

even more genuine and pure, creating in a steadfastness and

maturity and endurance and character and hope as He refines

us. When we face suffering and

afflictions and trials, it is evidence that God is at work in

our lives. These are all important things

to know, to have the right perspective, the biblical

perspective about our suffering. Suffering is temporary,

suffering is necessary. It's Our Calling, suffering as a

purpose. But the most important thing for

us to know is that our suffering is modelled for us.

God Himself understands suffering in ways far beyond

what we know. First Peter chapter 2, verse 21.

1 Peter 2:21

For to this you have been called, because Christ also

suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you might follow

in his steps. Hebrews chapter 12 verse two

Hebrews 12 · chapter mention

look to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for

the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the

shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The right perspective on our suffering is to know not only

that God is in control and He uses our trials and affected

afflictions for His purposes and good purposes, but that He has

experienced it Himself. Jesus suffered for us.

Jesus endured suffering for the sake of the joy that was set

before him. And what is that joy?

It is the joy of redeeming his people, you and me.

The God of the Bible is the only God who actually suffers in the

person of Jesus. He went through trials and

temptations. He received wounds and

afflictions far greater than anything that we will or could

ever experience. And the Father poured out the

wrath and the judgment of God on the Son, and Jesus the Son

endured it in order to secure our our salvation.

So when we go through afflictions, when we go through

trials and suffering, we can truly trust that God loves us

and hasn't forsaken us. He is at work in those things

for our good, and He will give us strength to endure them.

Elizabeth Elliott in her book A Path Through Suffering,

concludes the book this way. We bow in gratitude for Jesus's

willingness to take the cup the Father gave him, a cup so

immensely more bitter than the 1 He gives us ever.

Shall we refuse the cup he gives us, or shall we grasp it with

both hands, as it were, realizing it holds just what is

most needful for our spiritual wholeness.

Ours has been sweetened at the lip of sweet Jesus.

We drink it by trustful acceptance, and God transforms

it for His glory. Thus, our very suffering may

become the substance of sacrifice, a love offering to

God and a sacrifice of praise. When we understand this

perspective, that the biblical perspective of God's suffering

for us, it moves us beyond just what we need to know to be doing

what we're supposed to be doing. So what do we need to do?

Now, this may sound simplistic. That would challenge us not to

dismiss it. We need to love and trust Jesus.

We need to be patient, and we need to suffer together.

First of all, we need to love and trust Jesus.

That's what Peter says right here in the middle of all of

these words about our suffering, our afflictions, what God is

doing right in verse 8. Though you have not seen Him,

you love Him. Though you do not now see Him,

you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible

and filled with glory. Peter's point to his readers is

you haven't seen Jesus and you don't see Him now, but you love

Him and you trust him. Because you've experienced

Jesus's love for you, that he considers you his joy, you know

that you can trust Him, that no matter what suffering you are

called to go through, even if you are called to make the

ultimate sacrifice and give your life, you can go through those

trials and troubles and suffering and affliction without

doubting God's care and love for you, without giving in to

despair, without utterly being devastated.

You can even have a measure of joy.

Not a worldly joy, not not a joy that is giddy and sentimental

and shallow and fake, but a deep, soul satisfying,

inexpressible, enduring joy. A joy that transcends the

circumstances of life, transcends even the suffering

that we are called to go through.

Why? Because even though you haven't

seen Jesus and you don't see him, now you love Him and trust

Him because you know what He has gone through, what He has

endured for you, what He has suffered for you.

It shows you how much He loves and cares you, how much He is

worthy of your love and trust. Secondly, we need to be patient.

That was referenced earlier in our confession of faith.

It's also what James chapter 5 says.

James 5 · chapter mention

Be patient. Therefore, brothers, until the

coming of the Lord, be patient as an example of suffering and

patience. Brothers, take the prophets who

spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those

blessed who remain steadfast. You have heard of the

steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the

Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

If anyone among you is suffering, let him pray.

In the midst of suffering and trials, trials we are called,

called to be patient and not be anxious.

If we know that God is at work in the midst of our suffering,

we can be patient for His work to be worked out in our lives.

If we know that the Lord loves us to such an extent that Jesus

would go to the cross and die for us, we can trust that His

work in our lives is good. As we meditate on that truth, as

we remind ourselves of that truth, it helps us to be patient

in the midst of our afflictions. And James said we should also

pray to talk with the Lord about how we're feeling, what we're

experiencing, to ask Him for relief from our suffering and

trials, and to ask for peace and patience and perseverance if the

relief is not His will. Think of it this way.

If our closest friend was the source of our suffering and

troubles and trials, we would talk to them about it.

It's no different with the Lord. We can talk with the Lord about

it, share how we're feeling, share what we're going through,

praying for His mercy. Thirdly and lastly, we should

suffer together. Hebrews chapter 10 verses 24 and

Hebrews 10:24

25 says, and let us consider how to stir up one another to love

and good works, not neglecting to meet together as is the habit

of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you

see the day drawing near. Now certainly this is a verse

that is an encouragement to not stop meeting together for

corporate worship, but I think it's also an application for

meeting together with other believers for fellowship and

encouragement. Because we are united to Jesus,

we are therefore united to one another.

We are in fellowship with one another.

We are called to help one another, to pray for one

another, to to encourage patients in the midst of

suffering and trials and affliction, to spur one another

on toward faith and trust and love.

Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation.

The Lord created us to be in fellowship with fellow believers

in Christ. And fellowship can be a means of

grace, a means by which the Lord works His grace and strength

into our lives. If we isolate ourselves from the

fellowship that is ours, we cut ourselves off from one of the

helps that the Lord's given us in the midst of our suffering

and affliction and trials. Love and trust Jesus.

Be patient, suffer together. Let's pray together.