Choose to Be a Blessing

1 Peter 3:13-22 

SUBJECT: The Glory Inherent in Christian Suffering

THEME: Christ will turn our suffering and unfairness of today into triumph and glory for eternity because we are called to bless others.

RELEVANCE: being treated unfairly can leave us hurt, confused, disconcerted, and angry. The desire to get back at them…to make them feel the pains we have felt, is incredibly strong! These very real troubled heart feelings…. God addresses to guide our actions.

INTRODUCTION: No doubt Peter is addressing Believers who have already experience some lose because of their faith in Christ. These believers are not suffering because of some mental, emotional, or relational abnormality. They are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ, they are disadvantaged by society because they confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord and not some self-absorbed political leader. This is why they are suffering… (1Pet. 1:10-2:25). There is room to apply this counsel to our own sufferings rooted in a bold testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ in our own time. Many countrymen may not agree…unfortunately many ‘Christians’ will reject this notion in favor of a softer and more traditional view. None of this changes what God vitally said to hurting Believers.

MESSAGE:

BELIEVER’S SUFFERINGS FOR CHRIST’S SAKE WILL RESULT IN REWARDS; OUR SPIRTUAL TRIBULATIONS WILL BECOME TRIUMPHS IN GOD! 1 Peter 3:13-22

  A.  THE SUFFERING BELIEVER’S IS CHARGED TO DEFEND OUR FAITH IN CHRIST, 1 Pet. 3:13-15

           1. We Are Charged to Walk in Faith and Not Fear   vs 13-14

                  (a) It is unlikely that a Christian will suffer for doing good.  The government and the boss will very likely appreciate it. Husbands and fellow believers will appreciate it too.    Vs 13

                  (b) There is the possibility of suffering for righteousness’ sake, this is a blessed condition from God’s perspective.   Vs 14  

Matt 5:11-12, Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12,  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

                  (c) What can I expect as the result of my suffering? 

                              * God could overcome the suffering for His own glory. (Example in the Book of Esther--God delivered the suffering Jews from the wicked Haman and the Jewish Holiday Purim celebrates the great deliverance of God and thus He is glorified).

                              * God could use the suffering to bring blessing to others. (Example of using your testimony of a trial to help someone else through a difficult time).

                              * God could bless the one who suffers for His name’s sake. (Example of mature saints who have suffered much and they have a real deep knowledge of God’s goodness and Faithfulness). Hudson Taylor the great missionary was a powerful Christian who suffered much, and God rewarded him over and over with the blessing of a deepening and healthy fellowship with his Savior.                            

           2. We Are Charged to Defend the Faith    Vs 15

                    (a) We are to Set the Lord Apart in our Hearts. 

This should be to such an extent that He has our entire life.  There is no room for your will anymore, only the will of God.  There is no room anymore in your life for your hang ups, only the plan of God for your life.  All that we do and say should be for his glory and pleasure.

The Lordship of Christ should dominate every area of our lives---our possessions, our occupation, our library, our marriage, our spare time---nothing can be excluded.

                     (b) We are to Readily Defend and Share our Faith and Hope in Jesus Christ.

Vs 15, ‘Answer’ here means a defense for one’s belief. Primarily this deals with the saint under heavy persecution.  They should not cower but boldly defend the faith with reverence to God and respect to one’s persecutors.

Also, we from day to day will have opportunity to witness of God’s goodness in our lives and we are to do it with gentleness ‘meekness’ and with reverence ‘fear”.  There should be no trace of harshness, bitterness or flippancy when we speak of our Lord and Savior.

  B.  THE SUFFERING BELIEVER IS CONSCIENCE OF GOD’S WILL IN THE PURSUIT OF DOING WELL, 1 PET. 3:16-17

           1.  Let Us Maintain a Good Conscience   vs 16

‘Conscience’ means an awareness of God’s presence and will.  When we conduct ourselves in accordance with His will and walk in light of His presence, we maintain a ‘good conscience’. It is the Lord God that we want to please and represent more than any thing else. The question is are our values cultural or eternal?

           2.  Let Our Suffering Be Because of Well Doing   vs 17

Christians who suffer unjustly and keep a clear conscience put to shame those who slander their good behavior in Christ. Once again Peter encouraged his readers with the fact that good behavior is their best defense against unjust punishment and persecution.

3:17. However, Peter pointed out that it may be God’s will (thelēma; cf. 2:15; 4:2, 19) for them to suffer for doing good (cf. 1:6; 2:15; 4:16, 19). This, as he told them earlier, “is commendable before God” (2:20) and so is better than deserved suffering for doing evil (cf. 2:14). First Peter 3:17 is an effective summary of the content of 2:15, 19–20.^[a]

If a Christian must suffer, which might sometimes be God’s will for him, it should be for doing good. But he should not bring suffering on himself for his own misdeeds; there is no virtue in that.^[b]

  C.   THE SUFFERING BELIEVER IS CALLED TO FOLLOW THE HOPE FILLED EXAMPLE OF CHRIST’S TRIUMPH, 1 Pet. 3:18-22

           1.  We Are Called to Follow Christ’s Example, vs 18   

(He suffered unjustly to, but it was for our benefit) “That He might bring use to God”

                *Christ suffered unjustly—we will suffer unjustly too for righteousness sake.

                *Christ suffered for our benefit—"to bring us to God”—we must suffer for others benefit.  This is part of what being a Missionary is all about.  This is part of what serving in a church is all about.  You may have to miss out on a Sunday School class or a Message to serve others. This is what serving in the nursery is all about. But we still do it to follow our Savior’s example and to bring others closer to the Lord.

                *Christ suffered even unto death—We will need to die to self to follow Christ. We must take up our cross daily and follow Him. Some may even sacrifice themselves to protect other Believers.

                *Christ was raised from the dead by the power of the Spirit-- “quickened by the Spirit”.  We today as believers are to walk in the power of a new life and we in this new life are called to bring others to Christ, following our Lord’s example. Just as the Spirit raised Christ, He will empower us to fulfil the will of God.  Let God use our sufferings to bring others to God!

           2. We Are Called to Bare Witness Through Our Sufferings, vs 19-20   

(Christ never forsook His witness and no matter how low we get; we must never forsake our Testimony and Witness)

       * ‘PREACHED UNTO THE SPIRITS IN PRISON’   vs 19

               (a)  The act of Christ between His death and resurrection when He descended into Hell and proclaimed His victory at Calvary to the demonic hordes held in that part of Hell. Jesus made a proclamation of His victory over death to the rebellious angels who had been placed in prison. His proclamation was also a form of judgment on them because of their sin and rebellion. This idea also seems to be supported by <2 Peter 2:4> and <Jude 6>.  (See also Eph.4:8-10)

              (b) Vs 20, Christ also Proclaimed His Victory to the Saints of God from all the Ages and this act vindicated their faith before the unbelievers of all ages. Especially the unbelieving Souls of Noah’s day.   Just as God Vindicated the faith of Noah and His family by saving them through the flood in the safety of the Ark; He will also Vindicate the Faith of the saint who suffers for righteousness sake in our time. Just as Noah and His family experienced deliverance from judgement, and deliverance into a new day and new hope, we will also experience safety from divine judgement and deliverance into a new and glorious day free of suffering, persecution, pain, and rejection.  Delivered into the very presence of God by the Ark of Jesus Christ accompany by everlasting triumph.

THE TRUTH IS NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE ARE MOCKED AND PERSECUTED IN THIS LIFE, NO MATTER HOW STUPID WE MAY LOOK IN THE EYES OF PEOPLE FOR FOLLOWING OUR LORD’S INSTRUCTIONS….  WE WILL BE COMPLETELY VINDICATED FOR OUR FAITH AND OBEDIENCE BEFORE THE FALLEN ANGELS AND BEFORE THE LOST OF ALL GENERATIONS. OUR COMMITMENT AND FAITHFULLNESS WILL PLACE US IN THE VERY PRESENCE OF GOD RADIATING WITH THE GLORY OF CHRIST JESUS! OUR SUFFERING FOR CHRIST’S SAKE IS NOT IN VAIN, IT WILL CLIMAX IN SPLENDID GLORY! THIS IS THE SUM OF SUFFERING FOR CHRIST’S SAKE!

APPLICATION: Child of God, when you are most angry…when you know the situation is not fair…when people treat you wrong for doing right…when you feel justified and encouraged to get even…think instead about the eternal, the final triumph, standing vindicated and blameless in the very presence of Almighty God. Make the conscience choice to take it, accept the unfairness from people, focus on their needs and not necessarily what they say…persist and insist on doing good regardless. Tell God honestly what you are feeling…that is enough for now…He is enough even when life hurts…. Continue to be a witness.

               3.  We Are Called to Completely Identify with Christ’s Triumph, vs 21-22 (Those who suffer with Christ will Reign with Christ)

                    (a) Jesus Christ was Raised to a Justified Life. We Identify (baptism) with this justification when we trusted Him as Savior.  His life counts for our life. His death count for our death. His resurrection counts for our resurrection. We receive credit for having paid our debt to sin and are no longer obligated to sin.  Christ suffering for our sin was a BAPTISM.

Luke 12:50, But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

Mark 10:38, But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

Rom 6:3-4, Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4, Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

                    (b) Vs 21, Jesus Christ fulfilled a purpose in His Sufferings, and we must Identify with this Purpose in our sufferings, which is the answer of a good Conscience towards God.  Conscience is the awareness of God’s will and Presence.  God wants us to submit ourselves in suffering and be a good witness. We understand now what His will is for suffering saints, and we must act accordingly to maintain a good conscience before God.

                     (c) Vs 22, Jesus Christ suffered unfairly, but now He is exalted and glorified. Suffering always leads to Glory. If we suffer with Him or if we more completely Identify (Baptism) with Him, we will be glorified together with Him.  We will reign with him in Victory—Our Tribulation, Suffering and Submission will turn to Triumph, Honor, Dominion and Power!

Rom 8:17-18, 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. 18, For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

CONCLUSION: 

News like this will help us smile through the tears, confusion, and persecutions when life hurts the most! The temptation to settle the score or get even is tremendous, multifaceted, unrelenting, and rooted in a people or cultural sense of identity. Be really careful with ‘door mat’ or ‘good guy’ analogies they are more cultural and are built on humanistic ideas of our value and worth. Our goal is to be of value to God’s character as His witnesses, and to advance His kingdom above all else which has eternal significance. It helps when you are bent on living for eternal importance rather then cultural, political, or religious ideas.

There is no doubt, there will come a day when the Sum of Our Suffering will equal Glory!  Life may be unfair for the moment, and we may have to endure difficulties and hardships for some time. But great will be the reward of the saint who stays true to the Lord. Beloved, this is far more then an oversimplification. I get it…life is complex and messy, but these principles are still applicable to us today.

We must, therefore, conduct ourselves as brothers with compassion and sensitivity one towards others. 

We must seek peace and prayerfulness with each other and all men as much as possible; refusing to resort to an attitude of retaliation and getting even. 

Most of all, we need to look to the example of our Lord Jesus and follow closely in His steps for they lead to glory with Him in the presence of God. Beloved, we are called to be a blessing and not a curse! May we treat others like God treats everyone, including us.

Continue to follow God’s instructions as a suffering saint, He will one day vindicate our faith before this wicked generation just as He did with Noah in his day. You do not need to worry about doing this for yourself at this time in this generation.

When dreams seem to fade in this life, we will still have the hope of the next life with Christ! Therefore, it is glory all the way!

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^[a] Roger M. Raymer, “1 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 850.

^[b] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 2271. 

The Boomerang of Favoritism

1 Samuel 1:4-7

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a literal boomerang is “a bent or angular throwing club typically flat on one side and rounded on the other so that it soars or curves in flight especially: one designed to return near the thrower.” The second definition is even more intriguing and relatable stating a boomerang is “an act or utterance that backfires on its originator.” Certainly, we all have experience this! We did or said something with good intentions only to experience the pain of it backfiring and causing far more damage than good. Notice how the boomerang of favoritism backfires on Elkanah.

And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: ⁵ But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the Lord had shut up her womb. ⁶ And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the Lord had shut up her womb. ⁷ And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.^[1]

ELKANAH PRACTICED FAVORITISM—HE WAS PARTIAL TOWARDS HANNAH.  Favoritism can backfire in painful ways giving energy to anger, resentment, envy, retaliation and rivalry.

The mentioning that Elkanah had two wives relates to Hannah’s story. His having two wives would suggest that polygamy was permitted and practiced to some extent among the Israelites. It served several purposes; chiefly polygamy gave greater assurance that a man would have a son to keep his name alive. Often, when the first wife did not produce a male offspring, a second wife would be taken. This may have been the case in this story. The problems of this practice are illustrated in the rivalrous relationship of Hannah and Peninnah and the unhappiness that resulted. While our society does not sanction polygamy, many of the same kinds of problems are created by serial marriages.^[2]

Favoritism does indeed spawn a series of unhappy relational developments wherever it is practiced by some unwary soul. While polygamy and favoritism are the obvious culprits, other questions need to be carefully examined also….

     1.  Was This a Curse from God?

Twice in this text we’re told that “the LORD had shut up” Hannah's womb (1Sam. 1:5-6). Does this mean that Hannah was cursed by God and that her barrenness resulted from some specific sin in her own life? I don't think so.

Like the man born blind that John described in his gospel (John 9:1—3), it simply indicates that God is sovereign, even in our physical problems. Though God had warned the children of Israel He would cause barrenness among them if they disobeyed Him (Deut. 28:4, 18), we have no strong evidence in this story that Hannah was the victim of this curse. She was probably unable to bear children just as many women—even Christian women today—have difficulty conceiving. (G. Getz)

     2.  Was it Good to Show Hannah Favor?   Vs. 5

On the other hand, Hannah no doubt felt despised and rejected by God, especially since her rival kept taunting her and reminding her of her condition. Perhaps Peninnah even paraded her own ability to have children as a blessing from God. Elkanah, however, did not view her in this way. He dearly loved Hannah. He demonstrated this love by giving her a “worthy portion” or a double provision of the meat.

The Book of James chapter 2 reminds us of some of the problems with favoritism (James 2:1-7).

1. It is inconsistent with the Christian Faith (1).

2. It leads to shallow assessments of people (2-3a).

3. It leads to preferential treatment for some (3).

4. It judges people by carnal standards (4).

5. It obscures and perverts sound judgment (5-7).

The Scriptures never present favoritism and partiality in a positive light! Like Elkanah, we sometimes have good intentions, but an unwise approach. The results is the boomerang!

In fact, favoritism among federal organizations and employees is a growing concern in recent years.

“The number of individuals reporting that they either observed or were personally affected by a [prohibited personnel practice] increased, from 34% of [Merit Principles Survey] respondents in 2010 to 46% in 2016,” the agency wrote. “In this same time period, [prohibited personnel practice] complaints to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel increased, from 2,415 to 4,124.” –Wagner, Erich, Government Executive (June 2019).

Wagner also observed,

 Sex-based discrimination increased the most of all prohibited personnel practices witnessed or experienced by survey respondents, increasing from 11.7% in 2010 to 19.9% in 2016. Race-based discrimination remained the most common prohibited personnel practice, at 20.6%, although discrimination based on race, age and disabilities all increased by more than 5 percentage points since 2010.The perceptions that an agency official gave an unfair advantage to a job candidate, which has consistently been the most widely perceived violation, increased by more than 8 percentage points, from 22% in 2010 to 30.6% in 2016. And perceptions of whistleblower retaliation grew from 8.1% in 2010 to 14.3% in 2016. (https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2019/06/growing-number-feds-think-theyve-seen-favoritism-other-prohibited-personnel-practices/157603/)

Mahoney points out that favoritism is a matter of law and ethics giving such practices legal gravity and suggesting serious consequences for such violations saying,

Favoritism and cronyism are two unfortunate aspects of federal employment that cannot be denied. The saying “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” appears to ring true, even in government workplaces. Favoritism, favoring a person because of a relationship or feature (likes and dislikes, ability to provide something they need or want, relationship with a higher-up, etc.) instead of because of the merit of their work. Cronyism, a narrower term, describes favoring someone because they are a friend or associate specifically. These types of favoring go against common, assumed workplace ethics, and against the transparency that government workplaces should be exhibiting with regard to hiring practices. –Mahoney, John P. Esq., Attorney at Law (March 20, 2019)

Clearly when favoritism, cronyism, or even nepotism are in play credibility is lost, trust is undermined, morale is tanked, and resentment between team members and coworkers is fueled! No, favoritism is never good; it’s a dangerous boomerang.

     3.  What Made Peninnah So Angry?    Vs. 6-7

Predictably, Elkanah’s attempts to love and encourage Hannah greatly angered Peninnah. Though she had provoked and irritated Hannah all along because of her barrenness, Peninnah “doubled” her efforts when Elkanah “doubled” Hannah’s portions. In fact, the Scriptures describe her as Hannah’s “adversary” who “provoked her sore” (1:6). Peninnah’s verbal abuse was so intense and painful for Hannah that she often burst into tears and became so emotionally distraught she couldn’t even eat a sign of intense anxiety and depression. To make matters worse, this went on “year by year” (1 Sam. 1:7). (G. Getz)

W. MacDonald observed, “Hannah would receive a double portion of the peace offering (vv. 3–5). But this drew forth stinging taunts from Peninnah. Year after year her barbs cut deeper and deeper….”^[3]

As parents, when we show favoritism in family situations, we create tensions that destroy oneness and unity. In fact, by doing so we establish the very elements that destroy any possible future harmony for our children. Many adult siblings struggle in their relationship one with another because of the way their parents favored one over the other. Feelings of inferiority, rejection and inadequacy are compounded over the years fueling hostility, rivalry and envy.  

             A.  Favoritism Always Creates Jealousy Which Always Leads to a Great Deal of Emotional Pain. This is once again illustrated in our present study. Hannah suffered terribly because of Elkanah’s favoritism. The Scriptures repeatedly warn of the relational difficulties of jealousy and envy, which are sometimes spawned by favoritism. The wise King Solomon and the grave Apostle Paul agree stating in  

Proverbs 14:30, that “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: But envy the rottenness of the bones.” Then in Galatians 5:26, Paul commands, “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Again and again we see this principle illustrated in the Old Testament. “Isaac loved Esau, ... but Rebekah loved Jacob” (Gen. 25:28). The results were devastating for this family and for these boys. When Jacob married, “he loved also Rachel more than Leah” (Gen. 29:30). Again, the results were disastrous pitting sisters against each other and this perpetuated the animosity between their children. Later, Jacob “loved him [Joseph] more than all his brethren.” Consequently, Joseph’s brothers “hated him and could not speak peaceably unto him” (Gen. 37:3-4). Rivalry, envy, and bitterness characterized Elkanah’s home just as with Sarah and Hagar in Abraham’s home (Gen. 16:4-5) and Leah and Rachel in Jacob’s home (Gen. 30:14-16). Favoritism is a nasty boomerang!

             B.  It Takes a Great Deal of Wisdom to Avoid this Mistake in Our Families. Avoiding favoritism does not mean we shouldn’t honor our children’s achievements and encourage them as individuals. However, we must do so in a way that causes all of our children to feel we’re being fair and impartial. We must be cognizant of the amount of time we spend with each child to ensure we do not give the perception of favoritism. Ensuring we have a fair and unbiased system of merit in place that is transparently communicated to all of our children is vital. Each child needs to understand the criteria and the consequences for violating the behavioral, performance, or attitudinal standards. In addition, they all need to see the standards painstakingly and consistently enforced by both parents or by the parent.  

It’s particularly difficult to practice this principle when some of our children are responsive to spiritual things and others are not. It’s at this point we need to seek counsel from someone who has wisdom far beyond our own—a person who can help us differentiate between refusing to condone a sinful lifestyle and being fair and impartial.

Ultimately the cure for favoritism is a biblically informed perspective on fairness and equity coupled with a careful observance of the Royal Law of Jesus Christ.

James 2:8, 9 says, If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: ⁹ But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. ^[4]

The “royal law” was initially prescribed to Israel in Leviticus 19:18 and affirmed for all Christians by Christ Jesus our King in Matthew 22:39. If we truly loved our neighbors as ourselves, we would treat them the way we would want to be treated. A believer motivated by such love will take pains to ensure fairness, equity, and good will are in play. Obedience to Christ’s Law, royal love absent of preferential advantages, is the solution to prejudicial favoritism and partiality. Real love in action stops the boomerang of favoritism from the very outset.

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^[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Sa 1:4–7). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

² Merriam-Webster Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boomerang

³ Chafin, K. L., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1989). 1, 2 Samuel (Vol. 8, p. 22). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.

^[3] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 297). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

^[4] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Jas 2:8–9). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.