This last Sunday, Pastor Obie continued our church’s sermon series through the book of 1 Peter. He was back in the pulpit preaching for the first time since the passing of his beloved mother and openly stated how had this year has been on him and his family; a sadness that you fell in your heart. It seems like every month following has had another issue fall apart since (from the pandemic to the economic collapse to social unrest, racial tensions, protests, riots, and political divisions. The last four months may be the deepest sadness, most stress endured, the most uncertainty, depression, overworked and burnt out that he and many others have ever experienced. We have the ups and downs of life in common. You are not alone. We may be in different boats of circumstances, but we are in the same waters. We are all hurting in some shape or form today. At some point of life, we are going to face and experience some hardship and hurt. But, it is in moments like these that we need to refocus our gaze on the only thing worth focusing on, and that is the Word of God, because the Lord Almighty Creator Father is the only One that can bring us through the hardships we endure in this life. The Apostle Peter wrote to a church that was going through a world of hurt, and the advice that he gave them can also benefit us today as well. The context in within this portion of Scripture was written has principles that can be applied to our current context today in dealing with the suffering that we face today, apply them into our lives.
1 Peter 4:12-19 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore, let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”
The word “blessed in verse 14, in the original Greek, is the word “makarios”, which translates to the English words “blessed, fortunate, happy”. So, inserted into the text, would read: If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are happy; when experiencing suffering and fiery trial, we should be happy. What?! We shall see how the early church moved from hurt to happy or “Makarios”/Blessed. Then we can see how we ourselves can move from hurt to happy in whatever hurt or sorrow that we encounter.
First, expect to experience hurt in this life. The Apostle was telling the early church to expect hurt and suffering due to their Christian beliefs, and not be surprised when the trials and violent persecution comes. To an extent, this is still true today in various degrees, depending upon your surroundings. For the more part, Christians will experience persecution because of their beliefs. And if you are not, you should ask yourself why you are not experiencing such strife. To be a Christian means to be a “Christ Follower”, that you subscribe to the teachings of Jesus. If you accurately represent and live out the teachings of Jesus, then you will come into contact with people that do not agree with you. What the Bible teaches on “love”, what the Bible teaches on “sex”, what the Bible teaches on “marriage”, on “sobriety, on “equality”, on “government”, on forgiveness”, on “family”, and a number of other topics in life are very counter-cultural. But, we as Christians are to represent the teaches of Jesus faithfully and lovingly without compromise. And, then you do, there will be people who disagree with you and might show prejudice towards you. Unfortunately, today in this secular humanistic “cancel-culture” society, some people in the land of Liberty and Freedom of Religion may persecute you for what you believe.
The first Century church’s persecution was far greater than what we face and experience in current day America. But, in other parts of the world, there are cases today where Christians are being punished, tortured, jailed, murdered and executed for their faith. For those brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to be aware of the situation, lift our voice in outrage of such injustice and partner in prayer for them. But, whatever suffering we and they endure for being a Christian, Peter makes a connection that we are sharing in Christ’s suffering, and in that we should rejoice. Expect to experience hurt in this life. We live in a “fallen in sin” world and there will inevitably be moment of pain that we will face in some point in our life.
Let's continue PAstor Obie's message on turning hurt into happiness in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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