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Peter talks about Christian suffering
Persecution
Examples
Lightening Rod Issues
Why is there Persecution?
Peter Focuses on Christian Persecution
Is it Fair?
Final Thoughts
Summary
Peter Talks About
Christian Suffering
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“In this rejoice, though now for a little while, if
necessary, you have been grieved by various
trials, so that the tested genuineness of your
faith….may be found to result in praise and
glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:6-7
“Servants be subject to your masters with all
respect, not only to the good and gentle but also
to the unjust. For this is the gracious thing,
when mindful of God, one endures sorrows
while suffering unjustly.” 1 Peter 2:18-19
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“…But if when you do good and 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 his steps…[he] did not revile
in return…[he] did not threaten, but continued to
entrust himself to him who judges justly.”
1 Peter 2:20-23
“Likewise, wives be subject to your husbands, so
that even if they do not obey the word, they may
be won without a word by the conduct of their
wives, when they see your respect and pure
conduct.” 1 Peter 3:1-2
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“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for
reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this
you were called, that you may obtain a
blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9
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“But even if you should suffer for righteousness
sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them,
nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ
the Lord of holy, always being prepared to make a
defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for
the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness
and respect,…so that, when you are slandered
those who revile your good behavior in Christ may
be put to shame.” 1 Peter 3:13-16
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the
righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring
us to God,….” 1 Peter 3:18
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“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,
arm yourselves with the same way of thinking,
for whoever has suffered in the flesh has
ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of
time in the flesh no longer for human passions
but for the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2
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Trials/suffering develops/perfects Christians
Having God’s mind means to do good and
graciously endure sorrows even even when
circumstances are unjust (bosses, husbands etc.)
Do not retaliate but bless
Suffering leads to God’s blessing
Suffering may give the opportunity to share the
hope that is in us (witness) and thereby put to
shame wrong doers
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One particular type of suffering the Christian
faces, is persecution for their Christian beliefs
Persecution defined: to continually harass so as
to distress or injure, oppress cruelly, especially
for reasons of religion, politics or race
Top 10 countries for anti Christian violence (destruction of
churches, beatings, abductions, rapes, arrests, forced
marriages, etc.); Nigeria, Syria, Egypt, Central African
Republic, Mexico, Pakistan, Columbia, India, Kenya,
Iraq. 85% of Christians killed around the world are
from these countries
Middle Eastern Countries: intimidation, arrests,
imprisonments, forced conversions and demolishment
of churches
Islamic State ultimatum: Christians in Mosel (Iraq):
convert to Islam, pay an unaffordable tax, leave the
area or be killed. When they left, they were made to
give up everything except the clothes on their backs.
Many beheaded or crucified. Iraq, Syria, Lebanon…..
China: Churches destroyed, intimidation, arrests, etc.
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Denmark: New law; churches must conduct
gay marriages
Sweden: Midwife fired for not performing
abortions
Great Britain: Christians have lost jobs for not
supporting gay marriage. David Burrows,
member of parliament, became a target of
death threats, his kids bullied at school for his
conservative Christian positions
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Mike Adams, acclaimed professor of
criminology at UNCW denied full
professorship because he expressed his
Christian beliefs
Christian students/staff regularly harassed and
penalized on University campuses for
Christian beliefs
Christian business, forced to accept social
mores: Jack Philips, Colorado baker; Baronelle
Stutzman, florist; Anthony Hahn,
Conestoga(cabinet maker)
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In local schools:
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At Work:
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Right to assemble
Free speech (what you wear, write and say)
Prayer
Bias against religious values; employers less likely to
respond when resumes contain religious content
Pray before eating
Getting Help:
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Alliance Defending Freedom, American Center For
Law and Justice, American Family Association
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Abel
OT prophets
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Daniel
John the Baptist
Jesus
Stephen
Foxes’ Book of Martyrs
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Anything related to the Christian God; his role
as Creator, his holiness, sovereignty, love,
standards, gift of salvation
Prayer
Same sex marriage
Abortion
The God/Man Jesus Christ
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Result of sin
Rejection of God and His values
Christians worship the Creator rather than the
created
Satan hates Christ and His work of salvation
Satan hates Christians; those who bear the
name of Christ
Part of God’s plan
Peter Focuses on
Christian Persecution
12. 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. 13. But rejoice insofar as you
share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be
glad when his glory is revealed. 14. If you are insulted for
the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of
glory and of God rests upon you. 15. But let none of you
suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a
meddler. 16. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him
not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
17. 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? 18. And if
the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the
ungodly and the sinner?” 19. Therefore let those who
suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a
faithful Creator while doing good.
12. 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.
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Trials are/persecution is normal, nothing to be
surprised about
Trials can be tough “fiery”
13. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that
you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is
revealed.
Share Christ’s sufferings
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Not the atoning sufferings
The same kind of sufferings he endured as a man;
-Hatred, scorn, wounds because of what he stood for
-Suffer the things the ungodly would like to do to
Christ today
13. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that
you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is
revealed.
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Rejoice because you are worthy to be
persecuted for Jesus
“and when they called in the apostles, they beat them
and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus,
and let them go. Then they left the presence of the
council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to
suffer dishonor for the name. And every day…they
did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the
Christ.” Acts 5:40-42
13. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that
you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is
revealed.
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Share Christ’s sufferings now
Rejoice when suffering ends when Jesus
returns in glory
“For I consider that the sufferings of this
present time are not worth comparing with the
glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18
14. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are
blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests
upon you.
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The insulted Christian is blessed with a special
presence of the Holy Spirit
 Jesus’ baptism; “…the Spirit of God descending like
a dove and resting on him” Matthew 3:17
Jesus; “Blessed are those who are persecute for
righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute
you and utter all kinds of evil against falsely on my
account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great
in heaven…. Matthew 5:10-12
15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or
an evildoer or as a meddler. 16. Yet if anyone suffers
as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him
glorify God in that name.
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There is no value/glory in suffering for doing
that which is wrong
But suffering for being a Christian brings glory
to God
17. 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? 18. And if
the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the
ungodly and the sinner?”
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God is in the purifying business, Christians
first
Pity those who have not been privileged to be
purified
“scarcely saved”= Christian life is very tough
19. Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will
entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing
good
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Suffer according to God’s will; that is, for doing
good, being persecuted for Christian beliefs
Commit yourself to your faithful, loving God
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“You will say to me then, “Why does he still
find fault? For who can resist his will?” But
who are you, O man, to answer back to God?
Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why
have you made me like this?” Has the potter
no right over the clay, to make out to the same
lump one vessel for honorable use and another
for dishonorable use?” Romans 9:19-21
“I know that you can do all things, and that no
purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2
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“Humble yourselves, therefore under the mighty
hand of God so that at the proper time he may
exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him for he
cares for you. Be sober –minded, be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Resist
him, firm in your faith, knowing the same kinds of
suffering are being experienced by your
brotherhood throughout the world. And after you
have suffered a little while, the God of all grace,
who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ,
will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and
establish you.” 1 Peter 5:6-10
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“Remember those who are in prison, as though
in prison with them, and those who are
mistreated since you also are in the body.”
Hebrews 13:3
Do not be ashamed or separate yourselves from
the persecuted, but care for them
“Remembering” implies active response to
needs
“In the body” means in this world or the church
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Don’t be surprised by suffering and persecution
When you suffer, do not retaliate but bless
Rejoice because you are sharing in the sufferings of
Christ; you will be blessed
Humble yourself, God is in control, he will judge
justly and exalt you in due time
Entrust your souls to God and do what is right
Persecution results in a special blessing from the
Holy Spirit
Boldly being a Christian brings glory to God
Persecution may be God’s will/his best for you
Actively support those who are persecuted