Hope in Suffering - 1 Peter 3:8-22

Hope in Suffering   1 Peter 3:8-22

I like the easy life; comfort, no conflict, a smooth road. No one wants difficulties, problems, fights, sufferings or persecution. If they do, they’re crazy.

Today, we look at suffering for the Christian and how we are to deal with it the way Jesus wants us to.

Background:- 1 Peter was written by Peter from Rome to some Gentile churches. 1 Peter give some practical teaching on how we are to live this Christian life.

Chapter 3. First part - wives and husbands: Second part - suffering and blessing.

Verse 8. Peter begins with a list of qualities we should have:- unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, tender heart, humble mind.

-  One mind  ->  One direction – husband/wife/church.  The mind of Christ.  (Philippians 2:5; Romans 12:2)

Verse 9. Don’t do “evil for evil or reviling for reviling”

Reviling = “to criticise in an abusive or angrily insulting manner”

The world is opposite to this. (Think Facebook)

Why follow this?:- to get the blessing of God and to be a blessing.

Example……………

The next few verses are a quote from Psalm 34:12-16

Conditional blessings

I want these. Love life, good days.

The conditions are:-

- The eyes of the Lord….His eyes are open…..

- Don’t be in the last camp – The Lord is against you

- Who can harm you…..lots

- Suffering for righteousness’ sake and not for being an idiot. There’s a difference

- Have no fear – fair dinkum, this is hard.

Examples………

- Honour Christ in what we do and say

- Be ready to give a defence (reason/reply) of our hope (Christ).

- Do it with gentleness and respect…….

- We will be slandered, reviled for our good behaviour in Christ, but it will not be to our shame.

- Suffer for doing good (God’s way)

Let’s look at the two next interesting topics in this passage today.

“Proclaiming to spirits in prison”

Alive in the Spirit, disobedient, in prison days of Noah.

Baptism – does it save?

No. Noah and the flood corresponds to it as water, but not as a removal of dirt (sin)…. but as for a good conscience, be for God.

Picture of His death/burial/resurrection.

Scripture with Scripture.

Conclusion

No one likes to, or wants to suffer or face persecution.

God’s people are a misunderstood minority in this world – we serve a different King and this will bring us into conflict with the world.

So when we get down, low, angry or bent out of shape with our suffering, remember this:-

Christ also suffered, for my/our sins; the righteous for the unrighteous.

He fully understands what it is like to suffer, be abused, mocked, misunderstood, have pain. He understands – we call on Him when we are there.

At his darkest hour, his Heavenly Father had to turn away and not look on the sin. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

You may even feel the same way, but it is not the case. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Even in suffering, there is blessing, because God has promised it.

He knows what you are going through and He cares.

Stay true to God, His Word, His ways.