"Why Do I Have To Suffer?”

Delivered on July 30, 2017

                                                 
 
1 Peter 4:12-19
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.
 
God knows when we face horrendous situations. He hears our cries. Even those who maintain the closest fellowship with Him are not immune to having feelings of hopelessness.
 
Many times, God allows us to face hopeless circumstances in order to test and try our faith.
It is the feeling of hopelessness that forces us to seek God, and it is there that we find strength, and relief.
 
Does God care that the trials we go through makes us weary? Of course He cares!
He knows every emotion, need, and desire we have. He knows exactly what it will take to bring you to a more intimate relationship with Him.
 
Church…are you willing to follow Christ when it is difficult? Will you follow Him when it is dangerous? Will you follow Him if it causes pain, suffering and even death? I belong to Christ, “Why Do I Have To Suffer?”
 
Many Christians get asked these questions: Why do bad things happen to good people? If there is a God, why does He allow sufferings, sickness, hunger, wars, and so on… I serve, I tithe, I’m faithful in my walk…so why is God allowing suffering in my life?
 
Hopefully through the Lords Message, we can get a clear understanding of, “Why Do I Have To Suffer?”  In Peter's first Epistle, suffering is a constant theme. Now as he nears the end of the letter he provides some insight as to why God allows His children to suffer.
 
Though we cannot avoid suffering in this life, through the Word of God we can see how to endure it! Notice in verse 12…
1 Peter 4:12
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.
 
No matter who you are there will come a time when you face pain, troubles and trials. Remember one of the verse that we read last Sunday, “so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matt 5:45)
 
Consider if you will…Calvary for a moment. There were 3 crosses and 3 different people. There was a Saint, a Sinner and a Savior crucified that day. And all three of them suffered and died. None of them were exempt from suffering and death. Our minds have a hard time comprehending why bad things happen to "good" people. And we may also question why good things happen to evil people. Though we may not understand it, these things are all common.
 
Remember… one of the thief on the cross believed in who Jesus was and defended Him at one point. Here is a reminder of that day…
 
Luke 23:39-43
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this Man has done nothing wrong.”42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
 
Two criminals, and One innocent Man. All three faced the same sentence. The thing is, Jesus faced the that sentence of death, for you and I. So the question remains, “Why Do I Have To Suffer?”  Why did Jesus have to suffer? “But this Man has done nothing wrong”. (v41)
 
All over the world people are dying from starvation. Droughts leave people thirsty and cause crops to fail. Hurricanes, Tsunamis & earthquakes ravage the land. Many people live in the middle of war zones. Terrorism is on the rise. Millions of people suffer from different diseases. Unemployment, lack of healthcare and rising costs of utilities and food are a problem for many. This is common suffering that takes place all over the world. None of us are exempt.
 
Now….there is another type of suffering I would like to consider and that is, Carnal sufferings.
Carnal refers to that which is not spiritual. Notice what Peter says in verse 15…
 
1 Peter 4:15
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
Peter speaks of suffering for doing things that are wrong. Many people are suffering because of the choices they have made. If you fail to pay your taxes your assets may be seized and your wages may be garnished. If you drink and drive you will get a DUI and possibly lose your license. If you rob someone you will be arrested and spend time in jail. If you kill someone you will go to prison... possibly for the rest of your life. Bad choices and sinful actions bring severe consequences.
 
Many times when people face this type of suffering they blame God. When in fact they are suffering because of their own choices. They drink a half a case of beer a day and when they get some sickness of the liver it is God's fault. They consume drugs and blame God when they lose their job and all of their possessions in order to support their habit. Some abuse their spouse or commit adultery and then ask why God allowed their marriage to fail. Choices have consequences and the consequences may bring suffering.
 
There is another type of suffering that Peter mentions from our text. Christian suffering…
 
1 Peter 4:13-14, 16-17
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.
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?
 
This is the suffering that is perhaps the hardest for us to understand. But I can testify that CHRISTIANS DO SUFFER!! We are not suddenly immune to pain and problems when we surrender to Christ. In fact, that may be the point in our life when troubles intensify. We have many examples of Christ followers in the Bible who suffered greatly AFTER their conversions.
 
Show Pic: Apostles Death ( Power Point )
 
Paul was in and out of prison for preaching Jesus. The Bible does not mention of Paul’s death, but many historians claims that Paul was beheaded for his faith in Christ.
 
All over the world today men and women are being persecuted for their faith. They are being arrested, beaten and killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. We may not have experienced the physical persecution that some Christian martyrs have faced, but we do know about troubles, trials and tribulations.
 
 
Many of us have experienced first hand the reality of Christian Suffering. Christian people have to bury their babies. Christian marriages sometimes fail. Christian husbands have to stand by the bedside of their dying wives. Christian wives have to plan the funerals of their husbands. Christians lose their jobs. They have bills that they cannot pay. The repo man comes and takes the car. The bank forecloses on the house. Christians are diagnosed with terminal diseases. Some families have rebellious children who are involved in sin and living in wickedness. They have made choices that will bring serious consequences into their lives. You lay awake at night worrying and praying for them. And this has affected you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. You are hurting, you are suffering and you just want to know WHY??? And you have asked the Lord time and time again "WHY Do I Have To Suffer?”
 
1 Peter 4:13
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
 
Do not think that your suffering is something that surprised God. What you are facing is no accident...IT HAS A PURPOSE! When you experience suffering it may seem that God is a million miles away. It is actually in these times that God is closest! He is working on you molding you and making you into what He would have you to be. Even in the midst of suffering, God is working out His purpose in your life.
 
The ultimate reason the Christian suffers is to form a Christ-like character. Suffering is a part of the sanctification process. This means that it will be a part of our lives until we go home to glory. We must endure the suffering in order for God to accomplish His purpose in our lives.
 
Suffering can prove who we belong to….
 
1 Peter 1:6-7
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
 
Gold is proved to be Gold by being put to the fire. If the matter is put to the fire and it does not lose its nature, weight or color then it is the real deal. So, to the Christian who is put to the fire of suffering and trials. Genuine faith is proved by adversities. Suffering proves our character and integrity.
 
 
 
Going through some suffering also purifies us. In the refining process that gold goes through...Raw gold is placed in the fire. The intense heat melts the metal. When this happens the impurities comes to the top. Those impurities are skimmed off. This results in a gold that is more pure and valuable than it was before going into the furnace.
 
Those trials that you are facing and the suffering that you must endure... these things will purify you and make you stronger in the Lord. These "fiery trials" will remove the impurities from our lives. This will bring us into a closer… more-pure relationship with the Lord.
 
There are many different reactions to suffering. Some run away from the trouble. Some become angry, resentful and blame God for allowing this to happen to them. Some remain steady in the fire and are purified and proved. Peter says that the proper reaction to suffering is to rejoice! And that is exactly what some do when faced with great trouble. Notice….
 
1 Peter 4:14-16
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.
 
Peter says if you are persecuted for your faith rejoice! And when we face suffering in this life we too can and should REJOICE!!! Paul was honored to suffer for the cause of Christ…
 
2 Corinthians 12:9
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
 
Peter and John rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for Jesus name.
 
Acts 5:41
So, they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
 
When we suffer harm for doing what is right, we should rejoice. We can rejoice because God is with us. We can rejoice because God has a plan for us. We can rejoice because of the benefits that suffering brings in our lives.
 
Charles Spurgeon said: "They who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls."
 
When you persevere in the midst of suffering you will grow in your faith. You will come out of that experience with a stronger sense that your faith is real. And you will see that God was with you all the way through the fire!
 
Greg Laurie Pic: Power point.
 
Greg Laurie is the pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside California. July 24, 2008 was the most devastating day of his life. His son Christopher, 33, was killed in a tragic car accident on his way to work at the church. Greg states, “When I heard the news, it was like time stood still and the air was sucked out of the room. I couldn’t comprehend what I had just heard, and it really was, in many ways, incomprehensible. It was so hard.“I have to say that although it was devastating and crushing, and I fell to the ground weeping, the Lord was there with me. I sensed His presence and His peace and I have never, for a moment, doubted that Christopher’s in heaven.” Greg and his family began to pray, ‘Oh Lord, we look to you. We call on you.’” God was faithful to help them in the midst of this tragedy. Laurie says that some amazing things have came in the aftermath of this tragedy. There’s still a lot of pain and there’s a lot of heartache, but God promise is to work ‘all things together for good’ is true. He says that he has a newfound compassion for others who are facing similar troubles. And Through the testimony of Greg and his family countless lives have been reached for Christ.
 
In the midst of the greatest storm of his life he found a way to praise God. Through God's grace he was able to rejoice in suffering. We all hope that we would react to tragedy the same way. But we will never know until it happens.
 
Of course, there are some who would react in the opposite way. Some would rebel when sufferings come. Another article that I read, which was connected with Pastor Greg Laurie’s story was this…
 
I read a story of another man who tragically lost his young son whom he loved dearly. It was such a catastrophic experience for him, he never got over it. Ultimately, he laid the blame for his son’s death at God’s feet, thus severely affecting his relationship with God. “How could a God of love take my son from me?” was his ever-languishing cry. Unfortunately this man was never able to completely resolve his anger with God, or love and serve Him in the same way he did prior to his son’s death.
 
Many church members leave the church, because trouble came and they gave up on God. They blamed God...they are angry and they have rebelled against Him.
 
Because they are mad at God they put their Bibles down... they stop praying...they no longer go to church. Because of this they do not praise or worship the Lord. They are no longer under the preaching of the Word.
They do not hear sermons on topics like this to help them through their trouble. They can't lean on Christian brothers and sisters who may have been where they are now. They miss out on verses of scripture that would shed light on their current troubles.
 
Verses like….
 
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
2 Corinthians 4:17
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
 
Instead of turning to God they turn from Him. And this intensifies the suffering. It is a fact that suffering will come...how will you respond?? Will you rejoice or will you rebel? Church, when trouble comes our only hope is in Jesus.
 
In Conclusion:
 
As we come to the final verses of our text…
 
1 Peter 4:16-19
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.
 
“entrust their souls to a faithful Creator”. Means to entrust our souls to Him. The idea here speaks of a banking term meaning “to deposit for safe keeping.” No matter what we may face in this life we must rely on our Father. Stop trying to fix your problems by yourself. Look to the One who is all powerful and trust Him. Even if He doesn't remove your suffering, He will see you through it!
 
Maybe you comprehend the truth that is revealed in our selected text. But you have another question... you may ask "how long will I have to remain in the fire"? The answer is ...as long as it takes.
 
The refiner sits before the furnace. He fixes his eye on the metal. He makes sure that the fire is not too hot but hot enough to accomplish it's purpose. He leaves the gold in the fire until the impurities is completely removed. How does he know the gold is ready to be removed from the fire? ...He sees his reflection on its surface, He sees the reflection of His Son! That is the case for Jesus, He never leaves us alone in the fire. He is right there with us through it all.
 
“Why Do I Have To Suffer?”
 
1 Peter 4:13
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
 
When His reflection is seen in you!!!