Blessing Others While Suffering

- Our church’s theme this year is Hope for Everyday Life.

- I can’t tell you how many times already this year, I’ve thought – I’m so glad the Lord led us to adopting this for 2023…

- it seems like week after week, events occur that could rob us of hope unless we’re grounding our hearts and lives in the message of God’s Word and the Person of God’s Son…

- it’s true that followers of Jesus Christ can and should have a positive outlook on the future because we believe God will always do that which results in his glory and our good.

- However, we have not implied “love Jesus and you will not have any problems,” or “follow Christ and he will give you whatever you want.” The Bible is clear that life can be hard.

• Living as a committed Christian places us at odds with some.

• Living for Jesus sometimes means suffering at the hands of those who think and act differently than you or me in all sorts of ways…

- what we’ve been learning in the 1 Peter is that even in the midst of suffering, we’re called upon

- to perform good deeds

- to submit to government authorities even when we think they are far from perfect

- to submit to unreasonable bosses…

- or to husbands who Peter specifically says are “disobedient to the Word”.

- Husbands must live with their wives according to knowledge and show her honor regardless of her choices…and the husband who refuses to do so losses the attention of God.

- Maybe we need to rename the series…Hard challenges for everyday life...or, A completely different way of thinking about everyday life…or, You’re not going to believe what God says about your everyday life…

- But it is right at this moment that we see the example of Jesus.

- That’s the exact word that Peter used in 1 Peter 2:21 - For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

- And yes, our Lord is much more than “just an example”, but He’s certainly no less…

- And Peter went on to explain that Jesus… 1 Peter 2:22–23 - who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;

- there’s our example…and for those of us who would say we want to be more like Him (and I hope you do)…there’s our hope…

- and then Peter even explains why...1 Peter 2:24–25 - and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

- now, we realize that under each issue of submission, there might be some jurisdictional questions.

• Can a husband tell his wife she cannot talk to a pastor because she must shut up and submit?

• Can a boss or teacher place so many demands that the person can no longer fulfill his/her responsibilities at home?

- Sometimes, there are hard questions. However, the basic storyline of this section is -- follow the example of Jesus by entrusting yourself to him and bless others with your behavior – even those taking advantage of you.

- that was emphasized in…1 Peter 2:12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

- With that in mind, please turn in your Bibles to 1 Peter 3:8. That is on page 182 of the back section of the Bible under the chair in front of you.

- we’re talking this morning about Blessing Others While Suffering….

- as I read, please be looking for 3 truths to embrace to bless those who hurt you…

- read 1 Peter 3:8-12

- so we’re talking about Blessing Others While Suffering.

- you probably noticed that the very first words in verse 8 are “To sum up”… or some versions say “Finally”…

- that means that Peter is bringing the section he started back in chapter 2 verse 11 to a close.

- D. Edmond Hiebert said of this paragraph….It constitutes an appropriate conclusion to the series of exhortations that specify how to produce a right impression on a hostile world. The detailed duties of the different groups are now bound together in a general statement portraying the essentials of Christian character.

- and what’s the main point?...Give a blessing instead.

- 2:12 told us to keep our behavior excellent that as they observe our good deeds, they will glorify God…and what’s our role in putting the other person possible position to do that?...give a blessing instead.

- isn’t it amazing how different this is than what our world so often screams in word and deed?...

- “You hurt me, I’m going to hurt you”…”I’ll tear you down to build myself up…”…”I’ll criticize you, curse you, gossip about you…”

- The Bible says, bless others --- even those who hurt you.

- this is not easy…which is why we need 3 truths to embrace to bless those who hurt you.

I. Remember you are called to bless others

- 1 Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps

- 1 Peter 3:9 but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing

- It is hard to miss the calling language. Believers often use the phrase “God’s will” to describe a similar idea. What is God’s will for my life?

- We wrestle with questions like what job should we do, who should I marry, how many children should we have, what church should I attend, and our list goes on and on…

- These questions are important, and I do not want to minimize them. But nor do I think we should ignore the passages that clearly explain God’s will.

- This passage tells me without a doubt that God’s will for my life … one of my callings … is to

A. Give a Blessing

- This does not say “give a blessing” to all the wonderful people in your life.

- It is easy to bless those who are a blessing. Of course, we are going to do that.

- This context says to give a blessing rather than returning evil for evil or insult for insult.

- That raises a very important question. What does it look like to give a blessing?

- commentator Edwin Selwyn says of this verse, “intercession for enemies, beneficence towards them, and speaking well of them, are all comprised in the term.”

- “beneficence” probably isn’t a word we use very often – but maybe that’s good so it will lodge in our memories…

- we’re talking about being concerned about what is beneficial to the other person…even if it doesn’t feel very beneficial to us…

- I’ve spent quite a bit of time with our state legislators this year…

- [develop the background of what occurred]…

- we decided that it might be wise to try to get legislation in place at the state level…

- it’s really not a concern for us…but for other smaller churches in smaller communities…

- our attorneys told us last year that if we had to take the City of WL to court, to be prepared to spend $250,000…and that did not included any possible appeals…

- so we thought we would at least try to put a stop to all of this by local governments…

- at first, it seemed like a long-shot…but we know this – the answer is no if you don’t try…

- but part of what has surprised is the way some people in the media, and even some of our elected officials will speak about you, and to you…even in the committee meetings, or on the floor of the House and the Senate…

- and I will tell you this – what this passage is commanding – and that’s what this is – a series of commands – it doesn’t come automatic or natural for me…

- and perhaps some others would want to join me in that line?...[repeat Selwyn quote]…

- now, here’s something else to note…

- is it true that in your Bible…Verses 10-12 are in all capital letters…

- what does that mean?...

- that always tells us that this is a quotation from the OT.

- in this case, it is Psalm 34:12-16.

- so we should always ask…what was happening in that Psalm, and why would Peter quote it?...

- the answer is that David wrote this Psalm while he was running from King Saul…

- it had gotten so bad that David acted as if he was losing his mind in front of a Philistine governor (1 Sam 21:10-15).

- and of course David could have just killed Saul and been done with it…

- few people would have criticized him…

- but Psalm 34 goes a totally different direction…remembering that God is our provider and our deliverer.

- so Peter quotes this as he’s concluding his train of thought…

- 1 Peter 3:10-12 For, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, Must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 “He must turn away from evil and do good; He must seek peace and pursue it. 12 “For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

- Peter’s point is – that’s what David did…that’s what Jesus did…and that’s what you and I should do…

- it’s interesting isn’t it – what Peter didn’t say at that moment…

- he sure didn’t say…and that’s what I always did…

- because we could think of quite a few examples in the gospels where this is not what Peter did…

- aren’t you thankful for the process of Christian growth?...(progressive sanctification)…

- and aren’t you glad for the beauty and power of forgiveness?...

- can I ask you to pause for a moment and consider how you’re doing in light of 1 Peter 3:9?...

- how important is it to you to try to be a blessing, even to those who are mistreating you?...

- and what might that look like in the days ahead if that became a stronger emphasis?...

- because remember – this is part of God’s calling on our lives…this is His will…

- now, what else is involved in this calling?...

B. Speak truthfully

- verse 10 says that we must keep our lips from speaking deceit…

- the literal translation of the verse is…“Stop the tongue from evil and the lips of deceitful speaking.”

- That imagery is powerful. You are about to say something evil or deceitful. It is right at the tip of your tongue.

- But before it comes out, in the power of Christ, you stop it.

- why is deceit part of this discussion?...

- because telling the truth about what happened is not as easy as it seems…

- when emotions are running high…or what just happened hurt you…

- it’s very easy to exaggerate…to tell certain parts of the story but not all of it…

- I can’t tell you how many times in counseling I’ve asked the wife to explain what happened, and then the husband to tell what happened…and then to say – are you sure you’re talking about the same event?...

- how could these stories be so different?...

- you didn’t get mixed up out in the waiting room, did you?...

- and the question is – are you committed to telling the truth as part of fulfilling your calling to be a blessing to those who have hurt you?...

- you might have to deal with some hard things – but are you dealing with them in an honest, balanced way…(even if the other person isn’t)…

C. Do good

- v. 11 – HE MUST TURN AWAT FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD

- this makes it even more complicated, doesn’t it?...because the calling isn’t just – not doing certain things…

- in other words – this isn’t passive…it’s actively seeking to do good…

- and we realize that you may have some questions about how this should actively play out in your situation…

- for example, I can imagine a person who is sharing custody of one or more of your children with an x-spouse saying…do you have any idea how hard this is on a daily basis?...and you’re going to give me these verses?

- apparently the Lord wanted all of us to hear these verses today…but if you have questions about what this looks like practically…then please set up a time with your service pastor or whoever you want to talk to.

- this is why our email and phone numbers are on the bulletin.

- now, what else is involved in this calling?

D. Pursue Peace

- This is not the same as “refuse to make trouble.” That is a passive response.

- Pursuing peace is active.

- In fact, the two commands in the text are seek and pursue peace.

- v. 11 – HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT

- remember that Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount…Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

- one of the practical benefits of living this way for you (so – it is beneficial for both)…is that it’s an antidote to bitterness…

- Hebrews 12:14–15 - Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;

- (if time, could develop the point of the earlier verses regarding God’s discipline…)

- I realize you might say -- Steve, come on…what you are saying right now is hard.

- I am suffering at the hands of others. How can I really speak truth, do good, and pursue peace?”

- Friends, follow the example of our Savior

- He died so you might live to righteousness. He set the pace and cleared the path.

- You can count on this---if the Lord called you to something, then he will provide what is needed to accomplish his will. Quoting Psalm 34 reminds us that the Lord has been the provider and deliverer for a long time.

We can bless others as we remember our calling, but also as we …

II. Develop the proper character

- 1 Peter 3:8 all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit

- This does not come naturally.

- but please remember, our personality cannot be an excuse.

- Our character must always go beyond personality. No personality is perfectly like Jesus.

- so our hope is not in our personality. It comes because we know we are dead to sin and alive to righteousness.

• Peter identifies 5 positive characteristics and types of behavior that are required.

- I encourage you to identify the one that is most difficult for you and seek to take a step of growth in that area this week.

A. Harmonious

- D. Edmond Hiebert is right when he says that “this is more a call for unity of disposition than uniformity of opinion.”

- now, let me ask you a very important question….in light of the context, is Peter speaking of trying to pursue harmony in the church among themselves, or harmony in their relationships with people outside the church?…and why would you answer the way you do?

- INPUT - ? [outside the church – because of the verses before and after – the not returning evil for evil or insult for insult isn’t talking about “inside the church issues”]

- that means this, in governmental affairs, you ought to try to be as harmonious as possible

- at work, you ought to be as harmonious as possible…

- in marriage relationships, with an imperfect or unbelieving spouse, you ought to seek to be as harmonious as possible…

- now I’m not talking about going back on your convictions, backing down when you shouldn’t…making wrong compromises…

- but friends, sometimes the most divisive cantankerous people in a given situation are the believers in Christ.

- and that’s not simply because the unbelievers pinned that reputation on them, frankly the believers did a fair amount to earn the reputation.

B. Sympathetic

- sumpatheis – sharing fellow-feelings

- a sympathetic person can put himself in the other person’s shoes.

- some believers don’t do that…they come off self-righteous or judgmental.

- and this is a challenge, because we have to maintain high standards of right and wrong, but at the same time reach out in love and sympathy to those we believe may be doing something wrong.

- for example, take a person who is abusing alcohol…

- it may bother us that our culture has declared alcoholism to be a disease, that a person can get SS benefits because of alcohol abuse, that many car accidents involve alcohol, and that many of our social problems that end up costing taxpayer money involve alcohol….

- however, does that mean that we can treat a person caught up in that kind of lifestyle in a non-sympathetic fashion?

- of course not [develop --- way folks are treated at counseling center]

C. Brotherly

- and please remember – this isn’t talking about relationships inside the church…isn’t that amazing…

D. Kind-hearted

- an affectionate sensitivity towards the needs of others.

E. Humble in spirit.

John Lillie wrote – As nothing more unfits a man for any kindly consideration of others than an overwhelming estimate of himself, so the lowliness of heart which is produced by genuine repentance, and the experience of God’s saving mercy in Christ, though it has never been allowed a place on the scale of natural ethics, is not only itself of great price in the sight of God, but by far the best soil for the culture of the social virtues.

- Can I ask you to take a look at that list…

- I don’t know about you, but that is downright convicting….

- I think that many of us would say that we’ve got some work to do, especially when it comes to how we respond to people who are hostile or indifferent towards us.

- What a calling we have been given.

- now what’s the third truth to embrace so we can bless others?...

III. Celebrate The Anticipated Conclusion

- If we choose to live the way Peter commands, what can we expect to happen as a result?

- and let me just preface that with, I hope every one of us would say, even if the answer to this questions was, “a lot of bad things”…I hope every one of us would say…that’s all right, I want to follow Christ anyway….

- we don’t serve Him for what we can get…

- but in this case, there’s a lot to be gained from this kind of lifestyle…

- 1 Peter 3:10 - For, The one who desires life, to love and see good days…

A. You’ll love life.

- the bottom line is, a person who lives returning evil for evil and insult for insult is choosing a very bitter path on which to walk.

- but the person who seeks to be a blessing to others will end up loving life…that’s a promise of God.

- Hiebert – “Not length of life but quality of life is in view—to live zestfully, to participate in life with full intelligence and purpose. He has recognized and deliberately accepted the realization that life is not a playground of indulgence but rather an arena of redemption…With God in control, even persecution cannot make good days bad.

- [could develop --- how do you determine whether a day is “good” or not --- because others treated you well or because others treated you badly but you had an opportunity to be a blessing]

B. You’ll see good days.

- being evil, bitter, insulting…that makes for bad days…

- this approach to life produces good days.

C. You’ll have opportunities to do good.

- if you ask God to do so, He’ll give you opportunities every day to be a blessing to someone else.

D. You can pursue peace

- (could tell the story of meeting with the students from WL after their march…and what could happen as a result of SB 350…)

E. God will see what you are doing.

- verse 12 is a key piece of this puzzle --- God knows.

- 1 Peter 3:12 - For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears attend to their prayer, But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

- even if there is no other visible results of your efforts, remember, God knows, and that’s enough.

F. God will answer your prayers.

- “His ears attend to their prayer”

G. You will not have God’s face against you.