Suffering Wrongfully

Temple Baptist Church - 6-14-2017

1 Peter 2:19-24

Introduction:

A.  In important part of spiritual growth is understanding that life is hard and those who live godly will suffer wrongfully at times.  In the realm of nature, life is hard; life is often unfair!  Life is hard enough in the natural realm but, because of the new birth, there comes spiritual persecution. 

B.  These “strangers scattered” did not understand their plight and neither do most of us.  We have the idea that, after we are saved, everything will work out fine for us.  Peter is trying to help them in their spiritual growth.

C.  There are two words that I want to look at that give spiritual light on both the reality of suffering and our attitude during suffering.

1.  Thankworthy – worthy of being thankful for. 

2.  Conscience – conscious of, consider, perception, or informed.  To understand what has happened.

1.  We are to be mindful in suffering.  (Thank the Lord every day for what He suffered for us!)

1 Peter 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Isaiah 53:10-11  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  (11)  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

a.  Christ suffered wrongfully for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

1 Peter 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

b.  Christ suffered willingly for us.  Hebrews 12:1-3  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  (2)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  (3)  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Philippians 2:7-8  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

c.  Christ suffered woefully for us.  Isaiah 52:14  As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:  (Our Lord “set the bar” for suffering as He suffered for us.

2.  We are to be patient in suffering. 

a.  We suffer wrongfully for Him.  1 Peter 2:19  For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

b.  We suffer willingly for Him.  Hebrews 13:12-14  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.  (13)  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.  (14)  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

c.  We suffer woefully for Him.  Matthew 5:10-12  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  (11)  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  (12)  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

3.  We are to be thankful in suffering.  Acts 5:40-42  And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  (41)  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.  (42)  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.