SUFFERING BECAUSE RIGHTEOUS?
November 18, 2001 PM
Sermon Outline
1 Pet 3:13,14
INTRO: As we have moved through this third chapter of 1 Peter we have seen marvelous advice given to Christians about the hows of living as Christians. The advice has been practicable and workable, and the outcome of following that advice has been generally good...as experience has shown. But Peter lived in perilous times of hostility toward Christians...and it would be a situation which would worsen. Thus, Peter begins to look toward handling the possibility of persecution. The two verses before us are a kind of thesis for advice that will follow. Peter begins, then, to write about the possibility of suffering because of righteousness.
I. GENERALLY HARM WILL NOT COME TO RIGHTEOUS FOLKS (3:13)
A. Now, we must establish the sort of people intended here
1. followers of that which is goodimitators
a. thus, imitating God (Eph 5:1), Christ (cf. 1 Pet 2:21)
b. or following the example of apostles, etc.
2. good here certainly covers whole spectrum of goodof Dorcas; of a Barnabas who was simply called a good man
B. But some MSS have zealous instead of follower
1. unbounded enthusiasm for good
2. comment on Zealots among Jewspatriots for whom no price was too high to restore Israel!
3. that is the word used hereburningpassion
4. this is not a hot and cold manner of life...note Isa 59:17 and clad with zeal
C. Too, this leads to concern for motive of goodness
1. certainly this would have a bearing on what one might do if persecution should occur
2. is goodness motivated by fear; peer pressure; by socio-economic considerations?
3. or is it true enthusiasm for goodness of life?
D. Such a lifestyle has little to fear (3:13)
1. Acts 2:47a the thing generally expected
2. such a lifestyle engages in helping, assisting
3. its intent is to benefitnever hurt or harm
II. BUT ONE COULD SUFFER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE (3:14)
A. Why would such a thing happen?
1. if peoples traditions threatenedMt 15:1-3,12
2. if an unholy government should cease to recognize the principles of ChristRev 20:4
3. if people are unholy and are made to feel guilty and insecure by a good lifeJno 3:19,20
4. note Mt 5:10-12 and 2 Tim 3:12 persecution!
5. see also Heb 10:32-34 & 13:3
B. Your reaction, response? happy are ye (14a)
1. what would a normal response be?
2. so often people feel unhappy, underprivileged, unfairly treated, neglected by God and others when their goodness is treated negatively (as perhaps in the case of Heb 10:36-39)
3. happy here is not a feeling of elation or joy
4. rather, it is realizing high privilege
5. in the text of Mt 5:12bthis puts you in good company
C. No reason to fear, to be troubled (14b)
1. easy to say...but not so easily accomplished?
2. in other wordsdo not be influenced to change your course because of threats
3. worst they can do is take ones life...but they have not harmed his soul! Mt 10:28
4. note Isa 8:12-14a if we will have the proper fear of God, He will be our sanctuary, our protection
5. and, too, Isa 12:2I will trust, and not be afraidcant we all say we need to learn to trust God more and ourselves (or the worldly) less?
CLOSE: Through our lives we must learn to concentrate on God, His word, His promises...and not to be distracted by real or imagined threats. We must be zealous of good...believing that this is really the only worthwhile manner of life.
Cecil A. Hutson
18 November 2001