Text: 1 Peter 4:1-19
Introduction
This sermon has been suggested by Barnabas Fund, an organisation seeking to encourage, strengthen and enable Christians who are being persecuted for their faith around the world, and to inform believers in the West of their plight [see www.barnabasfund.org for more information].
In the West we may encounter a little hostility because of our desire to serve Christ, but believers in communist and Islamic countries suffer much more serious persecution. They often suffer threats, beatings, vandalism, imprisonment and even death for the sake of Christ. The main reason for such ill-treatment is to send a message to others not to break from atheism or Islam.
Peter’s letter is written mainly to believers who have come to Christ from paganism and false religion. They gave up their old ways and religious beliefs and practices. As a result they were under extreme pressure from those they used to worship false gods with. They were treated as outsiders and accused of crimes against society.
Breaking with the past (4:1-6)
Peter reminds the believers that they are in good company if they are suffering for their faith, for even the Lord Jesus Christ underwent the same. Obedience, even in the face of hostility, is vital; otherwise they may find themselves returning to the former way of life. There is no place for compromise; instead they must make a clean break from everything to do with their past lives.
Converts to Christianity from Islam are breaking away from a whole lifestyle rather than just religious practices, and in doing so they know their decision to follow Jesus will arouse aggressive opposition. Those who truly love the Lord find that they are given the strength to stand firm rather than disobey God’s will. Their family will take offence and reject them. Sometimes there is the suggestion that the new convert continue to observe Islamic rituals so that others might not know they have disgraced Islam and the family, but God will not permit this. Even if they are killed, as they often are, they are certain to be brought directly into God’s Kingdom. These are the true martyrs in the Middle East. The value of faith is far greater than the cost that might have to be paid by the persecuted.
Helping one another (4:7-11)
The persecution of Christians, despite the fact that it has always happened, is a sign that we are living in the last days. We must be prayerful and alert. We must always be ready to assist others, especially those who are suffering for the Lord. This is why persecuted believers need our prayer and support.
Christians from Muslim backgrounds, who have left the mosque behind need, to be supported by a fellowship of believers so that their faith and commitment can grow stronger. While it is almost impossible to get aid to former Muslims in Islamic nations, we can pray for them and support organisations who have ways and means to assist them.
Facing hostility (4:12-19)
Peter states that persecution should not be seen as an unusual occurrence but as the norm in Christianity. Instead of allowing it to destroy our faith, we ought to rejoice in the Lord, for we are sharing in the sufferings of Christ. We rejoice because we know that we will reign with Him once this life is over.
Suffering for the Lord is not enduring a bout of the flu or a migraine. How many stop following Christ because they get sick? We in the comfortable West rarely suffer any real persecution, but those in Islamic countries are being hideously mistreated and are the true models of suffering saints. Believers in Southern Sudan remain joyful even though they are being grievously abused by the Islamic government in the North. They have a saying, “God has given us another day, and we are going to Heaven.”
Those who are abused for bearing the name of Christ are to view hostility as a blessing instead of a curse, because their resilient faith is a sign that God’s Spirit is upon them. As believers they must remain faithful rather than trying to make life easier by compromising their faith and yielding to their persecutor’s demands. This is a hard thing to do, but keep in mind that God will one day deal with the ungodly. Those who suffer for Christ must entrust themselves to their Faithful Creator and live righteously, for He will give them the courage and strength to endure any trial.
Conclusion
Peter does not minimise the seriousness of suffering or the hardships that the persecuted endure, but he does show that it is absolutely vital that they never return to their old religious ways and practices. It might sound ridiculous to suggest that they should rejoice, but in doing so, it proves that they truly love and serve the Lord. The believer’s new lifestyle must be lived even in the midst of those in bondage to paganism and false religion.
We in the West must not forget them, but instead we should be informed about the suffering of our fellow believers and pray for them. If we can support ministries like the Barnabas Fund, we should do so, but the least we can do, which in fact is the best thing, is to pray for the persecuted brethren in pagan nations that their faith would remain strong through their fiery ordeal.
© 1/9/2009