How Can I Count My Blessings?

Cf. James 1:2 Consider it all joy...

Cf. Philippians 3:10 I want to share in His sufferings.

3. Consider yourself blessed vs. 14

Here and now, not just later when we get to heaven.

Cf. 3:14 "even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed."

A. We are blessed because Christ is with us in the furnace of persecution

Isaiah 41:10; 43:2 I will be with you.

Daniel 3:23-25 The Three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace

Matthew 28:20 Lo I am with you always...even to the end of the age

B. We are blessed because God will use suffering and turn it into glory

Christ was talking about grieving and pain. He used the illustration of Childbirth (John 16:20-22). Christ said, "The same baby that gave the mother pain will also bring her joy.

II Corinthians 12:7-10 the same thorn that gave Paul pain also gave him God’s power and grace to face that thorn.

We are blessed when we understand the concept of postponed pleasures. We pay a price today for enjoyment in the future.

ILL: Practicing piano scales and exercises now will enable us to play fluidly later.

C. We are blessed because God’s spirit and the spirit of glory rests on us now. We don’t have to wait for heaven for a reward.

4. Make sure about the reason for your sufferings! Vs. 15

slanderers accused Christians of all kinds of atrocities: cannibalism (eating the flesh of Christ), drinking blood (this is my blood, drink ye all of it), child sacrifice, immorality, etc.

Notice the descending order of probability: Murderers, thieves, evil-doers, meddlers.

Cf. 2:20 It’s one thing to be do what is right and be persecuted, but an entirely different thing to do something wrong and be punished for it.

I Peter 3:16 Make sure your life is above reproach so that they slander you for doing good--which will only make them look foolish.

ILL: for example. Pastors face criticism--that’s not at all unusual. But I remember one time in the past when I was accused of being too biblical. The accusation was that every time I wanted to back up an argument, I’d use the scriptures. As much as that criticism hurt, I was also complimented by it. Such an accusation came for doing good--and it only makes the other person look foolish.

5. Consider it an honor vs. 16

This is an interesting comment for someone who had been ashamed to be associated with Christ in Mark 14:68. But The resurrection changed Peter dramatically. I’m sure he remembers his denial and cursing when he was giving this instruction. But God can change us. It changed him--

Cf. Acts 5:41 The apostles considered it a privilege to suffer for the name of Christ.

The title Christian was never something a Christian would call himself, but a name others would use--a description or nickname of reproach or ridicule. Peter is saying, "If someone ridicules you by calling you a Christ-person, don’t be offended, rather condier it an honor to bear the name of Christ.

6. Be thankful you aren’t going to go through what they will face Vs. 17,18

These verses contrast those who suffer according to the will of God (vs. 19) with those who are being punished/judged acccording to the judgement for their sins. Peter says, Be thankful you aren’t receiving suffering that is as bad as what those people are going to get.