"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear [1] ; do not be frightened." [2] But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil"1st Peter 3:13-17
Introduction: Black Bart was a professional thief whose very name struck fear as he terrorized the Wells Fargo stage line. From San Francisco to New York, his name became synonymous with the danger of the frontier. Between 1875 and 1883 he robbed 29 different stagecoach crews. Amazingly, Bart did it all without firing a shot. Because a hood hid his face, no victim ever saw his face. He never took a hostage and was never trailed by a sheriff. Instead, Black Bart used fear to paralyze his victims. His sinister presence was enough to overwhelm the toughest stagecoach guard. Today in the Word, August 8, 1992
Transition: Fear is such a strange emotion, I read this week of some fears that are apart of many peoples lives…maybe even your own! Peladophobia: fear of baldness and bald people. Aerophobia: fear of drafts. Porphyrophobia: fear of the color purple. Chaetophobia: fear of hairy people. Levophobia: fear of objects on the left side of the body. Dextrophobia: fear of objects on the right side of the body. Auroraphobia: fear of the northern lights. Calyprophobia: fear of obscure meanings. Thalassophobia: fear of being seated. Stabisbasiphobia: fear of standing and walking. Odontophobia: fear of teeth. Graphophobia: fear of writing in public. Phobophobia: fear of being afraid. Fraser Kent, Nothing to Fear, , Doubleday & Company, 1977.
The Apostle Peter has some reassuring words for us today from 1st Peter 3: 13-17…In Christ there is "No need for Fear". We learn this Lord’s day that:….
Suffering in inevitable
We can say no to fear
There is an antidote for fear.
I: Suffering is inevitable: "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed" Peter’s question must have hung in the air for a long moment when the Christians who first received this letter heard it. They were no strangers to suffering and indeed had suffered for doing good. Peter is addressing no run of the mill believers, they were very zealous for the Lord in fact in the original language of the Greek New Testament these were people who "burned with zeal" to desire earnestly! What was it that they were so passionate about? Serving God regardless of the cost!
Peter was not dismissing the suffering that was all to real to them not at all in fact he was "Telling them that as a result of their righteous lives and God’s care, their blessedness would be such as to turn off all the malice of their persecutors and make their suffering itself to be a joy!" Kenneth Wuest word studies volume 2 pg 87
Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They’re the only ones who can take it."
Peter says God’s people are blessed for suffering? That is a reoccurring theme in God’s word. There is something about great hardship that allows our Faith if it a genuine faith to shine! What good is faith if it’s never tested? The trying of our faith is more precious than Gold the scripture says! Greatness often lies hidden beneath an easy or comfortable life, only to emerge when suffering is applied to such a life.
In 1962, Victor and Mildred Goertzel published a revealing study of 413 "famous and exceptionally gifted people" called Cradles of Eminence. They spent years attempting to understand what produced such greatness, what common thread might run through all of these outstanding people’s lives. Surprisingly, the most outstanding fact was that virtually all of them, 392, had to overcome very difficult obstacles in order to become who they were. Tim Hansel, Holy Sweat, 1987, Word Books Publisher, Page 134.
I am speaking to someone today who is in the midst of suffering. It has torn at your heart and sapped your strength. You are today a weary follower of Christ. For the Lord, and his great cause you don’t burn with passion; you couldn’t be categorized as being someone who desires him earnestly! And it’s all because of suffering, suffering you believe is undeserved and unwelcome! Could it be that suffering has come to you not as an enemy but as a friend? A friend who will take you by the hand and heart and show you the depths of God’s sufficiency? "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed" My friends suffering is inevitable, face it in the strength of the Lord! Be passionate about your faith, desire him earnestly.
A great Methodist Pastor from England a man named William Sangster was told he was dying of progressive muscular atrophy, he made four resolutions and faithfully kept them: 1) I will never complain; 2) I will keep the home bright; 3) I will count my blessings; 4) I will try to turn it to gain. W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, p. 215. While suffering in inevitable, notice fear doesn’t have to be!
II. Saying no to fear "Do not fear what they fear [1] ; do not be frightened." The apostle Peter is saying literally "Do not be affected with fear by the fear which they try to inspire in your heart" Kenneth Wuest word studies volume 2 pg 88 . Why and what do Christians fear? Peter of course is describing the fear that often is found in the staunchest believers heart! We fear many things as it relates to this worlds perception of us. We fear that somehow they will think were fanatics. That they won’t see us as regular people not unlike themselves with goals and hopes and mortgages and dentist bills! We fear being misunderstood that they will conclude that we think we are better than they are. Even as followers of the Lord for many years we should never underestimate the need to be accepted!
What is the heart of Peter’s thinking here? In the context of his day it’s simple not to be afraid to assert your love and passion for God! Risk being misunderstood to be a person of faith! In that regard the admonition to not be afraid spans the centuries! What it comes down to is this: Am I as a follower of Christ willing to allow the Lord to direct my life, shape my ethics control my conduct, even if it set’s me at odds with society? A society that wraps itself tightly around the idea that one should " Do what you want, there are no moral absolutes and in fact truth is not in a person it’s not in Christ it’s in what I feel at the moment! "Do not fear what they fear ; do not be frightened."
I have mentioned many times that the phrase "Fear not" or "Be not afraid" is found three hundred and 65 times in the word of God! That’s one for every day! "Do not fear what they fear ; do not be frightened."
Best selling author Zig Ziglar said that FEAR is often False Evidence That Appears Real! Nelson Price in his book Shadows we run from tells about running 99 yards for a touchdown, all the while trying to escape his own shadow! We often run from the imaginary.
There are legitimate fears, fears that cause us to be cautious! Like driving through Denver! Or the fear of snakes or shaky ladders! That kind of fear is really… respect and can save us a lot of heartache! Peter wants us to not be afraid to live for Jesus to let his life dominate our own, to eclipse ours. Some wrongly conclude that such devotion will eradicate our individuality. On the contrary you will become the "you" that God destined you to be when you…."Do not fear what they fear ; do not be frightened." How is that possible you ask? Is there an antidote for spiritual fear? Yes!
III. The antidote for fear "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil"1st Peter 3:13-17.
Peter states that believers are to "Set apart Christ in their heart’s as Lord" Lord means Kurious it has it’s meaning in the old testament and is referring to Jesus as Jehovah God! Christ means the anointed one, and speaks of the Jewish messiah. Peter in no uncertain terms is challenging all believers then and now too: "Set apart their Messiah the Lord Jesus as Jehovah, very God, in their hearts giving first place to him in obedience of life. When we think of Jesus being Lord, the appropriate response for Christians is to bow to him as master! The second person of the trinity is to be Lord and master of our lives! He is our resource our defender when persecution comes." Kenneth Wuest word studies Pg 88
In 1991 a Gallup poll showed that 78 percent of Americans expect to go to heaven when they die. However, many of them hardly ever pray, read the Bible, or attend church. They admit that they live to please themselves instead of God. I wonder why these people would want to go to heaven.
In an article title, "Are We Ready for Heaven?" Maurice R. Irwin points out that only 34 percent of the American people who call themselves Christians attend church at least once a week. He says, "We sing, ’When all my labors and trials are o’er, and I am safe on that beautiful shore, just to be near the dear Lord I adore will through the ages be glory for me.’ However, unless our attitudes toward the Lord and our appreciation of Him change greatly, heaven may be more of a shock than a glory." Daily Bread, July 31, 1992
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil"1st Peter 3:13-17.
Suffering is inevitable, circled on the calendar of your life our days that will prove to be quite difficult! Are you ready for such a time of suffering? Are you a fearful person?
You can say no to fear, you can as Corrie Ten boom once said "Don’t wrestle just nestle" drawing so close to the Lord and Master of your life that you feel his continual shelter and protection. Though life can and often is difficult there will be his hand, guiding you leading you watching over you….and all will be well! Impossible? No not in the least.
But dear friend Sunday only Christianity will not cut it, God is looking and waiting for people to seek him with passion, and trust him with the faith of a child! If your bible is neglected and your spiritual fervor is burning low, you won’t stand when the winds blow and adversity strikes! You will wilt like a flower. It doesn’t have to be that way…but that’s a choice we make every day. Will I do I … But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord?
A.W. Tozer says that people who are crucified with Christ have three distinct marks:
1. they are facing only one direction,
2. They can never turn back, and
3. They no longer have plans of their own. Holy Sweat, Tim Hansel, 1987, Word Books Publisher, Page 187
Notice the conduct of God’s people. If were to have a vital part in touching this country are friends are neighbors we must: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil"1st Peter 3:13-17
When Peter writes of believer’s needing to be ready to give an answer he is using a word that would be well know in legal circles. I t literally means an attorney who defends his client. Christians must be prepared to share the Hope i.e. the life of Jesus is a clear direct well thought out manner! . "But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander" Character is much better kept than recovered. Thomas Paine
If were to live trusting rather than fearful, encouraged rather than discouraged when suffering comes our way. We must constantly apply the antidote for fear: consistent Christian living the most effective way to point others to Christ! Because when we share his love, our lives will back up our words!
Appeal: Accept suffering. Say no to fear. Set Christ apart in your heart as Lord!
