The Believer’s Suffering

TEXT : 1 PETER 4:12-19 (NIV) 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

THEME: The right response to those who endure faith in life, Proves that our treasure is Jesus Christ.

QUESTION: How we should respond to the challenges of life QUESTION: How we should respond to the challenges of life? (Paano tayo Dapat Tumugon sa mga Tiisin sa Buhay Pananampalataya?) I. Sufferings shouldn’t surprise us, we expect it into our life (V12) “Ang mga Tiisin ay Hindi Dapat Pinagtatakhan, Kundi Inaasahan”. (V12)

John 15:20 (NIV) 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. (20 Alalahanin ninyo ang sinabi ko sa inyo: walang aliping higit kaysa kanyang panginoon. Kung ako'y inusig nila, uusigin din nila kayo;)

2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV) 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, (12 At lahat ng may nais mamuhay nang matuwid bilang tagasunod ni Cristo ay daranas ng pag-uusig.)

Philippians 1:29 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, (29 Ipinagkaloob niya sa inyo ang karapatang makapaglingkod kay Cristo, hindi lamang ang manalig sa kanya kundi ang magtiis din naman dahil sa kanya.)

Luke 9:23 23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (23 At sinabi niya sa lahat, "Kung ibig ninumang sumunod sa akin, limutin niya ang ukol sa kanyang sarili, pasanin araw-araw ang kanyang krus, at sumunod sa akin.)

II. Your sufferings in Christ should bring joy into your heart II. Your sufferings in Christ should bring joy into your heart. (V13-14) “Ang mga Tiisin ay Dapat na Nagbibigay ng Kasiyahan sa Ating mga Puso ”. (V13-V14) Acts 5: 40 40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. (40 Pinapasok na muli ang mga apostol, at pagkatapos ipapalo at pagbawalang mangaral sa pangalan ni Jesus, sila'y pinalaya.) Acts 5: 41 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. (41Galak na galak na umalis ang mga apostol sa harap ng Sanedrin sapagkat minarapat ng Diyos na sila'y malagay sa kahihiyan alang-alang sa pangalan ni Jesus.)

How can we rejoice despite of all the sufferings in life? A) By anticipating to see His glory when it is revealed. (V13) (…Sa pamamagitan ng pagtingin sa kadakilaan ng hinaharap…) Philippians 3:20 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Hebrews 12:2 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 has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (2 Dahil sa kagalakang naghihintay sa kanya, hindi niya ikinahiya ang mamatay sa krus, at siya ngayo'y nakaluklok sa kanan ng trono ng Diyos.)

2 Corinthians 4:11 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. (11 Kami'y laging nabibingit sa kamatayan alang-alang kay Cristo upang sa aming katawang may kamatayan ay mahayag ang kanyang buhay) 2 Corinthians 4:18 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (18 Kaya't ang paningin namin ay nakapako sa mga bagay na di nakikita, hindi sa nakikita. Sapagkat panandalian lamang ang mga bagay na nakikita, ngunit walang hanggan ang mga bagay na di nakikita.)

How can we rejoice despite of all the sufferings in life? B) By declaring that we are His own-His Spirit rest on us. (V14) (…Sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatunay na tayo ay pag-aari ng Diyos…) Daniel 3:24-25 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” (“Bakit apat ang nakikita kong lalakad-lakad sa apoy at hindi nasusunog? …At yaong isa, ang tingin ko'y diyos!“)

1 Peter 1:6 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (6 Ito'y dapat ninyong ikagalak, bagamat maaaring magdanas muna kayo ng iba't ibang pagsubok sa loob ng maikling panahon.) 1 Peter 1:7 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (7 Ang ginto, na nasisira, ay pinararaan sa apoy upang malaman kung talagang dalisay. Gayon din naman, ang inyong pananampalataya, na higit kaysa ginto, ay pinararaan sa pagsubok upang malaman kung talagang tapat. Sa gayon, kayo'y papupurihan, dadakilain, at pararangalan sa Araw na mahayag si Jesu-Cristo.)

III. Your sufferings in Christ should drive you more to pursue God’s Righteousness. (V15-18) “Ang mga Tiisin ay Dapat na Nagbubunsod sa Atin sa Higit na Kabanalan”. (V15-V18) 1 Peter 1:2 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. (2 Kayo'y hinirang ng Diyos Ama ayon sa kanyang kaalaman sa mula't mula pa upang pabanalin ng Espiritu Santo, maging masunurin kay Jesu-Cristo at maging malinis sa bisa ng kanyang pagkamatay.

1 Peter 2:21 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 21 Ang pagtitiis ng hirap ay bahagi ng pagkahirang sa inyo ng Diyos; sapagkat nang si Cristo ay magtiis para sa inyo, binigyan niya kayo ng halimbawang dapat tularan. 1 Peter 2:22 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 22 Hindi siya gumawa ng anumang kasalanan, o nagsinungaling kailanman. 1 Peter 2:23 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 23 Nang siya'y alipustain, hindi siya gumanti. Nang siya'y pahirapan, hindi siya nagbanta.

IV. Your sufferings in Christ should give you greater confidence to trust more on Him. (V19) “Ang mga Tiisin ay Dapat na Nagbibigay sa sa Atin ng Higit sa Pagtitiwala sa Dios”. Job 1:9 9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 9 Sumagot si Satanas, "Si Job kaya ay matatakot sa iyo nang walang dahilan? Job 1:10 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 10 Bakit nga hindi siya matatakot sa iyo gayong pinagpala mo siya? Iniingatan mo pati ang kanyang sambahayan at ari-arian.

Job 1:11 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” 11 Subukin mong huwag siyang pagpalain, bagkus ay sirain ang lahat niyang tinatangkilik kung di ka niya sumpain. 1 Peter 1:7 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. “Gayon din naman, ang inyong pananampalataya, na higit kaysa ginto, ay pinararaan sa pagsubok upang malaman kung talagang tapat.”…

CONCLUSION In your Christian life, what should be your response when you experience such sufferings? Sa buhay pananampalataya, ano dapat ang ating maging pananaw ukol sa mga tiisin?