Suffering is something every Christian will face at some point — whether physical pain, emotional hardship, or persecution for our faith. In this sermon from June 5, 2022, Pastor Josh White walks us through 1 Peter 3, reminding us that as American culture shifts, followers of Christ may increasingly face pressure for their beliefs. Rather than fear or avoid suffering, Peter gives us practical strategies to face it head-on.
Be Committed to Doing Good
Peter opens with a powerful promise: “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?” The answer is, often no one — when we live lives devoted to doing good, others notice. But the key is where we focus our attention.
“There is a subtle yet powerful difference between taking a stand against something that is wrong and taking a stand for what is right — focusing on what is right and personally living that way.”
Pastor Josh challenged us with this: two people can have the same convictions, but one devotes their life to being against something while the other devotes their life to being for what is good. The person who focuses on doing good will generally have more influence because their life is evidence that God’s way is best.
This applies everywhere — at work, at school, in our families. Rather than constantly fighting against evil, Paul tells us in Romans 12 to be committed to doing good. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Be Willing to Suffer
But here’s what we don’t want to hear: suffering can’t always be avoided. Peter writes, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed.” This is a promise from God that we often overlook — we assume that a blessed life means free of pain and stress. But Peter says the opposite: if you suffer for righteousness, you will be blessed.
“If you suffer for righteousness sake you will be blessed. This is a promise from God — and that’s not typically how we view suffering. We think of someone who is suffering as just the opposite of being blessed.”
Pastor Josh then gave four blessings that come through suffering:
1. Suffering Produces Strength
James 1:2-3 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” When we embrace suffering — physical, mental, or emotional — it strips away what doesn’t matter and helps us focus on what truly does. Just like Olympic athletes willingly suffer through intense training, we too can grow stronger through the trials we face.
2. Suffering Earns Eternal Rewards
Revelation 2:9-10 tells us that if we are faithful unto death, we will receive the crown of life. We need to train ourselves to suffer with small things now so that when big suffering comes, we are ready. Are we willing to give up temporary earthly pleasures for eternal rewards that can never be taken away?
3. Suffering Gives Us Right Perspective
Second Corinthians 4:16-18 reminds us that our outer self is wasting away while our inner self is being renewed. This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. When we focus on temporary things, we experience pain and disappointment. When we focus on eternal things, our hope is renewed.
4. Suffering Proves Our Faith Is Real
Philippians 1:29 says it has been granted to us that we should not only believe in Christ but also suffer for His sake. Ephesians 6:12 tells us our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. If we’re followers of Christ, we should expect that our adversary will try to cause us to suffer. And one of the blessings: when we are attacked for our faith, it’s proof that our faith is real.
So What?
Pastor Josh closed with a sobering thought: the pandemic showed us that even a relatively minor amount of pressure caused many believers to stop practicing their faith. If that’s what a few weeks of pressure did, what happens when real persecution comes?
“Jesus is coming back, and it’s going to get a lot worse — not better. More pressure will be put on believers to not practice their faith. And if that day comes in our lifetime, what are you going to do? Are you going to avoid suffering? Are you going to embrace it, having faith that God’s Word is true?”
The call is clear: be strong in our faith, committed to each other, and ready to stand side by side. Because anything we go through is worth it — Christ paid the price for our sins and has given us the hope of eternal life.
Scripture References
- 1 Peter 3:13-17 — Peter’s instructions on facing suffering for righteousness
- Romans 12:19-21 — Overcome evil with good
- James 1:2-3 — Trials produce steadfastness
- Revelation 2:9-10 — The crown of life for the faithful
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 — Eternal glory beyond our light affliction
- Ephesians 6:12 — Our battle is spiritual, not flesh and blood
- Philippians 1:27-30 — For it has been granted to you to believe and suffer
- Matthew 5:10-12 — Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness