Suffer for doing good

1 Peter 3:8-4:6

Key Verse 3:17

“It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

Introduction.

It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. This unbelieving world and the people who belonged to this world continued to plant in us the wrong message that what they are doing is the norm. But they are now spiritually dead (4:6) like the spirits now in prison (3:19). Our true reality is in Jesus Christ, our Lord and master who had sacrificially created the road map for us to follow. May the Lord help us to come back to our own senses to serve the will of God (4:2) and to preach the gospel boldly like Jesus(3:19) and Noah (2 Peter 2:5) in our own generation.

1.  Read verses 8-12. How should we live with one another? (8-9a) Why?(9b) What must one do if he would love life and see good days? (10b,11) Why must one turn from evil and seek peace? (12)

1-1) Read verses 8-12.

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,

“Whoever would love life

    and see good days

must keep his tongue from evil

    and his lips from deceitful speech.

11 He must turn from evil and do good;

    he must seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1-2) How should we live with one another? (8-9a) 

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, 

Live harmony with one another

a, be sympathetic

b, love as brothers

c, be compassionate and humble

d, do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult

e, repay with blessing!

Peter tells us how to establish the Christian community. We must be sympathetic. Sympathetic is the same as compassionate. 

According to Paul, to be sympathetic means that we rejoice with others when they are honored and promoted.

We are sympathetic if, when someone is weeping, we can weep together with him (Ro 12:15). 

When we are sympathetic, we can love our brothers. 

When we are sympathetic, we can take care of God's flock of sheep entrusted to us. 

The sympathy and compassion of Christ comes when we are humble. Jesus had compassion on those who were following him until Jesus and his disciples had no time to eat. 

But Jesus did not say, "They are annoying us too much."

He said in Mark 6:34, "They are like sheep without a shepherd." 

This one sentence depicts the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ sufficiently.

*Also paying evil with a blessing is a mature Christian who can practice how to love at any situation like a Kung Fu master. 

1-3) Why?(9b)

because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Inheriting a blessing indicates that we are building up our credit in heavenly bank account by repaying others with blessing without paying back humanly.

1-4) What must one do if he would love life and see good days? (10b,11) 

 10 For,

“Whoever would love life

    and see good days

must keep his tongue from evil

    and his lips from deceitful speech.

11 He must turn from evil and do good;

    he must seek peace and pursue it.

The word “must” is repeated three times.

*must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech

*must turn from evil and do good

*must seek peace and pursue it

Tongue was mentioned first. It’s not easy to use our tongues in the right way. 

It is very important for us to utter believing words. (James3:2-6)

It is also much like a boxing match against our tenacious enemy called “Satan.”

The first ground is very important in that we may endure to not say any negative things out of our mouths.

In order to keep our tongues from evil, we must cleanse our hearts by keeping the living word of God in our hearts daily, for the words of our mouth come from the heart (Mt 12:34). 

This is a very difficult part of spiritual life. But Peter quoted David's psalm 34:12-16.

May the Lord help us to keep our tongues to not utter unbelieving words and continue to use it for the preaching the gospel. 

1-5) Why must one turn from evil and seek peace? (12)

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

    and his ears are HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+1-2%3A23%2C1+Peter+3%3A8-4%3A6%2CPsalm+119%3A65-80%2CProverbs+28%3A14&version=NIV1984#fen-NIV1984-30421a"attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

*The eyes of the Lord, His ears, and His face- we knows what God sees and hears!

We are living in front of our living God, not in front of our visible people only. 

2. Read verses 13-17. Why should we not be fearful of doing good? (13) What happens if we suffer for what is right? (14a) Instead of fearing what they fear what should we do? (14b,15a) How should we do this? (15b,16a) Why? (16b,17)

2-1) Read verses 13-17. 

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear[HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+1-2%3A23%2C1+Peter+3%3A8-4%3A6%2CPsalm+119%3A65-80%2CProverbs+28%3A14&version=NIV1984#fen-NIV1984-30423b"b]; do not be frightened.”[HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+1-2%3A23%2C1+Peter+3%3A8-4%3A6%2CPsalm+119%3A65-80%2CProverbs+28%3A14&version=NIV1984#fen-NIV1984-30423c"c] 15 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, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

2-2) Why should we not be fearful of doing good? (13) 

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

Spiritual man is able to overcome fear. Without getting it over, we can not establish Christian community either. 

2-3)What happens if we suffer for what is right? (14a) 

 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.

We do not want to suffer as much as possible. 

But this passage shows that we are blessed when we suffer for what is right.

We can remember the fact that we are blessed at the time of suffering.

2-4) Instead of fearing what they fear what should we do? (14b,15a) 

 “Do not fear what they fear[HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+1-2%3A23%2C1+Peter+3%3A8-4%3A6%2CPsalm+119%3A65-80%2CProverbs+28%3A14&version=NIV1984#fen-NIV1984-30423b"b]; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.

Setting apart Christ as Lord in our hearts!

It means to welcome him as our first and central portion of our hearts. 

This also means practically to take him at his word and to pray, not giving in to Satan's pressure, until Christ wins the victory in our hearts. 

We cannot do this by our will power. But God gives us the Holy Spirit to help us. 

The Holy Spirit, coming in Christ's name, drives out fear and sets our hearts free to love and serve Christ. 

Romans 8:15 says, "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'"

When Peter tried to be loyal to Christ by his will power, he failed miserably (Mt 26:75). 

But through the Holy Spirit, he became bold enough to preach to those who had crucified Christ, and 3,000 repented in one day (Ac 2:14-42). 

To be useful to Christ in this sinsick world we must fight the spiritual battle through the word of God and prayer until Christ reigns in our hearts and we are full of the Holy Spirit. 

2-5) How should we do this? (15b,16a) 

 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, 16 keeping a clear conscience, 

Peter used to deny Jesus without any clear answer. 

But now he changed into a man of answer anytime in Jesus. 

Apostle Paul was also a good example and gave an answer to those who asked him about the reason about his preaching. 

He mentioned about his hope(Acts 24:15)

We should be able to expound the resurrection hope in Jesus to anyone, anytime, and anyplace.

 

2-6) Why? (16b,17)

so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

3. Read verses 18-22. How did Christ set an example for us to suffer for doing good? (18) What happened to Jesus who was put to death? (18b-19) What happened to the people of Noah’s days? (20) What does the water in Noah’s days refer to? (21a) How does the baptism save you? (21b,22)

3-1) Read verses 18-22.

18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom[HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+1-2%3A23%2C1+Peter+3%3A8-4%3A6%2CPsalm+119%3A65-80%2CProverbs+28%3A14&version=NIV1984#fen-NIV1984-30428d"d] also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+1-2%3A23%2C1+Peter+3%3A8-4%3A6%2CPsalm+119%3A65-80%2CProverbs+28%3A14&version=NIV1984#fen-NIV1984-30430e"e] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand —with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

3-2) How did Christ set an example for us to suffer for doing good? (18) 

18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. 

3-3) What happened to Jesus who was put to death? (18b-19)

He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 

Step 1 He was put to death in the body like us

Step 2 He was made alive by the Spirit

Step 3 through the Spirit, he went and preached to the spirits in prison

I believe that the name of the game in this passage is Jesus as the very preacher like Noah in the unbelieving environment(world) by absolute or total obedience to the will(word) of God.

No matter where he goes, the truth and principle remained the same. 

The real message is not from the lip service, but from the real life sacrifice of the messenger like Jesus and Noah(2Peter 2:5, Noah was described as a preacher of righteousness)

3-4) What happened to the people of Noah’s days? (20) 

20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

Only eight people(Noah and seven others 2Peter 2:5) were saved! The rest were drowned to death completely(totally -frequently repeated word throughout recent daily bread passages based on the book of Joshua).

3-5) What does the water in Noah’s days refer to? (21a) 

21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—

Baptism- repentance- accept Jesus as the Lord and the Savior

3-6) How does the baptism save you? (21b,22)

not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+1-2%3A23%2C1+Peter+3%3A8-4%3A6%2CPsalm+119%3A65-80%2CProverbs+28%3A14&version=NIV1984#fen-NIV1984-30430e"e] of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand —with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

4. Read verses 1-6. Why do we arm ourselves like Christ? (1) What is the result of arming ourselves with the same attitude of Christ? (2)  How have we spent time in the past? (3) How do pagans react to someone who has the same attitude of Christ? (4) What will they have to do? (5) Why is the gospel preached? (6)

4-1) Read verses 1-6. 

 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

4-2) Why do we arm ourselves like Christ? (1) 

 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 

Again, as human beings, we do not like to suffer and we don't want to die. Sometimes, even to hear the word "suffering" makes us be allergic.

However, everyone who follows Christ will suffer, though we really don't want to for Jesus said, “if you want to follow me, deny yourselves, take up your cross, and follow me.” 

Peter deeply understood this. Once when Jesus foretold his own suffering and death, Peter rebuked him. Then Jesus rebuked Peter in a way that he did not forget (Mk 8:31-33). 

Since then Peter learned the secret to overcoming sufferings, and he passed it on to us: We must accept suffering with a right attitude. 

That means we must arm ourselves with the attitude of Christ, and we must decide to die to sin and obey the will of God. 

4-3) What is the result of arming ourselves with the same attitude of Christ? (2)  

2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 

"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin." 

Christ was flogged with a whip of leather strands embedded with metal spurs that ripped his flesh. Christ was fastened to a cross, having long iron nails driven through his hands and feet. 

His physical suffering was immense; his suffering of soul was even greater. Finally he died on the cross. 

What was his attitude? When arrested, Jesus was in command. As he said, "I am he," his arrestors drew back and fell to the ground (Jn 18:6). 

When condemned to death, he boldly declared that he was going to the right hand of God and would come on the clouds of heaven (Mk 14:62). 

On the cross, he prayed for sinners, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Lk 23:34a). 

When he died, he said in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Lk 23:46).

A hardened Roman centurion was so impressed that he fell to his knees and said, "Surely, this man was the Son of God" (Mk 15:39). 

Jesus revealed the hope of glory with his Father, assurance of God's final victory, and forgiving love. 

How could Jesus have such an attitude? According to the gospels, one reason was his Gethsemane prayer. In his flesh, Jesus did not want to face this ordeal. 

But he prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" (Lk 22:42). 

Jesus prayed this way until his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Jesus prayed this way until he was fully prepared to take his cup of suffering and death. 

We can arm ourselves with the attitude of Christ through prayer. When we confront suffering the first thing we must do is pray. 

Many of us know this, but we do not always practice it. Instead, our first reaction is to sleep a little more, or try to think our way out of the problem, or enlist the help of others. 

Victory in suffering comes through prayer. So let's learn to pray first, like Jesus. 

The last part of verse 1 says, "...he who has suffered in his body is done with sin."

In a word, as we prayerfully endure sufferings, our sanctification accelerates. 

When Christ died for our sins, he died once for all, and made complete atonement for our sins. 

The moment we believe in Jesus we are justified as children of God, who gives us victory over sin (Ro 6:5-7). However, the process of appropriating this victory may take time, largely because we are slow to renounce our sins. 

The more we die to our sinful nature and allow Christ to live in us, the more tangble our victory over sin becomes. 

This process is accelerated through suffering because pain causes us to focus on what is most important, which is freedom from sinful desires. 

Look at verse 2. "As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God." Sinful desires die and holy desires grow in our hearts. 

Sufferings produce godly character (Ro 5:3-5). So let's embrace them positively. 

4-4) How have we spent time in the past? (3) 

3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 

4-5) How do pagans react to someone who has the same attitude of Christ? (4) 

4 They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.

4-6) What will they have to do? (5) 

 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

4-7) Why is the gospel preached? (6)

 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. 

Although the worldly people are living without any trouble, but in reality they are now spiritually dead like the people in Noah.

 So our visible suffering to live for Christ is not a true reality. We must participate in Jesus’ remained suffering to preach the gospel to save many before being shut in like the ark of Noah at the designated time of God. 

Conclusion.

Suffering for doing good is unpleasant from world’s point of view. But it is great privilege for us to learn of our Lord Jesus Christ who suffered and died on the cross and went to heaven to sit at God’s right hand-with angels, authorities, and powers in submission to him(3:22). Also we can not only endure our suffering but also boldly preach the gospel to the spiritually dead(4:6). From God’s eternal point of view, we are more than conquerors thanks to Jesus, our Lord. Let us pray to become a bold preacher like Noah in our times. 

One word: Suffer to do good!

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