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Sunday 05/24/20
Series: Do we REALLY believe?
Message – Judgement begins in God’s House
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Judgement begins in God’s House
In our series of “Do we REALLY believe?” we’ve been talking about entering into the sufferings of Christ.
We’ve discovered that those sufferings take on three primary forms.
- Saying no to our flesh and it’s sinful tenancies.
- Trials God in His sovereignty approves for His purposes.
- Temptations, oppositions, persecutions and afflictions from the world.
- While it is NOT always clear when something is a trial or a temptation, it is important to note that God NEVER TEMPTS ANYONE!
- For Example: There may be times when satan may manipulate situations so that we experience lack and may even go hungry for a short time in order to tempt us away from trust in Christ and question His willingness and ability to provide for us. Other times God, in His sovereignty, may cause us to hunger even as He did the Israelites in the wilderness in order to test them – so as to reveal what was in their hearts. One is clearly a temptation intended to draw you away, the other is a test in order to encourage you to draw near, or to reveal that your heart is not as inclined to trust God as you thought.
Concerning the first category of dealing with sin – we have learned that this can be accomplished in three ways.
- From a heart of deep respect and devotion for God and His words
- Even under the old covenant we see King David saying, that he had kept away from the paths of the destroyer by taking heed according to God’s word. ~ Ps. 17 & 119:9
- Paul encouraged Timothy with essentially the same words.
- By judging ourselves in response to the inward working and conviction of the Holy Spirit.
- Again Paul tells the Christians in Corinth, and by extension to all believers of all time, that if they would judge themselves they would not be judged.
- Finally, if we do not heed God’s word, or respond to the promptings of His Spirit, God will without question chasten us and we discovered that this Greek word usage and meaning were very deliberate. It meant to bring the rod of correction. The literal translation meant to leave a physical mark like bruising in the flesh.
- We saw an example of this in 1 Cor. 5 with a believer in Corinth who was living unrepentantly in sexual sin.
The Purpose of all three is redemptive.
The second category of sufferings which we partake of which are within the scope of God’s sovereignty over us and that is what we will be covering today.
Turn with me to 1 Peter 4:12-19. I am reading this from the Weymouth translation simply because I believe it offers a clearer account with fewer words than would otherwise be necessary…but of course, I encourage you to study the passage for yourself not only reading it in other translations but conducting some word studies of your own to get a better grasp of it’s point and meaning.
Again, 1 Peter 2:12-19.
We are going to begin at the end with verse 19 and then back up and read through. I’m doing this to give you a view where this is heading and context for what is actually being said.
“(19) Therefore also, let those who are suffering in accordance with the will of God entrust their souls in well-doing as to a faithful Creator.”
That’s a fat verse!
First it tells us that these trails could not come without being cleared through Him. So if it comes, there is grace.
Secondly, for those who truly trust Him and adore Him as their Father, Lord and Creator it has the effect of settling our hearts so that we are not trouble when these things happen.
Third, it points out a special part of our relationship with God. Notice it doesn’t say your Father is faithful. It doesn’t say your Lord is faithful. It doesn’t say your Husband is faithful. It says your Creator is faithful. And His faithfulness in this context is especially regarding your soul. So these verses about suffering and trial are clearly about the salvation of our souls.
Now let’s read through them with that understanding our back pocket.
“(12) Dear friends, do not be surprised at finding that that scorching flame of persecution is raging among you to put you to the test–as though some surprising thing were accidentally happening to you. (13) On the contrary, in the degree that you share in the sufferings of the Christ, rejoice, so that at the unveiling of His glory you may also rejoice with triumphant gladness. (14) You are to be envied, if you are being reproached for bearing the name of Christ; for in that case the Spirit of glory— even the Spirit of God–is resting upon you. (15) But let not one of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evil-doer, or as a spy upon other people’s business. (16) If, however, any one suffers because he is a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God for being permitted to bear that name. (17) For the time has come for judgement to begin, and to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who reject God’s Good News? (18) And if it is difficult even for a righteous man to be saved, what will become of irreligious men and sinners? (19) Therefore also, let those who are suffering in accordance with the will of God entrust their souls in well-doing to a faithful Creator.”
Let’s examine this verse a little and we will probably look at one other passage and may refer in illustration to others as well.
First off it is clear this is TO believers. I don’t think that needs any help from me to see that.
Secondly, Peter is encouraging them to have and maintain a certain mindset. Now in our ‘Word of Faith‘ days I would have glazed over this or creatively re-interpreted it, but it says what it says and as the title of our Series puts it in question form – Do I REALLY believe?
The mindset is not necessarily one of expecting opposition, (though it’s hard to imagine NOT expecting it) but it is a mindset of not being surprised when it comes.
Jesus Himself told us it would. He also told us that the world hated Him and if it hated Him, it will hate us as well.
I have told you this many times and it is a rewording if you will, of a phrase Jesus used, but “If unbelievers find you easy to be around – you are almost certainly not following Christ very closely.” Jesus said it this way, “Beware when all men speak well of you, because that is how your forefathers spoke of false prophets.”
My wife claims that I am charming when I am in public. To me I am just being considerate and kind. This has an alluring affect even among the lost. They like you, they enjoy being around you…at least for a while. However, when you speak well of Jesus and His word, and espouse His teachings and a-1 priorities on morality, your charm turns bitter rather quickly and you can suddenly find yourself the brunt of jokes or verbal abuse. This of course, is of little account if you have found your identity and value in Christ. Their words no longer have any power or sway over you. Paul said it this way, “(3) It is of little importance that I should be evaluated by you or by a human court. In fact, I don’t even evaluate myself. (4) For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. The One who evaluates me is the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 4:3-4.
Of course the tests and trials Peter is referring to here range the entire gambit from simply being verbally reproached for being a follower of Christ to imprisonment and even death and every temptation and harassment in-between.
For us, as Christians – this is part of our testimony, even as our initial confession of Christ and our public baptism is.
When Romans 10:9,10 tell us, “(9) If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.”
It is NOT just referring to a ONE TIME statement, but an ongoing testimony to His Lordship. This is why we have statements in the New Testament of the continuation of that confession. Paul talks to the Corinthains about, “others glorifying God for the obedience of their confession to the gospel of Christ…” – 2Cor. 9:13. And the writer of Hebrews says, “ let us hold fast our confession.”
This is perhaps the main reason for baptism – it is an open confession of Christ – before believers and unbelievers alike.
In the early church this was better understood because NO ONE would have publicly confessed Jesus as LORD unless they meant it!
For one, a Jew wouldn’t because that title kurios or Lord was one reserved for God Himself.
Gentiles also wouldn’t have confessed Him, because it was one and the same as their confession regarding the Emperor. To announce that Jesus is kurios “could” be a declaration of treason against the Emperor and Rome.
To confess Jesus as Lord was to publicly affirm your intentions to render to Jesus implicit obedience and reverent worship.
We just don’t know what we have been invited into!
Our confession of Christ as LORD has a depth of meaning which goes WAY beyond the modern comprehension of it – if it is even contemplated at all!
So this suffering for Christ mentioned by Peter is HUGE and IS a direct prerequisite to being glorified with Him.
It means…
- to claim His name as being placed upon your head.
- To identify with Him in every way
- His teachings
- His way of living
- His devotions become mine
- His desires supplant my own
- His purposes direct my life
- His commandments are my life devotion
- His kingdom comes before and represents all I do
- He IS Lord!!!
Peter makes it clear that NO Christian should suffer for being an evil doer. Sin has NO place in the Christian’s life. BUT…
Peter goes on to say that if we identify with Christ and so suffer as a result – we are to be envied, because the Glory of Christ and the Spirit Who reveals Him rests upon us!
“(16) If, however, any one suffers because he is a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God for being permitted to bear that name.”
Then he says something which I have not heard preached on in some time in churches and that is that God is in the process of judging His church.
In modern theology, the idea that Christ was judge for us, has taken on a bloated meaning which goes WAY beyond the boundaries of scripture. Yes, Jesus was judged for us – the righteous for the unrighteous, so that we have passed from death and wrath to life and love…agreed! That does NOT mean however, that once we’ve come to Christ there is no judgment at all!
Let’s read verses 17-19
“(17) For the time has come for judgement to begin, and to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who reject God’s Good News? (18) And if it is difficult even for a righteous man to be saved, what will become of irreligious men and sinners? (19) Therefore also, let those who are suffering in accordance with the will of God entrust their souls in well-doing to a faithful Creator.”
Notice that this suffering for our identifying with and in Christ comes with a suffering which God wills!
Again, NOT a popular doctrine but that is largely because our generation has polluted the gospel of Christ and turned it into a Gospel of men. Salvation is no longer about God, but man. We are viewed as victims who were rescued not converted perpetrators.
So what could possibly be the point and thus the reason behind God ever willing us to suffer as Christians?
To test and purify…
- To test – meaning to prove.
- To purify – not removing sin, but refine character through opposition.
Let’s look at an example, it is conveniently found in this same book. Turn with me to 1Peter chapter 1.
1 Peter 1:3-25, “(3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, (5) who are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (6) You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials (7) so that the genuineness of your faith–more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire–may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (8) You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, (9) because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (10) Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated. (11) They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings and the glories that would follow. (12) It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you concerning things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things. (13) Therefore, get your minds ready for action, being self-disciplined, and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Do I REALLY believe?
I hope this message will bless you richly…not because I taught it, but because it reveals Christ. He alone is our blessing and if in any way – whether big or small, 100% accurate or even just partially so – I have revealed our great God and Savior to you in a relationally knowable way, then this was time well spent on both our parts.
We at Living Grace Fellowship encourage you to place your trust in Jesus Christ, deliberately choosing Him and bowing the knee to Him as your Master and Lord, so as to come to realize Him as your Savior.
You have a special place in God’s family & kingdom. The fact that you exist… that you are His creation, says you were in His heart, you are His delight!
If you do not know Him, please reach out to us. Give us a call at the number located on every page of this website or use our ‘Contact Us‘ page. We would be deeply honored, if you gave us the privilege of introducing you to the Lord. Neither money nor attendance at our church will EVER be mentioned.
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Blessings!
