God's Ambassadors in the Devil's Domain

Scripture: Acts 5:38-42

C.I.: Suffering and Christ's Ambassadors

Jesus has left us here as His ambassadors – so that we may reconcile the world to God.
But Satan does not want the world to be reconciled – so he brings suffering upon the believer. – Today…!

•  The Purpose of Suffering, (I Peter 4:1-11)

A. Suffering Provides Opportunities to Glorify Jesus.

1. The Triumph Over Sin, ( vs. 1-3 ), “Since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because
he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, - so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh – no longer for the lusts of
men but for the will of God. – For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desires of the Gentiles,
having pursued a course (focused on) of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.”

a. Ceased from sin = It's a “mind-thing”; where is our focus (to sin or to not sin – quote Rom. 6:1-2 ).
b. We've had enough time to sin – now it's time to live God's will in our lives! Triumphantly!!!

2. The Testimony to Non-Believers , ( vs. 4-6 ), “In all this they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same
excess of dissipation, and they malign you.”
a. As ambassadors we need to make up our minds as to who we want to please; men or God?!
b. Their willingness to malign us – is the result of our living as Jesus commands, ( Matt. 5:14-16 ).
c. Our life is our light – and this light is our testimony!

3. The Tenderness for Fellow-Believers, ( vs. 8-9 ), “Above all keep fervent in your love for one another, because love
covers a multitude of sins. – Be hospitable to one another without complaint.”
a. Our shared suffering should bring us closer to our fellow-believers ( cf. I Pt. 1:22 ).
b. “Covers…” = Love doesn't condone sin – but if directed against us, our love for the Xn – will be
greater than a desire to “get even,” ( I Cor. 13:5 ), “…does not take into account a wrong suffered.”

4. The Talents from God, ( vs. 10-11 ), “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God. – Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, as the oracles of God. – Whoever serves
a. “Special gift” = Charismata (gift of the Spirit). – Suffering gives us the opportunity to serve.
b. While all gifts of the Spirit are supernatural – not all of them are miraculous, ( cf. Mk. 16:20 ).
c. Supernatural (non-miraculous gifts), ( Rom. 12:6-8 ), “Since we have gifts that differ according to the
grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his
faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his
exhortation; he who gives with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy with ch.”
d. God has empowered us – so during His family's time of need – we will be able to serve each other!

II. The Privilege of Suffering, (I Peter 4:12-16)

A. It is to be expected – all believers will be allowed to suffer, ( v. 12 ), “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which has
come upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.”
1. Peter answers the “Why me?” crowd – with a resounding, “why not?!” – Note the biblical promises…
a. ( Matt. 5:10 ), “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake or righteousness – theirs is the kingdom..
b. ( Jn. 16:33 ), “These things I have spoken so that in Me you may have peace. – In the world you….”
c. ( II Tim. 3:12 ), “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
d. While we shouldn't look forward to or “enjoy” - we should receive it as a privilege for Christ.
e. ( Acts 5:41 ), “…went on their way rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

B. It is to be esteemed, ( vs. 13-16 ).
1. To suffer for Christ means to share in His grief (but with blessings).
a. ( vs. 13a, 14a, 16a ), “But to the degree you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing… - If you
are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed… - If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel
ashamed.”
b. We need to perform a “paradigm-shift” in our thinking re: suffering.
1) Whether physically, emotionally, financially, etc. – people don't like to suffer.
2) Our focus should not be on the effect, “suffering” – but rather its cause !
3) Things that cause physical, emotional, suffering – can be dealt with (surgery, exercise, budget)
4) But if we suffer because of our faith – the good thing we should do is NOT to stop
living out our faith – but rather to esteem/value our suffering as a mark of genuine faith fulness.

2. To suffer for Christ means to share in His glory, ( vs. 13b, 14b, 16b ), “…so that at the revelation of His glory, you
may rejoice with exultation. - …because the Spirit of the glory of God rests upon you. - …but in that name let him glorify G.”
a. The blessings of suffering - both now as well as in the future – will be worth it!
1) ( Jn. 16:21-22 ), “Whenever a woman is in labo r she has sorrow, because her hour has come;
but when she gives birth to the child, she remembers the anguish no more, for joy that a child
has been born into the world. – Therefore you too now have sorrow; but I will see you again,
and your heart will rejoice, and no one takes your joy away from you.”
2) ( II Thess. 1:5-10 ), “It is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give
relief to your who are afflicted, and to us as well, when the Lord Jesus shall descend from heaven with
His mighty angels and flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to….”

III. The Patience of Suffering, (I Peter 4:19)

A. ( v. 19 ), “Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is
right.” – Three things to notice:
1 . Suffering, must be endured for the right reasons, e.g., “…suffer according to the will of God.”
a. As said in v. 15 above, “By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evil-doer, or a ….”
b. So a Christian will suffer – but let us always be sure that it is for the right reasons!

2. Our focus, in the midst of suffering, should be upon our faithful Creator – JESUS!
a. Indeed, His focus when He was suffering, was upon His Father.
b. ( 2:21-23 ), “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you….”

3. In spite of suffering for it, we must never stop doing “what is right”!
a. Forgiveness – “Father, forgive them…,” Luke 23:34
b. Help – “Woman, behold your son,” Jn. 19:26
c. Hope – “Today you will be with Me in Paradise,” Luke 23:43


CONCLUSIONS:

1. Guests: ( II Thess. 1:5-8 ), “It is only right for God to repay with affliction … have not obeyed the gospel” – Have you obeyed the
gospel of God??! – ( Quote Mark 16:15-16 )!