Suffering for the Future

Minister Joaquin 

1 Peter 1:10-12

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Those to whom Peter writes have been given new birth into a living hope and an inheritance that will be fully realized at the final revelation of Jesus Christ. Until that time, their Christian faith brings them into conflict with the values and priorities of the society in which they live. 

This conflict causes them to suffer grief in various kinds of trials, not in spite of being Christians but precisely because they are Christians. The fact that they suffer conflict with their society is evidence that their faith in Christ is genuine; otherwise, they would not choose to live in a way that causes suffering.

1:3-5 New birth through Christ’s resurrection results in personal hope, which redefines one’s status both in society (in terms of alienation) and in the kingdom (in terms of a share in eternal inheritance).

1:6-9 Suffering because you see so many people in pain confirms you have the character of God and were made in his image. Suffering because you are doing something about it confirms your faith. You can’t sit idly by and do nothing. You suffer giving up your resources, time, security, pride, and safety.

The knowledge that Peter explains in 1 Pet. 1:10–12 allows him to draw his readers’ self-understanding into solidarity with the OT  people of God, giving them a new heritage now that they have abandoned the empty way of their biological ancestors (1:18), whether Gentile or Jew. 

They are no longer citizens of diverse nations but have been joined to the one people of God. Therefore, their self-understanding must be reshaped in accordance with this new reality that is of the greatest value.

2 Chronicles 6:32-33

32 “Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for the sake of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm, when he comes and prays toward this house, 33 hear from heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name. 

Say it with me I am no longer Chinese 

Stop thinking like Chinese 

Stop acting Chinese 

Start living like Children of God

Same spirit giving prophecies to the OT, descended on Jesus, leading us.

The results of the OT should impact our lives now. 

People kept being influenced by other cultures

Those that were faithful persevered

God was just and gave everyone what they deserved

He shows his readers, who were suffering a loss of status in their society because of Christ, that in fact they were more privileged in the perspective of redemptive history than they could have known—more privileged than either the great prophets of old or the angels above. 

This provides further motivation for joy even during suffering. Clearly the gospel message is of great value if it is the focus of attention of the prophets of old and the angels of heaven. Christians should therefore rejoice that they have obtained that precious message.

Your choices today impact the future (serving you not themselves)

Despite the knowledge revealed by the Spirit of Christ to the prophets, they apparently did not enjoy complete satisfaction in their inquiries: they were told only that their work was not for their own times but for a future generation. Peter interprets that future generation to be both the people who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus and the generations to follow.

How will you live your life knowing it will impact others?

Living as exiles/missionaries

Evaluate your choices by kingdom values BA, MA, PHD

Thank God for suffering

Strengthen yourself to make suffering easier and more enjoyable