Meaningful Pain¡ÊSermon Sunday, 29th July, 2007¡Ë

Verses of Invocation: Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV)
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

[ Meaningful Pain] (1 Peter 3:13-22 NIV)
Peter wrote this letter to encourage Anatolian Christians who were suffering oppression from the Roman authorities because they refused to serve military duties, and worship the Emperor. Peter wrote to comfort them with the hope of eternal life, and to challenge them to continue living holy lives.

Followers of the christian church suffered persecution during the great wars, and still today, many christians and pacifists are moved by their conscience and object to take up arms with the military forces of their countries. A similar thing occurred in Japan during world war II. Pacifists and christians alike, were belittled and persecuted, for their convictions.

So, how should we behave in similar situations? Peter has the answer to this question: “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened” (1 Peter 3:14).

We often risk being persecuted or hated for our faith! Perhaps we should accept suffering as a testing time, a trial period measured by God, to equip us for eternal life in Jesus Christ, who was ultimately crucified and resurrected in glory.

When we suffer for doing what is right, remember that following Christ is a costly commitment. When persecuted for our faith, rejoice that you have been counted worthy to suffer for Christ.

Compassionate and Humble
Peter continues: ¡ÈFinally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 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” (1 Peter 3: 8-9).

For example, Martin Luther King Jr, activist for the American civil rights movement, and victim of a racial assassin, insisted that we must continue to love our enemies instead of taking revenge. He said the unarmed resistance of the first christian generation gave birth to a great power which shook the Roman Empire.

One of his famous quotes is: “I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant”

And then there is Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian, who was incarcerated under the Nazi regime. We can learn much from the many letters and papers Bonhoeffer wrote from his prison cell, before he was finally executed. Particularly, on how to serve Christ, and live a holy life, while suffering through extreme conditions of torture and pain.

Partners With Christ
Perhaps its time to stand up, and publicly declare our faith and belief in Christ. Listen to Peter:

“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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil” (1 Peter 3:15-17).
We will question, no doubt, from time to time, our ability to keep the faith, and retain our hope for the future, whilst we endure painful conditions in today¡Çs society.
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References:
M.L.K. Jr’s quote, ( http://www.quotedb.com/quotes/1537)
Hymn / Poem: ( http://www.pietisten.org/winter0405/sightings.html)

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