1 Peter 4:14-19
The Inevitability of Judgment

Around 156 A.D., Polycarp of Smyrna was put to death, the last man alive to have met an apostle. He had lived in the region to which Peter writes and had watched as it became a crime merely to confess the name of Christ. The government sought him as an elder in the church, seeking to put him to death. He hid while he could, but at age 86 he couldn't run away forever. They caught him and brought him before the proconsul who urged him to offer incense to Caesar as to a god and to curse Christ. Polycarp replied: "86 years Have I served Him, and He has never done me wrong; how, then, can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?" Then he plainly declared himself a Christian and offered, if the proconsul assigned a day, to explain what Christianity was.

"Obtain the consent of the people," answered the proconsul.

"No," replied Polycarp, "I count it your due that I should offer my defense to you, because we have been taught to give due honor to the powers ordained of God; but as for these people, I owe no vindication to them."

The proconsul then announced to the crowd that Polycarp had confessed himself to be a Christian and there arose a furious outcry against him among the heathens and the Jews. They tied him to a stake and set the pile of wood on fire, but the wind blew the fire back and it did not burn Polycarp. An executioner was sent in to use the sword and so much blood gushed out of Polycarp that it almost extinguished the flame. Eventually they were able to get the fire going again and burn the corpse.

Polycarp's only crime was bearing the name of Christian and not denying it. He was accused of nothing else and killed for no other reason. And at the end he did not succumb to temptation to insult or threaten the proconsul who was trying him on such a ridiculous charge. But he acknowledged the proconsul's authority as given him by God and asked only that he be allowed to explain his religion so that the proconsul would know that there was nothing about it that was criminal in the eyes of the state.

Peter would have been proud. This is exactly what he is commending here: suffering gladly for Christ and only for him.

1. Suffering brings blessing when it comes because of Christ
   1. You are blessed when insulted because of Christ
      1. Clearly recalls Jesus's words in Matthew 5:13
         1. "For so they persecuted the prophets"
         2. Peter: "For so they persecuted Christ" (4:13)
      2. So you are blessed (i.e. "happy" or "in a good position"
         1. Seems obviously contrary to the fact.
         2. Suffering may be many things, including ultimately for our good, but surely we aren't "blessed" until after it's over
         3. But Peter says, right then, in that very moment you are blessed)
      3. Because the Spirit rests on you
         1. This is the glorious Spirit of God who appeared as a cloud and a pillar of fire to the Israelites in the wilderness
         2. This is the Spirit who descended as a dove on Christ as the voice spoke from heaven "This is my Beloved Son with whom I am well pleased"
         3. Peter says that when you suffer for Christ, this spirit is with you in the same special way, comforting you and telling you that God is pleased with you as you are in Christ.
         4. And this is shown in the case of Stephen, the first martyr: Acts 7:55 "But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,"
      4. It is not just that the Spirit rests on you during these times as well as others, but that he comes to rest on you in a special way during these times.
      5. Remember what Jesus said: Matthew 10:19,20 "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;20 "for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
      6. This is the mystery of the gospel which began at the cross
         1. It is exactly the thing that Satan leveled against Christ to destroy him that brought about exactly the plan of God
         2. So now it is exactly that which the world hurls at you in insult to tear you from Christ that makes you stronger
         3. For it is in those moments that the Spirit comes and comforts you with your heavenly hope and reminds you of the promise that we will all suffer with Christ and be raised with him.
         4. And thus nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ because it is for his sake we are put to death all day long
      7. These trials are not a sign that God has forsaken his church. Quite the contrary, they signify and bring the presence of the Spirit.
   2. Don't suffer for any other reason
      1. Don't suffer as a murderer or thief or evildoer
         1. Evildoer, btw, basically means "criminal" in this context
         2. Peter is not really concerned that his hearers are committing such crimes
         3. Rather, he is taking the worst crimes so they can say, "Well, of course! That wouldn't be suffering for Christ at all."
         4. There's a world of difference between the two.
         5. And thus he sets them up for the one that he really wants to drive home:
      2. Don't suffer as one who meddles in affairs that are not his concern
         1. The second "as" sets this off as separate from the previous crimes
         2. Because it is not obvious that to be a meddler is wrong
         3. The word refers to probing into matters that are not one's concern
            1. That is, in this context, attempting to enforce the Christian morality on an unbelieving public.
            2. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5 "Those who are outside, God will judge." A meddler or a busybody is not content with that.
            3. Peter gives us no details, but it is easy to imagine how this meddling manifested itself:
               • Going into temples and tearing down idols
                 • as though Christ's example of throwing the moneychangers out of the temple had some bearing on this pagan house
                 • and contrary to Paul's example in Athens where he was vexed because of the city full of idols and so began preaching the powerful word of God
                 • This is vandalism, pure and simple, and Peter says if you suffer for that, you've brought it on yourself
               • wives and slaves belligerently refusing to worship at the husband's or master's temple
                 • They must refuse
                 • But humbly and gently, Peter says.
                 • Not with an attitude that denies their subordinate role
                 • If they are beaten for belligerence rather than for humble refusal, this is not suffering for the name of Christ.
               • Refusing to associate with unbelieving friends and neighbors because they were idolaters and fornicators
                 • Again, those who are outside, God will judge
                 • And if they are insulted because they are judgmental, that is to be expected and doesn't constitute suffering for Christ.
               • Remember last week's sermon, how they were surprised by suffering because they expected God to have some plan of cultural and political renovation rather than bringing them into an entirely new creation
                 • it's easy to imagine in this context that they would have been anxious to start the ball rolling by "civil disobedience"
                 • But by that they would not mean refusing to do what is wrong but trying to force society and the government to do what is right by recognizing the Christian religion as the only valid one.
                 • Those who did this and were insulted and rebuffed suffer for their own sins.
         4. Is it any different today?
            1. These misguided souls today would be blockading abortion clinics and getting carted off to jail.
            2. They would be refusing to associate with their fornicating and/or homosexual neighbors, trying to force them to a certain morality before they can share the word of God or even exchange a friendly greeting.
            3. And they would be thinking that the Christian hope lies in taking over the reigns of civil government and establishing a state-commanded religion.
            4. How tempting it all sounds!
            5. And how necessary is Peter's message.
            6. No! he cries. You are meddlers. This is not the way that Christ will bring in his kingdom.
            7. And if you suffer for trying to do it this way, you're not suffering for Christ anymore than I was when I cut off the ear of the High Priest's slave.
      3. Peter argues a fortiori from the case of being called into court for Christianity to (implied) all lesser cases. The directive is the same in all cases: Don't let them have any complaint against you except that you're a Christian. Wives submit to your husbands even though they slander you. Don't let them think that Christianity foments insubordination. Slaves — same thing. Employees — give your employers the most diligent work you can. Eschew complaining, malingering, gossiping, and every form of shoddy work. Caleb — play the best you can, cheer for the team, support it every way except for competing on Sunday and then they will know you suffer for the name of Christ and for that alone.
   3. But if for this reason, do not be ashamed but glorify God
      1. A recap of vv. 12,13.
      2. Do not be ashamed though the whole city sees it and believes you must be guilty of some crime.
         1. It is not as though God has forsaken you
         2. His judgment remains the same — you are his beloved child
         3. Beside that, what can the judgment of men say?
         4. It is not because you've done anything wrong that they slander you; but they hate Christ and so they hate his church
      3. Therefore give glory to God
         1. Even in this "matter" or on this account
         2. If God grants it to you to suffer insults or blows or death itself because you are a believer, then rejoice like the apostles who were beaten and whipped and rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
         3. It is better to suffer shame for Christ than to be complimented and looked up to by the whole world.
      4. And this suffering comes to purge away the sins of your flesh.
2. For the time of judgment has come
   1. Judgment has already begun with the Church
      1. "It is time for judgment to begin with the household of God"
      2. Judgment Day has already arrived for believers
      3. Don't worry about the judgment that has begun with the household of God because:
         1. This judgment is against your sin, your sinfulness, and your flesh. It attacks nothing essential to your character but only those things from which you long to be freed.
         2. The only other judgment available is the one when Christ returns. No one who undergoes that will escape. They shall be entirely consumed. Nothing of their wretched existence shall be redeemed, all of it condemned. Come and be judged now before it's too late.
      4. Malachi prophesied that the Messiah would come and his first job would be to "purify the sons of Levi" "like a refiner's fire."
         1. You are the sons of Levi, a kingdom of Priests for God's own purposes
         2. And this judgment has come upon you to purify you that you may stand pure before God in the day of judgment.
      5. If they ridicule you because you are a Christian, God means it to you for good, that you may be humbled and cling even more tightly to him.
      6. If they beat you or steal from you or deprive you of whatever "rights," God has planned all this so that you may not rely on the things of this world — not the material goods, not your employer, not the culture, not the government — but only upon God himself
      7. He does it so you may leave everything and follow him.
         1. Jesus told the Rich Young Ruler to do exactly this, but the RYR was unwilling
         2. So he said "How hard it is for those who have this world's goods to enter Heaven."
         3. And his disciples said, "Who then can be saved?"
         4. He replied "With men it is impossible"
         5. The righteous (i.e. those who obey the gospel) can barely be saved; it is only possible with God
         6. And these trials are sent by God to work out your salvation.
   2. And if it is severe for us, it will be worse for unbelievers
      1. If you don't get in on the judgment/purification now, later will be worse
      2. Those who are judged now will be saved; not so those judged at the last day
      3. In that day the judging fire of God will consume his enemies and destroy those who have spoken against him and pestered, ridiculed, tormented, and murdered his people.
      4. We will all be judged one way or another
         1. So obey the gospel — come and be judged in Christ.
         2. On the cross he bears eternal hell that sinners may be saved.
         3. At his resurrection he brings a new life to all who believe. He makes you a new creation, hidden safely in his bosom from the judgment fires.
         4. And all that his judgment aims at then is to purge away the flesh, the remnant of sin that clings and so easily entangles.
         5. If this is not your judgment, then hell awaits you where the fire is not quenched and the worm never dies
         6. The fire that took Polycarp purged away the last of his flesh. By then he had already gone to be with his Savior. And at the last day, Polycarp, cremated so long ago, will rise again to be a whole man once more, glorified, forever with his Lord.
3. Therefore, trust God and do right
   1. Therefore commit yourselves to God.
      1. Entrust your lives (not just your souls) to him, knowing that he can take care of you.
      2. Like Job, say "Though he slay me, yet I will trust in him."
      3. You know this because he is faithful
         1. He has never backed out on a promise yet
         2. So no matter how circumstances in this life make it appear he's forsaken you, let God be true and every man a liar
      4. You know this because he is the Creator
         1. He has power over all things
         2. He will not let you slip away.
      5. So don't let suffering drive you from God
   2. And continue to do good
      1. Don't give up, thinking, "What's the point of doing good if I'm just going to suffer anyway?"
      2. God is faithful. He is able to repay you for all your suffering and to sanctify to you your deepest distress.
      3. If you give up and do evil, what reward do you have?
         1. The temptation is great at times
            1. Your friends and neighbors seem to enjoy spending Sundays on a ski trip or at the beach. They laugh when you won't come. If God's not going to stick up for you, why should you stick up for him?
            2. You get passed over for a promotion because you won't lie for your company. Why should you even bother working hard for such an employer?
            3. Your government marginalizes you. They tax you for schools that teach things you don't believe. What a temptation to cheat on your taxes.
            4. They use your dollars to fund abortions. Maybe it's time to say it with bombs.
            5. At least out of all this you can take the satisfaction of ridiculing those in power. After all, they don't act like God's ordained officers. Why treat them that way?
         2. But none of these — friends, neighbors, employers, society, government — speak with the judgment of God.
         3. He has pronounce good works good and worthwhile; and that is the only judgment you care about.
         4. So entrust yourself to him and seek from him the strength to do everything to his glory, whether anyone notices, or even if you're actually opposed because of it.

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