Pg 1075 In Church Bibles. Key: Suffering is often an essential ingredient to our displaying Christ to this dying world. - v.12 – “will speak against.

1 Peter 2:18-1 Peter 2:18-2525

Light Bearing Employees Light Bearing Employees (Pt 2)(Pt 2)

Pg 1075Pg 1075In Church BiblesIn Church Bibles

Light Bearers…life tracts (v.11-12)Light Bearers…life tracts (v.11-12) Fact: This is not your homeFact: This is not your home Fact: You are being observedFact: You are being observed Goal: your life points them to GodGoal: your life points them to God

Light Bearing Citizens (13-17)Light Bearing Citizens (13-17)Light Bearing Employees (18-25)Light Bearing Employees (18-25)Light Bearing Marriages (3:1-7)Light Bearing Marriages (3:1-7)Light Bearing Churches (3:8-12)Light Bearing Churches (3:8-12)

Light Bearers…life tracts (v.11-12)Light Bearers…life tracts (v.11-12) Fact: This is not your homeFact: This is not your home Fact: You are being observedFact: You are being observed Goal: your life points them to GodGoal: your life points them to God

Light Bearing Citizens (13-17)Light Bearing Citizens (13-17)Light Bearing Employees (18-25)Light Bearing Employees (18-25)Light Bearing Marriages (3:1-7)Light Bearing Marriages (3:1-7)Light Bearing Churches (3:8-12)Light Bearing Churches (3:8-12)

Key:Key:

Suffering is often an essential Suffering is often an essential

ingredient to our displaying ingredient to our displaying

Christ to this dying world.Christ to this dying world.

- v.12 – “will speak against you”- v.12 – “will speak against you”

- 1:6; 4:12-13- 1:6; 4:12-13

But we have this treasure But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the the excellence of the power may be of God and power may be of God and not of us. not of us.

We are hard-pressed on We are hard-pressed on every side, every side, yet not yet not crushed; crushed; we are perplexed, we are perplexed,

but not in despair; but not in despair; persecuted, persecuted,

but not forsaken; but not forsaken; struck down, struck down,

but not destroyedbut not destroyed

always carrying about in always carrying about in the body the dying of the the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our may be manifested in our body. body.

For we who live are always For we who live are always delivered to death for delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal manifested in our mortal flesh. flesh.

It is one of the deepest It is one of the deepest principles of our existence. principles of our existence.

The more the church is The more the church is persecuted and afflicted and persecuted and afflicted and hunted and pursued, the hunted and pursued, the more Christianity spreads. more Christianity spreads.

““The blood of the martyrs is The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” the seed of the church.”

John Henry John Henry JowettJowett Pastor, writer Pastor, writer (1864-1923)(1864-1923)

Suffering is an essential Suffering is an essential part of the Christian life. part of the Christian life. You will suffer. You will suffer. You must suffer. You must suffer.

My hope is that during our My hope is that during our times together we’ll be times together we’ll be prepared to suffer for the prepared to suffer for the glory of Christ. glory of Christ.

John PiperJohn Piper Pastor, writer Pastor, writer (1946 - )(1946 - )

because the because the steadfast love of steadfast love of the Lord is better the Lord is better than life than life

(Psalm (Psalm 63:3)63:3)

Suffering in the path of Suffering in the path of Christian obedience, with Christian obedience, with joy… joy… ……is the clearest display of is the clearest display of the worth of God in this the worth of God in this worldworld

John PiperJohn Piper Pastor, writer Pastor, writer (1946 - )(1946 - )

For we who live are always For we who live are always delivered to death for delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal manifested in our mortal flesh. flesh.

Light Bearers…life tracts (v.11-12)Light Bearers…life tracts (v.11-12) Fact: This is not your homeFact: This is not your home Fact: You are being observedFact: You are being observed Goal: your life points them to GodGoal: your life points them to God

Light Bearing Citizens (13-17)Light Bearing Citizens (13-17)Light Bearing Employees (18-25)Light Bearing Employees (18-25)Light Bearing Marriages (3:1-7)Light Bearing Marriages (3:1-7)Light Bearing Churches (3:8-12)Light Bearing Churches (3:8-12)

Key:Key:

Suffering is often an essential Suffering is often an essential

ingredient to our displaying ingredient to our displaying

Christ to this dying world.Christ to this dying world.

Yes, and all who desire to Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. will suffer persecution.

Light Bearers…life tracts (v.11-12)Light Bearers…life tracts (v.11-12) Fact: This is not your homeFact: This is not your home Fact: You are being observedFact: You are being observed Goal: your life points them to GodGoal: your life points them to God

Light Bearing Citizens (13-17)Light Bearing Citizens (13-17)Light Bearing Employees (18-25)Light Bearing Employees (18-25)Light Bearing Marriages (3:1-7)Light Bearing Marriages (3:1-7)Light Bearing Churches (3:8-12)Light Bearing Churches (3:8-12)

Light Bearing Employees Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)(Pt2)When Boss is Harsh – When Boss is Harsh – twisted, unfairtwisted, unfair CommendableCommendable Conscious to GodConscious to God Endures griefEndures grief Suffering wrongfully Suffering wrongfully

Light Bearing Employees Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)(Pt2)When Boss is Harsh – When Boss is Harsh – twisted, unfairtwisted, unfair CommendableCommendable Conscious to GodConscious to God Endures griefEndures grief Suffering wrongfully….Suffering wrongfully…. is is wrong! wrong!

A Christian should never stand up to wrong

A Christian should always endure suffering wrongfully

NOTNOT

A Christian should never stand up to wrong

A Christian should always endure suffering wrongfully

-More concerned for their soul than our More concerned for their soul than our personal rightspersonal rights

-Doesn’t mean endure or allow abuseDoesn’t mean endure or allow abuse-Doesn’t mean we can’t confrontDoesn’t mean we can’t confront-Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t change jobsDoesn’t mean we shouldn’t change jobs

What to do when you are sick?• Pray our God is a healer• Pray we are told to seek healing• Sometimes God says “Yes”• Sometimes God says “wait”• When it is “wait” – look for Grace

Concerning this thing I Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord pleaded with the Lord three times that it might three times that it might depart from me. depart from me.

And He said to me, “My And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”perfect in weakness.”

Therefore most gladly I Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon of Christ may rest upon me. me.

Therefore I take pleasure Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. then I am strong.

Light Bearing Employees Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)(Pt2)When Boss is Harsh – When Boss is Harsh – twisted, unfairtwisted, unfair CommendableCommendable Conscious to GodConscious to God Endures griefEndures grief Suffering wrongfully..Suffering wrongfully.. is is wrong! wrong!

Light Bearing Employees Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)(Pt2)When Boss is Harsh – When Boss is Harsh – twisted, unfairtwisted, unfair CommendableCommendable Conscious to GodConscious to God Endures grief………..Endures grief……….. shoulders shoulders it it Suffering wrongfully..Suffering wrongfully.. is is wrong! wrong!

Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)When Boss is Harsh – twisted, When Boss is Harsh – twisted, unfairunfair CommendableCommendable Conscious to God..…Conscious to God..… for God, for God, His gloryHis glory Endures grief………..Endures grief……….. shoulders shoulders it it Suffering wrongfully..Suffering wrongfully.. is is wrong! wrong!

Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)When Boss is Harsh – twisted, When Boss is Harsh – twisted, unfairunfair Commendable……...Commendable……... attractiveattractive Conscious to God..…Conscious to God..… for God, for God, His gloryHis glory Endures grief………..Endures grief……….. shoulders shoulders it it Suffering wrongfully..Suffering wrongfully.. is is wrong! wrong!

But if you love those who But if you love those who love you, what credit is love you, what credit is that to you? For even that to you? For even sinners love those who sinners love those who love them. love them.

And if you do good to And if you do good to those who do good to you, those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the For even sinners do the same. same.

Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)When Boss is Harsh – twisted, When Boss is Harsh – twisted, unfairunfair Commendable……...Commendable……... attractiveattractive Conscious to God..…Conscious to God..… for God, His for God, His gloryglory Endures grief………..Endures grief……….. shoulders it shoulders it Suffering wrongfully..Suffering wrongfully.. is wrong! is wrong!

Not true for suffering rightfullyNot true for suffering rightfullyChrist’s suffering Christ’s suffering – following, displaying– following, displaying

Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)When Boss is Harsh – twisted, When Boss is Harsh – twisted, unfairunfair Commendable……...Commendable……... attractiveattractive Conscious to God..…Conscious to God..… for God, His for God, His gloryglory Endures grief………..Endures grief……….. shoulders it shoulders it Suffering wrongfully..Suffering wrongfully.. committed committed no sinno sin

Not true for suffering rightfullyNot true for suffering rightfullyChrist’s suffering Christ’s suffering – following, displaying– following, displaying

Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)When Boss is Harsh – twisted, When Boss is Harsh – twisted, unfairunfair Commendable……...Commendable……... attractiveattractive Conscious to God..…Conscious to God..… for God, His for God, His gloryglory Endures grief………..Endures grief……….. did not revile…did not revile… Suffering wrongfully..Suffering wrongfully.. committed committed no sinno sin

Not true for suffering rightfullyNot true for suffering rightfullyChrist’s suffering Christ’s suffering – following, displaying– following, displaying

But Jesus said to him, “Put But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place…Or your sword in its place…Or do you think that I cannot do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me and He will provide Me with more than twelve with more than twelve legions of angels? legions of angels?

Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)When Boss is Harsh – twisted, When Boss is Harsh – twisted, unfairunfair Commendable……...Commendable……... attractiveattractive Conscious to God..…Conscious to God..… for God, His for God, His gloryglory Endures grief………..Endures grief……….. did not revile…did not revile… Suffering wrongfully..Suffering wrongfully.. committed committed no sinno sin

Not true for suffering rightfullyNot true for suffering rightfullyChrist’s suffering Christ’s suffering – following, displaying– following, displaying

Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)When Boss is Harsh – twisted, When Boss is Harsh – twisted, unfairunfair Commendable……...Commendable……... attractiveattractive Conscious to God..…Conscious to God..… committed to committed to HimHim Endures grief………..Endures grief……….. did not revile…did not revile… Suffering wrongfully..Suffering wrongfully.. committed committed no sinno sin

Not true for suffering rightfullyNot true for suffering rightfullyChrist’s suffering Christ’s suffering – following, displaying– following, displaying

Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)When Boss is Harsh – twisted, When Boss is Harsh – twisted, unfairunfair Commendable……...Commendable……... you…returned you…returned Conscious to God..…Conscious to God..… committed to Himcommitted to Him Endures grief………..Endures grief……….. did not revile…did not revile… Suffering wrongfully..Suffering wrongfully.. committed committed no sinno sin

Not true for suffering rightfullyNot true for suffering rightfullyChrist’s suffering Christ’s suffering – following, displaying– following, displaying

But we have this treasure But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the the excellence of the power may be of God and power may be of God and not of us. not of us.

We are hard-pressed on We are hard-pressed on every side, every side, yet not yet not crushed; crushed; we are perplexed, we are perplexed,

but not in despair; but not in despair; persecuted, persecuted,

but not forsaken; but not forsaken; struck down, struck down,

but not destroyedbut not destroyed

always carrying about in always carrying about in the body the dying of the the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be Jesus also may be manifested in our body. manifested in our body.

For we who live are always For we who live are always delivered to death for delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal manifested in our mortal flesh. flesh.

Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)Light Bearing Employees (Pt2)

Un-removed suffering Un-removed suffering is God placing a tract in our is God placing a tract in our hands hands to present the beauty of to present the beauty of Christ Christ to a dying worldto a dying world

For we who live are always For we who live are always delivered to death for delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal manifested in our mortal flesh. flesh.

Christ suffered for us Christ suffered for us (for (for you)you)Who Himself bore our sins Who Himself bore our sins in His in His own body on the own body on the treetreeThat we having died to That we having died to sinssinsMight live to righteousnessMight live to righteousnessTo the Shepherd and To the Shepherd and Overseer of Overseer of your souls your souls