Sept. 6 – 1 Peter 3:8-22, “To Suffer for Doing Good”

Sept. 13 – 1 Peter 4:1-11, “In Everything God May be Glorified”

Sept. 20 – 1 Peter 4:12-19, “If Anyone Suffers as a Christian”

Sept. 27 – 1 Peter 5:1-14, “Humble Yourselves Under the Hand of God”

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I have always loved playing sports, but I’ve never been a great athlete. Some folks have that explosive speed and fast-twitch muscle that is a genetic gift that seems to have passed me by. When I was in middle school, we had a state-level runner in our youth group who was four or five years older than me. I remember him telling me, “Distance running isn’t like ball sports. Anyone can be good at it if they put in the miles.” So I joined the cross-country team and got to work. Our coach had us running hill sprints, tempo runs, and all kinds of strength and stamina training. She used to tell us, “When your body wants to quit, use your brain to tell it to keep going.” Distance running is about mental toughness as much as physical ability. 

 

The Christian life is often compared to running a race. The apostle Paul often wrote about “not running in vain” (1 Cor. 9:26; Gal. 2:2; Phil. 2:16), encouraging us to run in such a way that we “may obtain [the prize]” (1 Cor. 9:24). But for most of us, the idea of going out on a long run right now (especially with this heat!) sounds pretty terrible. As I turn 45 this month (!), I realize my body can’t do what it used to do. Is the Christian life supposed to be miserable?? 

 

Of course not. What I realized in middle school as I trained hard in cross country is that I enjoyed the races. Turns out, I was pretty good at it, always finishing either first or second for my team (I had a friendly rivalry with a teammate, each pushing the other to excel). I had found something that gave me identity as part of a team. We had a great coach. My teammates were awesome. Yes, we sweat a lot and worked hard together. But we also had a blast, especially when we received a trophy after placing in a meet. 

 

In our sermon texts for this month, 1 Peter 3-5, we will hear Peter’s continued calls to persevere through suffering. Peter knows that the looming persecution against Christians will be brutal. The Roman Empire is about to crack down hard on this upstart religion that denied the divinity of the emperor. And yet, surprisingly, Peter calls on Christians to “rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Pet. 4:13). We have something infinitely better than a middle school cross-country trophy – we have tasted and seen the glory of God! And one day, we will see it on full display in the blazing face of Jesus Christ, come to make all things new. 

 

There were certainly cross-country races where I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it to the finish line. Cramps, injuries, headaches, etc. threatened to end my race prematurely. But for Christians, we have a special assurance that compels us to the end of our race. Peter says, “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” We have a faithful God who will care for our souls if we surrender them to him. Our endurance is not the byproduct of our efforts, but a supernatural gift from God. Paul prays for us in Romans 15:5, “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.” 

 

My prayer for you this month is that, no matter what you’re facing, you would find the joy that comes from running your race well, knowing that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). We have a glorious inheritance that awaits us at the finish line – “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Pet. 5:4).

 

Grace and peace,​