ENON BAPTIST CHURCH

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  VBS 2020

  Plans are in the works for VBS 2020.  We'll be doing things differently this year, with content presented online.   But we're also planning some fun drive-through events to open and close VBS.  We're working out details of packets for pickup, which will include fun activities and materials for doing crafts at home.  Stay tuned for more information!

• Sermon Transcript for May 31, 2020 Pastor Steve Brown

  Endurance

  1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11

      If you’re like me and a fan of old-time music, you might have heard of Ola Bell Reed.  She was born Ola Wave Campbell in Grassy Creek N. C. in 1916.  Now if you’re a resident of Granville County, you’re probably thinking, “I know where that is.”  However, this is a different Grassy Creek, located in Ashe County up in the mountains.  But, like our Grassy Creek, it is also near the Virginia border.  Anyway, Ola Bell became noted for playing claw-hammer banjo and singing old-time songs and ballads of the region that she learned from her mother and grandmother.  Moreover, she became a noted songwriter of this style of music.

      One of her most famous songs is called I’ve Endured.  You may have heard it as it has been recorded by numerous old-time country and bluegrass artists.  In the verses of this song she speaks of sufferings through heartache, being destitute, the snow storms and the floods that would come, being poor and dependent on others, as well as other difficulties so prevalent in rural, poverty-stricken Appalachia. And then, in the chorus she writes “I’ve endured, I’ve endured, how long can one endure.”  It sounds to me like she is saying “how much longer will these troubles keep coming my way.  Can anyone keep living like this?  Will I be able to hold up under them?”  And, that’s what endurance is all about, isn’t it?  It’s the ability to suffer through and withstand hardship and adversity without giving way.

      This morning I’m wrapping up my sermon series from 1 Peter.  As you recall, the readers of this letter were undergoing difficult times.  The theme of hardship and persecution recurs throughout this epistle.  In fact, 1 Peter is part of what’s called the “persecution literature” of the early church.  In this letter, Peter continually encourages the readers to help them face their trials and remain true to the faith.  Now, as Peter is closing his letter, he has some final words to encourage them and help them endure without giving up their faith.  And here’s the thing.  His words are relevant to us today as well.  

      You see, we, too, face difficult times.  Yes, sometimes we are persecuted for our faith.  Of course, our lives aren’t threatened - at least not here in America – but we might be ostracized because of our beliefs, ridiculed, and pre-judged.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve experienced this at times.  

      But we endure other difficulties as well.  Some of us are struggling financially.  Some of us are dealing with health issues.  Some of us have lost a loved one.  Family issues can burden us.  Troubles at work or school can stress us.  And, let’s not forget this COVID-19 pandemic we are enduring.  Will we ever be able to get to the other side of it and get back to life as we know it?  Will our economy survive and rebound?  When will we be able to meet as a congregation again?  Truthfully, it’s easy for us to feel like Ola Belle Reed, isn’t it?  Her words; “I’ve endured, I’ve endured, how long can one endure?” are words we all might want to sing, too.

      As Christians, we need some good words, or advice, to help us endure; words to encourage us in our hardships, whatever they are; and, words to help us come out on the other side remaining faithful to our Lord.  I think Peter has some for us.

  1. Read 1 Peter 4:12-14

  Understand them (troubles) in light of the cross and are to be expected.  We shouldn’t be surprised or perplexed when we endure suffering, for whatever reason, and often unexplained.  A more literal translation of v. 12 says “Beloved, don’t be surprised by the burning going on among you for your testing, as if something strange were happening to you.”  Pyrosis is the Greek word translated as burning and it can be used to mean two things, either a cleansing as a hot fire purifies gold or silver, or it can refer to punishment as a wicked city being destroyed by fire.  Then there is the word, peirasmos, which means God’s testing to strengthen faith.  

      So why do we suffer?  Is it punishment?  Is it a test?  Is it used to purify us?  So often, we just don’t know.  But, as one commentator says, “The trials and temptations which come to Christians are nothing new.  The prophets of the Old Testament suffered exactly the same things.  All such trials find their meaning and culmination in the cross of Christ.  The servant is not greater than his master.  If Christ suffered, how can we get off any more lightly?”  Think about Job.  Think about Daniel and his friends.  Think about Elijah.  And, of course, think about Jesus.  Each and every one was a servant of God; and, each and every one endured suffering.

      Now, the troubles, the suffering, the persecution we may experience are not pleasant and, certainly, don’t make us happy.  So, what does Peter mean in v. 13 when he says to rejoice?  As commentator Richard Vinson says, “Peter is giving us a strategy to help us think about the suffering and hardships we endure and to help us make sense of it.  Since suffering means we are sharing in Christ’s experience, it also means we are staying close to Christ and will be rewarded in the future.”  We know that in the end, God will make all things right.

      To sum up the fact that suffering is to be expected and that we should look at them in the light of the cross, in the words of Martin Luther, “Christ’s cross does not save me.  To be sure, I must believe in his cross, but I must bear my own cross.  I must put his suffering into my heart.  Then I have the true treasure.  St. Peter’s bones are sacred.  But what does that help you?  You and your own bones must become sacred.  And this happens when you suffer for Christ’s sake.”

      Friends, so often we don’t know why we have to go through suffering like we do.  But we do know that trials will come our way and they can seem to go on and on and on.  When you’re wondering, “how long can one endure?” understand it for what it is and put it in the light of the cross.  When we do that, it will help us endure as long as it takes. 

  2. Read 1 Peter 5:6-7

  Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand.  Peter talks about humility all throughout this epistle and now Peter brings it up again; however, with a difference.  In the other instances he was talking about humility in relation to others.  Here, he tells us to humble ourselves “under God’s mighty hand.”  To be sure, if we do that it will help us display humility toward others; but, I think Peter might mean something more than that.  To me, this means to trust in God’s providence and God’s ways, not in oneself.

      Consider this.  Through scripture and the example of our Lord, God has shown us how to live.  We know how we’re supposed to treat people, even those who do us wrong.  We know we’re not to return evil for evil, or insult for insult.  Rather, we’re to pray for our enemies and bless those who persecute us.  We’re to have a heart of forgiveness.  Right?”

      But then, we think “My situation is different.  God doesn’t expect that of me in this situation.”  And, before we know it, we’ve let “self” take priority and, as Frank Sinatra sings, “doing things my way.”  Retaliation becomes our response to our enemy rather than the Christ-like response.  We seek to get even.  And then, our joy fades and the persecution and suffering goes on and on.

      This is just an example.  It can apply to many areas of our lives.  Maybe, how we use our resources.  We might think, “We’re in hard times now.  I need to save my money for me and mine.  I can’t afford to be generous.”   You get the picture, there are many areas in which we think we can justify compromising who we are, especially in the midst of suffering and struggles.  What I’m talking about here is us having the arrogance to think we know better than God rather than trusting in God’s Providence, that God is in control and will handle our situation.  After we have done what we can honorably do, we need to trust God.  

      We don’t need to be like Mr. Podsnap.  You’re probably wondering who that is.  In his satirical novel, Our Mutual Friend, Charles Dickens describes Mr. Podsnap, “Mr. Podsnap was well-to-do and stood very high in Mr. Podsnap’s opinion.  Beginning with a good inheritance, he had married a good inheritance, and had thriven exceedingly in the Marine Insurance way, and was quite satisfied.  He never could make out why everybody was not quite satisfied, and he felt conscious that he set a brilliant social example in being particularly well satisfied with most things, and above all other things, with himself. . . 

      And as so eminently respectable a man, Mr. Podsnap was sensible of it being required of him to take Providence under his protection.  Consequently he always knew exactly what Providence meant.  Inferior and less respectable men might fall short of that mark, but Mr. Podsnap was always up to it.  And it was very remarkable (and must have been very comfortable) that what Providence meant, was invariably what Mr. Podsnap meant.”

      Folks, when you’re wondering, “How long can one endure?” don’t be like Mr. Podsnap.  Rather, humble yourself under God’s mighty hand and God’s providence, not in yourself.  It is God who will lift you up in due time.  So cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you and He will sustain you (LXX Ps. 54:23).  When we do that, we can endure as long as it takes.

  3. Read 1 Peter 5:8-9

      Resist the devil.  Moving on, Peter tells us to be “self-controlled and alert,” or “be serious, and stay awake.”  While we’re in the midst of suffering or persecution, we can easily become distracted.  We might just become tired.  Remember what happened to the disciples when Jesus asked them to keep watch while he went to pray?  That’s right, they fell asleep.  We might get focused on the wrong priorities, losing sight of what matters in God’s Kingdom. And, since we’re talking about it, suffering can cause us to lose focus.  Peter, therefore, says “be alert, be serious, stay awake,” because if you don’t, you’ll be led astray.  You might even abandon your faith.

      And then he tells us why that can happen; because, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  Peter is emphasizing that the devil is always on the prowl like a lion is looking for its prey.  Now, let’s be clear about the devil.  He doesn’t look like this.  SHOW MASK   Most of us, if we saw something like this, would run.  We would try to get away from it.  It’s scary!  No, the devil is crafty.  He presents himself to us in the most attractive way so that we will be drawn to him, and before we know it, we’re trapped.  

      Let me tell you a story to illustrate this.  This story is your story, and it’s my story.  Once upon a time God placed his people in a beautiful place.  Everything they needed was there including harmony with each other and harmony with God.  But God told them, “You’re free to partake of everything here.  But, see that tree over there?  Leave it alone.  It’s the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  If you eat of its fruit, it’ll kill you.  So, leave it alone.”

      But later on, the serpent (identified later as the devil) appeared to the woman and said, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” (notice the twisting of what God said)

      “No.  God said not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  The tree in the middle of the garden,” the woman replied.  “If we do, even if we touch it, we’ll die.”  

      “Surely, you won’t really die,” the serpent responded back.  “Your eyes will be opened and you’ll be like God, knowing good and evil.” 

      Well, I’m sure it didn’t take long for you to figure out this to be a shortened paraphrase of the story of the Fall of Man.  And we know what happened from here; and, we’ve been living that story ever since.  Place yourself in that story.  What happened to Adam and Eve happens to us every day.  We are tempted by Satan with something attractive and enticing.  God has warned us about those things, the potential harm they can cause.  But the devil tempts us to think we know better than God what is good and what is not.  In essence, we put ourselves on the same level as God.

      What is the tree that the devil has made attractive to you?  A constant life of pleasure and fun is the big thing in our society, I think.  Things that in and of themselves are perfectly acceptable become elevated to the point that they come between us and God.  Is that you?  Drugs and alcohol addiction often go hand and hand with the pursuit of pleasure and result in continued suffering.  Could that be you?  Pornography and sexual perversion leads to broken homes and its own addictions.  The pursuit of money can do the same thing.  Do you see yourself here?  All of these things, and more, have the potential to separate us from God.  Can you find yourself in any of those scenarios?  If not, you probably can in something I didn’t name.  It’s the same for us all.  

      Therefore, God says leave it alone, it’ll kill you.  But the devil, playing on our arrogance and pride, presents a pretty picture of what could be and tempts us to believe that we know better than God what is good for us.  I know.  I’ve been there.  I’ll bet you have, too.  And, do you know when we’re most susceptible?  It’s when we’re in the throes of suffering.

      When we’re having trials and troubles in our lives; when we’re thinking how much longer can I endure?  Resist the devil.  For sure, he’ll slip in to tempt us in our lowest times.  Notice, it’s not like Flip Wilson said, “The devil made me do it.”  We are the guilty ones.  He only tempts us.  But he’s good at it.  So, how do we resist the devil?  Peter says by standing firm in the faith and taking solace in the knowledge that we are not alone in our sufferings.  When we resist the devil, we can endure as long as it takes.

  4. Trust in God. Finally, friends, trust in God alone.  Trust that God will do as He says.  Peter says that in due time, God, through His grace, will restore you, putting your life back in order.  Through whatever suffering you’re experiencing, God will make you stronger than ever, strengthening you to endure.  God will fix you solidly on a firm, permanent foundation so that you will not be shaken by any other sufferings that come your way.

      The Old Testament writers knew about trusting in God.  Nahum (1:7) says: The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.

      And then the Psalmist (46:1) says:  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.    

      Sometimes when the going gets tough, we just don’t know if we can keep going.  We wonder, “How long can one endure?”  When we start thinking like that, we need to take Peter’s advice to trust in our all-gracious God; that He will restore us, and make us strong, firm, and steadfast.  When we trust in God, it is no telling how long we can endure.

      As Peter wraps up his letter to the churches in Asia Minor, he gives them advice on how to endure persecution and hard times.  As we go through our own struggles and difficulties, his advice is also relevant to us.  When you, when I, when the whole church is wondering “how long must one endure,” Peter reminds us to:  see suffering as an expectation to be seen in light of the cross; to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand; to resist the devil; and to trust God.  When we take Peter’s advice, God will help us endure as long as need be.

  Closing Prayer

      

      

   

        

      

    

  
  
   

         

   

      

       

• Youth Pastor/Children's Ministry Coordinator Search

  Enon is currently searching for a youth pastor/children's ministry coordinator.  Click on the link below for more details.   Contact Pastor Steve Brown at shbrown55@gmail.com. 

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