Enduring Persecution as a Christian

The Christians in 1 Peter were persecuted slaves. In spite of the persecution, the Apostle Peter encourages them to submit. 2 Timothy 3:12 tells us that all who live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Are you ready for persecution? Let’s examine 1 Peter 2:21-25.

1. God’s plan is for Christians to endure persecution. (1 Peter 2:21; Matthew 5:10; John 15:18-19; 2 Timothy 3:12)

2. What are God’s purposes in allowing Christians to endure persecution? (1 Peter 1:4, 7)
• To prove the genuineness of our faith (1 Peter 1:6-9)
• To produce opportunities for evangelism (1 Peter 2:12)
• To give discipline for disobedience (1 Peter 2:20a)
• To produce endurance and spiritual maturity (1 Peter 2:20b; James 1:2-3)
• To remind us of the suffering of Christ (1 Peter 2:21b)
- Christ suffered for you so you could be saved.
- Christ is our example of how to handle suffering.
- We must learn to endure persecution like Christ endured persecution.

3. Who is God’s perfect example of how to endure persecution? Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:9; 1 Peter 2:22-23)
• What did Christ not do?
- He did not sin in His conduct.
(Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 1:19)
- He did not sin in His speech. (James 3:2)
- He did not retaliate. (1 Peter 2:23a)
• What did Christ do? (1 Peter 2:23b)
- He entrusted Himself to God.
- He entrusted His persecutors to God for God’s judgment.
- He entrusted the entire situation to God.

4. God’s purpose for Christ’s persecution was redemptive. (1 Peter 2:24-25)
- Christ paid our sin debt on the cross. (1 Peter 2:24)
- Christ provided a way to say no to sin and yes to righteousness. (1 Peter 2:24; Romans 6:2, 11)
- Christ provided a way for our sins to be forgiven. (1 Peter 2:24-25; Acts 10:43)