Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons 1 Peter 4:16-19 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.… I. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN SUFFERING AS A CHRISTIAN. 1. To suffer in the character of a Christian. Where piety has its seat in the heart it will appear in the life, to be seen and identified by all (Matthew 5:13-16). 2. To suffer for discharging the duties of a Christian. Christianity frees its possessors from the slavery of custom; they are governed by the high principles of religion. 3. To suffer in the spirit of a Christian (Luke 21:19). II. WHY CHARACTERS WHO THUS SUFFER SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED. 1. Because they suffer innocently. 2. They suffer in a good cause. 3. They suffer from the purest motive. 4. They suffer for a blessed Master. 5. They suffer in imitation of the brightest examples. III. THEIR DUTY UNDER SUFFERING CIRCUMSTANCES, viz., to "glorify God on this behalf." 1. Devoutly acknowledging Him and His gifts (1 Chronicles 29:11, 12; confessing Him "worthy to receive honour, glory, might, and majesty" (Revelation 4:11). The very circumstance of their suffering should prompt them to this. 2. By firmness in the day of trial. Let nothing shake their firmness (1 Corinthians 15:58); but imitate the example of the disciples, who continued with their Lord in His temptations (Luke 22:28, 29). 3. By a faithful and patient endurance of suffering. IV. TO THIS ACT OF GLORIFYING GOD, THEY ARE ENCOURAGED from — 1. The declarations and promises He has made. These are many, great, and various (Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 43:1, 2; Isaiah 54:17; Matthew 10:32; James 1:12; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 22:7). 2. The honour it will confer upon them.Improvement: — 1. Let us examine our experience by this test. 2. Let us encourage ourselves in the Lord. 3. Let us pray for our persecutors. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.) Parallel Verses KJV: Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. |
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