Humility and Restoration

The following is the second half of the sermon I will be preaching on Sunday:

Let me read out a passage from Hebrews 12: “There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them.”

This is the fiery test that the Christians of old had to experience. Today, here in Britain, we have street pastors arrested and taken to court because they have shared the gospel with the public.

This may be hard to hear, but we have to remember that God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. He loved us so much that the sinless Jesus Christ went to the cross, so that we who are sinful would become sinless in God’s eyes. And in response to God’s love for us, we should yield up our lives and live for God.

God’s Word says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

1 Peter 5: 6 to 12, NIV

As I have just said, God loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. He loved us so much that the sinless Jesus Christ went to the cross, so that we who are sinful would become sinless in God’s eyes. And in response to God’s love for us, we should yield up our lives and live for God.

Further, because of God’s love for us, we are asked to humble ourselves. We are to lower ourselves in front of God and raise up the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to set our will aside and take up God’s will for us. And in this context, today, we are called to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matt 28: 19&20, NIV)

This is God’s will for us: He wants us to reach out to our friends, neighbours, and relatives and talk to them about Jesus. He isn’t asking us to be overly aggressive in our discussions, but rather to be sensitive to others. There may be times when we should remain silent because it’s not the right moment, but there will also be times when we need to be courageous and share the message of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Is it intimidating to reach out to others? Do you feel scared? Peter encourages us to cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us. God understands our fears. Remember, Jesus goes before us; He knows the twists and turns we face in life. He knows when we need to rest and when we can push forward. He understands when we can only fall at His feet. However, there are also moments when God wants us to stand up, to rely on Him, and to share with others how Jesus has saved us from an eternity without Him.

Just listen to the last verse that we read today. Peter wrote, “the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” Yes, we may be mocked and sneered at, and yes, we might lose our jobs. But when we are doing it for Jesus, what do those things really matter? Remember that God is our provider; His name is Jehovah Jireh. When times get tough, He will supply our daily needs. I have lost my job several times, but I can honestly say that God has never left me without what I needed. My wife and family have never been in want.

God will restore us and make us strong. He will give us the strength to share the Gospel with others and the right words to speak to our friends, family, and neighbours. You know, if you maintain a good relationship with others, they are more likely to respect you when you tell them about your love for Jesus. They may not always agree with you, but they will respect your beliefs. They will see that you live for God and that what you share comes from your heart.