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Pastor Scott L. Harris,
Grace Bible Church, NY
March 16, 2014
Preparing for Persecution
Matthew 5:10-12, 1 Peter
Introduction
Thank you to Jim Zieger and Ed Colòn for preaching while I was in California for the Shepherd’s Conference and to visit my relatives. It is a great comfort to know that there are godly men who can preach the scriptures with accuracy and conviction when I am away. I trust you were blessed by them. I am looking forward to listening to the recordings of those messages.
Though I was greatly blessed by my time in California visiting with relatives, talking with other pastors and church leaders, enjoying flowers and warm temperatures, it is good to be back home though it is still cold here and it snows instead of rains. I count it a great privilege to declare the Scriptures to you, and I greatly miss doing that when I am away even though I am blessed in getting to hear great preachers of God’s word at the conference.
Before I left, we spent two weeks examining the last Beatitude in Matthew 5:10-12 in which Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (See: Blessed are the Persecuted & Rejoicing Though Persecuted). This morning I want to continue with this subject by looking at 1 Peter and how to be prepared for persecution.
Review
Suffering. In the first sermon on this subject I gave a very brief history of persecution while distinguishing between being persecuted on account of Christ or being persecuted for other reasons. There is a blessing when you suffer as did the prophets for the sake of righteousness for your reward in heaven will be great. There is nothing positive about suffering because you are obnoxious, part of an unrighteous political cause or a cult or false religion. The vast majority of suffering in the world is not for the sake of righteousness, but evil people doing evil things to other people who are also unrighteous before God or are behaving in an unrighteous manner.
I am amazed at how often people blaspheme God because people who are in rebellion against God do evil things to one another and to the righteous. The evil is in man, not God, for though the Lord is patient and longsuffering in the present in allowing such evil people to exist, there will be a day in which He will bring about justice and such people will suffer eternal punishment if they do not repent and place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s current tolerance is His mercy flowing upon mankind in giving people time to come to repentance and faith.
Insult, Slander & Persecution. Jesus pointed out three ways in which the righteous will suffer: insult, persecution and slander. To insult is to revile, reproach or complain against. The contempt shown may be direct or indirect, verbal or an action, and these can range from being looked down upon by people who think you are stupid to displays of open hated. Slander is saying evil things against you falsely. It is lying about you to disparage your character. Persecution includes harassment, oppression, and physical assault escalating even to murder.
In the first sermon I pointed out examples of these things happening in the United States, and though most of it here is still insult and slander, it is rapidly escalating to physical persecution including martyrdom. Severe persecution is much more prevalent in other nations and especially those controlled by Islam, other false religions or Communism. That is why in the second sermon on this topic I spent so much time pointing out some of the suffering our brothers and sisters in Christ in other nations are experiencing. They are not only examples to us of enduring such hardships, but of rejoicing in the midst of such persecution.
How is it that so many North Koreans who risk their lives to escape their country, often severely suffering in the process, then become Christians, are willing to go back to that nation on a one way missions trip that will end in imprisonment or martyrdom? How is it that Yubelina, an Indonesian Christian who was horribly burned in a fire during a Muslim attack on her village, can still radiate such joy though terribly disfigured? Would you go to a place in which you know you will be imprisoned or murdered in order to tell people about Christ? Would you become a Christian if you knew in advance that in doing so you would be attacked and terribly burned and disfigured like Yubelina? If not, then perhaps you do not yet understand the depth of the meaning of salvation from sin in Christ, but as you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and develop the characteristics of righteousness that we have been discussing in our study of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-9, then these things will develop in your life.
Blessing & Rejoicing. Jesus points out in Matthew 5:10-12 three reasons that you are blessed and can rejoice in the midst of persecution. The first is an affirmation that you belong to the kingdom of heaven because persecution is the normal reaction of an evil world to those who are righteous. Second, your reward in heaven will be great. The third is that you are in the company of the prophets who were persecuted in like manner before you. Now each of these things sound good to me and I hope to you as well as they should for all Christians. But the truth is that these three reasons are only motivating to those who are righteous. The unrighteous see them as foolishness.
The unrighteous live for the present, not the future, so the kingdom of heaven and having rewards there are not of interest to them. Sadly, many professing Christians also live for the present with little or no thought for eternity other than wanting to know they have their fire insurance policy to escape Hell. Tragically, many of these professing Christians will find that their policy is an invalid fraud sold to them by religious hucksters who have perverted the gospel. Yes, the genuine Christian lives in the present, but always with an eye to the future because that is where his hope lies. In the present there may be rejoicing at being able to serve the Lord and walk in righteousness, but there is also the clear knowledge of the sin that is still present. The present still holds the failure to serve Christ as we could and walk in righteousness as we should. The future holds the promise that God is still conforming us into the image of His son (Romans 8:29) so that we will be better servants and more righteous as the months and years unfold, and the wonderful promise that one day we shall be glorified and be like Jesus for we shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2). The hope of Christ’s return is strong motivation toward living in purity in the present (1 John 3:3).
The unrighteous also see the prophets as foolish for their lives were often difficult and they suffered. Professing Christians who live for the present usually see it the same way. Why give up the wealth, comfort and fame that can be gained from the world in order to proclaim truth that people do not want to hear? Would you want to live the life of Hosea, Jeremiah or Ezekiel? Only the truly righteous see suffering as the prophets as something positive, and true righteousness is the point of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
Characteristics of Righteousness. The Beatitudes describe the blessing given to those who have the character quality of righteousness described. Only those with all these characteristics can experience the blessing of this last one which is the worlds’ reaction to true righteousness. The Beatitudes then describe the characteristics of righteousness necessary to be able to rejoice in the midst of persecution, and it all starts with humility, for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, and salvation only comes by God’s grace. When a man becomes aware of the infinite nature of God he is forced into spiritual poverty before Him. Man must come to God as a spiritual beggar, for God is self-existent and self-sufficient, so there is nothing man can bargain with or offer God. Only the humble can suffer without grumbling and complaining.
As a man comes to understand the absolute holiness of God, he is confronted by his own utter sinfulness, the evil of those around him and the curse of sin on this world. Only the mournful recognize the true origin of suffering.
As a man recognizes the wisdom, power and majesty of God, he becomes meek to submit himself to God’s will over his own. Only the meek look for God’s will in the midst of suffering and submit themselves to it in order to glorify Him.
Humility, mourning and meekness create in a man a craving to walk in righteousness in reflection of Christ. Only such a man will follow Jesus’ example of suffering.
A man who understands the mercy he has received from God will seek to extend that to others, including those who persecute him.
A truly righteous man desires to be pure in heart and not just pure in action. It takes such an inward change to produce godly thoughts and attitudes toward suffering.
The characteristics of righteousness combine together to create a desire for others to know God, glorify Him and receive the blessings of righteousness. Only such a peacemaker will plead and beg people to be reconciled to God despite the negative reactions received, sometimes severe, for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Having the characteristics of righteousness as described by Jesus in the Beatitudes will enable you to respond to persecution in a proper and God honoring way. This is the only way to know the blessing that comes as a result of suffering for the sake of righteousness and rejoice in the midst of persecution.
Preparing for Persecution
Jesus makes it clear here and in other passages such as John 16:33 that His followers will suffer tribulation in this world. Paul states it plainly in 2 Timothy 3:12 that “And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” You do not even have to be successful at living a godly life for persecution to arise against you for simply the desire to live in righteousness is enough to provoke it. Since it is not a question of if you will be persecuted but rather a question of when, then you need to be prepared for it.
The best way to prepare for persecution is to pursue the characteristics of righteousness described in the Beatitudes even though it is those very characteristics that will provoke it from the unrighteous. If you wish to avoid persecution from the world, then you can live like the world, but that only avoids some suffering because the unrighteous are evil and persecute one another for many other reasons. In a sense, you can only choose the reason you will suffer and where you will suffer because you cannot avoid it. You can suffer for the sake of righteousness during your brief life on this earth, or you will suffer because you are unrighteous both in this life at the hands of evil men and throughout eternity when God judges and condemns you for your sin. Remember, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. The only way for that to happen is for you to humble yourself before God to receive His grace through faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ and in so doing become one of His disciples whom the Holy Spirit will transform into someone with the characteristics of righteousness.
Turn now to 1 Peter and I want to show you very briefly how the apostle uses these truths that he learned at Jesus’ feet to encourage the early disciples of Jesus. Peter is writing to Jewish believers scattered throughout what is modern day Turkey (vs. 1 – ejklekt;oi:V parepidhvmoiV diaspora:V – elect sojourning diaspora ). They are already experiencing some persecution and worse suffering is to come. Acts records that Paul experienced persecution by both pagans and the Jews when he first preached the gospel in some of those areas. Government persecution under Nero (A.D. 54 – 68) may have already started or would soon come which would be followed by worse persecution during the reign of Domitian (A.D. 81-96). Throughout this letter Peter weaves the themes of salvation, sanctification and suffering as the sources of encouragement in the present and preparation for the future. They will do the same for us. God has saved us for the purpose of sanctification, and such holiness will result in suffering at the hands of the unrighteous.
Plan of Salvation. Peter begins in 1:1-2 by addressing those he is writing to as the chosen or elect (ejklekt;oV) who were made so by the sanctifying work of the Spirt for the purpose that they would be obedient to Jesus Christ and cleansed by His blood (sprinkled = cleansing by sacrifice). In verses 3-5, Peter gives praise to God that it was by His great mercy that he and they were caused to be born again (ajnagennhvsaV) to a living hope of salvation both present and future through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Peter points out in verses 6-9 that it this hope that enables them to greatly rejoice though they are currently distressed by various trails. Those trials were a testing by fire that proved their faith to be true and so the source of praise, honor and glory to Jesus Christ in whom they believe and love though they have not seen Him. In verses 10-12 Peter mentions for the first time the suffering of Christ as part of the gospel message.
Products of Salvation. In 1:13-25 Peter starts expanding on the relationship of salvation and sanctification. This is a key point that must be stressed in our culture because the gospel message is so often perverted to be one of salvation from Hell instead of salvation from sin. That is a man centered gospel that is false. The gospel is precious because it is a revelation of God’s character and nature in His dealings with sinful man, something even the angels desired to look. Notice in verse 13 Peter’s call to think rightly about the gospel in calling for them to gird your minds for action, keep sober [in spirit,] fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Man cannot have any hope in himself as if there were something intrinsic within him or something he could do to gain God’s favor. Man can only have hope in the grace of God brought to him by Jesus Christ.
Notice in verses 14-16 that God’s calling of man to salvation is for the purpose of man reflecting God’s holiness – 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts [which were yours] in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all [your] behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” Man’s natural selfish desires are to be changed into godly desires. Verses 17-21 are actually a warning that backs up the call to holiness. Conduct yourselves in fear during the time of our stay [upon the earth]. Why? Because the price to redeem you from the futile way of life inherited from your forefathers was not something of no eternal value such as silver or gold (18), it was instead the precious blood of Christ who died as a sacrificial lamb so that your faith and hope are in God (19-21). That needs to be treated with the utmost respect demonstrated by proper conduct in life because God impartially judges according to each man’s work (17). We must remember that our life on this earth is brief like the grass that so quickly withers (24), but we have been born again through the living and abiding word of God which abides forever to something imperishable (23, 25). It is for that reason in obedience to the truth we are to purify our souls demonstrated by a sincere love of the brethren (22). We are saved from sin by God’s grace and so are to reflect Him by living a holy life. Salvation and sanctification are directly linked.
Purpose of Salvation. In 1 Peter 2:1-13 the apostle continues this theme of salvation, sanctification and suffering as he points out some of the purposes of salvation. Believers are to put aside characteristics of unrighteousness such as malice, guile, hypocrisy, envy and slander and instead long for the pure milk of the word by which they would grow in respect to salvation (1-3). Peter uses the analogy of a house in verses 4-7 to describe the importance of Jesus as the choice and precious cornerstone upon which a spiritual house for a holy priesthood was being built to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (5). God saves us from sin that we might worship Him.
In verses 9-10 Peter points out that we are saved to be the people of God who had previously not received mercy but now had received His mercy. As God’s people, the redeemed are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God’s] own possession. The purpose? That we may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light. God saves us from sin that we might proclaim who He is and what He has done to others.
In verses 11-12 Peter brings out again the themes of sanctification and suffering in relationship to this salvation. Because a Christian is now a child of God, he is an alien and stranger in this world and so should live accordingly and abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. You are something different so you should no longer let the desires of the flesh control you. You are also to maintain excellent behavior among the unrighteous so that though they slander you now, your good deeds will give them cause to glorify God in the day of visitation. God saves you from sin so that even though you are slanders in the present, your righteous deeds will be cause to glorify Him.
Submission to Authority. In 1 Peter 2:13-3:12, the apostle brings up the subject of the Christian’s submission in the world, in the home, and in the church and directly links sanctification and suffering.
In verses 13-17 Peter brings out the necessity of the Christian submitting for the Lord’s sake to institutions of human government so that by doing what is right the ignorance of foolish men may be silenced. Christian servants are to be submissive to your masters with all respect and this includes the ones that are unreasonable and unjust. Why? Because to do what is right for the sake of conscience toward God and then patiently endure when you suffer for it finds favor with God. This is following the example Jesus gave us in His own life as Peter points out in verses 21-25. Jesus was sinless, yet He suffered on our behalf so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. He was reviled and suffered, yet did not respond in like manner or make threats, but He instead entrusted Himself to God who judges righteously. We must do the same because that is where our hope lies. While our expectations of justice are low in this life, we are confident of it when this life ends and God will judge every man by either his own deeds or by his faith in the Jesus Christ.
Submission in the Home. In 3:1-7 Peter extends this same principle of submission into the home. Wives are to submit to their own husbands because that is what is right before God. The Lord saved you so that you would be sanctified and in marriage that means you will have chaste and respectful behavior towards your husband even when you suffer because he is disobedient to the word. The holiness that God has placed in your heart is to be demonstrated by the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. The term “likewise” in verse 7 indicates that a husband is to respond is a similar way to his wife. Regardless of her behavior whether it is obedient or disobedient to God’s word, he is to live with her according to knowledge with an understanding of her weaknesses and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life. To do less would be a hindrance to his prayers.
Peter backs all of this up in 1 Peter 3:8-12 with a call for Christians to live sanctified lives. We are to live according to the characteristics and actions of righteousness while refraining from those of unrighteousness. We are to turn away from evil and do good, and in so doing we will find that the eyes of the Lord will be upon us and He ears will attend to our prayers while His face will be against those who do evil.
God’s Grace and Suffering. In 1 Peter 3:13-4:19 the apostle gives his most direct instructions to believers concerning suffering. Peter begins in 3:13-17 with an encouragement to the saved to pursue sanctification in the midst of suffering. 13 And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always [being] ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. The Christian can respond this way because he has a hope in the Lord that transcends current suffering for the sake of righteousness. Though slandered and reviled the Christian can keep a good conscience and have good behavior that put the unrighteous to shame.
In 4:1-7 Peter again points out the example of Jesus as the means by which the believer can live for the will of God instead of according to the lust of the flesh if he will live with the same purpose in mind as Jesus (1-2). Sinners do not understand why you will not join them in their sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties and abominable idolatries and so will malign you (3-4). However, the Christian has a different purpose in life and so does not desire selfish and sinful pleasures. The believer understands that the gospel was preached to him so that he would be changed and live in the spirit according to the will of God (vs. 5-6). The Christian’s purpose is to live by the strength which God supplies so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ (11). That is why he seeks to live by sound judgment in holiness in service to the Lord (vs. 7-10).
The reality of life in this sin cursed world is that a believer is saved to glorify God by walking in righteousness which will provoke persecution by the unrighteous. Peter warns and encourages in 4:12-19, 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if [anyone suffers] as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God. 17 For [it is] time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if [it begins] with us first, what [will be] the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
God’s Grace and the Saints. Peter concludes his letter with a call for the elders to have the proper motives and prove to be fitting examples to the flock (5:1-4). He then calls on all Christians to be humble and show proper respect to one another because God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (5). We can rest under the mighty hand of God waiting for His timing for exaltation while casting our anxiety on Him because He cares for His own (6). Peter then concludes the body of his letter with a final section in verses 8-11 dealing with suffering, faith and holiness.
8 Be of sober [spirit,] be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in [your] faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen [and] establish you. 11 To Him [be] dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Our suffering ultimately has its origin in our adversary, the devil, yet God’s grace extends to us in the midst of our suffering. It is up to us to be sober, alert and resist the devil firm in our faith, but it is our gracious God who called us that will perfect, confirm, strength and establish you.
Conclusion
I do not know if Yubelina was prepared before hand for the persecution that came upon her, but it is obvious by the joy on her disfigured face that she now knows the purpose of her life in Christ and that it transcends the suffering she endures in this life. What about you? Are you prepared? Would you be able to respond as she has?
Jesus makes it clear in the Beatitudes and Peter makes it clear in his first epistle that the Christian lives in the here and now with a purpose that extends into eternity. We are saved by God’s grace that we might be sanctified and glorify him by lives that are marked by ever increasing righteousness of character and actions. That righteousness in turn will provoke the unrighteous to persecute us and so we will suffer in this life. Salvation brings sanctification which results in suffering at that hands of sinners, yet we do not despair neither are we discouraged, but instead we rejoice because by that our salvation is verified, our character is purified, our heavenly reward is solidified, and our Lord is glorified.
If you are not prepared, then start with the Beatitudes. Humble yourself before almighty God and repent of your sins. Place your faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ to save you from your sins and change you into someone who has these characteristics of righteousness. Ask God to transform your heart and then step out in faith and obey His commands and you will see Him change your life. This church exists to help with this and each step along the way. There are plenty of people who will pray with you, answer your questions and encourage you. See any of our church leaders or ask me and I will introduce you.
KIDS KORNER
Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help. Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Write down all the verses mentioned in the sermon and look them up. 2) Count how many times the word “suffering” is said. Talk with your parents about why Christians are persecuted and how you rejoice in the midst of it.
THINK ABOUT IT!
Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. Why do humans suffer? Why can’t humans avoid suffering? In what ways to the righteous suffer at the hands of the unrighteous? Why are Christians blessed and why should they rejoice even when they are persecuted? How do the characteristics of righteousness in the Beatitudes enable you to rejoice even when suffering because of that righteousness? How can you be prepared for persecution? What is the purpose of 1 Peter? What is the relationship between salvation and sanctification? What are the purposes of salvation in 1 Peter 2:1-13? Why should Christians submit to authority? (1 Peter 2:13-25). Why should a wife submit to her husband? (1 Peter 3:1-6). How should a husband treat his wife and why? (1 Peter 3:7). What does it mean to live sanctified life? (1 Peter 3:8-12). How should a Christian respond to suffering and what enables him to do that? (1 Peter 3:13-17). How does Jesus’ example change the life of a believer? (1 Peter 4:1-7). What warnings and encouragement does Peter give in 4:12-19? According to 1 Peter 5:8-11, what is the origin of our suffering, how should we respond, and what does God do for us? What is the relationship between salvation, sanctification and suffering? Why should Christians rejoice in the midst of it? Are you prepared for persecution? If not, what needs to change. When will you make those changes?
Sermon Notes
Preparing for Persecution
March 16, 2014 – Matthew 5:10-12, 1 Peter
Suffering – Matthew 5:10-12
Only suffering that is for the sake of righteousness or on account of the name of Jesus can bring _________
Suffering occurs because man is __________ and has and disobeys God
God’s current ___________is His mercy flowing to mankind giving people time to repent and come to faith
To insult is to ________, reproach or complain against and it may be direct or indirect, verbal or non-verbal
Slander is saying evil things against you falsely. It is __________ about you to disparage your character
Persecution includes harassment, oppression, and ______________ assault escalating even to murder
All of these occur in the United States, but it is much more ______in Islamic, Communist and pagan nations
Would you become a Christian if you knew in advance the extent that would cause you to _____________?
Blessing & Rejoicing – Matthew 5:10-12
1) Affirmation that you belong to the kingdom of _________,
2) Your _________in heaven will be great
3) You are in the ______________ of the prophets who were persecuted in like manner before you
The unrighteous live for the _________, not the future, so heaven and its rewards are not of interest to them
The righteous live in the present with an eye to the ________for heaven is our hope and motivation to purity
The unrighteous view the prophets as foolish, but the righteous count it a _________to identified with them
Characteristics of Righteousness – Matthew 5:3-9
The Beatitudes describe the characteristics of ___________necessary to be able to rejoice though persecuted
Poor in Spirit – only the ______________ can suffer without grumbling and complaining
Mournful – only they recognize that the origin of suffering is ____________- his own, others and its curse
Meek – only they look for God’s will in the midst of suffering & ____________to it in order to glorify Him
Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness – only such a person will ______________ example of suffering
Merciful – only such a person will extend mercy to others including those that ______________ him
Pure in Heart – It takes such an inward change to produce godly ___________and attitudes toward suffering
Peacemaker – only such a person will plead and beg people to be _________to God though persecuted for it
Preparing for Persecution
John 16:33, 2 Timothy 3:12 – persecution ________ come to the righteous, so you need to be prepared for it
The best preparation for persecution is developing the characteristics of __________________
You will suffer – you can only choose the reason and place you will suffer
The righteous suffers ________in this life. The unrighteous suffer in this life and throughout _________
1 Peter – the apostle is writing to Jewish believes scattered throughout Turkey
He uses themes of salvation, sanctification & suffering as sources of _____________for the present & future
Plan of Salvation – 1 Peter 1:1-12 – the ________of salvation enables the elect to rejoice though distressed
Products of Salvation – 1 Peter 1:13-25 – Salvation and sanctification are directly related
The gospel is _____________because it reveals God’s character and nature in His dealings with sinful man
1:14-16 – God’s calling of man to salvation is for the purpose of man reflecting God’s _____________
1:17-25 – a ____________to live rightly as those redeemed by Christ – for God judges and man’s life is brief
Purpose of Salvation – 1 Peter 2:1-13 – unrighteousness is to be __________and righteousness to be put on
2:4-7 – Jesus is the choice cornerstone upon which believers are built into a spiritual house to ________God
2:9-10 – God saves people to be a royal priesthood who will _________Him and what He has done to others
2:11-12 – God saves you from sin so that your righteous deeds will _________Him though you are slandered
Submission to Authority – 1 Peter 2:13-25 – ____________Jesus’ example & do what is right before God
Doing right for the sake of conscience toward God and then patiently suffering for it finds _______with God
Submission in the Home – 1 Peter 3:1-7- Wives & husbands are to do what is ____even if the other doesn’t
1 Peter 3:8-12 – a sanctified life turns away from evil & does good so God’s will see you & ____your prayer
God’s Grace and Suffering – 1 Peter 3:13-4:19 – Peter’s direct instructions concerning suffering
3:13-17 – A Christian’s ___________in Christ enables pursuit of sanctification in the midst of suffering
4:1-7 – Follow Jesus’ ____________and purpose & you will live for God’s will instead of fleshly lusts
4:12-19 – Don’t be __________when you suffer for so did Jesus – be sure your suffering is for righteousness
God’s Grace and the Saints – 1 Peter 5:1-11 – the ministry of elders, humility, anxiety, our adversary
5:8-11 – Our suffering has its origin in the devil, but God’s _________extends to us in the midst of suffering
Conclusion
____________ brings sanctification which results in suffering at that hands of sinners
Our salvation is verified, our character is purified, our heavenly reward is solidified, & our Lord is _______
Ask God to transform your heart & then step out in faith to ________His commands and He will change you
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