Sermon Tone Analysis

Passage: 1 Peter 1:10-12

Title:Predicted by the Prophets

Summary: In verses 10-12, Peter is making the point, you want to know the certainty of your future, look to the past.

When you see the fulfillment of the Lords First Coming, then you will be certain of His Second Coming.

First, He came as the Suffering Messiah to die for the sins of the world, next He will come as the Victorious Messiah, coming to claim His people, and judge all who have rejected Him.

He is coming for you, He is coming for me, because He says He will, for His Word is perfect.

1 Peter 1:3–9 (NKJV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, beingmuch more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love.

Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of yoursouls.

1 Peter 1:10–12 (NKJV) 10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

Peter’s Credentials / Still Feeding

Written by the Apostle Peter, whose credentials have been challenged because of his lack of education and training; but Peter walked with the Lord, the second Apostle called, and all could see that his power and boldness came because he had been with the Lord.

For 3 years he walked with Jesus step-by-step, and now it is 30 years since the resurrection and Peter is still faithfully doing what the Lord commissioned him to do, “feeding His sheep”.

The Dispersed

He is writing to the Believers that have been spread out, dispersed form their homeland, thrown into foreign countries.

Many of them are struggling and suffering; but their greatest struggle is yet to come, for in just several months Roman Empire Nero is going to launch and all-out attack and persecution against Christians, and over the next 2 centuries over 6 million Christians will die for their faith.

Why Peter Writes / Remember

Peter tells us in the Second Epistle why he writes to them (and us), to stir us up, to remind us, that we hang on to the things we have been taught in the Old Testament, the Epistles of the Apostles, and the teachings in the Gospels.

He says remember these things, hold on to them, no matter how hard life may get.

(2 Peter 3:1 NKJV) Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),

(2 Peter 3:2 NKJV) that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

Doctrine – Duty – Declaration

Peter pretty much breaks this letter into 3 areas.

Doctrine, Duty, and Declaration; this book takes on the frame work of Ephesians, except Peter adds on the Declaration – The Lord is Returning – Remember that!

Doctrine, what we believe and why.

Duty, doctrine in action, living it out.

Declaration, soon and very soon we are going to see the King, Hold-fast until then.

Doctrine: Remember Our Great Salvation (1:2 - 2:10)

The Certainty of Our Salvation (1:1 - 1:12)

The Calling with Our Salvation (1:13 - 2:3)

The Chosen of Salvation (2:4 - 10)

Duty: Remember Our Example Before Men (2:11 - 4:6)

Honorable Living Before Unbelievers (2:11 - 3:7)

Submission to the Government (2:11-17)

Submission to Masters (2:18 - 25)

Submission in the Family (3:1- 7)

Honorable Living Before Believers (3:8 - 12)

Submission to One Another (3:8 - 12)

Honorable Living in the Midst of Suffering (3:13 - 4:6)

The Principle of Suffering for Righteousness (3:13 - 17)

The Perfection of Suffering for Righteousness (3:18- 22)

The Purpose of Suffering for Righteousness (4:1 - 6)

Declaration: Remember Our Lord Will Return (4:7 - 5:14)

The Responsibility of Christian Living (4:7 - 11)

The Rewards of Christian Suffering (4:12 - 19)

The Requirements for Christian Leadership (5:1 - 4)

The Realization of Christian Victory (5:5 - 14)

Theme

He tells us to remember because of the theme of this book.

The theme of this book is given to us in chapter 5:

(1 Peter 5:10 NKJV) But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

The word suffering is used 16 times, glory 12, and grace 8. Peter unties these 3 words to write a letter of encouragement to those who are struggling and suffering, that their suffering will one day be transformed into glory.

Perfect / Establish / Strengthen / Settled

He writes to us so that we may be:

· Perfect- (mature) which means to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair, to complete, to fit out, equip, put in order, arrange, adjust, to fit or frame for one’s self, prepare;

· Established– to set fast, confirm one’s mind;

· Strengthen – to make one strong;

· Settle – to lay a foundation.

The Certainty of Our Future

In verses 10-12, Peter is making the point, you want to know the certainty of your future, look to the past.

When you see the fulfillment of the Lords First Coming, then you will be certain of His Second Coming.

First He came as the Suffering Messiah to die for the sins of the world, next He will come as the Victorious Messiah, coming to claim His people, and judge all who have rejected Him.

He is coming for you, He is coming for me, because He says He will, for His Word is perfect.

Who Do You Say I Am

Peter is known for many things, but one of the greatest, maybe the greatest, is his declaration…… after the question, but who do you say I Am?

To which Peter answers, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God

Matthew 16:13–17 (NKJV)13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

In all investigative reporting, journalism, judicial and legal investigating, 5 questions are always asked, and all 5 must be examined to come to a sound conclusion, a solid conclusion, a settled conclusion.

We know them as the 5-W’s (Who – What – When – Where – Why), and so today in our passage we will ask these 5 questions as we determine, settle, come to conclusion is Jesus the Christ.

Prayer

The Word of God is Living and Powerful, and is ready, and will do a mighty work in our lives.

Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

In Every Study

· Who Is God? (How Great is He?)

· What Does He Think of Me? (How Wonderful Are His Thoughts Towards Me?)

· What Does He Want Me to Do?

· What Can I Boldly Request of Him?

· What Do I Need to Be on Guard of When I Leave Here Today?

Boldly come to the throne of grace, ask God to reveal Himself in a mighty way to you, and to do I might work in you, and through you.

Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need

(1 Peter 1:10 NKJV) Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,

v.10 – inquired (the word means to investigate)

In all investigative reporting, journalism, judicial and legal investigating, 5 questions are always asked, and all 5 must be examined to come to a sound conclusion, a solid conclusion, a settled conclusion.

We know them as the 5-W’s (Who – What – When – Where – Why), and so today in our passage we will ask these 5 questions as we determine, settle, come to conclusion is Jesus the Christ.

v.10 – searched carefully (WHERE)

The first “W” we look at is “Where”, and where they investigate, the Scriptures, and peter makes that bold and powerful statement in the next epistle:

2 Peter 1:16–21 (NKJV)16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

17For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Definition of Prophesied

Verse 10 - who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,- Prophesied – (propheteuo, prof-ate-yoo'-o;); to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office:--prophesy.

God Reveals Beforehand

God reveals before hand what He will perform:

(Amos 3:7 NKJV) Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

(Isaiah 46:9 NKJV) Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,

(Isaiah 46:10 NKJV) Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'

(Isaiah 48:3 NKJV) "I have declared the former things from the beginning; They went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to hear it.