Visible, Tangible Hope

Intro: The rest of 1 Peter is essentially about persecution. The word suffering will be used frequently, but for the most part what Peter has in mind is suffering directly because of your faith in Christ. So while there is certainly application for the generic suffering of life, such as when we get a negative diagnosis from our doctor, what we will be considering more specifically is the persecution of the church.

The key thought I want you to chew on over these next few sermons is, are you prepared to suffer for Christ’s sake?

1 Peter in Context:

Praise God For Our Salvation - 1:1-5

Rejoice In Our Salvation 1:6-9

Amazed by Our Salvation 1:10-12

Motivated by Our Salvation 1:13-3:7

Be Hopeful 1:3, 13, 21

Be Holy 1:15, 16

Be Fearful 1:17-21

Be Loving 1:22-25

Be Hungry 2:1-3

Be Christlike 2:4-10

Be Submissive 2:11-3:7

To Government

To Authority

To Spouse

Blessed by Our Salvation 3:8-12

Unified

Compassionate

Brotherly Love

Tender-hearted

Courteous

Forgiving

Patient

Controlled Tongue

Repentance

Peaceful

3 More Motivations

Be Good

Rhetorical Question v. 13

This verse seems out of place.

Is Peter making a distinction between what is good vs what is righteous? - v. 14

It doesn't seem to be the case. Peter presents goodness and righteousness synonymously.

1 Peter 3:17 “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

1 Peter 2:20 “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.”

1 Peter 4:19 “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”

Everywhere else in the book the answer seems to be yes, you will suffer for doing good.

If things are operating as they should, who will persecute you for doing good?

Implied answer: no one

But how often are things in this world going as they should?

This is not a questioning of God’s sovereignty but of man’s ability to execute righteousness and justice in a fallen world.

Immediate Context

1 Peter 3:10-12 “For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.””

Those who do good have the eyes and ears of the almighty God upon them. Not in a negative way of punishment or chastening, but as a Father looks upon the child whom He loves.

In that context who can harm you? With God’s eyes and ears upon you. The answer is no one unless God allows it. Does He ever allow it?

Yes, 1 Peter 3:17 “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

1 Peter 3:17 “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

1 Peter 2:20 “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.”

1 Peter 4:19 “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”

When you suffer for righteousness sake, according to the will of God, consider it a blessing. (v. 14a)

Consider it a blessing that you are counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake. Acts 5:41 “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

Consider it a blessing because your persecution might be the impetus for revival.

One of the blessings of being persecuted for righteousness sake is that we can endure it with a clear conscience. (v. 16)

One day those who call your good evil will be ashamed

It may be when Christ returns but that day will come.

There is something to be said for being able to lay your head down at night knowing you did the right thing.

Peter puts it very simply in v. 17. It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil, when it is God’s will.

It is easy to suffer for our own sin. That is the natural consequence.

Despite what the world says this is not persecution just the consequences of our actions.

When we suffer for righteousness that by definition is persecution.

Application: Be good even if it costs you.

Summary: In verse 13 Peter asks “Who is there to harm you if you are committed to doing good?” This verse which seems out of place actually communicates the important truth that none can harm you unless it is God’s will that they do so.

Be Reverent

Negative: Do not fear man (v. 14b)

1 Peter 3:4-6 “rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.”

If your not afraid of the same things we are, then your hope must be in something fundamentally different than ours is in.

Positive: Revere Christ as Lord in your hearts (v. 15b)

Isaiah 8:12-13 ““Do not say, ‘A conspiracy,’ Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, Nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread.”

Peter applies a spiritual truth Israel need to learn to the same lesson the church needed in his day.

Be Ready v. 15

If you consistently seek to:

Praise God For your Salvation - 1:1-5

Rejoice In your Salvation 1:6-9

Amazed by your Salvation 1:10-12

Motivated by your Salvation to be:

Be Hopeful 1:3, 13, 21

Be Holy 1:15, 16

Be Fearful 1:17-21

Be Loving 1:22-25

Be Hungry 2:1-3

Be Christlike 2:4-10

Be Submissive 2:11-3:7

Then, you will understand the importance of being ready to give a reason for why your life looks so different from the world around you.

Important questions

Does your life look significantly different from the world around you?

Has anyone ever asked about your hope?

Hope is invisible, it is an action of the mind and heart.

In the immediate context they can see how we respond to persecution with hope.

We have a hope they simply can’t kill.

It is a hope that can say from the cross, Father forgive them for they know not what they do. That is not a normal response to persecution is it?

If it does look different, does that translate into evangelistic opportunities?

Important Truths About Readiness

Frequency: Always be ready

Scope: To everyone

Tone: Meekness and Fear