Sermon Tone Analysis

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

Preparing For Persecution (3:13-18)

INTRODUCTION: Peter and Paul were the two leading apostles in the early church.

Paul was assigned especially to minister to the Gentiles, and Peter to the Jews ().

The Lord had commanded Peter to strengthen his brethren (32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

The Holy Bible: King James Version.

(2009).

(Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ).

Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

and to tend the flock

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me?

And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.

Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me?

And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.

Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

and the writing of this letter was a part of that ministry.

Peter told his readers that this was a letter of encouragement and personal witness ().

As we look at 1 Peter, we will see how the three themes of suffering, grace, and glory unite to form an encouraging message for believers experiencing times of trial and persecution.

and the writing of this letter was a part of that ministry.

Peter told his readers that this was a letter of encouragement and personal witness

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

). 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

As we look at 1 Peter, we will see how the three themes of suffering, grace, and glory unite to form an encouraging message for believers experiencing times of trial and persecution.

As we look at 1 Peter, we will see how the three themes of suffering, grace, and glory unite to form an encouraging message for believers experiencing times of trial and persecution.

The Holy Bible: King James Version.

(2009).

(Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ).

Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

As we look at 1 Peter, we will see how the three themes of suffering, grace, and glory unite to form an encouraging message for believers experiencing times of trial and persecution.

These themes are summarized in ,

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

****What threefold purpose did Peter have in writing this epistle?

To encourage steadfastness in the face of persecution (5:10)To remind them of their special privilege as God's "holy nation" (2:9)To instruct them as to their proper conduct (2:11-12)

1.

Having described the proper conduct of Christians in various

What threefold purpose did Peter have in writing this epistle?To encourage steadfastness in the face of persecution (5:10)To remind them of their special privilege as God's "holy nation" (2:9)To instruct them as to their proper conduct (2:11-12)

What threefold purpose did Peter have in writing this epistle?To encourage steadfastness in the face of persecution (5:10)To remind them of their special privilege as God's "holy nation" (2:9)To instruct them as to their proper conduct (2:11-12)What is suggested as the theme of this epistle?Conduct becoming the people of GodWhat is suggested as the key verses in this epistle?-121.

Having described the proper conduct of Christians in various

What is suggested as the key verses in this epistle?

What is suggested as the key verses in this epistle?-121.

Having described the proper conduct of Christians in various

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1.

Having described the proper conduct of Christians in various

Having described the proper conduct of Christians in various

relationships, Peter now turns more specifically to the subject of

suffering.

That the first recipients of this epistle were experiencing or would

experience persecution is evident from 1:6; 4:12-19; 5:8-10

Now, under normal circumstances, what Peter writes in verse 13 is

the rule...

"And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what

is good?"

But there are times when Satan will make every effort to bring harm to those who try to follow the will of God.

From the moment Jesus was brought into this world, Christians were persecuted.

We should expect it as a believer in Christ.

We should welcome it as a follower of Christ.

We should endure it being a follower of Christ.

to those who try to follow the will of God.

From the moment Jesus was brought into this world, Christians were persecuted.

We should expect it as a believer in Christ.

We should welcome it as a follower of Christ.

We should endure it being a follower of Christ.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

The Holy Bible: King James Version.

(2009).

(Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., ).

Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Then Polycarp with solemn countenance looked upon the whole multitude of lawless heathen that were in the stadium, and waved his hand to them; and groaning and looking up to heaven he said, ‘Away with the atheists.’

3But when the magistrate pressed him hard and said, ‘Swear the oath, and I will release thee; revile the Christ,’ Polycarp said, ‘Fourscore and six years have I been His servant, and He hath done me no wrong.

How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?’

Polycarp was an old man, at least 86, and probably the last surviving person to have known an apostle, having been a disciple of St. John.

This was one reason he was greatly revered as a teacher and church leader.

Polycarp was a bishop of the early church, a disciple of the apostle John, a contemporary of Ignatius, and the teacher of Irenaeus.

According to Irenaeus, Polycarp “was instructed by the apostles, and was brought into contact with many who had seen Christ.”

He lived from the latter half of the first century to the mid-second century.

Polycarp was martyred by the Romans, and his death was influential, even among the pagans.

When he was brought in the arena to be burnt, it was said of him :

Polycarp with solemn countenance looked upon the whole multitude of lawless heathen that were in the stadium, and waved his hand to them; and groaning and looking up to heaven he said, ‘Away with the atheists.’

But when the magistrate pressed him hard and said, ‘Swear the oath, and I will release thee; revile the Christ,’

Polycarp said, ‘Fourscore and six years have I been His servant, and He hath done me no wrong.

How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?’

10.

But on his persisting again and saying, ‘Swear by the genius of Cæsar,’ he answered, ‘If thou supposes vainly that I will swear by the genius of Cæsar, as thou sayest, and feignest that thou art ignorant who I am, hear thou plainly, I am a Christian.

But on his persisting again and saying, ‘Swear by the genius of Cæsar,’ he answered, ‘If thou supposes vainly that I will swear by the genius of Cæsar, as thou sayest, and feignest that thou art ignorant who I am, hear thou plainly, I am a Christian.

****Knowing that we will, as Christians, face persecution, How, then, should Christians prepare themselves so that they might be victorious in overcoming whatever persecution might come their way?

Let us read our verses for today...

be victorious in overcoming whatever persecution might come their