Sermon Tone Analysis

Sermon Text

Introduction

What comes to mind when thinking of suffering?

What comes to mind when thinking of suffering?

Have there been moments

When I think of suffering, my first thoughts are how I don’t want to suffer.

But what follows is the eternal reminder of how Jesus suffered.

Instead of wanting to share in His suffering, I see the evil in my heart not wanting to share that part of being Christian.

Verse 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

I remember times where fiery trials caught me off guard and how my responses fell way short of seeing them as a testing of my faith.

But there have been times where God’s grace enabled me to face trials with rejoicing!

As if something foreign from me took over and graced me to endure with joy.

I remember seasons of suffering where prayer became most intimate.

Times with God increased while everyone around me decreased.

I remember times where I was insulted and treated as if what I was believing deserved pity.

But I remember that God was much more than someone who I would go to.

He was there sharing with me my hardships.

The Holy Spirit was in sympathy with my weaknesses and hardships.

I remember worshipping God regardless of what was falling apart around me and how God gave me the ability to glorify Him no matter the circumstances.

2. Glorify God in your suffering

I remember self afflicted suffering.

Sufferings that came as a result of sin and disobedience.

Do you remember times in your life where you reaped consequences for sin and disobedience?

Even still, God remained and while He did allow us to reap what we sowed, He was there still.

Suffering is a lifelong storm whether you are a Christian or not.

But the Christian who suffers for righteousness sake the Scriptures call them blessed!

We are to be encouraged when suffering as a follower of Christ!

Verse 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

Verse 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

Because at the end of the day, being hidden in Christ Jesus now like Noah in the ark, we will live.

We will be given eternal life.

And eternal life is to be with the Father and the Son!

So, entrust your soul to God in your suffering.

Our passage today is a call to endure and entrust our souls to our Creator!

Verse 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Yes, we will suffer but remember that you are His beloved!

Verse 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Main Idea: Share, glory and trust God in your suffering!

Outline

Outline

1. Share in Christ’ suffering (v.12-14)

2. Glorify God in your suffering (v.15-16)

3. Entrust your soul to God in your suffering (v.17-19)

1.

Share in Christ’ suffering (v.12-14)

Verse 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

In the beginning of verse 12 we see Peter addressing believers as “Beloved.”

A term of affectionate endearment common to both Testaments.

In the OT it occurs about thirty-two times in the Song of Solomon,

The term “Beloved” was an affectionate term used commonly in both the Old and New Testaments.

It was used to describe someone as desirable, amiable, an object of one’s affection.

In the Song of Solomon it was used about 32 times (as an example).

In the OT it occurs about thirty-two times in the Song of Solomon,

In the NT “beloved” (Gk.

agapētós) is used exclusively of divine and Christian love, an affection begotten in the community of the new spiritual life in Christ,

In the NT “beloved” was used exclusively of divine and Christian love and also it was used to address the people of God.

Peter called believers this in

Peter would also use this in

Paul also used this in his epistles.

30 times he would address believers as “beloved.”

This term is meant to convey a heartfelt, genuine love and care for God’s people.

He would also use it in where he actually tells us his intent for both letters.

2 Peter

His intent in writing this to the church was to stir up their minds to remember what God had spoken through the prophets and through the commandments of Jesus through His Apostles.

And he used “beloved” to express his heart and concern here for God’s people.

To capture this briefly when speaking of Peter’s desire to stir God’s people to remembrance, Paul pointed out from Hosea a prophecy where God used this specific term to speak of the Jews and how He would use it to speak of the Gentiles.

Question: Why would Peter think that God’s people would think it strange for a fiery trial to come?

The holy walking of a Christian condemns the world around him.

It shows up the disorder and foulness of unbelievers’ profane ways.

Further, the life of true religion, set next to dead formality, shows it to be a carcass.

There is in the life of a Christian a convicting light that shows the deformity of the works of darkness, and a piercing heat that scorches the ungodly and stirs and troubles their consciences.

Robert Leighton

His concern specifically in verse 12 of our text today was for God’s people.

It’s important to point this out because I believe this captures Peter’s heart for God’s people!

Robert Leighton

He told them not to be surprised or as one version put it, “do not think it strange,” when the fiery trial comes.

“the burning which comes to you to be a test to you”

One translator put it this way, “do not be surprised of the burning which comes to you to be a test to you.”

Maybe it was another reminder of suffering even as a Christian which we see in verse 16.

Robert Leighton commentating on this passage said this:

“The holy walking of a Christian condemns the world around him.

It shows up the disorder and foulness of unbelievers’ profane ways.

Further, the life of true religion, set next to dead formality, shows it to be a carcass.

There is in the life of a Christian a convicting light that shows the deformity of the works of darkness, and a piercing heat that scorches the ungodly and stirs and troubles their consciences.”

In other words, don’t think it strange when fiery trials come.

Trials like suffering and being insulted which we see in verse 14 happens to believers even when living faithfully.

Don’t be surprised beloved.

Trials will come.

But they come to test us.

Read Verse 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

The Septuagint use for “surprised” spoke of letting a stranger in as a guest for the night.

Peter was meaning that trials should not foreign to believers.

They are a part of the journey.

But they have a purpose.

Peter already addressed this in the first chapter.

You are being tested with fiery trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

So don’t think it a strange thing.

Don’t be surprised.

But rejoice!

Question: Why would we be surprised by fiery trials?

Answer: We’d be surprised when forgetting the sufferings of Christ.