Sermon Tone Analysis

17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

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

I. Judgment at the Household of God (17)

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God;

If we just read this verse ripped out of the paragraph it is going to sound a lot different than reading it in its context.

Peter has just exhorted the scattered Church (household of God) the Beloved, to not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you.

He is preparing the church for the persecution to come.

He calls them to rejoice and be glad if they share in Christ’s suffering.

He reminds them to remember the Spirit of glory and of God rests on them.

He calls them to suffer faithfully and to glorify God in their suffering.

Then Peter writes, For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God.

Following this exhortation to faithful suffering Peter proclaims these fiery trials are coming because it is time for judgment of God’s people.

Judgment at the household of God.

Immediately, we are probably thinking why is God starting with the Church?

These men and women are coming to faith, being born again and now they are being judged?

This is because we often think of judgment being a matter of condemnation.

But that is not exactly what Peter is referring to here.

John MacArthur writes, The Greek word for judgment is krima and refers to a a judicial process that renders a decision on someone’s sin.

The word identifies a matter for adjudication and is used especially for divine judgment.

(pg.

256)

Krima means the content of the process of judging - judgment, decision, evaluation

We need to understand the purpose and result of this judgment is different for the believer and the unbeliever.

For the believer or the “household of God” this judgment is not for the purpose of condemnation, but for purification.

For the believer or the “household of God” this judgment is not for the purpose of condemnation, but for purification.

Hebrews 12:

So often we look at disciplining, and suffering as a negative thing.

Which in reality for the believer it is a wonderful thing.

Now I am not saying it is not a painful thing.

This suffering may hurt physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

But the purpose is far greater than the pain.

Because as we suffer as a Christian we are are purified, the dross and sin of our lives are burnt off....We are tested and our faith is also strengthened.

We become more and more conformed to the image of Christ and we are being prepared through purification to meet the Lord Jesus Christ, and will be and may be found to result in praise and glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ!

Thomas Brooks writes, “As our greatest good comes through the sufferings of Christ, so God’s greatest glory that he has from his saints comes through their sufferings.”

Let me give you one more passage,

Does that not change the way we view suffering?

Suffering with God’s glory in mind will completely change the way we view and react to suffering in affliction in our own life.

Here is another truth that comes from suffering as the “household of God,” we are not alone.

The household of God is not me or you, our any other saint suffering in solitary confinement.

The household of God is the body of Christ, the fellowship of believers, the community of saints.

In other words we don’t go through this suffering alone, we don’t have to walk through these trials in isolation.

Instead we have fellow brothers ans sisters who suffer along side of us.

To encourage us, to pray for us, and to counsel us.

What does Peter say,

If it begins with us....not me not you, but us.

Let us never forget we are not to suffer alone.

We are not to be separated from the family of God, but instead we are to suffer together for the glory of God!

In verse 17 Peter explains, Judgment at the household of God,

He goes on in 17 and 18 to explain,

II.

Judgment for those who disobey the Gospel of God.

(17b,18)

and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who disobey the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous are scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?

Let’s make sure we understand who the us are first.

So the honor is for you who believe

The us Peter is talking to are those who have repented, believed, and obeyed the truth of the gospel.

The us are those who have been born again by the mercies of God.

The us are those who believe and will not be put to shame.

Then Peter turns to those, who are those,

Those who do not obey the gospel of God

, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

Peter is answering the question here, “if the household of God is suffering through judgment what about those outside the household?

Those who do not obey, why are we scarcely saved and they seem to be flourishing?

There are times when the household of God, those who have recieved the grace of God seem to be worse off than the unbeliever.

The unbeliever may be flourishing in this life.

They may have more money, more friends, a bigger house, and even better health.

They will never be persecuted for their faith, they will not be set a blaze for being obedient to the gospel.

They will never experience trials as a testing for their faith.

However, we must understand they all will experience the same ending to this temporal life.

That is death, believer and unbeliever alike will all face the ending of this life in one form or another.

Either through death or the return of the LORD.

But, when we look at the current situation it may cause us like Peter to ask the question?

If judgment begins with us, what will be the outcome for them?

Peter, rephrases the question in verse 18,

And if the righteous are scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?

Peter is quoting the question from,

Here Peter reminds us, that yes it may be painful for the household of God here on earth.

The fiery trials will be intense.

But we must remember these fiery trials are purifying us for the judgment to come.

These afflictions now are conforming us, cleansing us, and preparing us for the return of Christ.

Even though it seems like the sinners and unbelievers are flourishing now, we must remember their judgment is to come.

There fiery trial will be eternal.

Wayne Grudem writes, “The impious (a godless person without true reverence for God) and sinner will, by implication, find it to be a fire of eternal destruction.”

Paul explained it to the Thessalonians this way,

2 Thessalonians 1:5-

Paul says, the believers faithful endurance through trials, the steadfastness of their faith is evidence of the righteous judgment of God.

He tells the Thessalonians, this righteous judgment of God, is so you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which we are suffering.

How about that for setting our mind right in regards to suffering?

Paul then answer the question on what will become of the ungodly and those disobedient to the gospel.

God is going to inflict vengeance on those who do not know Him or obey Him.

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his might.

Instead of enjoying the ability to worship in his presence the unbelievers will be eternally crushed by God’s wrath!

John Calvin, writes,

In short, God so regulates his judgments in this world, that he fattens the wicked for the day of slaughter.

He therefore passes by their many sins, and, as it were, connives at them.

In the meantime, he restores by corrections his own children, for whom he has a care, to the right way, whenever they depart from it.

How about the picture Calvin paints, he is fattening the ungodly up for the day of slaughter.

He has the sweet feed poured to them now.