Sermon Tone Analysis

1 Peter 1:3-9

INTRODUCTION:

Upon what foundation is your life built?

What do you lean on for strength and support?

We live in what many have characterized as a hopeless society.

We have seen in our generation a break down in moral standards, an almost complete break down of the nuclear family, and what seems to be an irreparable decline in public and private ethics.

We live in a hero-less age where almost daily we are reminded that all men have feet of clay.

In fact many have lost faith and hope in their fellow man the days of trust and loyalty appear to be gone forever.

For these and many more reasons we are suffering through a time of hopelessness as has never been experienced in this country, this year literally thousands of Americans will take their own lives.

A recent study revealed that 33% of teens surveyed said that they were depressed.

In the same survey nearly 6% stated that they had attempted suicide within the last six months.

Suicide is the number two cause of death among teens in the U. S.

We are losing grasp on life; because we have lost our grip on our Hope.

What can we trust?

On what can we build our hope?

If the answer is not found in material gains, and surely it is not (for we are the richest generation to ever live); then what or whom can be the bases of our hope?

Peter is writing to a group of people who have come under increased pressure from the Roman government and society because of their faith in Christ.

It seems that some of these Christians had suffered material as well physical loss due to their stand for Christ.

Peter through the leadership of the Spirit could sense that these believers were beginning to waver in their faith and that their hope was beginning to ebb out.

Peter restates for them the basis of our hope.

The basis of all hope is that God has done something to insure our salvation.

It is the fact that we can know God's forgiveness and fellowship in salvation that gives hope in hard times.

Peter details why this is true in verses 3-9 of this first chapter.

\\ 1A.

The Completed Elements of Our Salvation

Key word is "/has caused us, begotten/" which literally means "to give new life to."

The idea here is past tense (aorist ptc.) in that the entire act is seen as a single whole.

Therefore our salvation is characterized as:

1B.

A "/living hope/" (1:3)

For which God is to be praised.

Which is a product of God's abundant mercy

Which is insured by the resurrection of Christ

2B.

An "/inheritance/"

That is "/imperishable, incorruptible/" = never perish

That is "/undefiled/" = unstained, pure

That "/will not fade away/" = never grow old.

*Matthew 6:19-21* " Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

\\ 2A.

The Certain Endurance of Our Salvation