Suffering Strengthens

1 Peter  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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IN A NUTSHELL: God, in His mercy and through Christ’s resurrection, has given us a living hope that cannot be taken away, even though our lives can be filled with pain. Through Jesus’ Spirit, we have the resources needed to live holy lives.

Greeting (vv.1-2)

God’s plan has always been to chose us to be sanctified by Jesus’ death and live obedient to Jesus.
Peter writes to the elect exiles of the dispersion…according to the foreknowledge of God…in the sanctification of the Spirit for obedience to Jesus…and for sprinkling with His blood...
God knows, and this is all part of His plan.
God’s plan is to make us like Jesus. Sanctification = becoming in practice what we’ve been declared to be in truth.
God’s idea of sanctification is our obedience.
Suffering leads to sanctification which leads to obedience.
God’s foundation to work this out is our salvation: cleansed by His blood.

Hope for the Disenfranchised (vv.3-12)

God the Father has given us who believe a living hope as a result fo the resurrection of Jesus.
Verses 3-5 reiterate truths about our relationship with God, aspects brought about by our salvation.
First, it opens with praise, a reminder that God should be adored because salvation is His work.
Peter links our relationship with God to hope — a living hope at that. “Hope...is the confident expectation of life to come in eternity” and is certain because of Christ’s resurrection.
Inheritance emphasizes eternity with Jesus, and it can never spoil, perish, or fade.
Our salvation is cared for and shielded by God’s power. It’s not a promise that we will not suffer.
The certainty of salvation is cause for rejoicing, even if we temporarily suffer.
The authenticity of a believer’s faith is proved through trials. What a testimony persevering faith will provide at Christ’s second coming!
Peter’s illustration is a goldsmith — 1,900 degrees Fahrenheit! Impurities removed and cast into a mold.
Being able to rest in Christ’s accomplishments (“believe”) leads to deep and abiding joy no matter our circumstances.
Our end goal is the salvation of our souls — eternity in the presence of Jesus, an eternity devoid of the present pain and suffering.
Our blessings are greater than anything any OT heroes experienced!
Jesus has been the point all along. As OT prophets searched, God unveiled just how Christ would suffer to be glorified.
We have heard the full message of the prophets because Jesus was the final word!

Living out Holiness in the Midst of Pain (vv.13-25)

Our living hope, our great salvation does not simply impact the future; it is to mark the way we live today, particularly when we experience suffering and pain.
From beginning to end, we must live each day for the final day — Jesus’ return.
First, our minds must be focused for action.
Be on your guard spiritually.
We have been saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved!
Part of being an obedient child is nonconformity to evil desires.
Peter is calling us to conform to God’s will in thought and purpose.
The alternative to conformity to our former ways is holiness.
Holiness produces in our lives a loving conformity to God’s commands which ultimately results in God’s character in us.
We should guard against thinking that because we are a part of God’s family disobedience will pass unnoticed by God.
God is concerned with our character and motivation, not just our external actions.
Christ’s death was the invaluable price needed for our spiritual deliverance — freedom from the clutches and consequences of sin.
Jesus’ death was not an isolated and impersonal event — Christ died for each of us!
When our faith was placed in Jesus, the Father cleansed us of our sin, and that cleansing carries on each and every day.
People of “vertical faith” will know how to love others “horizontally.” This love must be earnest, exerting all of our energy.
This type of living and loving is only possible if we have entered into a new life through faith in Jesus.
Our new life is brought about through God’s Word.
God’s Word is permanent; it cannot be made ineffective.
LET’S DISCUSS!
How does your hope for eternal salvation in Christ help you get through the dark days of suffering and frustration?
How can you be shielded by God’s power and still have to suffer grief and trials?
How do you find assurance that your faith in Jesus is real?
Describe Christian joy. Do you have this joy? How can you know you have it and display it in your life?
What is reverential awe? What does it look like in daily life?
How can you show sincere and deep love for others?
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