Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction: This past week, the kids at VBS have been learning that God is a creative God, a designer; that Jesus is King, Jesus is Redeemer and that the Holy Spirit helps us follow God’s plan.

Today, as we celebrate VBS, we are also beginning our summer sermon series in 1 Peter as we look at having unshakeable faith in a world that seems to have gone mad.

And our first sermon ties in incredibly well with day 4 of our VBS.

Day 4 is the day that we share with the kids about how Jesus is our redeemer; He died for our sins so that they can have eternal life in heaven.

And sometimes as adults we can think of the Gospel as kids stuff.

We can think of it a decision we make or a prayer we pray when we’re kids and we grow up and beyond that.

But the Gospel isn’t just for kids or even new believers.

It’s for all of us.

Whenever Jesus’ disciples face tough times, they remind themselves of the Gospel.

Transition to the text: Turn with me in your Bibles to 1 Peter.

Over the next 10 weeks we’ll be going through this incredible letter to encourage people facing tough times.

Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples, you might even say he is the oldest and most trusted disciple even though he repeatedly got is foot stuck in his mouth.

Peter was someone that people looked up to, so when he spoke, people listened.

So how would Peter encourage a people who were beaten down by the world through persecution and hard times?

Peter tells that to...

Introduce:

Big Idea: Remember and believe what you already know.

Read:

1 Peter 1:1–12 (ESV)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him.

Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.

12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Big Idea: When things get tough, remember and believe what you already know.

Transition: Peter writes to those people who are exiled because of the great persecution that has come on the Christians in Jerusalem.

So much of the Bible talks about how people are to respond to tough situations.

And most of the time we don’t need to be told what to do, but simply reminded of what we already know.

1. Remember what Jesus has done and what it means for you.

(1 Peter 1:1-7)