Sermon Tone Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Today we are concluding our study of 1 Peter

Please take your Bibles and turn with me to the last section that is found in 1 Peter 5:8-14.

Peter gives 4 final exhortations for suffering believers to follow

Listen to what he says beginning at verse 8

Peter returns to his theme of suffering as he brings this letter to a conclusion

But as he concludes, he gives 3 commands for them to follow as they suffer

He also gives a wonderful reminder in verse 10 that we will look at in a few minutes

As we have been learning from this letter, suffering is the will of God

That’s why Paul echoed Peter’s words in Philippians 1:29-30, “29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

Since all the disciples suffered some form of persecution, so will you

None of us are exempt

Peter identified from the beginning the purpose of ours and their suffering

He said in 1 Peter 1:6-7, “6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

Our suffering has a wonderful purpose

It aids in revealing the genuineness or strength of our faith

So now Peter wants his final words to be words of encouragement and words of action

Notice the first exhortation and command in verse 8...

LESSON

I. Be Sober (v.8a)

Peter used this word in 1:13 and 4:7

It’s the Greek word nepho (aor.act.imp.)

It occurs 6 times in the NT, of which 3 times are in 1 Peter

In Classical Greek the word originally meant “one who was completely unaffected by wine, i.e., one who avoided intoxication” (LFB)

Later it came to refer to “a sober manner of living demonstrated by self-control” (LFB)

Therefore this is a call for “a balance in disposition, thought, and action” (Lenski)

It “includes the ideas of steadfastness, self-control, clarity of mind, and moral decisiveness” (MacArthur)

Sober characterizes the individual marked by self-control; of sound moral judgment.

Sober Christians deny themselves worldly pleasures.

This allows them to be always alert, able to guard against Satan’s attacks (1Pet 5:8) and ready to receive the revelation of Christ (Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary )

Charles Spurgeon said...