Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro:

George Whitefield conducted outdoor evangelistic campaigns in the 1700's throughout New England, a period of revival called the "Great Awakening."

Though thousands responded to his preaching, when asked how many were converted after one of his sermons he replied, "We'll know in five years."

The point Whitefield was making was that five years should reveal which decisions were superficial and which were genuine, lasting commitments to Christ.

As Christians, as followers of Christ, our faith should be on display each and every day… in every area of our lives.

Galatians 5:25 “25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Colossians 1:10 “10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

As we continue our series in 1 Peter, we need to be reminded of the volatile environment in which the believers existed.

Severe persecution had forced many of them from their homes in and around Jerusalem… Which resulted in them being scattered throughout various regions beyond Israel.

They held on to their faith, but they faced many new and difficult obstacles.

They were forced to adapt to a new culture and co-exist with those foreign to the faith.

Peter sought to equip them to be effective in living out what they said they believed, in their new place of residence.

The first word of our passage today is “Finally”… Which is interesting, because we are only a little more than half way through this letter… That just means that while he had begun to wrap up his thoughts, he still had much to share… Kind of like when a preacher says “in closing”… and then proceeds to give you 3 bonus points for your Sunday morning outline...

This transition reveals that he will share a common theme throughout the remainder of this letter.

His focus from this point forward will be Christian conduct in the midst of a world that doesn’t embrace the faith.

While our current circumstances, in regards to our location and time, are vastly different from those who Peter originally wrote this letter to..., the principles he shared are timeless for us as believers.

The life expected of believers within the early church continues to be expected of the modern church today.

We need to apply and model the same characteristics within our culture.

I want to examine the characteristics Peter described as we consider the challenge of: Displaying our Faith…

Read 1 Peter 3:8-12…

Characteristics of Faith…

Meat:

Peter revealed several characteristics that must be displayed openly if the believer was to be an effective witness for Christ.

The first characteristic of faith that we should be displaying is…

1.

Our Unity

“Finally, all of you be of one mind...”

There were already enough distractions brought about through the struggles of daily living without the church creating more among themselves.

Peter knew the church desperately needed unity in order to survive and portray an effective witness.

They had to be all of one mind in every facet of life – in doctrine, deed, and desire.

I realize that we are not all going to agree on everything all of the time… Peter knew this as well… He is not saying that we are required to agree on everything.

He is calling for unity, not uniformity.

The only way for us to achieve "like-mindedness" is for us to all have the same focus... and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Local congregations and smaller sub-groups within the church can overcome many obstacles, but unity is essential in every situation.

The church can survive any difficulty she faces when the body is united in doctrine and purpose, but she will face great difficulty apart from unity.

We could never expect others to desire to be part of this local fellowship if we lacked unity.

Peter list several different ways that we are to display our Unity…

1.1 Having Compassion and Love for Others

Peter says…, “having compassion for one another; love as brothers,”

Displaying Unity means we will have compassion within the body of Christ.

This speaks of “sympathy,... to feel with others,… or sharing in their difficulties.”

The believers needed to share in the struggles of others, bearing one another’s burdens.

When one rejoiced, they all needed to rejoice.

When one wept, they needed to weep with them.

When there was a need, they must be willing to share the need, no matter how great or small.

“Love as brethren.”

- should go without saying, and yet Peter sensed the need to remind them of the need to display love for one another as well.

They were to love one another with a brotherly love.

This was not just superficial or in word only, but a genuine love for those within the body of Christ.

These characteristics are foundational to the Christian faith.

They set us apart from the other religions and philosophies of the world.

If we are united in purpose, having compassion for others, love will be a natural by-product.

There is a great need for love to be shown within the church today.

I have no doubt we all love each other, but sometimes we fail to show or express our love.

We are also to...

1.2 Be Kindhearted and Humble

I used the word Kindhearted… you can also use the word tenderhearted or pitiful.

This goes hand in hand with compassion.

While they are similar, they reveal separate actions.

It means “to be sensitive and affectionate toward the needs of others; to be moved with tender feelings over the pain and sufferings of others.”

Being Kind or Tenderhearted does not mean that you encourage or condone sin…, but you are sensitive to the needs of others, sensing their great need and you may feel compelled to act on their behalf.

We also need to be humble or courteous towards others.

This means to offer oneself as lowly and submissive; not to be highminded, proud, haughty, arrogant, or assertive.

Peter knew arrogance and pride were detrimental to the health of the church and her witness before the world.

Humility was essential if they were to prosper among a world that closely watched their every move.

What a great reminder for us today… It is easy for us to develop an attitude of self-righteous arrogance.

When in reality… we are all nothing more than sinners saved by grace...

We too have received far more than we could ever deserve.

Had Christ not shown compassion and grace to us, we would still be lost in our sin, destined for Hell.

The church does not exist to serve those who make it up, ensuring our needs are met; we exist to honor the Lord, serving Him with Kind hearts, in humility and grace!

The Second Characteristic that we should be displaying is...

2. Our Mercy

1 Peter 3:9 “9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”

Nowhere in the bible are we authorized to only treat people well who are being nice to us!

Peter says that we are not justified in repaying evil with evil.

We display our mercy…

2.1 By Our Restraint

The first part of v.9 says… “not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling,”

I like the way the NASB words this verse… “not returning evil for evil or insult for insult,”

Many within the early church suffered greatly because of their faith.

It would have been tempting to lash out and treat others the same way they had been treated.

The believer was held to a higher standard and expected to respond in grace, even when mistreated.

They were to offer blessing, even to those who had wronged them.

Peter knew such restraint would bear an effective witness for the Gospel.

This is one of the most difficult aspects of Christian conduct, even for mature believers.

Our flesh wants to lash out and respond in a manner that would not be honoring to Christ.

We must resist the urge to repay evil with other acts of unkindness… Just like we try to teach our kids… you cannot repay sin with sin… We must always act in grace, even when we feel it is undeserved.

Why???

Because that is exactly what Christ did and we are to be more like Him everyday… He endured much on our behalf as He faced the agonies of the cross… We are expected to show the same grace and possess restraint.

We display mercy, not only by restraining from insulting those who are insulting us, but also…

2.2 By Offering Blessings

1 Peter 3:9 “9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”

Peter uses the word "Blessing".

In the Greek this word is - ulogeō(U-log-a-o)... which is where we get our word "eulogy".

It means to speak well of... or to praise.

Generally when someone passes away, there is someone or several people, at the funeral, who will deliver a eulogy.

This an opportunity to stand and point out the good things about the deceased.

When someone harms us, cusses us out, or persecutes us, our response should be to Serve them, Pray for them, be kind to them and forgive them.

The fact that we do not take vengeance on those who abuse us, is what separates us from the world.

We have a great example of the proper response to those who would hurt us in the Old Testament story of Joseph.

After being mistreated by his brothers, Joseph received great blessings from God.