Peter Barnes | 1 Peter 3:13-15a
SERMON NOTES
HONOURING CHRIST IN PERSECUTION
1 Peter 3:13-15a
In 1 Peter 3:13-17 Peter deals with how a Christian is to respond to suffering brought about by persecution.
1. Christians are often not persecuted.
– 3:13. Has Peter forgotten what had happened in Acts 4:1-3?
– Peter is probably writing in general terms – Prov.16:7; Rom.13:3.
– Gen.39:1-5 for Joseph and Dan.6:1-5 for Daniel.
2. We should not fear those who persecute us.
– 3:14. Peter now moves to deal with the situation where the Christian is persecuted for righteousness’ sake – Matt.5:10-12; Isaiah 8:11-13.
– Ps.56:3-4, 11; Matt.10:28. In 1530 Luther wrote to Melanchthon: ‘What more can the Devil do than throttle us? I beseech you, who are so efficient in combat in all other things, fight against yourself; for you are you own worst enemy, because you give Satan so many weapons against yourself.’
3. We are to honour Christ.
– 3:15a. You cannot abolish fear simply by trying not to be fearful. It is far more effective to have fear swallowed up by a greater affection, notably the honouring of Christ.
– Isa.29:23. Christ the Lord is to be honoured as holy.