Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

I would like to spend some time reviewing v.10-12

In v.10-12 Peter cites

The wording is clearly dependent upon the LXX with the main difference being that Peter altered the text from the second person singular to the third person singular.

It is also important to remember that focuses on suffering and the Lord’s deliverance of those who are afflicted.

Peter had already alluded to the Psalm in 2:3 and now he returns to it again.

Peter doesn’t just arbitrarily select this psalm because this psalm deals with the issued being faced by Peter’s readers.

reminders it’s readers that the Lord rescues his own when they suffer and that He will judge the wicked.

In psalm 34 there is an exhortation for the Lord’s people to display their trust in him by renouncing evil and pursuing what is good.

It is easy to see that themes that are central for Peter are central for the Psalm as well

the suffering of God’s people

their ultimate deliverence

the judgement of the wicked

a godly life is evidence of hoping in God

If we are going to rightly understand the text before us in 1 Peter we must understand the first word in v.10, the word “for”

Schreiner summarizes the logic of the text in this way

“you were called to bless so that you will inherit the blessing of eternal life.

(v.9)

For anyone who wishes to experience the life of the age to come must shun evil speech and do good to all in order to receive that blessing (v.10-11).

For the Lord’s favor is on the righteous, but he will judge the wicked (v.12)”

Clearly for Peter the words life and good days is a reference mainly to the eschaton, to the end time salvation that is to come.

Peter is referring to the inheritance that he spoke of in chapter 1

Peter is not promising good days in this world, instead he says that persecution and troubles are to be expected

ESV

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 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.

ESV

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed.

Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

ESV

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

And

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

But brothers and sisters, those of us who have the hope of an inheritance to come, how are we to speak?

We are to keep our tongues from evil

What is evil speech?

gossip, slander, lies, deceit

Brothers and sisters

ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

ESV

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

ESV

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

ESV

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.

You brood of vipers!

How can you speak good, when you are evil?

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

v.11

Here we see the Christian life is not one of passivity.

He does not just call us to turn away from evil, but to also do good.

Brothers and sisters God’s grace in our life can never be used as an excuse for us not to do good, it should prod us along to doing good.

God’s grace does not excuse us from action, instead it calls us to action.

Brothers and sisters we must make a conscious effort to turn from evil and to pursue good.

We must devote ourselves to the good

Part of what this good looks like is seeking and pursuing peace.

Brothers and sisters peace is something that must be pursued it does not naturally happen in a group of sinners, it must be worked at

What are other moral qualities that are good?

Turn from this

Turn to that

v.12

Again Peter explains why good behavior is an imperative.

Again, righteous living is evidence of the Lord’s gracious work within the heart

It is evidence that the law has been written on the heart

ESV

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.

And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

That the Spirit has been put within them.

ESV

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you.

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.

And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Righteous living gives evidence that the Lord’s favor is on you, that He is watching over you and working all things together for your eternal good and that He hears your prayers.

Listen to me brother and sister in Christ, even in the midst of suffering when you think the Lord has forgotten you, His eyes are on you and He hears your prayers.

You say, well pastor when I read things like this I wander if I am the Lord’s because I look at my life and I know that I am not as righteous as I want to be, I know that i say things at times that wish i could take back

Let me say to you, do you hate your sin? Do you wish that you could rip it out of your chest and throw it as far as the east from the west?

Do you long to be perfectly righteous and to live in a way that honors your King?

Do you look at your life and say I am not what want to be but can you also say that I am not what I use to be?

If so brother and sister in Christ rest in Christ.

Peter is not talking about perfectionism here.

He is talking about a transformed community, yes

but not a perfect community, notice 4:8

Peter really ends this section promising that the Lord’s favor is on the righteous, but that He will punish the evildoers.

Peter

In v.13 he draws an inference from v.12:

No one can ultimately harm those who are zealous in doing good.

You see the promise of a heavenly inheritance guarantees that the distresses of this life do not constitute the last word.