Triumphantly Enduring Persecution 1 Peter 3 13 15

Triumphantly Enduring Persecution 1 Peter 3: 13 -15 a

Triumphantly Enduring Persecution • Suffering Is Going to Come − The word “suffer” appears 17 times in First Peter (1: 11; 2: 19, 20, 21, 23; 3: 14, 17, 18; 4: 1, 13, 15, 16, 19; 5: 1, 9, 10) − “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3: 12)

Triumphantly Enduring Persecution • Suffering Will Be Due to: − Righteousness (1 Pet. 3: 14) − Obeying the Lord (1 Pet. 1: 14) − Holy conduct (1 Pet. 1: 15) − Doing good (1 Pet. 3: 17; 2: 20) − Being a Christian (1 Pet. 4: 16) − Righteous works & righteous words offend the unrighteous! − Guarantee #1: You will not suffer for righteousness, obedience, holiness and being a Christian, IF YOU ARE NOT! − Guarantee #2: You will suffer for righteousness, obedience, holiness and being a Christian, IF YOU ARE!

Triumphantly Enduring Persecution • When Suffering Comes, Triumph Belongs to Those Who: − Remember That the Lord Is Watching (3: 12) • Watching you & watching them (Prov. 15: 3; 2 Chron. 16: 9; Rom. 12: 19) • Keep a proper perspective (Rom. 8: 18) − Resolve to Be Zealous for Good (3: 13; cf. John 2: 17; Tit. 2: 11 -14) − Regard It As a Blessing (3: 14 a, 9; cf. Mt. 5: 10 -12; Rom. 8: 35 -39) • Know you’re doing right & will be rewarded (Rom. 8: 16 -18; 2 Cor. 4: 1618) − Refuse to Be Influenced, Intimidated or Inflamed (3: 14 b) • Maintain complete composure in face of bitter & determined enemies • Isaiah repeatedly called for Israel to not fear their enemies (41: 10, 13, 14; 43: 1, 5; 44: 2; 35: 4; 12: 2; 44: 8; 51: 7, 12) − Revere Christ As Lord of Your Heart (3: 15 a) • He is the only One I’m trying to please (John 8: 29) • As my Lord, He is the only One to whom I need to listen (Matt. 17: 5)

Triumph in the End with Christ • Believe Jesus is God’s Son – Mark 16: 16 • Repent of your sins and turn to God – Acts 2: 38 • Confess your faith in Jesus – Romans 10: 9 -10 • Be immersed into Christ – Galatians 3: 27 − God will wash away all of your sins – Acts 22: 16 − God will add you to His church – Acts 2: 47 − God will register you in heaven – Hebrews 12: 23 • Walk faithfully with the Lord – 1 John 1: 7