Series: Time to Grow Up Step 5: Revere Jesus as Lord
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 3:13-22,
Supplemental Reading: Acts 17:24-31, Psalm 66:8-20
Preacher: Josh Kleinfeld
1 Peter 3:13-22
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Step 1: Have Faith in Jesus
Step 2: Obey the word
Step 3: Endure Like Jesus
Step 4: Crave Jesus
Step 5: Revere Jesus as Lord
“Reverence is fear tempered by love.”
H. Orton Wiley, Christian Theology III, 38
3 Ways to Revere Jesus as Lord
Repent (turn gaze from sin to Him)
Be Baptized (commit entire self to his death and resurrection)
Share the News with Gentleness and Respect
What’s the Good News we see in this text?
Christ is Lord – He is the GOAT
Christ suffered – He gets us
Christ suffered for sin – He forgives us
Christ suffered for sin as righteous one for unrighteous – He took our place
Christ suffered to bring us to God – He reconciles us with the Father
Christ died – He actually died a physical death
Christ was made alive by the Spirit and descended into realm of dead – His love goes far
Christ was raised from the dead – He is greater than death
Christ was raised to God’s right hand – He is greater than you and what troubles you
Developing readiness to share our testimony
Adoration: Internal devotion and affection to Christ
Praise: Verbal affirmation of Jesus’ awesomeness
Thanksgiving: Verbal gratitude for Jesus’ mercy
Memory Verse:
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10
Message Reflection Questions
Read Psalm 31:5. Take two minutes to silently repeat this verse in prayer.
What do you think it means to have reverence?
Read 1 Peter 3:13-22 slowly. Which verse does the Holy Spirit draw your attention to? What about this verse encourages or convicts you?
In the notes above, we see a list of what Christ is and has done. Which of these comforts you these days? Which challenges you?
From 3:21, why is it important for believers to be baptized?
Peter encourages his people to be ready to share the reason for their hope. What keeps people from being ready?
Consider the instructions above on developing readiness to share our testimony. In the category of Praise: What is it about Jesus that draws you to put your faith in Him? In the category of Thanksgiving: What are you grateful that He has done for you?
Who in your life needs to hear this?
As you close in prayer, pray for readiness to share the gospel, for those who don’t know Christ and for opportunities to share Him.
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