1 Peter 2:24-25 The Suffering Servant Crucified

[Incomplete sermon outline below. So it is rough in places or misses words spoken in the audio sermon]

Recap…

1 Peter 2:21–25 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you [ya’ll], leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. [22] He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. [23] When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. [24] He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds [stripes] you have been healed. [25] For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.(ESV)

Before going on to 24-25 let us review 21-23 For to this you have been called.

What must we understand about what we are called to?

Simon Kistemaker reminds us in his commentary that Peter “wants the Christian who suffers unjustly to look to Jesus from whom the believer receives new strength for body and soul. Looking to Jesus, the Christian experiences a renewal of attitude and disposition.”

The language says to trace the footsteps of Jesus. Copy your handwriting to match his.

What must you believe for this to be a comfort for you? Believe we were called to suffer after Christ’s example. Believe We are called to take up our cross and follow Christ. So we follow the Savior who loved his enemies, who suffered for righteousness sake, and so as believers we follow the cross to receive the crown. We do not take the crown to avoid the cross.

So what must you know about your savior? Believe He really suffered as an innocent humble man….but not just any man. The God-Man. GOD become man, entered the pit voluntarily So Jesus models suffering not because he was out of control, but because he intentionally submitted himself to death in order to rescue us.

John 10:11–18 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. [12] He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. [13] He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. [14] I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, [15] just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. [17] For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. [18] No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (ESV)

So you are suffering? Christ, your Shepherd, came to save you. The example is not…oh be like Christ sinless…No it is that once we are rescued. Made alive, now you can reflect on your suffering in two ways

You have been freely given life. So what is our grateful response? That like Christ, you will strive to by the Help of the Holy Spirit to suffer not for sin but as a sanctified sufferer who does not revile and back bite but who suffers, in this sinful world, as redeemed exiles who though not perfect suffer innocently like Christ did.

Peter then says, he is talking about the Christian life, how to live, how to grow in wise, sanctification, being made different from how you were before. As a student traces the letter outline so the Christian traces and follows in the outline of the footsteps of Christ. And as Peter usually does he weaves together a call to belief or action by reminding us of the great redemption of Christ that declares us innocent and righteous in God’s sight. Justified. Everything that follows is only true if we cast ourselves on Christ, hoping only in him for rescue.

Four Truths of our salvation Today (If you are looking to Christ)

#1 The Wages of Sin are Death

#2 In My Place Condemned He Stood

#3 Dead to Sin and Alive in Christ: My Savior Makes me whole.

#4 Returning the Shepherd of your Soul.

#1 (vv. 24a) The wages of sin are death: two things “he bore OUR SINS on his body on the tree. / (vv. 25a) OUR SINS meant - We were straying like sheep (Nature note merely nurture:nthough nurture can be a magnifying glass to our sin nature).

(24a) he bore OUR SINS: Our sins…the sins of those who “Sin because we are sinners.”

What are OUR s