Following In His Steps.

SERMON OUTLINE:

FIRST: Jesus is our Example in Life (vs 21-23)

SECOND: Jesus is our Substitute in Death (vs 24)

THIRD: Jesus is our Guardian Shepherd in Heaven (vs 25)

SERMON BODY

Ill:

• C.S. Lewis was once asked, “Why do Christians suffer?”

• He answered, “Why not? They are the only ones who can take it.”

• What he meant was;

• That as Christians we have a Saviour who suffered;

• And because He suffered for us, He calls us to follow in His steps.

• We don’t like suffering; we don’t want suffering;

• We often don’t understand why we suffer – but this sentiment is true for everyone,

Ill:

• We are familiar with the expression, “No pain, no gain”

• We normally hear it in the context of exercise and going to the gym.

• I have a friend who refuses to go to the gym,

• If you ask him why he smiles and says; “No pain, no pain!”

• Well, at least he is honest!

• TRANSITION: Most of us do not want any pain and suffering,

• Life gives everyone (Christian & unbeliever) enough of that all by itself,

• Yet, in these verses the apostle Peter says if you follow Jesus expect some more!

• That is part of the package of belonging to him!

Ill:

• In the UK we will probably never be imprisoned for our faith in Jesus Christ.

• In the UK we may never be beaten, or have our children taken from us,

• In the UK we may not be denied employment or refused legal rights,

• Because of our Christian faith.

• Although the way things are going in the next 20 years that may all change!

• But you will at some time suffer for Christ:

• We may lose friends; we may be ostracised at work from certain groups of people.

• We may be ridiculed and even bullied for our beliefs.

• Even in the UK some Christians are given the hard choice;

• Following Christ means losing your family

• (especially if they convert from a Moslem background).

Christian suffering is never without meaning or purpose:

• The Word of God makes this point again and again and again!

• And in this passage the apostle Peter reminds us;

• That suffering is often an essential part of service.

• You have given me the title; ‘Following in his steps’.

• Taken from verse 21.

• One of the many titles the Bible gives to Jesus is The Suffering Servant.

• Therefore, if we are following him, we must at times expect to suffer!

Quote Amy Carmichael (1867-1951):

• Was a missionary in India for 55 years;

• She was the author of 35 books,

• She worked among girls who were victims of sexual-abuse, or temple prostitution.

• She helped protect and shelter the babies born as a result of the temple prostitution.

• On numerous occasions she faced legal charges of kidnapping,

• And often faced physical threats.

• Following a serious fall;

• She spent the last the last twenty years of her life as an invalid.

• One of her many poems is called; “Hast thou no scar?”

“Hast thou no scar?

No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?

I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,

I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,

Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?

Yet I was wounded by the archers, spend,

Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent

By ravening beasts that compassed Me, I swooned:

Hast thou no wound?

No wound, no scar?

Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,

And, pierced are the feet that follow Me;

But thine are whole: can he have followed far

Who has no wounds nor scar?”

• TRANSITION: If we are to; ‘Follow in his steps’.

• Then we must at times expect to suffer!

Let me remind you of the context of 1 Peter chapter 2 verses 21-25.

• This passage is sandwiched between two sections,

• In those sections the apostle Peter tells these Christians,

• How to act when treated unjustly.

• The first situation you looked at last week (chapter 2 verses 18-20);

• How to live and act when as servants/employees;

• We are treated poorly by masters/bosses.

• The second situation you will look at next week (chapter 3 verses 1-2);

• How wives are to live and act when they are treated poorly by husbands.

• And in between the two instructions the apostle Peter uses this example to follow:

• Jesus, the one who endured the suffering of injustice.

FIRST: Jesus is Our Example in Life (vs 21-23)

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.