Series: 1 Peter
Title: Overview of 1 Peter
Text: 1 Peter
Date: December 12, 2010
Place: SGBC, New Jersey
God has overruled very dark days over the ages of time. Yet, in the midst the LORD saved and gathered his children by his grace, through his Spirit, through his gospel. He has recorded these times in the scriptures to encourage in these days. In these days when many changes are coming about in our world, the scriptures say things shall wax "worse and worse". We live in the most godless generation when more have a form of godliness than ever before. Yet, there is a hatred for AUTHORITY. (2 Tim 3: 5).
The 1st epistle of Peter is so appropriate to settle the heart of every believer. Let's take an overview of this whole epistle.
1 Peter 1: 1: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,…
The purpose, as with all scripture, is to comfort his fellow believers, to encourage them, by pointing them to our God and reminding us that everything that comes to pass in this world is according to the purpose of God, even the sufferings our Savior endured.
The single message and comfort of our great God is his everlasting love and salvation of his people in Christ through the Spirit of God. The one--all important thing--is the salvation of your soul.
In this epistle the believer is given every comfort that our salvation is sure and our God is working everything together so that we rejoice his Great Salvation.
1 Peter 1:1: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
I. THE GRACE OF GOD MAKES EVERY BELIEVER A STRANGER IN THIS WORLD.
This world is merely a place we are passing through. We are strangers to this world and the people of this world are strangers to us because we are not of this world because our Lord is not of this world. “Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”
We Are Children From Beyond—“Hebrews"
Our God and Father, and our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ is from beyond—before and after this world--eternal in the heavens. We are BE-LOVED—loved BE-FORE—from beyond, from before the foundation of this world.
1 Peter 1: 2: Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
From beyond, before the foundation of the world, God chose us in Christ and blessed us with all spiritual blessings. From beyond, he predestinated us unto the adoption of children. God works all things in this world after the council of his own will. This salvation was earned and purchased for us by the obedience and death of God the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ for each particular sinner given to him of the Father. He brings the word of truth to each of his elect, whereunto he called you by our gospel, the Word by which the gospel is preached unto you. Through the Holy Spirit he delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. By the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ in us, purging our conscious from ourselves to Christ Jesus who is himself our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption. He freely has bestowed upon us his grace. And is able to multiple grace unto us. He has given us in our hearts his Peace--Peace With God. — Peace From God. — The Peace of God. —
All the praise and honor is to God alone.
1 Peter 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
He has begotten us again unto a living hope.
1 Peter 1: 3:…which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
· Hope according to mercy
· Living hope--Jesus Christ in you the hope of glory.
· Secure hope--by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
1 Peter 1: 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
We are kept by the power of God.
1 Peter 1: 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
· All of grace…through faith--resting all in his keeping powerful hand
1 Corinthians 1: 8: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9: God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
· "Salvation READY to be revealed in the last time."--THE BELIEVER'S SALVATION IS FINISHED BY CHRIST, OUR SALVATION IS READY. OUR SALVATION SHALL BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME. THIS IS THE END OF OUR FAITH--JESUS CHRIST, EVEN THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS.
Our Faithful God and this good hope is our Rejoicing Even in the Heaviness of Trial.
1 Peter 1: 6: Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
All flesh is grass. We are, by our first birth, only grass. Grass is useless and perishing. But God has created every believer anew by the Spirit in the inner man. Our God will not allow any of his children to be separated from him--each saint is sanctified, by the Sanctifier, who is our Sanctification. In Christ, by God's grace, every child of God is holy. And our God shall keep us separated from this world. That is the purpose of every trial. He is teaching us--yea, keeping us--holy--keeping us from being conformed to this world, to this world's religion, to our own selfish, fleshly, grassy lusts. Through these trials our Lord makes us to desire the sincere milk of the word even as a newborn helpless baby desires its mother's milk.
Let us remember, we are living stones placed and "built up", not by any hand, but the hand of God--the Spirit of God's grace.
1 Peter 2:5: Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
II. THE FRUIT OF THIS LIVING GRACE WORKING IN US IS SUBMISSION TO THE AUTHORITY.
Our Lord and Savior is THE AUTHORITY.
I Peter 3: 22: {Christ Jesus} is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God: angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him
When God makes us to behold Christ the Power and Wisdom of God we shall bow by his grace. When we follow Christ, we will trust Christ and be able to submit to all who in authority because we know our King put them where they are and rules in their hearts.
Grace teaches us to submit to submit to our political, civil rulers for Christ’s sake
If we remember that this was written during the time when wicked, wicked men were in power in government, it will help us in our day. Knowing Christ reigns, we have every reason to submit to those he has placed in civil government.
1 Peter 2:13: Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
Grace teaches us to submit to our employers
1 Peter 2:18: Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
Slavery is a wicked practice. But when the Spirit of God teaches the believer that for the sake of Christ, be in subjection to those kind of masters, we know it is thankworthy for us to be so to our employers, even when we suffer wrongfully.
Again, our motive and example in all, is Christ who suffered for us and is our perfection of salvation.
1 Peter 2:20: For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Grace teaches us to honor God in our homes, submitting one to another
1 Peter 3: 1: Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Grace teaches us to live together as the church fo God without criticizing one to another.
1 Peter 3: Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Illustration: Let us seek to be an oasis of refreshing for each other in the midst of waste howling wilderness. Put the best construction, on one another, remembering that every brother and sister in Christ is adorned in the inner man in the most beautiful robe and riches of our Savior.
1 Peter 3:18: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Grace teaches his pastor to be a faithful undershepherd to the sheep.
1 Peter 5:1: The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
One thing I cherish is to have faithful men who have been called of God to give me encouragement as Peter is doing to the elders in the various assemblies to which he is writing.
1: Three nots: Not being slothful in the work:
1 Peter 5: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly;
Christ Jesus said, "I must be about my Father's business." He did everything for those given him of the Father. Lord, let this always be first in my heart every new day. Feed the flock--ever be seeking the Bread from heaven, the Sheep food. Which is among you--I am not chargeable before God for those who he is yet to add to this flock--but for those he has added already! Not by constraint--this is not a job, it is not a dread, it is not wearisome, this is a privilege--willingly, never let me forget what a privilege!
1 Cor 9:16: For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
2. Not for self gain.
1 Peter 5: 2:…not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
Christ came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many. Nothing about this work is for myself, but for me to minister to you.
3. Not driving by force but leading by example.
1 Peter 5: 3: Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
Having experienced the power of THE LORD, who alone made me willing then I know only the LORD can make his children willing in the day of his power.
1 Peter 5: 4: And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Christ's crown of glory was seeing his Father glorified and those entrusted to him saved by laying down his life. So it is that Christ my Chief Shepherd is my crown of glory, my inheritance that fadeth not away. And my brethren saved by his power and grace through his gospel:
1 Thess 2: 19: For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? 20: For ye are our glory and joy.
Grace teaches every child of God to walk in submission to our God by submitting to one another.
1 Peter 5:5: Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
THE END OF THE LETTER
Brethren, the letter ends with a word of assurance for us in these individual trials and for this brief season of trial called life
1 Peter 5: 10: But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11: To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
When the Spirit of grace has truly brought us into submission to Christ, though he give us the trial as need be, he will no longer let us remove our teachers into a corner anymore, but the Spirit of God will continually keep us in the Way! To him be GLORY and DOMINION for ever and ever. Amen. Notice the last phrase in verse 12:--
"this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand."
Amen!