1 Peter – Celebrating our citizenship

I. Celebrating our citizenship - A new citizenship

A. Living as dispersed exiles

(ESV) 1 Peter 1 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, … May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

(ESV) 1 Peter 2 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojournersand exiles …

B. Having received mercy, making us God’s people

(ESV) 1 Peter 2 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

C. Looking to a future hope

(ESV) 1 Peter 1 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

II. Celebrating our citizenship – A new basis for life

A. Intentionally focused on new citizenship

(ESV) 1 Peter 1 13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

B. Not conformed to the previous citizenship

(ESV) 1 Peter 1 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

C. Set apart to God as new citizens

1. In what you do

(ESV) 1 Peter 1 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

2. In behavior to others

(ESV) 1 Peter 2 1 So put away all maliceand all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

3. In self control

(ESV) 1 Peter 2 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

4. As an influence to the lost

(ESV) 1 Peter 2 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

III. Celebrating our citizenship – Good sojourners within this world

A. Submissive to this world’s government

(ESV) 1 Peter 2 13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

B. Free people not abusing this freedom in the world

(ESV) 1 Peter 2 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

C. Not improperly reacting to the evil world around us

(ESV) 1 Peter 3 9 Do not repay evil for evilor reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. … 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

D. Unafraid of this world’s people

(ESV) 1 Peter 3 14 But even if you should sufferfor righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

E. Not engaged in this world’s sinfulness

(ESV) 1 Peter 4 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. … 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

IV. Celebrating our citizenship – Living in light of the future world

A. The end is imminent

(ESV) 1 Peter 4 7 The end of all things is at hand; …

B. So keeping behavior under control

(ESV) 1 Peter 4 7 …therefore be self-controlledand sober-mindedfor the sake of your prayers.

C. So living out our citizenship with other sojourners

(ESV) 1 Peter 4 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

D. Rejoicing in the face of trials

(ESV) 1 Peter 4 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

E. Knowing judgment is about here

(ESV) 1 Peter 4 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

(ESV) 1 Peter 4 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

F. Living humbly before God

1. Giving Him our anxieties

(ESV) 1 Peter 5 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

2. Knowing He will sustain us

(ESV) 1 Peter 5 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.