1 Peter 1

Bottom line

Are you saved?

Opening Line

How many people here enjoy taking tests? Raise your hand or comment in the chat. How many people here enjoying taking a test?

Introduction

There may be a few, but the truth is that nobody enjoys a test because many people never really truly feel ready. What if I forget something? What if I didn’t study enough? What if they try to trick me? There is a huge amount of anxiety that can come because you just don’t know what is in store. Even when you are offered helps for your test, that can almost cause someone to freeze up as much as it helps. An open book test is only as good as the notes you took. What if you missed a day and didn’t catch up? What if you dozed off during class or you ignored something you thought was minor but the tester decided it was vital? Practice tests are only good if the practice test is the same as the actual test. Any slight adjustments or rewording of a question can cause you to question just how well you actually know the material.

Main Point

Are you ready for the tests that are coming?

Why it matters

All this talk of tests probably some people stressed out already, but the reality is that life is full of tests. In fact, much of the Scripture we’ve been looking at lately has pointed out the fact that testing of our faith is actually what strengthens it. It is when you put your faith into practice, especially when it is difficult, that truly strengthens what you believe.

This is significant in light of 1 Peter. Here is the context of the letter. 1 Peter 1:1

1 Peter 1:1 NLT

This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

The apostle Peter is writing to believers who are living in exile. He is writing to encourage them in the midst of their trials. Peter is perfect person to be writing this letter because of his story. Last week we looked at how despite Peter’s failures, Jesus still called him. His story is a reminder that no matter how far you may fall, there is always hope in Christ to get back up. When it comes to the pillars of the early church, Peter is called the apostle of hope.

But who the letter is addressed to is only part of the story. Within a year of this letter being written, the persecution of the church is going to be cranked up. Within a year, Nero, Caesar of the Roman Empire, is going to burn his own city to the ground. He wanted to remove the old buildings so that they could be replaced. But you can’t just burn your capital city to the ground, you need to blame someone. The Christians were the perfect scapegoat. They valued and preached purity in a time of rampant immorality. The practice of communion was seen as a form of cannabalism, at least that’s what Nero wanted everyone to think. And they preached about the unquenchable fires of hell. Makes sense that they would try to burn the city. In the years that followed, 6 million Christians would either be fed to the lions or burned as candles in Nero’s gardens.

Did Peter know this would happen? Maybe. He certainly saw the persecution that was already happening, and he probably could have guessed it was going to get tough. This letter of encouragement and hope was going to be more important then he could have guessed.

This letter is just as important today. The truth is that persecution is coming. Christians are being killed everyday all over the world for their faith. Maybe some of you have experienced prejudice because of the faith you hold onto. Maybe you have hidden your faith because you were afraid of the response of your family, friends or co-workers. Jesus said that if they persecuted Him, His followers should expect the same treatment. It is not matter of if, it is a matter of when is the persecution coming. It will be the greatest test of your faith, and the question you need to ask yourself is, “Are you ready?”

My hope is that as you read through the letters of Peter, you will be more ready at the end of summer then you are right now. For the sake of time this summer, I will pull out key parts of the chapter to read. That is not to say you shouldn’t read the whole thing, but I want to hit the key parts in our time together.

Scripture

1 Peter 1:3–9 NLT

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Peter starts by calling the reader of the letter to remember your salvation. Remember that God loved you so much that He sent His only Son to not only die on a cross for your sins, but to also raise again three days later to give you hope of resurrection. It is by your salvation that you are made new, that you have an eternal inheritance waiting for you in heaven. Even more than that, God is protecting you in this life until your salvation is complete.

Peter highlights all the good and blessing that comes with salvation so that you remember that no matter what tests may come your way, your salvation is surpassingly better. In fact, it is through these tests that your salvation is being made stronger, more sure, and being refined. Even though you may not enjoy the tests, it is meant to make you stronger.

This is why if you pray for God to give you patience, everyone around starts doing things that inspire impatience. What do we typically call it? Oh that’s right. “You are testing my patience!” Yes that is exactly what is happening. You don’t just get a supernatural dose of it; you given an opportunity to allow the patience of God’s Spirit dwelling within you to come out. That is the gift of salvation: You no longer need to rely on your own love, patience, or joy. You pause and wait for the perfect love, joy, and patience of God to flow through you. This is putting to death the old self and allowing the Spirit empowered new self to take over.

Remember your salvation and may it inspire joy in the midst of the trial. Jumping down a ways

1 Peter 1:13–17 NLT

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.”

Peter doesn’t stop with the reminder of the joy and hope that are found because you are saved, but also the reminder that you are called to live differently. Exercise self-control, put your hope in your salvation, live as obedient children of God. Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy. Being holy is the fact you are set apart for glorious things. Paul tells Timothy that just as a soldier doesn’t get caught up in civilian affairs, don’t you get swept up in the things of the world. You are called for better things.

Then Peter adds that God plays no favorites and everyone will give an account for the life they lived. For the unbeliever, they will be judged as an enemy and thrown out where there will be weeping and nashing of teeth. For the faithful believer, you will be rewarded for how you lived. Probably not in this life, but certainly in the life to come. Jesus sais store up treasure where moth and rust cannot destroy, because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. There is heavenly rewards that await those who live faithfully for before God.

Transition to Application

This is the test that will come. When life gets tough, will you hold onto your salvation and allow the overwhelming joy that your forgiveness and newness brings to carry you through the trials? Will you compromise on Kingdom values in order to avoid persecution or ridicule? How do you put these things into practice?

Main To Do

Peter gives us the answer in this chapter. 1 Peter 1:14

1 Peter 1:14 NLT

So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.

How you do live as a child of God? By imitating the only begotten Son of God. The apostle Paul frequently writes to the church that they should seek to imitate Christ in all that they do. There is an old church cliche that I really believe needs to come back to our vocabulary. W.W.J.D? What would Jesus do? What would He say? How would He react? Ask yourself this. Before you react, ask yourself, or better yet, ask Him! You have the same Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead dwelling within you, ask Him what He would do in this situation.

Peter also says this. 1 Peter 1:22

1 Peter 1:22 NLT

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

This is the fuel that pushed Jesus. He came to earth because He loved humanity and knew the only way humans could be saved was by His sacrifice. Everything He did, even His discipline of Peter, was fueled by love. If you want to live like a child of God, you need to error on the side of love.

Why it matters

The world will know you are my disciples by the way you love one another. If you can keep the hope and joy of your salvation in front of you, you will see life in a more positive light. Trials won’t seem so bad because you know that good can come of it. If you live holy lives, you begin to remove the sin that leads to death and often comes with unpleasant consequences. The future doesn’t seem s scary because you know that God holds your future in His hands. You remember that this life is but a mist, and that eternity is going to be amazing. You perspective becomes bigger, and the things of this life don’t seem so overwhelming.

If you lose sight of the blessing and joy of your salvation, it is very easy for the trial of right now to become overwhelming. The future becomes a scary place because there is so much uncertainty. If you don’t live a child of God, you open yourself up to bondage and sin that robs you of life. They quickly become all consuming.

Closing Line

The truth is, no matter if you chose to live as a child of God or not, the trials and tests are coming. The difference is, if you put your hope and trust in the Lord and live a life set apart to Him, you will be more ready when they arrive. So my question is: “Are You Ready?” Let’s pray

Discussion Questions

1. What stood out from the message? What stands out to you from the chapter?

2. Are you saved by the blood of Jesus? What makes you so sure? Take some time to share you story.

3. What trials are you facing right now? How does your salvation help you through it?