God's Great Mercy

Introduction

The apostle Peter writes this letter to Christians who are confused and discouraged by the persecution they were encountering because of their faith. Peter reminds them of God’s mercy and exhorts them to stand strong by reminding to be like Christ in their suffering. The primary message of this letter is to trust the LORD, live in obedience regardless of circumstances, and keep your hope fixed on God’s promise of deliverance. In the message today, Peter talk’s about the great mercy of God.

What does God say?

1 Peter 1:1–2 ESV

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Peter identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus the Messiah

Elect (chosen by God); Exiles of the Dispersion ( exiles because they are not of this world but live in it/Diaspora is a term used to refer to Jewish exiles but here it is more likely addressing all Christians considering he is writing to those in Gentile areas)

according to the foreknowledge of God - foreknowledge means to “know in advance.” Related to those chosen by God for relationship with Him.

Sanctification of the Spirit - being set apart by the Spirit

for obedience to Jesus and for sprinkling with his blood - signifies covenant relationship

1 Peter 1:3 LEB

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Blessed be God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ- unique relationship between God and Jesus. First, God is considered Father of Jesus which implies Jesus is His Son. Second, Jesus is not only called the Messiah but Lord, which is a term designated for God.

great mercy - compassion of God to give a new life and living hope. A living hope would imply what was hoped for prior to God’s great mercy was dead.

through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead - new life and a living hope is caused by God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Word play with new life and living hope.

1 Peter 1:4–5 LEB

4 into an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you 5 who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time,

inheritance - God’s great mercy includes receiving an inheritance that is everlasting and incorruptible.

kept in heaven - God’s great mercy includes reserving the inheritance and it place is in heaven

for who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time - God guards us by His power through faith for this salvation (Eph 1:18-2:10). Salvation is an already but not yet. We are saved but yet to be delivered. Hence, the living hope/inheritance. Last time is the time in which we live (Acts 2:16-17).

1 Peter 1:6–9 ESV

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

rejoice greatly now for a short time - they rejoice concerning God’s great mercy of salvation (new life, living hope, inheritance). Short time in relation to the everlasting hope

grieved by various trials - grieved persecution

tested genuineness of your faith - faith is compared to gold. Gold is considered pure. Standing firm in the midst of various trials proves the genuineness of faith which is more precious than gold.

found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ - worship of Jesus upon his coming

though not seen him love him. . . believe in him - not seeing Jesus but standing firm because of trust in God. Results in inexpressible joy and filled with glory

obtaining the outcome of your faith, salvation of your souls - leads to deliverance

1 Peter 1:10–12 ESV

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

the prophets prophesied about the grace - the prophets prophesied and carefully examined God’s favor, what person or which time the Spirit of Christ (Spirit of God) was indicating when he testified about the suffering of Christ and his glories (Isa 52-53).

It was revealed they were not serving themselves - meaning it was a promise to be revealed for a later time which is now, which has been announce to them through the preaching of the gospel through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.

angels long to look - angels were curious about the matter of grace and the gospel

What do we do?

God is the prime mover when it comes to our faith. He is the sovereign Creator of the universe and can show mercy to whomever He desires, not matter if we understand it or not. His great mercy towards His people is the salvation of our souls through Jesus Christ. God causes us to be born again into a living hope. He reserves an inheritance for us and he guards us by His power through faith for the salvation of our soul. Thus, we trust in God that the trails we face and/or endure that His power would enable us to endure it, thus proving our trust in Him is genuine. All this resulting in rejoicing and worship because of His great mercy until the coming of Jesus Christ our LORD.