September 24, 2024 Study in 1 Peter

Hope and Holiness

Peter begins his letter by establishing his remarks firmly on the faithfulness of our salvation in Christ in order to anchor his teaching on Christian hope. This lesson will explore the connections Peter makes between hope and holiness: between the anticipation of our souls and the conduct of our lives.

Text

1 Peter 1 ESV

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 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. 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, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 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. 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, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 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. 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. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Outline

The Author vv. 1-2

His name - Peter

petros (small stone) Matt 16.18

Matthew 16:18 ESV

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

His Position

apostolos: envoy

His Mission Field

The Elect Matt 22.14

Matthew 22:14 ESV

For many are called, but few are chosen.”

The Dispersed Acts 8.1

Acts 8:1 ESV

And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Peter’s Description of Salvation

Gift v. 3

According to God’s Mercy

caused by God

Born again to a living hope

through the resurrection

Guard v. 4

Inheritance

imperishable

undefiled

unfading

kept

Goal v. 5

Salvation ready to be revealed

Salvation’s Effect: Joy

rejoicing through trials vv. 6-8

Salvation’s Root: The Old testament

Spiritual Discipline: Seeking

Requires a desire for the presence and voice of God Psalm 42.1

Psalm 42:1 ESV

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.

Involves faithfully studying and keeping God’s word Psalm 119.2

Psalm 119:2 ESV

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,

Anchored in the promise that those who seek the Lord will find Him. Matt 7.7

Matthew 7:7 ESV

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.