The Gospel for REAL Life

Intro

Last year we spoke a lot about being REAL.

We started the year with REAL change. God loves us, and saves us by grace! That means He saves us. He is the one who does the work of saving. He provided Jesus to die in our place, shedding his blood to pay for our sin, and rose again to apply that blood so we might be clean before God. It is His gift for us, and the only thing He expects us to do in all of this is to believe--to receive His gift of salvation by believing in Jesus, and all He did for us.

But once we believe, is that it? Is that all there is? No. God not only gives us the gift of forgiveness, of being at peace with Him, He also gives us the Holy Spirit who is working to make us more like Jesus. He wants more for us than just living and dying to go to heaven. He wants us to know Him. He wants us to have abundant life in the midst of this world. He wants us to be perfect as He is perfect. He doesn't want us to have to live our old lives anymore. He has much better in mind for us! How do we experience that? As we experience REAL change, looking to Him.

I hope that we will not forget what we looked at last year, and that we will continue to strive to be more like Christ in this year.

After REAL change, we looked at REAL help. God not only gave us the Holy Spirit. He gave us brothers and sisters in Christ. He wants us to give REAL help to each other. He wants us to love each other, know what is going on from His perspective, and to speak the truth in grace to one another, helping each other to grow in Christ, experiencing REAL change.

Then, we looked at how being fallen sinful people who are not yet perfect, there will be conflict. We live in a world of conflict, and we want to experience His REAL peace. As His body, He has called us to peace. I hope we will be a church that remembers to provide that REAL help and REAL peace to each other.

What all of this comes down to is applying the Gospel to REAL life. We are people who experience REAL life all week long. When we come to church, we need to learn how the good news we find in the Bible applies so that we can experience REAL change, give REAL help to one another, and find REAL peace in the midst of conflicts.

As I considered what series to begin next, I was reading different books of the Bible. I have to admit, I really liked them all, and had a hard time. However, thinking on this theme of the Gospel for REAL life, I believe 1 Peter is the book we need to dig into.

1 Peter

The book of 1 Peter was written by Peter, to people who were truly experiencing REAL life. As a pastor He wanted to encourage them. Where he starts and ends his letter is the gospel of grace.

1 Peter 1:1–9 NIV84

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 5:10–14 NIV84

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

In between, Peter encourages them with how this REAL gospel, the good news of God's grace transforms them inwardly for REAL change, how is brings them together as a REAL church to provide REAL help to each other, and helps them find REAL peace in the midst of trials.

I believe God will use this book to truly teach and encourage us in our lives today, just as it did for those to whom Peter first this letter.

Let's pray and ask God to speak to us as we study through this book.

Background

Some of the first information we need when studying a book of the Bible, is to know from whom this book, or letter came?

From whom?

This letter, as most in the New Testament tells us right up front that it is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.

Was it really from Peter? Even the earliest Christian authors that we have letters from, those who were just a few decades after Peter received this letter as truly from Peter.

To whom?

Peter addresses the recipients as God's elect, strangers in the world scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.

Show map

When?

Show timeline

Peter likely wrote this letter shortly before he was put to death by Nero. As we heard in the video last week, it has been handed down that Peter watched his wife crucified, and was then crucified himself. This was somewhere between 64 and 67 AD. So this letter is thought to be written between 60-67 AD.

What?

When studying a book of the Bible, I believe it is a good practice to first, read through the book all at once if possible, or in a few sittings as possible. This gives you the ability to really get a feel for the book as a whole, and the way it flows, or fits together. After reading it through, I would suggest a couple times if possible, try to make a short outline of the book to help you follow the logical development of the contents.

I did that. Here is the brief outline I came up with:

1. Introduction / Salutation - 1 Peter 1:1-2

2. Foundation: the Gospel for REAL life - 1 Peter 1:3-12

3. Call to Obey as Children - 1 Peter 1:13-2:3

4. Call to Grow in Community - 1 Peter 2:4-10

5. Call to Act Properly in the World - 1 Peter 2:11-5:11

1. Holy Submission - 1 Peter 2:11-3:22

2. Holy Living - 1 Peter 4:1-5:11

6. Closing - 1 Peter 5:12-14

I actually have a more detailed outline, but this is a brief overview of the top levels of the outline.

This book is written from Peter, with a true Pastor's heart. It reminds me of Jesus' exchange with Peter as recorded in John 21:15-19.

John 21:15–19 NIV84

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Peter knew these Christians were experiencing REAL life. They were experiencing suffering and trials.

I did a concordance search of words used in Peter. The most recurring words in Peter are:

God (39); Christ (22) / Jesus (9) / Lord (8); Suffer (12); Glory (10); Grace (10)

They were not accepted, and alone. So, he wrote to them, to remind them of the Gospel for REAL life, and what that would look like in their situations. They were going through hard, dark things. But there was something bright, hopeful, glorious for them to fix their eyes on! God, Jesus, the Spirit were working in them and for them! There is something to hold onto in the midst of this life of suffering.

How did Peter know this? Because he experienced REAL life, suffering and glory himself! He experienced REAL life with Jesus.

Think through Peter's life with me if you will.

...

That is the Background information.

From: Peter

To: Scattered believers

What: Encouragement for those who are suffering. Reminders of God's work, Jesus, grace and the hope of the glory to come!

After reading the book through to get the overview, and considering the background information, it is time to read for detailed observation and application.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, ...

Peter was chosen by Jesus to be one of the 12 Apostles. In the bible the word apostle is used specifically of the 12 who were with Jesus, and also of others. An apostle was one who was sent with authority to give the message of the sender. Peter described himself as an apostle. He did not consider himself greater than the other apostles. In fact, in the Bible itself, Peter is seen to be in a role under the authority of James the brother of Jesus in Acts 15. Peter was great, but not greater, and did not exalt himself. He was just a messenger, wanting to give God's good news to these people.

To God's elect...

This is just one word in the Greek, and it comes immediately after Christ. It is the first word--the main description--of those to whom this letter is written.

This word is translated 'elect', or 'chosen'. Throughout the Old and New Testaments we see this word being used, and it emphasizes God's action of choosing one or some out of the whole. It is like when the communion plate will be passed later in the service. If you partake with the rest of us, you will choose one cup out of the tray. You will choose one piece of bread out of the tray. They are all essentially the same. Some pieces of the bread may be bigger than others. Some cups may be fuller than the others. But they are essentially the same. And in themselves, they don't do anything to make themselves more worthy of being chosen than another. No, you simply choose based upon what you think will suit you best.

God chose to create the world. God chose to create men. God chose to give men the ability to act wilfullly. God knew men would disobey. God chose to save some by grace. Grace means undeserved. Grace means it is simply a gift He chose to give. None were worthy. None could make themselves worthy of the Son's life. No God chose some to be saved, based upon what He knew to be best for His plan, for His glory. And this was before the creation of the world according to Ephesians 1:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and other verses.

All through the bible the emphasis is on God's action. Not mine. Yes, I am commanded to receive this grace by faith. But believing is no great work. It is a response to His work! And His work began before the creation of the world. This should humble me. I am not greater than anyone else. Why should God choose me? It was grace! His gift! Let that thought warm your heart this week! That alone should have me singing each day in praise to God!

strangers in the world...

This word is used for people who didn't belong. They were living there, but were foreigners. Someone who was strange and did not fit. They were often excluded because they were different. Wierd. They didn't act the same as everyone else. And hence, would be ridiculed. Excluded. Made fun of, and sometimes even physically assaulted. It is not different today than back then!

This is the same word used in Hebrews 11:13. These people were to be like Abraham and the others who were living in the land, but looking forward to another country!

scattered...

These people were not all together. They probably often felt alone. I'll bet is like some of us. We come together on Sunday, but then we go our separate ways. We live within a 35 minute driving radius from the church. We are not close together. We go to work in different jobs. For most of you, you are alone at work. There are not many other Christians, if there are any. You are alone. Scattered among the majority. Scattered among those who do not believe.

Peter wanted to encourage those who were strange. Peter wanted to encourage these who were alone.

So, he went to what makes us unique. He went to what gives us hope, peace and purpose. He went to the good news!

You may feel strange and alone in the world, but you were chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. He knows you thoroughly! He knew you thoroughly before, and still chose you! You may feel strange, and unaccepted, but He chose you!!! You are loved and accepted. Not because He has to, but because He wanted to!!

You were chosen by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Yes. You and I were dirty, sinful, disobedient, undeserving people. But, the Holy Spirit has made us Holy, acceptable to God. He is at work to change us to be more and more like Jesus, and He isn't giving up! He is continuing to work in you until the day of Christ Jesus! Do you ever feel like giving up? Things are hard and the trials keep coming up. You keep screwing up? Well, He doesn't give up! He is at work! And you are not alone! He is with you!

What's the point? What's the purpose? Obedience to Jesus! I don't have to do the same old wicked things. I can learn to do what Jesus would do! And, I am sprinkled clean by the blood. Jesus sacrificed to pay for our sins. And just like was done with the Atonement sacrifice, He sprinkles us to show that we are His! He sprinkles us to show us we are clean in His eyes! No more guilt or shame! Let it go! He has cleansed you! Who can condemn when the Judge has cleansed you!?!

So because of this, though you may feel strange, unaccepted and alone in this world, you have

GRACE and PEACE in abundance! You don't deserve it! That's what Grace is! Praise the Lord it isn't up to you earning this! It is a gift! God loves you and chose you to be His! Now you have PEACE with Him! Nothing can separate you from Him and His love! You are never alone! He is with you!

GRACE and PEACE! What a blessing. That is what we are going to keep finding as we work our way through Peter.

I hope this week, that we will allow God to minister this GRACE and PEACE to our minds. How would this impact your life when you feel unaccepted and alone, to know His GRACE and PEACE! Well, that is what we have.

In this world, we are strange. We are unaccepted. We are ridiculed. We are thought to be simpletons and uneducated. We are often scattered and alone among those who think our faith to be ridiculous. We have many trials and much suffering in this world. But God's message to us through Peter is GRACE and PEACE. God's message he wants us to give each other is GRACE and PEACE.

Let's study this message, and apply it in our lives, and encourage others to apply it in their lives this week.