Ordinary Guy
Notes
Transcript
v.1-Peter:
Peter was an ordinary man, but God used him in an extraordinary way!
His name was Simon Peter.
Simon means “hearing.” The Lord used his surname to Peter which means “rock.” Petros (rock, small rock)
Though he was not the first disciple, his name always heads the list whether given in Matthew, Mark, Luke, or Acts.
He is always the spokesman for the twelve.
It was Peter who asked, “How often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? (Matthew 18:21).
It was Peter who inquired what was to be the reward of those who left all and followed Jesus Matthew 19:27
It was Peter who asked about the fig tree when it withered away Mark 11:21
It was Peter who answered when Jesus asked the crowd, “Who touched me?” (Luke 8:45)
It was Peter who suggested (prior to Pentecost) electing another apostle to replace Judas.
It was Peter who preached on the day of Pentecost when 3,000 people were converted Acts 2:14-41
Peter was a married man, therefore, he could not have been the first pope, as some claim.
Peter was a married man
Peter was a married man
Mark 1:29-31
Mark 1:29-31
Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
v.1- Apostle:
Some have questioned whether a common fisherman could have written this letter, especially since Peter and John were both called “uneducated and untrained men”
Most people considered Peter to be uneducated.
Most people considered Peter to be uneducated.
Acts 4:13
Acts 4:13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
It is true that he had no formal training. He was not a professional religious leader.
However, those who doubt Peter’s qualifications should read the rest of the verse.
“. . . they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.”
To those in observance, it was apparent that, though he had started out as uneducated man, he had been schooled by the master.
Some may want to discount the miraculous power of Jesus Christ, but we must never underestimate the training that Peter had for three years with Jesus.
Nor should we minimize the work of the Holy Spirit in his life, OR our own lives.
This transformation is not unique to Peter.
On our own, we are no better than ordinary, but in Christ we are extraordinary.
v.1-The recipients of this letter:
Pilgrims = strangers, resident aliens, sojourners.
These people were citizens of heaven through faith in Christ (Phil. 3:20), and therefore were not permanent residents on earth.
The recipients of this letter were called pilgrims, because their true citizenship was in Heaven.
The recipients of this letter were called pilgrims, because their true citizenship was in Heaven.
Philippians 3:20
Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Hebrews 11:13-16
Hebrews 11:13-16
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
They were in the world, but not of the world.
They were in the world, but not of the world.
John 17:16
John 17:16
They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
Because Christians are “strangers” in the world, we are considered to be “strange” in the eyes of the world.
Christians are often regarded as strange, because we don’t do the things that they do.
Christians are often regarded as strange, because we don’t do the things that they do.
1 Peter 4:4
1 Peter 4:4
In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
Christians have standards and values that are different from those of the world, and this gives opportunity both for witness and for warfare.
We will discover in this letter that some of the readers were experiencing suffering because of their different lifestyle.
They were a scattered people. This was a term used for the Jews who lived outside of Palestine.
There was undoubtedly a mixture of both Jews and Gentiles in the churches that received this letter.
These Christians were scattered in five different parts of the Roman Empire, all of them in northern Asia Minor (modern Turkey).
v.1-The purpose:
The important thing for us to know about these “scattered strangers” is that they were going through a time of suffering and persecution.
At least fifteen times in this letter, Peter referred to suffering; and he used eight different Greek words to do so.
Some of these Christians were suffering because they were living godly lives and doing what was good and right (1 Peter 2:19–23; 3:14–18; 4:1–4, 15–19).
Others were suffering reproach for the name of Christ (1 Peter 4:14) and being railed at by unsaved people (1 Peter 3:9–10).
Peter wrote to encourage them to be good witnesses to their persecutors, and to remember that their suffering would lead to glory (1 Peter 1:6–7; 4:13–14; 5:10).
We are to be an encouragement to those who are suffering
But Peter had another purpose in mind. He knew that a “fiery trial” was about to begin—official persecution from the Roman Empire.
The recipients of this letter were suffering persecution, but Peter knew that it would get worse.
The recipients of this letter were suffering persecution, but Peter knew that it would get worse.
1 Peter 4:12
1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
Peter wanted to encourage them, because their suffering would ultimately lead to glory.
Peter wanted to encourage them, because their suffering would ultimately lead to glory.
1 Peter 1:6-7
1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
1 Peter 4:13-14
1 Peter 4:13-14
but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
1 Peter 5:10
1 Peter 5:10
But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
We can expect the same, today.
When the church began in Jerusalem, it was looked on as a “sect” of the traditional Jewish faith.
The first Christians were Jews, and they met in the temple precincts.
The Roman government took no official action against the Christians since the Jewish religion was accepted and approved. But when it became clear that Christianity was not a “sect” of Judaism, Rome had to take official steps.
Today, Christianity is not widely accepted, unless it is compromised to conform to worldly philosophies and wisdom.
Traditional gender roles are looked down upon by many.
Homosexuality is gaining acceptance, and those who speak out against it are narrow minded bigots.
It is looked down upon to not consider all religions to be equal. One way must be just as good as any other.
To believe that there is a creator means that you deny science. (they are confusing science with evolution, the two are not the same.)
Religion is a crutch for weak minded people. Thank God that in our weakness, his strength is made perfect.
You can believe what you want at home, but in public, you’d better keep your mouth shut.
The world IS becoming more and more hostile to Christianity, and we can expect more of it in the future.
We need to be prepared, and look to verse 2 as an encouragement.
v.2-Elect according to the foreknowledge:
God has always known that you are His child.
v.2-Sanctification of the Spirit:
He is constantly working, through the Holy Spirit, to make you more like Christ. The more Christ-like you are, the better you can handle the trials.
v.2-For obedience and sprinkling of the blood. . .
This can only happen through obedience, and obedience begins with the blood of Jesus Christ.
You must accept His sacrifice.
Then you WILL have grace and peace.
