Review

1 Peter

The readers of the apostle Peter’s letter were confused and discouraged by the persecution they were encountering because of their faith. Peter exhorted them to stand strong, repeatedly reminding them of Christ’s example, the riches of their inheritance in him, and the hope of his returning again to take them to heaven. Peter explained how Christians should respond when they suffer because of their beliefs. Called the “apostle of hope,” Peter’s primary message is to trust the Lord, live obediently no matter what your circumstances, and keep your hope fixed on God’s ultimate promise of deliverance. Suffering is to be expected, but it is temporary and yields great blessings for those who remain steadfast.

1 Peter 1:2 ESV

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.

Sanctified: the action or process of being freed from sin or purified: the process of sanctification takes deliberate action on our part.

1 Peter 1:3 ESV

3 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,

Mercy: From Genesis to Revelation, God evidently shows His Mercy when He acts on behalf of those who are in trouble. Mercy is when God, out of His lovingkindness, withholds punishment that we rightfully deserve because of our sin, providing and offering to men salvation by Christ

God’s mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of his light, or make space too narrow, than diminish the great mercy of God.

Charles Spurgeon

1 Peter 1:22 ESV

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

Love all men, even your enemies, not because they are your brothers, but that they may become your brothers; that you may be at all times on fire with brotherly love, whether toward him that has become your brother, or toward your enemy, so that, by being beloved, he may become your brother.

Saint Augustine of Hippo

1 Peter 2:2 ESV

2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

When we have tasted the Goodness of God it will cause us to desire the sweetness of His Word which will cause us to walk away from any form of sin.

1 Peter 3:21 ESV

21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Baptism is the proclamation to the spirit world that you have died and descended into the underworld in Christ but are ascending out of that world with Christ. You are saying to that spirit realm that you are risen with Jesus.

1 Peter 4:7–8 ESV

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Self-Controlled: to be of sound mind, to be in one's right mind.

Sober-Minded: to be sober, to be calm and collected in spirit, to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect.

1 Peter 4:13 ESV

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

The reflection we will see on the other side of the testing will give us cause to rejoice (to be comforted).

1 Peter 5:2–3 ESV

2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

The character of an elder is not just a list of qualifications but a reflection of Christlike leadership that nourishes the faith community and guides them towards righteousness.

Tending the Flock: Protecting the flock from false shepherd's is one of the primary roles of a true shepherd.

1 Peter 5:6–7 ESV

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Get this; a true humble mind set says in his heart God everything I have and need is supplied by you so what do I have to be anxious about?

1 Peter 5:10 ESV

10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

The God of ALL of Grace will Himself Restore, Confirm, Strengthen, and Establish You!!!!!!