The People Of God (D1)

Discussion 1: The People of God – A Special People

From the outset: My view of God’s election. I do not believe that God forces anyone to accept Him. I do not think that God fore-ordains people to hell. Fore-knowledge does not mean the same thing as fore-ordained. The passages in the Bible that deal with election and selection mostly have to do with the fact that God gets credit the for everyone’s salvation. In other words, if you are a Christian today it is because God sought you and selected you. Anyone who hears the gospel has the opportunity to be saved. His elect are those who accept His free gift of salvation. Faith is not a work.

Read

Do you see the Trinity mentioned here? We can miss it if we get in a hurry.

1. We are chosen by God. What an honor!

What kind of God is He? Peter tells us:

One’s view of God essentially supplies the whole framework within which one’s theology or worldview is constructed, life is lived, and ministry is conducted.

There are views of God handed down to us that must be corrected.

ASK: What are some incorrect views of God?

On one end of the spectrum is

***Like a celestial police officer who looks for opportunities to pounce. Like the country song whose chorus was, “Gods gonna getcha for that.; Gods gonna getcha for that. Gods gonna getcha for that. No use tryin to run and hide, cuz God knows where you are at!”

Insurance companies refer to natural disasters as “acts of God.”

***Grandfatherly, indulgent, kindly old gentleman who would never want to take away any human enjoyment.

When we talk about the attributes of God we are talking about those qualities if God that constitute what He is, the very characteristics of His nature. NOT His ACTS-creating, guiding, and preserving. NOT His Roles-Creator, Guide, and Preserver.

Also, important to keep in mind these are qualities of the entire Godhead. Not to be separated out between members of the Trinity.

They are permanent, intrinsic, objective, inseparable from His being or essence. They are His nature.

Some will say that God is incomprehensible. This does not mean unknowable. Rather it means that we just do not know Him completely or exhaustively.

We only know God as he has revealed Himself and even then, we undoubtedly do not fully comprehend event that. Thus, there will always be an element of mystery to God.

The goal is not for some abstract knowledge but to grow in our relationship to Him as we get to know Him better and better.

TEACHER: Ask the audience to share times where this aspect of God meant something significant to them.

a. He is the God of all knowledge (1.2).

b. He is the God of abundant mercy (1.3).

c. He is the God of all power (1.5).

1. We are chosen by God. What an honor! What kind of God is He? Peter tells us:

d. He is the God of holiness (1.15).

e. He is the God of fair judgement (1.17) (4.5).

f. He is the God of salvation (1.9f.)

g. He is the God of all grace (5.10).

TEACHER: Give out EX. GOD handout on Names of God. Ask audience to pray find those where God has revealed that aspect of Himself and give Him thanks. Circle those that He has not and pick one or two to pray for God’s revelation.

With each question, ask something like, “How has this aspect of God impacted your life?”a. He is the God of all knowledge (1.2).b. He is the God of abundant mercy (1.3).c. He is the God of all power (1.5).d. He is the God of holiness (1.15).e. He is the God of fair judgement (1.17) (4.5).f. He is the God of salvation (1.9f.)g. He is the God of all grace (3.10, 4.10-11, 2.3).

2. We are chosen through the agency of the Holy Spirit (1.2) – “Sanctification.”

Discuss: three forms of salvation.

Define Sanctification

Will be the content of another Discussion.

3. We are chosen to a certain lifestyle.

a. A life of holiness, obedience (1.2).

What about this Sprinkling of the blood?

Read: . Read . Read .

What significance to you see in these verses and how they may relate to 1 Peter?

b. A life of a pilgrim nature (1.2).

What does it mean to be a pilgrim or an exile or an alien?

Exiles, Aliens, walking through the midst with people on each side. Colony mentality.

ASK: Anyone experienced being away from home in a foreign land as an alien. What was it like? How can you find peace and grace in that situation?

What difference does it make in a person’s life whether he considers himself rejected or chosen?

How does the question of “by whom” one is rejected or chosen affect the situation?

c. A life that glorifies God (1.7).

2. We are chosen through the agency of the Holy Spirit (1.2) – “Sanctification.”

Read

Isaiah 43:6–7 ESV

I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

What does this passage say about our reason for existence?

Read .

How much of our life has been wasted by spending in activities that do not glorify God?

John Piper wrote, “Life is wasted when we do not live for the glory of God. And I mean ALL of life. It is all for His glory. We waste our lives when we do not weave God into our eating and drinking and every other part by enjoying and displaying Him.” (Piper, 32).

What does it mean to glorify God?

John Piper explained it like this:

It means to magnify God. Not like a microscope but like a telescope. With a telescope, you make something unimaginably great look like what it really is. Pinprick galaxies in the sky are revealed for the billion-star giants they really are. Magnifying God like that is worship. We waste our lives when we do not pray and think and dream and plan and work toward magnifying God in all spheres of life. God created us for this: to live our lives in a way that makes him look more like the greatness and the beauty and the infinite worth that he really is. In the night sky of this world God appears to most people, if at all, like a pinprick of light in a heaven of darkness. But he created us and called us to make him look like what he really is. This is what it means to be created in the image of God. We are meant to image forth in the world what he is really like. (Piper, 32-33).

Piper also wrote, “Now we see that in creating us for His glory, he is creating us for our highest joy. he is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” (36).

Note: Sprinkling of the blood – See notes below.

Read: . Read . Read .

What significance to you see in these verses and how they may relate to 1 Peter?

Some argue that obedience (hypakoē) here means initial (saving) obedience to the gospel, but Peter elsewhere uses hypakoē to refer to the daily obedience of believers (1:14 and probably 1:22; also see hypakouō in 3:6), as do Paul (; ; ; ; ) and Hebrews (5:8). No clear examples of hypakoē meaning ‘initial saving response to the gospel’ are found (for and 15:18 are ambiguous).

Peter’s readers of course realized that their obedience in this life was always incomplete, that even the most mature Christians were painfully aware of remaining sin, and that God’s purpose, ‘obedience to Jesus Christ’, would never be completely fulfilled in this life. So Peter adds that their lives are also leading toward (eis) sprinkling with his blood.

Sprinkled blood in the Old Testament was a visual reminder to God and to his people that a life had been given, a sacrifice had been paid. But in most Old Testament sacrifices the blood was sprinkled on the altar or on the mercy seat (; ; , , ; ). In only three cases was blood ceremonially sprinkled on the people themselves: (1) in the covenant initiation ceremony at Mt. Sinai when Moses sprinkled half the blood from the sacrificial oxen on all the people (; ; and perhaps [Aquila, cf. Theodotian]); (2) in the ceremony of ordination for Aaron and his sons as priests (; probably also ); and (3) in the purification ceremony for a leper who had been healed from leprosy ().

If has the first in view, it means that God’s purpose for the readers is that they be initiated into God’s covenant and become his people, by being figuratively ‘sprinkled’ with the blood of Christ. The ‘sprinkling’ would thus refer to the beginning of the Christian life. But the fact that Peter lists this sprinkling after ‘sanctification by the Spirit’ and after ‘obedience to Jesus Christ’ makes this option unlikely, as does the term eis (‘for, leading toward’) in ‘for … sprinkling’.

If the second ceremony, the ordination of priests, is in mind, it means that God’s purpose for Peter’s readers is that they should figuratively be ordained as priests by ‘sprinkling’ with the blood of Christ. But Peter already sees them as priests by virtue of their membership in the New Covenant (‘you are … a royal priesthood’, 2:9), as does (where the perfect tense verbs ‘sprinkled’ and ‘washed’ indicate completed events in the past), so this background is unlikely.

The third possibility, the sprinkling with blood for purification from leprosy, seems more appropriate. This passage () is less obscure than we may think, for the ceremony was used for any kind of skin disease () serious enough to exclude the sick person from the community: that person was to live alone and shout, ‘Unclean, unclean’ (). Thus, is an excellent passage to represent cleansing from any defilement that would disrupt fellowship with God and his people. David apparently alludes to it in : ‘Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean’ (the lxx says, ‘sprinkle me with hyssop’, using rhantizō, related to Peter’s noun rhantismos, ‘sprinkling’), here referring not to the physical defilement of leprosy but the spiritual defilement of sin. In both cases, fellowship was disrupted but membership among the covenant people of God was retained.

This ‘sprinkling with blood’ fits . Although God intended these ‘chosen sojourners’ to live ‘for obedience to Jesus Christ’, they were frequently ‘defiled’ by sin. Peter reminds them that their future includes continual sprinkling with the blood of Christ, that is, continual restoration of fellowship with God and his people through the sacrificial blood of Christ figuratively sprinkled over them, a continual reminder to God that their sins are forgiven and that they are welcome in God’s presence and among his people (cf. for the idea of continual application of the blood of Christ in the Christian life).

For obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood thus means that God’s plan for them is not obedience marred by unforgiven sin but obedience whose failings are cleansed by the blood of Christ; it means ‘for continual daily obedience and forgiveness’. F. H. Chase says Peter describes here ‘a life lived in accordance with the Divine will and pattern … and continually cleansed from the defilement of sin by the application of the quickening blood of Christ’. Here is simultaneous exhortation and comfort to bear in mind continually.

Wycliff-Cleansing from incidental defilement.

Wayne A. Grudem, 1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 17, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 56–58.4. We are chosen to a living hope (1.3). Also look at v 1. 4-5; v 1.13 and 3.15-16.

4. We are chosen to a living hope (1.3). Also look at v 1. 4-5; v 1.13 and 3.15-16.

The Life of

4. We are chosen to a living hope (1.3). Also look at v 4-5; v 13 and 3.15-16.

-This hope is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Discussion 1: The People of God – A Special People

1. This salvation was prophesied (1.10-12).

3. We are chosen to a certain lifestyle.

a. Prophets wondered about the time .

b. Angels wondered about the meaning .

2. This salvation was provided (3.18-22).

a. Christ has paid the price for our salvation through His own suffering (3.18). (His spirit of suffering is illustrated in 2.21-25).

b. Christ, through the Spirit, has preached salvation to people of every age. Noah’s is illustrated (3.19-20).

a. A life of holiness, obedience (1.2).b. A life of a pilgrim nature (1.2).c. A life that glorifies God (1.7).

c. Christ’s resurrection guarantees victory. It is beautifully illustrated in baptism (3.21-22; 1.3).

d. Christ reveals salvation through His Word (1.23-25).

3. This salvation is being proven (1.6-7).

1. We are chosen by God. (PAST) What an honor! What kind of God is He? Peter tells us:

a. We are tested by trials (“fire”).

4. We are chosen to a living hope (1.3).

b. We are refined to God’s glory (“more precious than gold”).

4. This salvation is being protected (1.5).

a. We are kept by God’s power .

b. We are kept through faith .

c. We are kept until the last time .

-This hope is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

5. This salvation is being perfected (1.6-8).

6. This salvation brings praise to God (1.7).

a. God is glorified in our lives now.

There are views of God handed down to us that must be corrected.

b. God is glorified at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

What are some incorrect views of God?

1. This salvation was prophesied (1.10-12).

On one end of the spectrum is

a. Prophets wondered about the time. b. Angels wondered about the meaning.

***Like a celestial police officer who looks for opportunities to pounce. Like the country song whose chorus was, “Gods gonna getcha for that.; Gods gonna getcha for that. Gods gonna getcha for that. No use tryin to run and hide, cuz God knows where you are at!”

2. This salvation was provided (3.18-22).

Insurance companies refer to natural disasters as “acts of God.”

a. Christ has paid the price for our salvation through His own suffering (3.18). (His spirit of suffering is illustrated in 2.21-25). b. Christ, through the Spirit, has preached salvation to people of every age. Noah’s is illustrated (3.19-20).c. Christ’s resurrection guarantees victory. It is beautifully illustrated in baptism (3.21-22; 1.3).d. Christ reveals salvation through His Word (1.23-25).

***Grandfatherly, indulgent, kindly old gentleman who would never want to take away any human enjoyment.

3. This salvation is being proven (1.6-7).

When we talk about the attributes of God we are talking about those qualities if God that constitute what He is, the very characteristics of His nature. NOT His ACTS-creating, guiding, and preserving. NOT His Roles-Creator, Guide, and Preserver.

a. We are tested by trials (“fire”).b. We are refined to God’s glory (“more precious than gold”).

Also, important to keep in mind these are qualities of the entire Godhead. Not to be separated out between members of the Trinity.

4. This salvation is being protected (1.5).

They are permanent, intrinsic, objective, inseparable from His being or essence. They are His nature.

a. We are kept by God’s power.b. We are kept through faith.c. We are kept until the last time.

Some will say that God is incomprehensible. This does not mean unknowable. Rather it means that we just do not know Him completely or exhaustively.

5. This salvation is being perfected (1.6-8).

We only know God as he has revealed Himself and even then, we undoubtedly do not fully comprehend event that. Thus, there will always be an element of mystery to God.

6. This salvation brings praise to God (1.7).

The goal is not for some abstract knowledge but to grow in our relationship to Him as we get to know Him better and better.

a. God is glorified in our lives now.b. God is glorified at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Ask the audience to share times where this aspect of God meant something significant to them.

Discussion Three: The People of God – A Sanctified People (1.13-2.10)

a. He is the God of all knowledge (1.2).

Theme: The people of God are a sanctified (holy) people.(1.13) “Gird up the loins of your mind” – See as an illustration of pilgrimage. Pilgrims had to be ready to move.

b. He is the God of abundant mercy (1.3).

1. A Christian’s Holiness is modeled after that of God. (1.13-21).

c. He is the God of all power (1.5).

a. God, Himself, is holy (1.15, 16).b. We are to be holy (1.15, 16).c. Our holiness will be judged (1.17).d. Our holiness should reflect our redemption in Christ (1.18-21).

d. He is the God of holiness (1.15).

2. A Christian’s holiness is motivated by the love of the brethren (1.22).

e. He is the God of fair judgement (1.17) (4.5).

a. We love with a sincere love (1.22a). φιλαδελφίαν - philadelphia - love by the pleasure you find in another;b. We love with a fervency and purity (1.22b).ἀγαπήσατε - agape love because of preciousness of one loved.

f. He is the God of salvation (1.9f.)

3. A Christian’s holiness is matured in union with Christ (1.23-2.10).

g. He is the God of all grace (3.10, 4.10-11, 2.3).

a. We are instructed and nourished by God’s Word (1.23-2.2)***Study things to “put off”b. We are a body in union with Christ Himself (2.3-10).

4. Some questions to consider:

a. Christians are to be holy. Who is the model for this holiness? b. How would you define holiness? c. Read . The word “sanctification” means “holiness.” There is a word that describes our conduct if we are sanctified: c e o d b I n e e (unscramble the letters) = obedience. Also see vs. 1.22). d. What is the Christian to remember as he/she measures the standard of holiness? (Read ). e. List what changes you should make to meet God’s standard of holiness.

Discussion Four: The People of God – A Submissive People (; )

Define Sanctification

1. Christ is the example of submissiveness (2.21-25). We are to “follow His steps” (2.21).

Will be the content of another Discussion.

a. Jesus committed no sin (v. 22).b. Jesus did not strike back (v. 23).c. Jesus did not revile (v. 23).d. Jesus did not threaten (v. 23).e. Jesus did not shrink from responsibility, but:i. Committed Himself to the Father (v. 23).ii. Carried our sins to the cross (v. 24).f. Jesus did not fail. He brought us to the Great Shepherd (v. 25).

2. Humility is the key to submissiveness (5.5, 6).

a. A life of holiness, obedience (1.2).

a. We are to humble ourselves before God (5.6).b. We are to be humble in the presence of others (“clothed with humility”) (v. 5).

b. A life of a pilgrim nature (1.2).

3. Completeness is the scope of submissiveness (2.13-3.12) (5.5-7).

c. A life that glorifies God (1.7).

a. We are to be submissive to government (2 .11-17).***v. 15-“Silence” =”Muzzle” see (Ox from Deut. Septuagint version) and (Jesus silencing the Pharisees) and (Jesus silencing the Sea of Galilee.) b. We are to be submissive to Family Members (2.18-3.7).i. Servants are to be submissive (2.18-20).ii. Wives are to be submissive (3.1-6).(1) In order to win their husbands to Christ (3.1-2).(2) In order to please God (3.3-6).iii. Husbands are to be submissive (3.7).(1) “Giving honor” – “to assign to, to portion off.” Special place of honor. From root of precious.”(2) Prayer will be “cut off”, “interrupted” by wrong attitude toward wife. c. We are to be submissive to one another (3.8-12).i. To Christians in particular. ii. To society in general. Notes: 3.8-“Tenderhearted” –KJV –full of pity-1st century was cold and hard hearted.3.9-“not reviling” or “evil for evil” –returning or giving back. On the contrary-bless! (See ).3.10-12-are a quote from . We are to be submissive to God (5.6-11).i. We must humble ourselves (5.6).***Passive voice-allow yourself to be humbled. God’s action. Sometimes the process of persecution.(1) God resists those who do not.(2) God gives grace to those who do.(3) God exalts those who humble themselves. (He knows the proper time).Notes: 5.6- “Mighty” –powerful, familiar term in OT.5.8- “Adversary” –word comes from an opponent in a lawsuit.“Devil” –slanderer“lion” devil roars at Christians. Or rather he prowls and sneaks up then tear limb from limb.“walks about” – περιπατέω –prowls about) as in - Devil wants to sift us all.5.9- “resist him” – withstand (KJV) oppose“firm” στερεός- steadfast“Same kinds of suffering”- experience of suffering.ii. We must cast all our cares upon Him (5.7).iii. We must resist the devil (5.8-9).***See -resist***v8-“sobor”- vigilant, watchful, awake, alert.iv. We must trust God for grace and strength (5.10). ***”awhile” ὀλίγος-“a little”- See 1.6. “Himself” he will make the adjustments. Wait on Him.

Discussion Five: The People of God – A Suffering People.(1.6-7; 2.19-21; 3.13-18; 4.1-4; 4.12-19; 5.6-11)

Note: Sprinkling of the blood – See notes below.

Note: Three most often used large words in 1 Peter. 6x-ὑποτάσσω-subject, subordinate.6x-ἀναστροφή-behavior, conduct, way of life11x-πάσχω-suffer, etc.

What about this Sprinkling of the blood?

1. Reality of Christian suffering (entire passage).

Read: . Read . Read .

The constant reference to suffering reminds us of its reality.Let us note some special points about its reality:a. There are various kinds of trials (4.12; 1.6) ***”trial” – test to determine worthiness. Illus-medical exam. b. There is suffering among all God’s people-a common bond (5.9). c. There should not be surprise at this suffering. “Not strange” (4.12).***fiery trial- “ordeal” – proverbs 27.21 used for smelting gold and silver.

What significance to you see in these verses and how they may relate to 1 Peter?

2. Reasons for Christian Suffering

Some argue that obedience (hypakoē) here means initial (saving) obedience to the gospel, but Peter elsewhere uses hypakoē to refer to the daily obedience of believers (1:14 and probably 1:22; also see hypakouō in 3:6), as do Paul (; ; ; ; ) and Hebrews (5:8). No clear examples of hypakoē meaning ‘initial saving response to the gospel’ are found (for and 15:18 are ambiguous).

We may not always know why we are suffering, but Peter gives us some reasons.a. Christians should not suffer:i. Because of our faults (2.18-20).ii. Because of our evils (3.17; 4.15). b. Christians should be willing to suffer because of the example of Christ (2.21-25; 3.18; 4.1). c. Christians may suffer:i. To be tried and purified (1.6, 7).ii. To be able to testify for Christ (3.15-17).iii. To be made stronger (5.10). “May strengthen you”***Illus-Anything worth it that draws us closer to God.iv. To glorify God (3.13-14; 5.11).

Peter’s readers of course realized that their obedience in this life was always incomplete, that even the most mature Christians were painfully aware of remaining sin, and that God’s purpose, ‘obedience to Jesus Christ’, would never be completely fulfilled in this life. So Peter adds that their lives are also leading toward (eis) sprinkling with his blood.

Whether or not we understand, there is relief.

Sprinkled blood in the Old Testament was a visual reminder to God and to his people that a life had been given, a sacrifice had been paid. But in most Old Testament sacrifices the blood was sprinkled on the altar or on the mercy seat (; ; , , ; ). In only three cases was blood ceremonially sprinkled on the people themselves: (1) in the covenant initiation ceremony at Mt. Sinai when Moses sprinkled half the blood from the sacrificial oxen on all the people (; ; and perhaps [Aquila, cf. Theodotian]); (2) in the ceremony of ordination for Aaron and his sons as priests (; probably also ); and (3) in the purification ceremony for a leper who had been healed from leprosy ().

3. Relief from Christian Suffering.

If has the first in view, it means that God’s purpose for the readers is that they be initiated into God’s covenant and become his people, by being figuratively ‘sprinkled’ with the blood of Christ. The ‘sprinkling’ would thus refer to the beginning of the Christian life. But the fact that Peter lists this sprinkling after ‘sanctification by the Spirit’ and after ‘obedience to Jesus Christ’ makes this option unlikely, as does the term eis (‘for, leading toward’) in ‘for … sprinkling’.

a. Remember:i. The sufferings of Jesus. ii. The reasons for suffering. b. Rejoice in:i. The priviledge of sharing in the sufferings of Christ (4.13) and for “righteousness sake” (3.13-14). ii. The temporary nature of suffering. “awhile” (5.10, 1.6).iii. The beneficial results of suffering.(1) God is glorified (5.11; 4.13; 4.16).(2) We can testify (3.15-17).(3) We are purified (1.6,7).(4) We are strengthened (5.10).The eternal rewards of suffering “called to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus” (5.10) “Forever and ever” (5.11). c. Remain:i. Committed to God (4.19).ii. In fellowship with GodIllus: .2Illus: How? Prayer-Bible-Appetite-Put off those things that destroy spiritual appetite. Conclusion: Do not SEEK suffering. Accept it when it comes. Search your heart (4.16). Is God judging you? (4.17) If not, seek to know why suffering has come. If there is no evidence, praise God for being able to share in the sufferings of Christ. Ask Him to be glorified in your life.

If the second ceremony, the ordination of priests, is in mind, it means that God’s purpose for Peter’s readers is that they should figuratively be ordained as priests by ‘sprinkling’ with the blood of Christ. But Peter already sees them as priests by virtue of their membership in the New Covenant (‘you are … a royal priesthood’, 2:9), as does (where the perfect tense verbs ‘sprinkled’ and ‘washed’ indicate completed events in the past), so this background is unlikely.

Lesson Six: The People of God – A Serving People (5.1-5; 4.7-11).

The third possibility, the sprinkling with blood for purification from leprosy, seems more appropriate. This passage () is less obscure than we may think, for the ceremony was used for any kind of skin disease () serious enough to exclude the sick person from the community: that person was to live alone and shout, ‘Unclean, unclean’ (). Thus, is an excellent passage to represent cleansing from any defilement that would disrupt fellowship with God and his people. David apparently alludes to it in : ‘Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean’ (the lxx says, ‘sprinkle me with hyssop’, using rhantizō, related to Peter’s noun rhantismos, ‘sprinkling’), here referring not to the physical defilement of leprosy but the spiritual defilement of sin. In both cases, fellowship was disrupted but membership among the covenant people of God was retained.

We all are to be servants of God – all of us who have been saved by grace. It is interesting how the theme of service runs throughout First Peter. We could outline the book under this theme. The saved are called to serve. We serve as we are sanctified. We serve because God has selected us. We serve as we are submissive, and we serve through suffering.For the purpose of this study we will concentrate on the teachings if and 5.1-5. We will also note related verses.NOTE: (4.10): This is our stewardship: “minister to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” or “God’s varied grace.” “Stewards” come from the Greek οἰκονόμος (oikonomoi) which originally meant house manager.(1) Each is responsible according to the gift he has received (4.10).(2) Each is responsible for the ability God has given (4.11).

This ‘sprinkling with blood’ fits . Although God intended these ‘chosen sojourners’ to live ‘for obedience to Jesus Christ’, they were frequently ‘defiled’ by sin. Peter reminds them that their future includes continual sprinkling with the blood of Christ, that is, continual restoration of fellowship with God and his people through the sacrificial blood of Christ figuratively sprinkled over them, a continual reminder to God that their sins are forgiven and that they are welcome in God’s presence and among his people (cf. for the idea of continual application of the blood of Christ in the Christian life).

We can serve God...

For obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood thus means that God’s plan for them is not obedience marred by unforgiven sin but obedience whose failings are cleansed by the blood of Christ; it means ‘for continual daily obedience and forgiveness’. F. H. Chase says Peter describes here ‘a life lived in accordance with the Divine will and pattern … and continually cleansed from the defilement of sin by the application of the quickening blood of Christ’. Here is simultaneous exhortation and comfort to bear in mind continually.

1. …as We recognize The Serious Nature of Christian Service (4.7).

Wycliff-Cleansing from incidental defilement.

Note: “Self controlled” and “Sober-minded” in Greek means “Sound judgement” and “sober spirit”.a. We are to be sober because the end of the age is drawing near.b. We are to be sober through watchful prayer.

Wayne A. Grudem, 1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 17, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 56–58.

2. …as We Recognize We are all Gifted for Christian Service.

a. Every Christian is gifted to serve God (4.10). “each one has received a gift”i. All of us serve as witnesses (5.1). (See and 10.39).ii. All of us serve through love (4.8).iii. All of us serve through cheerful hospitality (4.9). b. Every Christian is gifted differently. i. 4.10-We are all gifted variously “varied (esv) or “Manifold grace”ii. 5.1-2 illus. that some are shepherds. c. Every Christian represents Christ as he/she Serves.Note: 4.11-“Speak as the oracles of God.

-This hope is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

3. …as We Recognize the Right Motive for Christian Service...Glorifying God!

Hope can be defined as a faithful expectancy. A confidence. From the Greek word ελπις-“Attitude of expectancy for now and the future.

Our service is to be for the glory of God. “that God may be glorified through Christ Jesus (4.11). Also see 1.7; 2.11; 4.14; 4.16; 5.11.God is glorified as we:a. Speak for Him (4.11). (And we will!)b. Minister for Him (4.11). (And we will!).c. Live for Him (4.8-9).d. Worship Him (4.7)e. We serve with the right attitude.i. We are to serve willingly (5.2). “not under compulsion, but”ii. We are to serve honestly (5.2). “not for shameful gain”iii. We are to serve eagerly (5.2). “of a ready mind”iv. We are to serve humbly (5.3). “not domineering over”v. We are to serve by example (5.3) “examples to the flock”f. We serve is his strength (4.11).KJV-“ability”, (Greek iskuos)

This hope is real. That hope should be realized in each Christian experience because:

a. There is a REASON for Hope (1.3). The resurrection of Jesus Christ.

i. The resurrection of Jesus Christ.

ii. Living or Lively hope-an energizing principle; animates us.

b. There is a RESPONSE of Hope (3.15). The defense to unbelieving world.

i. The defense to unbelieving world.

c. There is a REST in Hope (3.16)-Confidence in our defense.

d. There is a RESULT of Hope (1.4-5)- Heavenly inheritance (new birth, new inheritance)

i. Heavenly inheritance (new birth, new inheritance)

ii. “reserved” or “Kept” Heaven is the safety deposit box where God is guarding our inheritance under constant surveillance.

***It is a perfect participle-Has been laid up and is now kept guarded.

Spend a week presenting Apologetic Proof of God and the Resurrection.

Citizens of Heaven

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can have confidence that every one of these are true of you.

I have been chosen of God, and I am holy and beloved. ()

God loves me and has chosen me. ()

I was formerly darkness, but now I am light in the Lord. ()

I am a citizen of Heaven. ()

The peace of God guards my heart and mind. ()

I have boldness and confident access to God through faith in Christ. ()

I am seated in the heavenly places with Christ. ()

I am God's workmanship created to produce good works. ()

I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. ()

I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. ()

I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God. ()

I have become the righteousness of God in Christ. ()

My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in me. (, )

I have been accepted by Christ. ()

I have been called a saint. (, , , )

I am a friend of Jesus. ()

I am a Child of God. ()

Interesting fact: Did you know that when someone from another country becomes a U.S. Citizen they can maintain a dual citizenship with their mother country? To retain their previous citizenship, they must renounce allegiance to the other country. Can citizens of heaven maintain a dual citizenship with the world?

Take a DEEP DIVE:

Other parts of Scripture reveal other attributes and support these.

They can all be categorized as attributes of His GREATNESS or His GOODNESS.

God’s GREATNESS:

1. God is SPIRIT. (; ; ; ).

2. God is PERSONAL. This means He is an individual being, with self-consciousness and will, capable of feeling, choosing, and having a reciprocal relationship with other personal and social beings (Name-Exod. 3.14; , ; , ; . Activity with humans-Gen 3 note that He knows, feels, wills, and acts-all capacities of personality.)

3. God is LIFE. He is... He calls Himself I AM. Scripture does not argue for His existence, it assumes it. (; ; ; .) He does not draw life from any other source (; ). He does not depend on anything else for life but they depend on Him (; ).

Even so, God is not aloof, indifferent, or unconcerned. By choice He relates to us. More reason to glorify Him! He continues to act out of agape, unselfish love. We should be free from any idea that God needs us! He has chosen to accomplish His purposes through us so in that sense He needs us but He could have chosen to exist forever without us. It is to our gain that he permits us to know and serve Him, and it is our loss if we reject that opportunity.

4. God is INFINITE. He is unlimited and illimitable. He is unlike anything we experience. There are several ways to consider His infinity.

SPACELESS: Omnipresent. Everywhere present. He is not confined to space at all. HE brought time and space into existence therefore He existed before there was SPACE so therefore He is beyond it (). There is no place where He cannot be found. Tension-He is everywhere and he is not anywhere. (; ; ; ; ).

TIMELESS: He was, He is, and He will be! (; ; ; ; ; ; ) Somehow He knows what is happening within time and is aware of the succession of points within time. In the Bible, He is aware of the past, the present and the future.

ALL-KNOWLEDGE: Omniscient. All-knowing. Understanding is immeasurable (; ; ; ; ; . Has access to all information so His judgements are wise. Sees all things from a proper perspective. One can therefore pray confidently, knowing that God will not grant something that is not good. Even though we are not wise enough to see all of the facts, or the results to which our ideas or planned actions may lead, we can trust God to know what is best.

ALL-POWER: Omnipotence. All-powerful. (; ; ; ; Most of the Psalms refer to this. The plagues of Egypt; ; ; ; ; . Note: There are things God cannot do. He can do only those things that are proper objects of His power. In other words, He cannot do the absurd or the contradictory. He cannot make a square circle. He can not literally undo what has happened in the past, though he can erase the effects of it or even the memory of it. He cannot fail to do what He promised. He cannot act contrary to His nature – He cannot be cruel or unconcerned. ().

The age-old question, “Can God create a Boulder so large that He is unable to lift it?” People use this to try stump us. If you say yes to one side or the other then you undermine God’s power. But the truth is He can create a boulder any size He wants. He created the entire universe. He can also lift any size object without even touching it. So the question is not about God’s abilities, it is really asking can God contradict Himself, or to frustrate Himself. Both of these are inappropriate to the nature of God. You might as well ask if God can lie or sin.

CONSTANCY: Unchanging (; ; ).

Quantitative change: God cannot increase in anything because He is already perfection. Nor can He decrease.

Qualitative change: God’s nature does not undergo modification. ().

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee:

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee:

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

God’s GOODNESS:

Because He is Good as well as Great, He can be trusted and loved.

MORAL PURITY: Absolute freedom from anything wicked or evil. Holy, righteous, and just.

HOLINESS: Unique and separate from all creation. (, ; ; ; ; ; . Absolute Purity or Goodness (; ; ; ; ; . He is unable to tolerate the presence of sin, allergic to sin and evil. Those who are His must therefore seek the same holiness that is so basic to His own nature. (; ; ; ; ; ; ; )

RIGHTEOUSNESS: God’s holiness applied to His relationships to other beings. The law of God, being a true expression of His nature, is as perfect as He is (). His actions live up to His law (; )

JUSTICE: He not only acts according to His law but He also perfectly administers His kingdom in accordance with it. He requires others to conform to His law. Sin has definite consequences (; ; ; ; .)

INTEGRITY: Relates to the matter of truth: Genuineness-being true; veracity-telling the truth; faithfulness-proving true.

GENUINENESS: He is truth. He is a real God. (; ; ; ; and 6.10). He is the real thing!

VERACITY: He tells the truth. God represents things the way they really are. What He says is accurate. (; ; ; ; ).

FAITHFULNESS: He proves Himself to be true. God keeps all His promises (; ; ; ; ; .) We are to be like Him (Ecc.es. 5.4-5; , ; ; .)

LOVE: A basic attribute of God (, ; ; ; ). Found in four aspects: benevolence, grace, mercy, and persistence.

BENEVOLENCE: God’s concern for the welfare of those whom He loves. He unselfishly seeks our ultimate welfare (; ; ; ; ; ; ). This benevolence is seen in many ways (; , ; ; , , ; ; ).

GRACE: God deals with His people not on the basis of their merit or worthiness, what they deserve, but simply according to their need; in other words, He deals with them on the basis of His goodness and generosity. He could show benevolence and then expect something in return. But grace means that God supplies us with undeserved favors. (; ; ; ; ).

MERCY: God’s mercy is His tenderhearted, loving compassion for His people. (; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ).

PERSISTENCE: God is pictured in the OT and NT as withholding judgement and continuing to offer salvation and grace over long periods of time. (; ; ; ; and 3.15; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ).