1 Peter 1:1-5 Thriving in troubled times: A foundation to thrive

A few years go we went to Washington state on vacation. The forests are far north. Much of the area is in rugged, rocky and mountainous terrain.

In a place and at a latitude that might inhibit growth the forests are known for their lushness – they are rain forests. Green. Mossy. Vegetation everywhere.

The vast amount of rain, the richness of the soil, and moderated temperatures of the coast, combine to make the vegetation flourish.

What would happen if we would place ourselves in a place to flourish in the Christian life? This is God’s plan. He desires us to thrive.

Sometimes we think, if only life were easier I would thrive. If only this did not happen the I would thrive. If only I hadn’t gotten myself in this mess, I would thrive. If only conditions were perfect I would thrive.

But they aren’t. The world I broken. We mess things up. Life is constantly coming at us. People around us don’t treat us right.

Peter writes about thriving. And he will tell us some amazing things. Here we will discover that thriving is not about the external environment. In fact most of his letter either directly or indirectly imply that suffering is the norm. He doesn’t say that this will change. But in fact he instructs how thrive in the midst of that suffering. In the midst of being treated wrong. In the midst of the trials. In the midst of the broken world.

Thriving is not a result of what goes on around us. Thriving occurs when we react properly to this broken world.

We will be looking at 1 Peter in the next few weeks. Here we will find how to thrive in spite of the trouble, in spite of the suffering, in spite of how people around us may treat us wrong.

I. Foundations to thrive in trouble: From one who knows

Peter emerged from his own weaknesses and ultimately thrived in his Christian life

A. Peter the man – no one more human

(NKJV) 1 Peter 1 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1. The man who always stumbled over his tongue

2. Didn’t see the difference between Moses/Elijah and Jesus at the mount of transfiguration

3. Tried to tell Jesus that he would not die on the cross

4. Tried to run off a great crowd of soldiers with a sword when they came to arrest Jesus – chopped off the high priest’s servant’s ear

5. Denied Jesus when confronted by a little servant girl

B. Peter the rock – a man Jesus invested in

(NKJV) 1 Peter 1 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1. In spite of his failures, Jesus kept investing in Him

2. The man who’s faith would form the foundation of the church

3. The man Jesus invested in as the future leader of His movement

C. Peter the apostle – a man gifted to serve

(NKJV) 1 Peter 1 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1. Restored by Jesus – forgiven – commissioned - empowered

2. Stood before thousands at the temple, where only weeks before Jesus had been arrested, tried, and killed nearby.

3. Unflinchingly declared the guilt of the Jews and their leaders

4. Boldly refused to be intimidated by the Jewish leaders, but stood firm in presenting the gospel

5. Even took the new faith to the hated Gentiles in spite of any perceived pressure by Jewish Christians

6. Now stands firmly proclaiming the very Word of God with authority

Peter knew the need to thrive even in troubled times – listen to him as he writes

II. Foundations to Thrive in trouble: For those in need

A. Scattered by persecution

(NKJV) 1 Peter 1 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1. Forced to move

2. Uprooted

3. Used distress for God’s glory – reaching to the uttermost part of the world

B. Living as aliens in a foreign land

(NKJV) 1 Peter 1 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1. Not at home

2. Feels a bit strange

3. Treated like a foreigner

C. Faced with radical opposition

(NKJV) 1 Peter 1 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1. Area of modern day Turkey

2. A land of Greek culture – knew about being aggressive to force others to conform to their culture

3. Close relationship between many cities and Rome

4. Proud of exalting Emperor / competition for the right to house a temple to Emperor

5. Became the most common place for persecutions / even more so than Rome itself

III. Foundations to Thrive in trouble: God is fully involved with us

Thriving in the Christian life is not about a perfect environment but thriving is about the one at work in our lives. God is fully involved with us.

God in three persons is at work enabling the Christian to Thrive even in trouble.

A. The Father’s choice to work in us

(NKJV) 1 Peter 1 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

1. Chosen – privilege – not because you are best/brightest – just because He loves you

2. Not by chance / but know beforehand / includes their current sojourning and troubles

3. Father loves you / chose to love you/ chooses to love you, even in your current situation

B. The Spirit’s transformation of us

(NKJV) 1 Peter 1 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

1. Set apart by the Spirit

2. Working from within – more than just external actions – action driven from the inside

3. Produce righteousness

C. The Son’s blood redeeming us

(NKJV) 1 Peter 1 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

Jesus name used four times in these first few verses – He is central

1. For – purpose of obedience and entry into the covenant (an allusion to the establishment of the covenant to Israel)

2. Sprinkling of the blood of Jesus

a. Redeemed by the son

b. Cleansed from ongoing defilement like a leper on the OT / restored fellowship

c. Through His blood anointed as priests

IV. Foundations to Thrive in trouble: Promises of certain results

A. Grace and peace

(NKJV) 1 Peter 1 2 … Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

1. Common Christian greeting

But more than Dear John – a reality of the Christian existence

2. Grace ----- not effort driven but received without merit

3. Peace / multiplied ---- based in Christ not situation

B. Based in God’s mercy

(NKJV) 1 Peter 1 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1. Honor the Father – make Him famous

2. Amazing mercy

C. Have received new life and future hope

(NKJV) 1 Peter 1 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1. Begotten – born into His family ---- already and yet it is not totally complete yet

2. Expectation of the resurrection / sudden relief / final and ultimate relief

3. Hope replaces hopelessness

D. A certain future

(NKJV) 1 Peter 1 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

1. The future reserved for you

2. Can’t be destroyed – indestructible – does not die

3. Unable to be made impure / dirty – even with our own actions

4. Not fading away / unable to rust / won’t deteriorate with age / lasts forever

The paronomasia of the three verbals is most effective; the inheritance is untouched by death, unstained by evil, unimpaired by time; it is compounded of immortality, purity, and beauty

E. Kept by God’s power

5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1. Kept by the power of God – totally safe /waiting the end of time

2. We wait with expectation ---- so the trouble of today has to be kept in perspective

Again and again Peter will provide specific examples of trouble / suffering now, but will instruct us to live godly in the midst of it, empowered by Christ, with a desire to impact others by our rections that are so much different than the worlds.