Introduction
1 Peter Introduction
(Sept. 6, 1998)
Introduction:
It has been said that in regards to trials, there are three types of Christians:
-Those who are in the midst of a trial
-Those who are coming out of a trial
-Those who will be going through a trial
The children of God must expect trials. Not just the normal trials that anyone (whether saved or unsaved), but actually suffering because of Christ.
Count on it, you will have trials, you will have tribulation, and it will be because you have trusted in Christ as your Savior.
We humans can be funny when it comes to these things. While everything is going well (no difficulties to speak of), we can tend to get bored. We see the Bible very often.
But as soon as the trial hits (ie, the death of a loved one, a serious illness, financial problems) the Bible, and God can take on a whole new meaning. We claw for every ounce of God on which we can get our hands.
Before the trial, prayers may have been few and far between. During the trial, we can’t seem to get enough of prayer.
So with the understanding that we all will face terrible difficulties at one time or another in our lives, we begin a new study which deals with this very topic.
The book of 1 Peter.
Big idea: Every believer must anticipate the coming of trials
I. The Historical Background of 1 Peter
II. An Overview of 1 Peter
III. The Author of the Book
I. The Historical Background of 1 Peter
A. To whom was Peter writing his letter?
1. They were strangers-“the word is used of those who are temporary residents, not permanent settlers in the land; who have a deep attachment and a higher allegiance in another sphere.
a. Note: this is the reason his audience underwent suffering from the world.
b. They were different. They did not belong there. They were strangers.
c. So is the plight of every Christian. We are citizens of a foreign land.
2. They were scattered- Throughout what appear to be the Roman provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia (show transparency, modern day )
a. Acts 2:9- Men from Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia were present when Peter stood up and preached the gospel.
b. Acts 16:6- Galatia was evangelized by Paul
3. They were Christians (1:2)
a. Elect
b. Involved in the process of sanctification
c. Had been sprinkled by the cleansing blood of Christ
4. The audience seems to have been made up of both Jews and Gentiles
B. When and why did Peter write the letter?
1. Date: Early 60’s a.d. Very close to the time of the writing of Colossians
2. Nero’s reign (54-68 a.d.) a little review
a. Came to power by the scheming and plotting of his mother Agrippina
b. In 59 A.D. Nero had Agrippina murdered
c. Was very suspicious man
d. Was very murderous and plot oriented
e. The fire in Rome- A.D. 64
aa. Nero has been accused of this, but it is difficult to say.
bb. It was blamed upon the Christians and evidently they were being punished long after it was confirmed that they were not guilty.
cc. The persecution of the believers at this time was extremely harsh. (unmentionable). People just like you and just like me, being used as a torch for lighting on a street, and other things.
3. The reality of persecution was setting in- Persecution was either in full-swing or just around the corner. (by the way, they tell me that persecution among Christians in the world today is a very large problem, it could be coming our way)
4. Peter is writing the Christians in these areas to show them how to respond to persecution.
Illustration: Hitler’s Cross, Erwin Lutzer. Describes the response of the church in Germany during World War II.
-You would think the church would have seen the murder and the sin
-You would think the church would have stood up and said something
-But the church for a large part, did nothing to stop it. If anything, they seem to have gone along with it.
-Don’t pass judgment too quickly. Would individuals here in the American church be willing to leave families and be put in prison?. Would the American church be willing to suffer the mind manipulation and beatings?
If the church needs to know anything in these days, it’s how to respond in the face of persecution, suffering for Jesus. Christianity is not a free ride friend. It’s a battlezone.
I hope we are prepared to learn together as we examine this letter. This letter from Peter to Christians who were either in the midst of suffering, or were about to suffer simply for claiming that they had a relationship with Jesus.
Are we ready to hear the hard facts about suffering as a Christian?
But don’t miss the point of the whole book. Through the suffering, God will provide a way of hope. He has given grace, help for those who are suffering.
Transition:
So that’s some of the history behind the writing of Peter’s letter.
II. An Overview of 1 Peter
A. Outline
I. Hope in Suffering 1:1-12
In this section Peter starts out the book by giving us some hopeful fire-power in the face of our difficulties. While we may be suffering, we are not hopeless.
II. Life in View of Suffering 1:13-3:12
Peter discusses some of the practical everyday situations in which we find ourselves, and how to handle those situations when we are in trials. How to go through everyday life when we are suffering.
III. Proper Perspective in Suffering 3:13-4:19
How we can keep a proper focus in our trials.
IV. Final Instructions 5:1-14
Closing thoughts, with special instructions to those (elders) who lead the church in times of suffering.
B. Theme: “The Proper Response to Trials and Tribulations”
C. Key verses:
1. Some men seem to think 1 Peter 5:12- The call to stand
2. I would add 1 Peter 4:19- The how to stand
Transition: So that is an overview of the contents of 1 Peter.
III. The Author of the Book- Peter
A. Life before Christ-
1. He was a fisherman- With his brother Andrew. They were partners with James and John. (Matthew 4:19; Luke 5:10)
2. Was from the cities of Bethsaida (John 1:44) and Capernaum (Mark 1:21, 29)
3. He was married for he had a mother-in-law (Luke 7:38)
B. Life with Christ
1. But then one day, along the sea of Galilee, he heard the irresistible call of Jesus. (Mark 1:16-18). Without hesitation, he followed.
2. Those next two to three years would prove to be some of the greatest, yet most perplexing that he had ever lived
3. High points- His great confession
a. When Christ asked the disciples who they thought He was, Peter replied,
“Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:16)
b. He was one of the few privileged enough to see Christ transfigured before his very eyes (Matthew 17)
c. He walked on the water with Christ (Matt. 14)
d. He enjoyed special close fellowship with the Son of God
4. He had his low points- Peter knew what it was like to face persecution and shrink back and deny the Lord, it was Peter. (Matt. 26) At this point in his life, he did not handle the trial properly.
C. Life after the ascension, and the receiving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost- We see a changed man
1. He preached boldly on more than one occasion proclaiming the name of Christ (which he had previously denied) (Acts 2, 3)
2. He was arrested and put in jail. They were told that they were not to preach anymore. Peter’s response “we’re going to do what God tells us to do.” (Acts 419, 20)
3. So we are obviously not talking about the same man here. Something had changed.
4. Peter ultimately gave his life for his Lord. He was martyred in Rome. It has been said that he was crucified upside down. He and Paul both died around the same time.
5. The ironic fact of the matter is that Peter was martyred during the persecution of Nero-the very persecution for which he was probably preparing the readers of 1 Peter.
6. What happened to Peter. At one time in his life he denied Christ. Many years later, he would not budge, even in the face of death.
7. It has been said that Peter was “the reed changed to a rock.
So what’s the point you ask?
Why do I share this information about the life of Peter with you?
So you can see what God can do when someone places their life fully in God’s care.
You may shrink back today from standing up for the Lord. You may have a difficult time with trials. But it you place yourself in God’s hands, allowing Him to have His perfect way in your life, you can be like Peter. Changed.
Are you ready for that?
This morning we have seen
Big idea: Every believer must anticipate the coming of trials
I. The Historical Background of 1 Peter
II. An Overview of 1 Peter
III. The Author of the Book
Two suggested applications before we get into 1 Peter
-Prepare to respond to the message of the book as it relates to your trials, even your persecutions
-Allow God to have a life-time of forming you (as Peter did)