Overview of the book of 1 Peter - evening service

Overview of the book of 1 Peter

I.  Purpose of the Book

A.    Of course we looked at the main purpose of the book a couple of weeks ago and have referenced it many times so what is the Main purpose of the book?  5:12

B.     But there are other purposes in the book that point to this main purpose

a.       The relationship between trials and God’s purposes (1:1-12)

b.      To provoke lives of holiness, love, growth, and testimony (1:13-2:12)

c.       Call for submission of believers to the civil authorities (2:13-17)

d.      Call for submission of servants to masters (2:18-25)

e.       Call for submission of wives to husbands (3:1-8)

f.       Proper attitude of believers in suffering (3:9-4:19)

g.      Guideline for elders in their ministry (5:1-11)

C.  All of this builds to the main purpose of standing firm.  These are the necessary actions and attitudes of a believer. 

II.  Main Themes in the Book

A.    Sufferings

a.       The Key word of the book is suffering, it occurs sixteen times

b.      Six of the time refer to Christ’s own sufferings

c.       Sufferings, is indeed the background for what Peter is writing, these people have suffered terribly and they are continuing to suffer

d.      But Peter encourages them to follow the example of Christ and to suffer…

1.      Patiently (2:20)

2.      For the sake of righteousness (3:14)

3.      For doing well (3:17)

4.      With rejoicing (4:13)

5.      As a Christian (4:16)

6.      According to the will of God (4:19)  Do you remember the final recorded prayer of Christ before His arrest?  Not my will but yours may this cup pass from me.

e.  As you get to thinking about this many of these things are reasons why we feel we should be asked to suffer.  From many pulpits this morning and even tonight congregations hear that if they follow the Lord life will be all peaches and cream, but that is not the message that Peter teaches, in fact the more Christian you are the more you suffer, and Peter says that is the way it should be, follow Christ, and stand firm in the true grace of God.

B.     Christ

a.       The book is filled with all kinds of information on our Savior.

1.      Preordained purpose for His incarnation (1:20)

2.      His sinless life (1:19; 2:22)

3.      His suffering and death (2:24)

4.      His resurrection (3:21-22)

5.      His ascension (3:22)

6.      His current position at the right hand of the Father (3:22)

7.      His second coming (1:7, 13; 4:13; 5:1, 4)

Overview of
1 Peter

Purposes of 1 Peter

–The relationship between trials and God’s purposes (1:1-12)

–To provoke lives of holiness, love, growth, and testimony (1:13-2:12)

–Call for submission of believers to the civil authorities (2:13-17)

–Call for submission of servants to masters (2:18-25)

–Call for submission of wives to husbands (3:1-8)

–Proper attitude of believers in suffering (3:9-4:19)

–Guideline for elders in their ministry (5:1-11)

Main themes of 1 Peter

•“Sufferings”

•Christ

Follow the example of Christ and suffer…

•Patiently (2:20)

•For the sake of righteousness (3:14)

•For doing well (3:17)

•With rejoicing (4:13)

•As a Christian (4:16)

•According to the will of God (4:19)

Christology

•Preordained purpose for His incarnation (1:20)

•His sinless life (1:19; 2:22)

•His suffering and death (2:24)

•His resurrection (3:21-22)

•His ascension (3:22)

•His current position at the right hand of the Father (3:22)

•His second coming (1:7, 13; 4:13; 5:1, 4)