“Hope for the Chosen Stranger” 1 Peter 1:1-12

“Living Hope”

A Sermon Series Through 1 Peter

“Hope for the Chosen Stranger”

1 Peter 1:1-12

 Introduction

For centuries men have tried to run a mile in four minutes. It has been attempted for thousands of years. The Romans and Greeks even tied athletes to bulls so they would run faster and develop stronger muscles, but in the end no one was able to complete the mile in four minutes.

It was simply deemed impossible, and people concluded that the physiological makeup of human beings prohibited them from this feat. In a well known slice of history, one man shattered millennia of belief when he did in fact run the mile in four minutes in 1954.

Roger Bannister finally did what people had tried to do for thousands of years, giving people a new reference about what was possible. Amazingly, once people had a new belief because of his model, within the next twelve months some two dozen others were able to break the four minute mile as well; something that today is a common occurrence. It is remarkable how everything changes when someone opens to us the truth.

Indeed, both can be demanding and both require that we push ourselves to the limit so that our muscles can more fully develop and our endurance increases. And in the end we will be able to look back and see how far God has brought us and be amazed as we can testify that, “With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26).

 “what the Christian life is meant to be in times of stress.”[1]

The Author and His Audience (vv. 1-2)

Peter,

In Matthew 4:18 we see Peter’s calling to be one of Jesus’ disciples, “While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he (Jesus) saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”2 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Leaving his fishing business behind, he and his brother were with Jesus all through his earthly ministry. John 1:42 says, “Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).” Jesus looked at this man and could see that he would be a rock for the faith. Matthew 16:18, “upon this rock I will build my church.”

Mark 8:31, “And he (Jesus) began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” The book of 1 Peter was written to churches who were suffering because of their following Jesus’ teachings. Peter has grown in his understanding of what it means to be a Christian.

Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him three times, and when the rooster crowed he knew Jesus had been correct. After the resurrection, Jesus came to Peter and after asking Peter three times, “do you love me? John 21:17-19 “Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Peter was with Jesus all the way to His going up into heaven, and then was commissioned to go and tell the gospel, to “go therefore and make disciples.” His relationship with Jesus changed over the years of being with Him. The words, “follow me,” mean the same thing as when he is now an apostle – but to “follow me,” changes as we walk with the Lord. By the time the events in Acts took place, Peter gives moving sermons without hesitation declaring Jesus the Son of the living God, performs miracles, has visions, helps the early church advance, and his writings are included in the canon of the Bible.

 an apostle of Jesus Christ,

“an apostle is an emissary who operates with full authority of the one whom he is sent.”[2] Peter was one of the twelve disciples who were apart of a group Jesus personally called to be his disciples. These men held the authority of apostles, and represented Jesus and His teachings. Jesus gave them “the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” judicial authority to “bind and loose” in the church (Matt. 16:19), and the responsibility to “feed” or “shepherd” Jesus’ followers (John 21:15-17).

In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians, it was agreed that Paul had been “entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews” (Gal. 2:7).

 To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 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[3]:

 “Who are elect exiles” – the chosen strangers, “these believers are estranged from their communities because of their distinctive Christian lifestyles.”[4] These elect exiles are scattered “the Dispersion” into various cities in Asia Minor (Pontus, Galatia, Asia, etc.) because of persecution of some kind (we are not told what it is). It does not seem to be persecution from the state, instead it is a result of the culture/the local people don’t like the Christian lifestyle (Christians in society) and so are pushing them out.[5]

What is it about these Christians that would cause society to want them to go away? They are described as “elect” and later in v. 3 “born again to a living hope.” Chosen or set apart to be changed and have a relationship with God. When a person becomes a Christian, they begin to break away from societal norms, they become citizens of another country. The traditions they once held, they no longer conform to – they become strangers to the world.

(v. 2) “according to the foreknowledge of God,” – foreknowledge[6], “refers to the past act of putting limits upon something with the present result that some certain thing has been appointed or decreed.”[7] The people are suffering, but God is not caught off guard. Just as Jesus’ suffering and going to the cross was part of God’s plan, their suffering is known by God and He is using it for their benefit, and for the furtherance of the gospel.

Salvation is a work of the Trinity, the Father’s foreknowledge (see above), The Spirit’s sanctification (sanctify means “to set apart”), and the Son’s blood being sprinkled. It is the Father’s “sovereign plan to save His people. That redemption is accomplished by Christ and applied to people’s lives by the Holy Spirit.”[8] This plan for our lives doesn’t stop at salvation, but God works in our lives and lays out a path for us.

God’s foreknowledge God is an ordained plan for our lives, complete with boundaries and direction. Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

“for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood,” In the OT on the Day of Atonement, when reconciliation was made for the people of God, the blood of slain animals was taken by the high priest into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled on the mercy seat. It was a symbol of the covering of their sins by the blood sacrifice. When Jesus died on the cross his blood once and for all covered our sin.

With Salvation there is the expectation of obedience.

Exodus 24:7-8 “Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” 8 And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.” Peter is referencing the OT people’s pledge to obedience to God’s word who were then sprinkled with blood. NT believers are also called to be obedient to God’s Word, but we are not sprinkled with the blood of animals, but with Christ’s blood. “God is the ultimate source (of our salvation), activated by the Spirit, for the express purpose of/for obedience.”[9]

The obedience that is referred to first is the obedience of following the Holy Spirit’s instruction to have faith in the blood of Christ – to follow the Word of God who became flesh (John 1:1,14). Then as we are sanctified by the Spirit we continue to grow in following God’s Word. We are set apart for God’s kingdom as his children, yet we remain in this fallen world which rejects God.

 May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

What the Christian Life Means In Times of Stress (vv. 3-12)

A Living Hope (vv. 3-5)

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, 4 to an inheritance[10] that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Peter gives a blessing to God, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” – a short doxology, a praise. Why would Peter just stop in mid-sentence and praise God? We are to bless God because we have a “living hope.” When we think of hope it is usually about something we want to happen in the future, but we are not sure if it will happen. As in “I hope they have cheesecake as a dessert option.” But when the Bible uses the word, hope, it is a certainty that will take place in the future. Our hope of eternal life is living and certain because Jesus is living, resurrected from the dead.

This living hope carries more than just living (as in alive), but also actively living, an energizing hope, an optimistic attitude, one that produces excitement and movement.[11] The hope we have in our salvation moves us to action.

A living hope affects how we see the world around us and how we encounter life’s struggles, Proverbs 4:18-19 “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. 19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.”

Peter then tells us of an inheritance, that is waiting for us in heaven. The inheritance is described as, “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.” Because we are the children of God, co-heirs with Christ, we have an inheritance that will never go down in value, substance, or purity, and it can never be taken away.

“by God’s power are being guarded through faith,” – Is there anything that break into heaven and steal our salvation, or somehow dimmish its value, or stain its beauty? No, God himself, guards our salvation – He will reveal it “in the last time.” By our faith in God we are able to understand God’s power – the power that guards our inheritance.

But what is the inheritance? “We received justification at the moment we believed. We are receiving sanctification, namely victory over sin and growth as a Christian life now. We will yet receive that part of salvation which awaits us in Glory.”[12] This is glorification – we will inherit a glorified body in which all things are made perfect.

We Can Have Joy In the Midst of Stress Because We have Eternal Life and An Inheritance.

 Joy In The Midst of Trials (vv. 6-9)

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

(v. 6) “In this you rejoice,” – The central theme that runs through 1 Peter is that followers of Jesus, who are suffering (because of the Dispersion) should have hope. Peter is writing to comfort and encourage them. These trials they are enduring are temporary and they have a purpose. God is going to use this persecution against the followers of Jesus for their ultimate well-being.

(v. 7) “so that the tested genuineness of your faith . . . may be found to result in praise and glory and honor” God uses the pain and stress of this life to purify and strengthen our faith. The reason is, “that the trial of our faith might result in praise and honor at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”[13] The result is when Christ is revealed our praise and glory and honor of His name will be true and pure. That process (God’s sanctifying work in your life) is more precious than gold (or any earthly measurement of value).

1 John 3:2-3 “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”

We Experience Joy Because it is founded upon the promises of God

not Our Current Life Situation.

God values humanity so much that he was willing to give His only Son so that it could be redeemed – Your soul has immense value to God. Matthew 16:26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” The economy of God values human souls and having a relationship with Him incredibly high – how do you value your own soul? But just as gold is refined so is the human soul.

 You value your current comfort; God values your soul’s development and how you end up. “Just as fire separates gold from useless dross, so God uses suffering and trials to separate true faith from superficial profession.”[14]

We Can Have Joy In the Midst of Stress Because God Is At Work In Our Soul.

 The Prophetic Witness of the Christian Hope (10-12)

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.

This idea of salvation was not something new; the prophets of all throughout the OT spoke of God’s grace, salvation, and future glory. But they didn’t know when the Messiah would arrive. They had prophesied about where Jesus would be born, how he would live His life, even the details of the crucifixion. They knew Jesus would suffer.

Those Christians suffering as a result of the Dispersion, have experienced God’s grace and salvation through Jesus. But just as Jesus had suffered, they too, as His followers must also suffer – but His suffering led to Hid glory, and our suffering in His name (or because of our following His teachings) will lead to our being more like Christ.

12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

The prophets looked on and marveled at God’s promises, and the angels also look at on and marvel at what God is doing for human beings. Angels are not participants in salvation but spectators of it. Angels marvel at how once depraved creatures far form God, now live holy lives glorifying God. The angels delight in looking on to what God is doing on earth, and when one sinner repents, there is cheering in heaven, “Luke 15:10 “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Also, the prophets of old were painting a prophetic picture of Jesus and salvation over generations, and their ministry “were serving not themselves but you,” They were pointing the way for Jesus to fulfill their prophecy, and their words were for the future generations to have faith in Jesus because of their revelations. Today we are blessed to have the complete revelation of who Jesus is.

We Can Have Joy in the Midst of Stress Because We Have The Complete Salvation Picture.

 Conclusion

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[1] J. Ramsey Michaels, Word Biblical Themes, 1 Peter (Dallas, Texas; Word Publishing, 1989) x.

[2] Greg W. Forbes, Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament, 1 Peter (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman & Holman, 2014) 11.

[3] See also Ezekiel 36:25-27.

[4] Forbes, 12.

[5] Leonhard Goppelt, A Commentary of 1 Peter (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1993) 20.

[6] Not knowledge beforehand.

[7] Kenneth S. Wuest, First Peter in the Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan; WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1960) 16.

[8] R. C. Sproul, An Expositional Commentary, 1-2 Peter (Sanford, Florida; Ligonier Ministries, 2019) 7.

[9] Forbes, 13.

[10] See also Matthew 6:19-21.

[11] Wuest, 20.

[12] Wuest, 22.

[13] Wuest, 25.

[14] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, 1 Peter (Chicago, Illinois; Moody Publishers, 2004) 44.