Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

We come to 1 Peter 1

We have high and low points in our life
God is often more at work in the times of trial and difficulty

Our church has known a recent intense time of trial and difficulty – examples

Yet the church has never been more united

We are studying the life of Simon Peter

We have seen many ups and downs – examples

He confessed Christ as the Saviour …
.. followed by saying He should not go to the cross

Jesus had to show Peter he was a weak man

Jesus restored him

Peter had been humbled
Peter had great boldness but also blind spots

Today we go to his first letter (1 Peter)

He is identifying with the people of his letter who are going through deep trials

They are pilgrims, dispersed throughout the Roman Empire
He knows the sufferings of the Roman Empire
He writes to them to encourage them (1 Pet 4:12-13)

It is thought he is writing from Rome

Babylon – 1 Pet 5:13
There was a terrible time of persecution against Christians – examples

The believers had gone to areas outside of Rome – Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia – areas backing onto the Black Sea

Is this the same as the scattering James writes about? – James 1:1
Could it be the persecution in Jerusalem? – Acts 8
It doesn’t matter – they are pilgrims
They are going to a different destination – a pilgrim on the way to glory

How fixed are we to this world?
Do we have a desire to be with Christ?
Paul had a dilemma about this – he was a pilgrim in this land whose real residency was in heaven

Considering the sufferings the people endured – you might think this might a difficult letter to read

Example of Old Testament prophecies
We see an apostle praising God for the faith
He uses many superlatives:

Abundant mercy (v3)
Greatly rejoicing (v6)
Much more precious (v7)
Joy inexpressible and full of glory (v8)

This morning focusing on v1-2
This evening focusing on v3-9

Setting the Scene (v1)

He uses his new name of Peter and not his old name of Simon

He was a simple fisherman brought up in Galilee – example
He was called to be an Apostle

Sent by God to bring the message of God
Sent with the authority of Jesus Christ (Matt 28:18)
He was called mainly to the Jews but also the Gentiles

He was taught by the Holy Spirit and spent 3 years in the ‘school of’ Jesus Christ

Some protest that he uses classical Greek, but…

…1 Pet 5:12 – Silvanus had helped him write this letter

Peter was exhorted to ‘encourage the brethren’
Personal example
We are all in process – God is making us what He intends us to be

We may feel we have a long way to go

He writes to the brothers

An immediate encouragement (v2)

Do you notice the reference to the Trinity?
Peter lifts the believers eyes to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Like those Heb 11
Peter reminds them of their position

Chosen by God the Father

Jesus knew everything about Peter before he arrived – examples

He knew his past, present and future
Jesus knew that he would be turned into a rock – chosen from the foundation of the world

A chosen people

John 6:37
Eph 1:4

Do you have difficulty with this?

Quote from Spurgeon

Christians will debate over the Doctrine of Election

However, it does not prevent any reason from coming and believing in Jesus for salvation

Foreknowledge means for loved
It should be an encouragement – if you are chosen in Christ, you cannot lose your salvation

This is not a licence to sin
Rather confidence in Christ

Sanctified by the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin

Example of Mal

The Holy Spirit shows us Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit gives us life – regenerates our souls

Explanation

Sanctification in this verse refers to the process of our salvation (not the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit)

1 Pet 2:9-10

The Blood of Jesus Christ

… we will continue tonight

Closing Remarks

The greatest encouragement – the promise of glory
Trials, Hope and Joy