In our first talk in this series we did a quick survey of Peter’s letter and showed that its main theme is suffering now but future glory. Today’s passage summarises all his teaching so far on this important theme.

Let’s read the passage together

1 Peter 4:12-19

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Six points:

1: Christians should not be surprised if they suffer

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

2: Suffering can be God’s will

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

3: The suffering Peter is talking about is suffering for being a Christian, not suffering for doing wrong

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

4: As Christians we should rejoice when suffering for Christ

 Because we are sharing in his sufferings

And will share in his glory.

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

NB

Rejoice now… rejoice in the future

Glory now 14… glory in the future 13

5: Suffering for Christ should be seen as a blessing

14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

6: Suffering for Christ is nothing compared with the suffering of those who reject the gospel

17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

Introduction

As we saw in our last two talks,  Peter is offering special encouragement to Christians who are suffering and reminds them of the sufferings of Christ. This theme continues in the opening verses of Chapter 4.

1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;

5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Comments

1-2 Follow the example of Christ

1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,

arm yourselves with the same way of thinking,

for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

The Amplified Bible is very helpful here.

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world],”

1 Peter 4:1 AMP

2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

As we’ll see next time, later in the chapter Peter encourages his readers to share in the sufferings of Christ.

3-6 Don’t follow the example of the Gentiles

 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;

5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, (I.e. to Christians who have now died) that though judged in the flesh the way people are (it is because of sin that our bodies die), they might live in the spirit the way God does.

 7-11 Living in the last days

7 The end of all things is at hand;

therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded

for the sake of your prayers.

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Last time:

Special encouragement for those who are suffering

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Today:

The example of Christ

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,

20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Comments

18 For Christ also suffered

Remember, Christ suffered too

suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous,

His suffering was substitutionary

that he might bring us to God,

There was purpose in his suffering

being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

Physical death is not the end.

Resurrection and heaven lie ahead

21 …through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

19 …he went and proclaimed

 (not evangelised but proclaimed his victory)

to the spirits (fallen angels, not human spirits) in prison,

There was a Jewish tradition that immediately before the flood fallen angels who had disobeyed God were punished by imprisonment

20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.

21 Baptism, which corresponds to this,

Antitype The water of the flood speaks of judgment

The water of baptism speaks of salvation

now saves you,

It doesn’t save you. It’s a picture of salvation.

not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience,

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Last time we concluded a section on submission to authority:

Submission to rulers

Submission to masters

Submission to husbands

Today’s passage deals with:

How we should behave and why 8-12

Encouragement to those who are suffering 13-17

Remember, Peter is writing to Christians who are being persecuted for their faith. The theme of the letter is:

Suffering now – maybe, future glory – certain.

1 Peter 3

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling,

but on the contrary, bless for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;

11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”  (Psalm 34)

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy,

always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;

yet do it with gentleness and respect,

16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

How we should behave

8 Finally, all of you,

have

unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling,

but on the contrary, bless…  (cf. beatitudes, Rom. 12)

Why we should behave in this way

…for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

You were called

 – by the example and teaching of Christ

• by the encouragement of Scripture (Ps. 34 quoted in 10-12)

You …obtain a blessing

• love life and see good days 10

–  the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer 12

Special encouragement for those who are suffering

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy,

always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;

yet do it with gentleness and respect,

16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Last Time:

• Submission to rulers
• Submission to masters

Today:

Submission to husbands – 1 Peter 3:1-7

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, ² when they see your respectful and pure conduct. ³ Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewellery, or the clothing you wear— ⁴ but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. ⁵ For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

⁷ Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honour to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Submission to Authority

The next section of Peter’s letter deals with the subject of submission to authority:

• submission to rulers (2:13-17)
• submission to masters (2:18-25)
• submission to husbands (3:1-7)

1 Peter 2:13-17      Submission to rulers

13 Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,

14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants (slaves) of God.

17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

This section is fairly straightforward:

Christians are to submit themselves to every authority instituted among men (v.13).  

Respect is to be shown to the emperor as the supreme authority and to governors, who are sent by him to administer justice (14)

This is God’s will (15) so that by their good behaviour Christians may put to silence those who accuse them

They are free, (16) but freedom must not be used as an excuse for wrong-doing, for despite their freedom Christians are God’s slaves

So, submission to rulers is set firmly in the context of ultimate submission to God for if the king is to be honoured it is God who is to be feared (v.17).  

Indeed it is ‘for the Lord’s sake’ that a Christian submits to authority, no matter what form that authority may take (v.13).

1 Peter 2:18-25      Submission to masters

18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.

19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.

20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return;

23 when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Submission to masters (2:18-25)

From the previous section we see that submission to human authority is an expression of the Christian’s submission to divine authority.

This enables him meekly to accept the decisions of those who have authority over him.  

This is of special relevance to slaves who are specifically addressed in verses 18-25 where they are instructed to submit to their masters even if they are harsh.   The possibility of  suffering unjustly is very real (vv. 19-20)

and if this occurs Christian slaves are to remember that they are called by Christ’s own example to endure it (vv.20 – 21).

It is highly significant here that there is no suggestion in these verses that Christians do not need to suffer because Christ has already suffered for them.   Quite the opposite is indicated.   The Christian who suffers for doing good must endure it patiently knowing that this is God’s will for him, for Christ himself has set an example for him to follow (vv.20 – 21)[1].

Verses 22 – 25, which depend heavily on Isaiah 53, set forth the sufferings of Christ as the supreme example of the innocent suffering unjustly and may be correctly understood as an elaboration of the principle stated in verse 21 that Christ’s sufferings are an example for the Christian to follow. Seen this way the statement of Christ’s innocence (v. 22), his refusal to retaliate or complain (v.23), and his committing of himself to God (v.23) are all clearly intended as an example and an encouragement to the Christian slave who is suffering unjust punishment.   Furthermore, such an interpretation of these verses is completely in harmony with the teaching concerning suffering elsewhere in the epistle[2].

But if Christ’s innocence, his non-retaliation, and his committing himself to God are intended as an encouragement to the Christian who is suffering unjust punishment, how much more is the reminder of the results of Christ’s suffering?  

The sense of purposelessness encountered by those enduring unjustly inflicted suffering is softened for the Christian by the realisation that Christ’s sufferings were by no means without purpose. Verses 24-25 serve as a reminder of this.   Christ’s sufferings were redemptive.  

The innocent  slave who is unjustly beaten by his master is reminded that Christ too was unjustly punished, but not without purpose for Christ bore our sins that we might die to sin and live to righteousness (v.24) and as a result the wandering sheep has returned to the shepherd (v.25).  

Perhaps, by implication, the slave might understand that his suffering too is not without a purpose, hidden and unstated though that purpose might be[3].

In the light of all this it seems to me that Peter’s use of by whose stripes you were healed will only be correctly understood when it is seen within the context of a discussion which presents to slaves who were sometimes unjustly treated the example of Christ whose passion provides the pattern for all who suffer unjustly.  Such an understanding will also provide, with particular reference to the subject of this course, a clear indication as to whether the healing referred to in the phrase is intended to be interpreted as physical or spiritual.

The relevance of the phrase by whose stripes you were healed in a passage addressed to slaves who were sometimes unjustly flogged is immediately obvious.  The word molops means a bruise, scar, or weal left by a lash and describes a physical condition with which the slaves were all too familiar[4].  

To slaves who were unjustly beaten Peter points out that Christ too was beaten, and because of the wounds inflicted upon him they have been ‘healed’.   The use of the second person (you were healed) in place of the first (LXX we were healed[5] is perhaps significant in that the first person is used in the first part of the verse (that we might live).   The switch to the second person thus highlights the fact that it is particularly the  slaves who are addressed here for it is for them that the use of molops (stripe) is especially significant.

But in what sense had the slaves been ‘healed’?   Peter obviously intends them to understand here the forgiveness of their sins, for not only does he refer in the immediately previous clauses to Christ’s bearing of our sins that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, but he uses the conjunction gar in verse 25 thus identifying their ‘healing’ in verse 24 as what took place when as sheep going astray they returned to the shepherd (v.25).   The fact that no such conjunction is found in Isaiah 53:6 may indicate that Peter is especially stressing this connection and certainly suggests that the ‘healing’ referred to is spiritual[6].

Furthermore, to seek to understand the ‘healing’ as physical seems to be totally inappropriate.   There is no reference to the healing of disease anywhere in the epistle, let alone in the immediate context. The ‘healing’ referred to clearly means a spiritual wholeness which results from Christ’s bearing our sins on the cross and our return, as sheep who had gone astray, to the shepherd and guardian of our souls. The passage is, in fact, an encouragement to Christians to endure suffering, not a means of escape from it.

Next time:

 1 Peter 3:1-7.   Submission to husbands

1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,

2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—

4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.

6 And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

 

Last time: 1 Peter 1:10-25

• the great privileges of being a Christian
• our responsibility to live holy lives
• things that encourage to fulfil that responsibility

 The theme of privilege and responsibility continues in today’s passage.

1 Peter 2:1-12

1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,

5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”

8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

We’ll begin by looking at the first three verses, but first let’s remind ourselves of what Peter says at the end of chapter 1

1 Peter 1:23-25

…you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

1 Peter 2:1-3

1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

 

We are to put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

Why?

Note the word ‘so’. It means ‘therefore’, which takes us back to 1:23.

Because you’ve been born again

You are newborn infants v2

You need to grow up into your salvation v2

How?

By pure spiritual milk – the milk of the word

It was by the word of God that you were born again 1:23-25

It’s by feeding on the word of God that you will grow up spiritually

Indeed you will long for this because you have already tasted that the Lord is good v3

1 Peter 2:4-8 – Living Stones

 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,

5 you yourselves like (as) living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”

8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

Christ is the living stone 4, 6-8

But we also are living stones 5

These verses are clearly based on three OT passages:

Isaiah 28:16

“therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’”

Psalm 118:22-23

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

This is the Lord ‘s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.

Isaiah 8:14-15

“And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offence and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.”

The stone was one of the Jewish titles for the Messiah.

We know of course that the Messiah is Jesus.

So these OT passages show us that Jesus would be:

• a tested stone,
• a precious cornerstone,
• a sure foundation
• a rejected stone
• a stone of offence and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel

However, Peter says that Jesus, though rejected by men, is God’s precious chosen one. This was highly significant for Peter’s persecuted readers.

As Christians, we have come to him 4 and believe in him 7 and as a result will not be put to shame 6, but honoured 7.

We ourselves are living stones and are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ 5

This theme is continued in vv 9-12. Note the strong contrast between vv8 and 9.

8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…

 

1 Peter 2:9-12 – God’s chosen people

9-10 privilege

11-12 responsibility

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

So far in this series:

Talk 1

• The background to the letter and the circumstances in which it was written. The theme of the whole letter is:
• Suffering now, maybe. Future glory, certain.

Talk 2

• We saw that the first two verses in chapter 1 are more than a formal greeting but are actually of a special significance to the suffering Christians to whom Peter was writing at the time.
• They were exiles, rejected by men, but chosen by God.

Talk 3

• Verses 3-9 spell out some of the great privileges of being a Christian. To be chosen by God is something very special. As Peter says in verses 6-7, at present we may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials but this will result in praise, honour, and glory when Jesus Christ is revealed.

We looked at these verses under main headings:

Present suffering

for a little while…you have been grieved by various trials…

your faith is more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire

Present blessings

We have received God’s mercy

We have been born again

We are being guarded by God’s power

We are able to rejoice

Future blessings

Resurrection

An inheritance

Praise, glory and honour when Jesus returns

The salvation of your souls

Today’s passage, 1 Peter 1:10-25

continues the theme of the great privileges of being a Christian but also reminds us of:

• our responsibility to live holy lives
• things that encourage to fulfil that responsibility

The great privileges of being a Christian (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.

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 prophesied it but didn’t fully understand it (10-11)

Because they lived before it happened and under a different covenant

Compare Ephesians 3:1-6

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

The angels long to look into it (12) but they can’t fully understand it either

Because they have never known what it means to have forgiveness of sin

But now the good news has been announced to us by the apostles 12

The same Holy Spirit who inspired the OT prophets inspired the apostles

(The Spirit of Christ 11 is another name for the Holy Spirit (12) cf. 2 Pet.1:21)

Note again the reference to suffering followed by glory 11

Our responsibility to live holy lives (13-17)

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile…

Five commands:

1. 13 prepare your minds for action, and being sober-minded,

2. set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

3. 14 do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance

4. 15 be holy in all your conduct

5. 17 conduct yourselves with fear

Things that encourage to fulfil that responsibility (17-25)

 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God,

21 who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,

25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Jesus is coming

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 God is your Father

 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,

You have been ransomed

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

You have hope because Jesus is alive

21 who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

God’s word remains true forever

23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls,

25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

In our last talk we looked at the first two verses in chapter 1 which we saw are more than a formal greeting but are actually of a special significance to the suffering Christians to whom Peter was writing at the time.

They were exiles, rejected by men, but chosen by God. The verses we are looking at today spell out some of the great privileges of being a Christian. To be chosen by God is something very special. As Peter says in verses 6-7, at present we may have to suffer grief in all kinds of trials but this will result in praise, honour, and glory when Jesus Christ is revealed.

As I said last time, the theme of the letter is:

suffering now, maybe –  future glory, certain.

Today we’ll be looking at vv3-9 and considering this theme in more detail.

1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV

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 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.

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.

 

Three main headings:

Present suffering

Present blessings

Future blessings

Present suffering

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.

Present blessings

We have received God’s mercy

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy…

We have been born again

3 …he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

We are being guarded by God’s power

5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

We are able to rejoice

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

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,

Future blessings

Resurrection

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,

An inheritance

4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you

It can never perish – rust on car

Matthew 6:19-20 – Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy…

Colossians 3:2 – Set your minds on things above

It can never spoil – 2 suits

It can never fade away – Auntie Min

It’s reserved in heaven for you – luggage label

Praise, glory and honour when Jesus returns

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.

The salvation of your souls

9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

For more on our inheritance as Christians, please see below.

The Christian’s Inheritance

A full audio recording of this sermon can be heard at https://www.davidpetts.org/025-the-christians-inheritance/ or by clicking here. (Episode 25 of this podcast)

The reading of a will

You have been asked to attend the reading of a will

What questions would be going through your mind?

• Am I a beneficiary?
• What could I inherit?
• What’s my inheritance like?
• Why have I been included?
• When will I get it?

Many of us may never inherit something of great value here on earth, but the Bible tells us that God has a wonderful inheritance for us

Am I a beneficiary?

Do you belong to Christ? Galatians 3:29

If you belong to Christ, then you are … heirs according to the promise

Do you believe in him and love him? James 2:5

Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised to those who love him?

Are you right with God? Titus 3:7

Having been justified by his grace we … become heirs having the hope of eternal life    

Are you one of God’s children? Romans 8:17

Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ

What could I inherit?

Hebrews 1:14

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

Hebrews 11:7

By his faith he (Noah) …became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

Hebrews 6:12

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

1 Peter 3:9

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing

Matthew 19:29

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life

Matthew 25:34

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world’

Revelation 21:3,4,7

Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

7 He who overcomes will inherit all this…

Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

So to summarise:

• Salvation – Hebrews 1:14
• Righteousness – Hebrews 11:7
• Promises – Hebrews 6:12, 17
• Reward – Colossians 3:24
• Blessing – 1 Peter 3:9
• Everlasting Life – Matthew 19:29
• The Kingdom of God – Matthew 25:34
• Heaven – Revelation 21:7 (‘all this’)
• Earth – Matthew 5:5

What is my inheritance like?

Hebrews 9:15

Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance

• money inherited from Eileen’s Dad

1 Peter 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you

It can never perish – rust on car

Matthew 6:19-20 – Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy…

Colossians 3:2 – Set your minds on things above

it can never spoil – 2 suits

it can never fade away – Auntie Min

it’s reserved in heaven for you – luggage label

Why have I been included?

But why should we receive such a wonderful inheritance?

Because we are co-heirs with Christ

Romans 8:17

Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ

We are identified with Christ.  

Everything we have springs from this.

Crucified – dead – buried – made alive – raised – seated – suffer – reign – work – inherit

The NT reveals there are three ways of being a co-heir (Greek sun-kleronomos):

by sonship – Hebrews 11:9

Isaac and Jacob…were heirs with him (Abraham) of the same promise

by marriage – 1 Peter 3:7

Husbands …be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them … as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life

by grace – Ephesians 3:2, 6.

Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you…

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

We are joint-heirs with Christ!

We inherit what he inherits! All things (Heb. 1:2)!

1 John 3:2-3 – not what I will GET but what I will BE!

When will I get it?

1 Peter 1:4 reserved in heaven for you

But there is a foretaste!

Ephesians 1:13-14

The Holy Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession (arrabon – engagement ring – French ‘alliance’)

Hebrews 6:4

…those who have … tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit … have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age

In our last talk we:

• Considered the background to the letter and the circumstances in which it was written
• Took a rapid tour through the whole letter
• Identified the main theme of the letter –

                          present suffering perhaps, future glory certain

Background

Author Peter

Date 62 to 64 A.D.

Circumstances

Written to Jewish Christians who had been driven out of Jerusalem and scattered throughout Asia Minor

Throughout the Roman Empire Christians were being tortured and killed for their faith and the church in Jerusalem was being scattered throughout the Mediterranean world

Peter was probably in Rome when the great persecution and the Emperor Nero began and was eventually executed during this persecution

Today we begin to look at the text of the letter by beginning with the opening two verses:

NIV

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles, scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,

2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

ESV

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, 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: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

In some ways this is a typical greeting

But it’s of special significance relevant to the circumstances in which it was written

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ

As we saw last time, Peter was writing to Christians undergoing persecution

Note how Peter’s faith has matured since Caesarea Philippi

Matt. 16:22 Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you

John 21:18-19

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.” (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.”

Acts 5:41

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

To those who are elect (chosen)

Note that election is according to God’s foreknowledge

See my comments in an earlier podcast on Ephesians 1.

But what’s the special relevance of the word chosen in this context?

The next word is exiles. What a contrast! They may be exiles – rejects, but they’re elect exiles! All that is happening to them is part of God’s chosen plan for them

exiles of the Dispersion

The word dispersion (διασπορᾶ) was commonly used to refer to the Jews who were scattered around the world, no longer resident in Israel.

Peter now uses it to refer to Christians (who are now God’s chosen people – 2:9-10)

It would be easy to understand this negatively, but note the positive aspects of being scattered:

The word literally means sown throughout

God is scattering his people as seeds throughout the nations and he’s using persecution to do it.

Compare Acts 8:1-4, 11:19

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father

Of course, this refers primarily to what immediately follows – sanctification, obedience, sprinkling

But we’re reminded that God know everything in advance – even our suffering

in the sanctification of the Spirit

NIV through the sanctifying work of the Spirit

To sanctify means to make holy

The NT shows sanctification as both a completed act and an ongoing process

for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood

The Greek literally says:

For obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ

The purpose of our salvation is obedience

The sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ refers to our initial salvation

and to God’s provision for the ongoing forgiveness of our sins

May grace and peace be multiplied to you

This blessing was particularly appropriate to Christians who were suffering

It was through the gift of God’s grace and peace that they had been saved

But there’s no limit to God’s resources. There’s plenty more grace and peace available.

The verses that immediately follow illustrate this wonderfully

But that’s our subject for next time 🙂