SCRIPTURE: 1 PETER 1
INTRODUCTION:
Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples who wrote First and Second Peter to the Christians in northern part of Asia Minor who were being persecuted. Believers were being beaten, jailed and scattered. He wrote to give comfort and hope encouraging their continued loyalty to Christ.
The theme of the First letter is the grace of God. He told us how to be ready for the severe trials and how to live as alien in a hostile world. He outlined the right attitude when facing persecution: Expect it; be thankful for the privilege of suffering for Christ and remember that trials will refine our faith.
BIBLE VERSES:
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1: 8-9)
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13-16)
“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.” (1 Peter 1:17-21)
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”(1 Peter 1:22-25)
PRAISE TO GOD TO A LIVING HOPE (vs. 3-12)
Peter opened his letter with a song of praise. He declared that it is in God’s mercy through the resurrection of Jesus Christ that makes possible salvation for us. God’s servants preach His Word that gives sinners the faith to believe in the gospel. The blood of Christ and his resurrection enable us to have salvation and give us living hope and unperishable inheritance.
BE HOLY (vs. 13-24)
HOW TO BE HOLY?
- Prepare your mind for action; be self-controlled and set your hope on the grace of Jesus Christ (v. 13)
- Be obedient and do not conform to the evil desires (v. 14)
- Live you life as strangers in reverent fear (v. 17)
- Obey the truth and love one another deeply and sincerely (v. 22)
THOUGHTS:
LIVES BELIEVERS OUGHT TO LIVE (By Warren Wiersbe)
- Live in HOPE (vs. 2-12) – The hope God gives us is a living and lasting hope. But this hope is given to those whose faith in God has be tested by trials and proven genuine.
- Live in HOLINESS (vs. 13-20) – “Holy” means “set apart” – separated into God. That means, as children of God, we ought to be like our Father who is holy. Since we have been saved, we have to surrender our all to Him.
- Live in HARMONY (vs. 22-25) – When we are “born again” by the Word of God, we must prove it in action by loving people the way God loves us. God’s word planted in our heart must produce fruits. If we practise love, there will be harmony.
Gold is heated to skimmed off the impurities. Steel is tempered and strengthened by heating in fire. Similarly, our trials, struggles and persecutions will refine and strengthen our faith in God and make us useful for Him. Paul told us to be holy. Holiness means being totally devoted or dedicated to God, set aside for his special use and set apart from sin and its influence. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us overcome sin and rely on God’s power to keep us HOLY.