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THE GREAT HOPE. I Peter 1:1-5. 12/8/2024. #1.
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1. Peter, the man
a. Peter was the lead apostle (a brash fisherman chosen by the Lord to lead his church)
b. Peter wrote 2 epistles, widely accepted as coming from him (Silvanus or Silas = his scribe)
2. The destination of the epistle
a. Peter wrote to the dispersed (Jews away from Israel) Jewish Christians in the 5 provinces north of the Taurus Mountains in modern Turkey
b. The epistle was to be circulated among the churches in this region
3. Hope in the midst of persecution
a. The main theme of the epistle is reminding the readers of their hope in Jesus Christ
b. The Jewish Christians were particularly vulnerable to attack, being hated by Jews and pagans
c. Persecution broke out after the fire of Rome on 19 July 64 AD when Nero blamed Christians for the fire to shift attention from himself
d. Peter was martyred during the persecution in 67 AD shortly after writing his 2 epistles
e. He writes particularly to the elect according to the foreknowledge of God
a1. ELECT – believers were chosen by God even before creation (not by merit, but by his unexplained grace)
a2. FOREKNOWLEDGE – this does not mean that God knew who would respond to the gospel beforehand, but he FOREORDAINED by his sovereign choice his elect
f. Peter’s greeting is to the foreordained
a1. The sanctified ones (set apart for his purpose to fulfill his will)
a2. The one’s having the blood of Christ sprinkled on them (Romans 6 figuratively crucified with Christ)
g. Peter lists several benefits of being called ones
a1. By the grace of God believer have been begotten again (born again) by God
a2. Notice that all 3 persons of the triune God are involved – Father of mercy, sanctified by the Spirit, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead
a3. To and incorruptible (can’t perish) and undefiled (untainted) inheritance that can never fade away
a4. A living hope (always alive forever)
h. All the benefits are reserved in heaven
a1. Guaranteed to be waiting for us
a2. Ephesians 1:3-14 salvation in Christ is the only eternal guarantee and it exceeds all expectations
i. It is the power of God which keeps (guards) the fulfillment of our salvation for the last days
j. Peter’s introduction is to solidify his readers’ resolve to remain faithful to the end
a1. The trials, pain, suffering, challenges, grief, and persecution will be worth it
a2. Revelation 21 he will wipe away every tear and reward the faithful
k. Peter fortifies his readers to meet the trials
a1. There will be great trials for believers
a2. God will strengthen the faithful in trials
a3. God reserves reward for those who stand
l. Focus on faith, calling, and promised reward
Key passage: Ephesians 1:3-143 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.