2017 Memorial Day Conference North Stonington Bible Church Lesson #7: Peter’s Encouragement 1 Peter 1:3-5

1 Peter 1:3-5 Introduction Peter’s readers were facing difficult times and needed encouragement. Biblical encouragement requires an eternal perspective – 1 Peter 4:12-13; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. Peter wants his readers to know that God can trusted – 1 Peter 4:19.

1 Peter 1:3-5 Introduction Encouraging to know that God cares for us (1 Peter 5:6-7), but who is God? Peter anchored his challenges and exhortations in a knowledge of God – 1 Peter 1:3-12. Knowledge of God’s character and His past actions should generate an attitude of gratitude in us – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

1 Peter 1:3a Praise Belongs to God eu0loghto/j EULOGETOS “blessed, praised” The eight uses of the word all refer to God. Peter and Paul recognize the praiseworthiness of God the Father in a way not revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures – 2 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3.

1 Peter 1:3b-5 Encouragement APP Three participles provide the APP forming the foundation for Peter’s encouragement to his readers. The first participle is an Aorist, the second is a Perfect, and the third is a Present. The three participles provide a triad action of God the Father related to the past, future, and present.

1 Peter 1:3b-5 Encouragement APP God the Father is the One behind the action of causing regeneration – John 1:12-13. The action was done according to the standard of God’s merciful character. The regeneration according to God’s standard entered us into the spiritual life as new creatures in Christ – 2 Corinthians 5:17.

1 Peter 1:3b-5 Encouragement APP Our life in Christ involves entering into eternal life now and the realization of that should provide confident expectation concerning the future. Our living confidence is grounded in the objective reality of Christ’s resurrection. The positional inheritance we have in Christ is under the watchful care of God.

1 Peter 1:3b-5 Encouragement APP Peter had not laid eyes on this inheritance but it was real to him and it should be real to us. God’s protecting power is an operational aspect of our identity in Christ.

Eternal Security (John 10:28-29) As a believer you belong to God forever – 2 Timothy 2:19a. The Holy Spirit is the mark of our eternal security – Ephesians 4:30; 1:13-14. Eternally in Christ through faith alone in Christ alone means nothing can separate us from the love of God – Romans 8:38-39.

1 Peter 1:3b-5 Encouragement APP Peter had not laid eyes on this inheritance but it was real to him. God’s protecting power is an operational aspect of our identity in Christ. Failure to understand and trust God’s protective security will make us unstable and discouraged in the midst of life’s difficulties.

1 Peter 1:3b-5 Encouragement APP Faith in the character of God and His promises provide the stability in the midst of difficulties – Romans 8:38-39. God should be praised because He regenerated us, guards our inheritance, and protects us.

1 Peter 1:3-5 Biblical Thoughts: Our new life in Christ provides present confidence on the basis of Christ’s resurrection. Understanding the details of our position in Christ provides the encouragement and motivation to suffer properly. When we receive our absolute incorruptible inheritance we will be with the Lord and be like Him – 1 John 3:2-3.

Identified with Christ Colossians 3:1-4 Romans 5:12 Gospel Old Identity Spiritual Death -R Condemned 2 Corinthians 5:17 Colossians 2:10-14 1 Peter 1:13 Righteousness Life Priesthood Sonship Election Inheritance New Identity Faith Eph. 6:10-18