A Real Life Letter Studies in 1 Peter

Looking at gov’t persecution Pressured from peers Feel like a stranger, alone No “concrete” basis for faith Trying to be fashionable with a world we don’t respect Difficulties in our homes Difficulties at work

V.1- To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen V.10- As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE PETER IS WRITING TO JEWISH CHRISTIANS

2:10- For you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. 4:3- For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. BUT NO, HE IS WRITING TO GENTILE CHRISTIANS

IF HE WERE WRITING TO US, WHAT WOULD PETER SAY?

HE WOULD REMIND US THAT WE WERE “CHOSEN”, V.1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2. according to the foreknowledge of God the Father

HE WOULD REMIND US THAT WE WERE “CHOSEN”, V.1 1. By God’s foreknowledge

…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. Ephesians 1:4 " Then the King will say to those on His right, `Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matthew 25:34

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, 9. and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10. so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. 11. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, Ephesians 3:8-11

HE WOULD REMIND US THAT WE WERE “CHOSEN”, V.1 1. By God’s foreknowledge God “foreknew” the kingdom / church He “chose” that kingdom, and thus each one who is part of it. The church / saved were in His eternal purpose.

HE WOULD REMIND US THAT WE WERE “CHOSEN”, V.1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2. according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit

HE WOULD REMIND US THAT WE WERE “CHOSEN”, V.1 1. By God’s foreknowledge 2. by the sanctifying work of the Spirit But HOW is one sanctified / set apart?

But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 First, the Spirit calls us through the gospel.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10. nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Then, the Spirit leads us to washing & change

How are we led? And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

Where are we led? that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10. for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4. Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-4

HE WOULD REMIND US THAT WE WERE “CHOSEN”, V.1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2. according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood

Looking at gov’t persecution? You are under God’s care as one of HIS citizens. Pressured from peers ? You are set apart, different already because you are chosen Feel like a stranger, alone ? We are never alone and never deserted… but chosen

Trying to be fashionable with a world we don’t respect ? You are chosen and there is a higher opinion that counts. Difficulties in our homes ? You are special and have help that leads to joy, You are chosen! Difficulties at work ? You are chosen for a higher calling than this material one.

If you are a Christian, you are chosen of God. “…may grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.”