Living for God – Studies in 1 Peter OUR GRATITUDE FOR GOD ’ S GRACE AND MERCY (1 Peter 1:1-12) Penge Baptist Church 7 th April 2013

Who was Peter? One of Jesus ’ first disciples – and their leader Sometimes right, sometimes wrong! Adventurous and willing to try Loyal – until Jesus ’ arrest Jesus forgave and re-commissioned him Fearless preacher at Pentecost and afterwards Died in Rome under Nero

Living for God Key theme of 1 Peter Following God ’ s gift at Easter …. ….how shall we respond?

1 Peter 1:1-12 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God ’ s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 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, who through faith are shielded by God ’ s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 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 goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

What God has done for us Besides “ general grace ” ! The Father ’ s choice Conviction from the Holy Spirit Forgiveness through Christ ’ s blood New life and hope at the resurrection … … which cannot be taken from us God ’ s protection God ’ s gift of salvation

What is salvation? Justification Sins are forgiven, we stand innocent on the Day of Judgement Sanctification We become more like Jesus in this life, empowered by the Holy Spirit Glorification And are resurrected on the last day to live with the Lord forever

Our privilege How would life be without “ special grace ” ? Our natural fears would remain A life without meaning …. ….with no hope beyond death Privileged beyond the prophets and the angels

Our response of gratitude Praise and worship Faith and belief Joy Love for the Lord A godly view of trials

Gratitude in our lives Living a holy life (1 Peter 1:13-2:3) Living together as God ’ s people (1 Peter 2:4- 12) Submission and respect for others (1 Peter 2:13-3:7) Proclaiming Christ in word and action (1 Peter 3:8-22) Standing apart from the world, prepared for the end (1 Peter 4:1-19) Caring for each other, resisting the devil (1 Peter 5:1-11)