1. 1 Peter 1:1-2 Who Needs Encouragement?

2. Sustainable: A method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged Encourage: To give hope or promise… (This is more than wishing for something that has no foundation.)

3. Big Idea Every follower of Jesus needs sustainable encouragement! MESSAGE AUTHOR RECIPIENTS 1 Peter

4. 1 Peter 1:1-2 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 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. Author Recipients Blessing

5. Every follower of Jesus needs sustainable encouragement! MESSAGE 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, Salutation 1 Peter 1:2 Introduction 1 Peter 1:3 Conclusion 1 Peter 5:12 Reason 1 Peter 3:15

6. Every follower of Jesus needs sustainable encouragement! MESSAGE …Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, …I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. Salutation 1 Peter 1:2 Introduction 1 Peter 1:3 Conclusion 1 Peter 5:12 Reason 1 Peter 3:15

7. AUTHOR Every follower of Jesus needs sustainable encouragement!

8. 1 Peter 1:1-2 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 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. Author

9. AUTHOR Every follower of Jesus needs sustainable encouragement! Internal Evidence: He says he is ‘Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ’ (1:1) He claims to be a ‘witness of Christ’s suffering’ (5:1) He writes with the help of Silas (5:12-13) He writes from ‘Babylon’ (5:12-13) His ‘son’ Mark is with him (5:12–13)

10. AUTHOR Every follower of Jesus needs sustainable encouragement! Matthew 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Typical Disciple Unique Supreme Rabbi

11. AUTHOR Every follower of Jesus needs sustainable encouragement! Matthew 16:18 says nothing about Peter's successors, infallibility, or exclusive authority. The N.T. presents Peter as the first among equals (Acts 1-12; 8:14; 11:1-18; Galatians 2:11- 14; Ephesians 2:20). Typical Disciple Unique Supreme Rabbi

12. AUTHOR Every follower of Jesus needs sustainable encouragement! Primary Source Transformed Disciple Tested by Suffering

13. RECIPIENTS Every follower of Jesus needs sustainable encouragement!

14. 1 Peter 1:1-2 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 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. Recipients Geographical Identity Spiritual Identity Spiritual Identity

15. Geographical Identity 1 Peter 1:1-2 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 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.

16. RECIPIENTS Cross section of Community Both Jews & Gentiles Geographical Identity

17. 1 Peter 1:1-2 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 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. Spiritual Identity

18. John 15:6 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit— fruit that will last. RECIPIENTS

19. SECURE: in relationship to God SCATTERED: on mission with God

20. Big Idea Every follower of Jesus needs sustainable encouragement! MESSAGE AUTHOR RECIPIENTS Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.