Be Hopeful - 1 Peter - Session One Introduction

The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is studying the book of 1 Peter.

The thing that separates Christianity from other religions is grace.  What is grace? Simply put, grace is God’s unmerited favor. You cannot earn grace; you cannot do anything to deserve grace. It is simply God doing something for you with no strings attached. God’s grace is solely motivated by love: deep, abiding, unconditional, sacrificial love.

Peter wrote this letter to Christians who were going through various trials. The apostle knew that a severe “fiery trial” was just around the corner, and he wanted to prepare believers for it. God’s message to us is, “Be hopeful! Suffering leads to glory! God can give you all the grace you need to honor Him when the going gets tough! The future is still as bright as the promises of God, so—be hopeful!

We are using for our study "Be Hopeful (1 Peter): How to Make the Best of Times Out of Your Worst of Times" by  Warren W. Wiersbe 

The thing that separates Christianity from other religions is grace.  What is grace? Simply put, grace is God’s unmerited favor. You cannot earn grace; you cannot do anything to deserve grace. It is simply God doing something for you with no strings attached. God’s grace is solely motivated by love: deep, abiding, unconditional, sacrificial love.

Phillip Yancey puts it this way: The notion of God’s love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, seems to go against every instinct of humanity. The Buddhist eight-fold path, the Hindu doctrine of karma, the Jewish Covenant, and Muslim’s code of law, each of these offers a way to earn approval. Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional (What’s So Amazing About Grace, 45).

And because of God’s grace there is hope both for today and the rest of eternity. Living in this hope is the Big Idea throughout the letter of 1 Peter.

It is not the facts of life that determines hope, but the faith of life. A Christian believer has a “living hope” because his faith and hope are in God.

‭1 Peter 1:3, 21 NIV‬ [3] 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, 

[21] Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Of all the disciples, I believe that Peter understood the grace of God the most because Peter denied knowing Jesus not once, not twice, but three times. Peter thought he loved Jesus enough to die for Him, but when that love was tested and Peter was accused of being one of Jesus’ disciples, he failed and denied knowing Him. 

‭Matthew 26:69-75 NIV‬ [69] Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. [70] But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. [71] Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” [72] He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!” [73] After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” [74] Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. [75] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

‭Mark 14:66-72 NIV‬ [66] While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. [67] When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. [68] But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway. [69] When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” [70] Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” [71] He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.” [72] Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

‭Luke 22:55-62 NIV‬ [55] And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. [56] A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” [57] But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. [58] A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. [59] About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” [60] Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. [61] The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” [62] And he went outside and wept bitterly. 

‭John 18:15-18, 25-27 NIV‬ [15] Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, [16] but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. [17] “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” [18] It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. 

[25] Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” 26] One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” [27] Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow. 

Peter denied his Lord, but later Peter experienced God’s grace.

Peter experienced the amazing grace of God as Jesus restored him three times for each of his three denials. 

‭John 21:15-17 NIV‬ [15] When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” [16] Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” [17] The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 

That day changed Peter’s life forever from a hardened blue-collar fisherman into an ambassador of God’s grace. It may have been Peter’s intent inspired by the Holy Spirit that every disciple who reads his letter to experience the hope that comes through God’s grace. I pray as we go through this study that we learn that we can live every moment of every day with hope if they remember three important truths that Peter reminds us of in this letter.

Truth 1: This earth is not my home; my home is in heaven. 

Peter reminds us over and over again throughout this letter that we are “strangers in the world” 

‭1 Peter 1:1 KJV‬ [1] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 

‭1 Peter 2:11 NIV‬ [11] Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 

This life is not all there is. 

There is so much more to come, and when we receive God’s grace of forgiveness for sin through Jesus’ death on the cross, we can be assured of a home in heaven.

‭John 14:1-4 NIV‬[1]  “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. [2] My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. [4] You know the way to the place where I am going.” 

‭Philippians 3:20-21 NIV‬ [20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

There are some beautiful and amazing places in the world but imagine what heaven is going to be like! When you think about that you can endure whatever may come your way in this life.

‭2 Corinthians 5:6-8 NIV[6] Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. [7] For we live by faith, not by sight. [8] We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 

‭Revelation 21:1-4 NIV‬ [1] Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. [2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. [3] And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. [4] ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Truth 2: God uses adversity in this life to strengthen my faith. 

Peter reminds us that we will suffer “grief in all kinds of trials” yet we can still have hope,because God never wastes a hurt. He uses them all in a supernatural way to strengthen our faith, which is more important to God than the purest gold. 

‭1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV‬ [6] In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. [7] These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

Nothing that happens in your life happens without God’s consent. He is not the author of evil, but He allows evil in our lives, and then He supernaturally uses the suffering that comes from evil to shape us into men and women who bring Him glory.

‭Romans 8:28-30 NIV‬ [28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 

The people to whom Peter wrote this letter were believers experiencing severe persecution under the reign of Roman Emperor Nero. Nero was a total psycho and afflicted these believers with horrendous acts of evil. Nero put women and children into the Coliseum for sport to be torn apart by lions. He impaled believers on stakes and burned them as human torches.  Even en in the face of great persecution, Peter encouraged his readers to stand firm in their hope in Christ, knowing their faith was being purified and bringing great honor and glory to God. 

Truth 3: The end of all things is near.

We talked a lot about this in our study of the last days and we concluded that because the end is near, Peter, in this letter admonishes us believers to be  intentional about our witness to unbelievers

‭1 Peter 3:13-16 NIV‬ [13] Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? [14] But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” [15] But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 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, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 

And he also admonishes us to be intentional in our love toward believers.

‭1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV‬ [7] The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. [8] Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [9] Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 

We are going to live for eternity, not in this world but in heaven. Therefore, everything we do in this life will echo throughout eternity, bringing God glory and storing up treasure in heaven.

‭Matthew 6:19-21 NIV‬ [19]  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Peter was a man with three names. His given name was Simon, but Jesus changed it to Peter, which means “a stone” The Aramaic equivalent of “Peter” is “Cephas.

Nearly fifty times in the New Testament, he is called “Simon,” and often he is called “Simon Peter.” Perhaps the two names suggest a Christian’s two natures: an old nature (Simon) that is prone to fail, and a new nature (Peter) that can give victory. As Simon, he was only another human piece of clay, but Jesus Christ made a rock out of him!

Peter and Paul were the two leading apostles in the early church. Paul was assigned especially to minister to the Gentiles, and Peter to the Jews.

‭Galatians 2:8 NIV‬ [8] For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. 

The writing of this letter was a part of that ministry. This was a letter of encouragement and personal witness 

‭1 Peter 5:12 NIV‬ [12] With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

It is interesting that Silas was associated with Peter’s ministry, because originally he went with Paul as a replacement for Barnabas when they split because of an issue with Mark. 

‭Acts 15:36-41 NIV‬ [36] Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” [37] Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, [38] but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. [39] They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, [40] but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. [41] He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Peter indicated that he wrote this letter “at Babylon” where there was an assembly of believers. 

‭1 Peter 5:12-14 NIV‬ [12] With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. [13] She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. [14] Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

‭1 Peter 5:12-14 KJV‬ [12] By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. [13] The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. [14] Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

There is no evidence either from church history or tradition that Peter ministered in ancient Babylon which, at that time, did have a large community of Jews. There was another town called “Babylon” in Egypt, but we have no proof that Peter ever visited it. “Babylon” is probably another name for the city of Rome, and we do have reason to believe that Peter ministered in Rome and was probably martyred there.  It was not unusual for persecuted believers during those days to write or speak in “code.”

First Peter was written about the year 63. Paul was martyred about 64, and perhaps that same year, or shortly after, Peter laid down his life for Christ. 

In saying this, however, we must not assign more to Peter than is due him. He did not found the church in Rome nor serve as its first bishop. It was Paul’s policy not to minister where any other apostle had gone (Rom. 15:20); so Paul would not have ministered in Rome had Peter arrived there first. Peter probably arrived in Rome after Paul was released from his first imprisonment, about the year AD 62. First Peter was written about the year 63. Paul was martyred about 64, and perhaps that same year, or shortly after, Peter laid down his life for Christ.

THE RECIPIENTS

Peter called them “strangers”

‭1 Peter 1:1 NIV‬ [1] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 

These Christians were scattered in five different parts of the Roman Empire, all of them in northern Asia Minor (modern Turkey)

And they were considered strange in the eyes of the world Christians have standards and values different from those of the world,

‭1 Peter 4:3-4 NIV‬ [3] For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. [4] They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 

These believers were a “scattered” people as well as a “strange” people. The word translated “scattered” (diaspora) was a technical term for the Jews who lived outside of Palestine. However, Peter’s use of this word does not imply that he was writing only to Jewish Christians, because some statements in his letter suggest that some of his readers were converted Gentiles. There was undoubtedly a mixture of both Jews and Gentiles in the churches that received this letter. 

The important thing for us to know about these “scattered strangers” is that they were going through a time of suffering and persecution. At least fifteen times in this letter Peter referred to suffering, and he used eight different Greek words to do so. Some of these Christians were suffering because they were living godly lives and doing what was good and right.

‭1 Peter 2:19-23 NIV‬ [19] For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. [20] But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. [21] To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. [22] “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” [23] When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 

‭1 Peter 3:13 -18 NIV‬ [13] Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? [14] But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” [15] But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 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, ‭[16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. [17] For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. [18] For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 

‭1 Peter 4:1-4, 15-19 NIV‬ [1] Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. [2] As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. [3] For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. [4] They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 

[15] If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. [16] However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. [17] For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? [18] And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” [19] So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Others were suffering reproach for the name of Christ.

‭1 Peter 4:14 NIV‬ [14] If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 

and being railed at by unsaved people 

‭1 Peter 3:9-10 NIV‬ [9] Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. [10] For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

Peter wrote to encourage them to be good witnesses to their persecutors, and to remember that their suffering would lead to glory.

‭1 Peter 1:6-7 NIV [6] In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. [7] These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

‭1 Peter 4:13-14 NIV‬ [13] But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 

‭1 Peter 5:10 NIV‬,[10] And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 

But Peter had another purpose in mind. He knew that a “fiery trial” was about to begin—official persecution from the Roman Empire 

‭1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV‬ [12] Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 

Several events occurred that helped to precipitate this “fiery trial.” To begin with, Paul had defended the Christian faith before the official court in Rome.  During the time that he wrote Philippians.  

 had been released but then was arrested again. This second defense failed, and he was martyred. It was at this time he wrote his second letter to Timothy. 

‭2 Timothy 4:16-18 NIV‬ [16] At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. [17] But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. [18] The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

Second, Nero, blamed the fire of Rome (July AD 64) on the Christians, using them as a scapegoat. Peter was probably in Rome about that time and was slain by Nero, who had also killed Paul. Nero’s persecution of Christians was local at first, but it probably spread. 

At any rate, Peter wanted to prepare the churches.  We must not get the idea that all Christians in every part of the empire were going through the same trials to the same degree at the same time. It varied from place to place, though suffering and opposition were pretty general.

‭1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV [8] Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.