The Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study Group is studying the book of 1 Peter.
The thing that separates Christianity from other religions is 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!
Be humble
Be watchful
Be Hopeful
God is with us in our joy and in our suffering. Even more importantly, God equips us with everything we need to accomplish His purpose for us.
1 Peter is a message of encouragement and comfort for Christians facing persecution, focusing on themes that are still relevant for Christians today who face various challenges in living out their faith.
It emphasizes themes of hope, perseverance, and living a holy life that reflects Christ's teachings.
It emphasizes hope in suffering, living a holy life, and relying on God's strength and grace. It's a reminder that even in difficult times, believers are part of God's chosen family and have a glorious future waiting for them.
Peter knew that a “fiery trial” was about to occur, and he wanted the entire church family to be prepared. As he closed his letter, Peter gave the church three important admonitions to obey if they were to glorify God in this difficult experience.
Be humble (last week)
Be watchful
Be Hopeful
Be Humble
1 Peter 5:5-7 NLT [5] In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” [6] So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. [7] Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
All believers, young and old, should submit to each other; (2) all should submit to God. “Be clothed with humility” is the answer to the problem.
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" is a core principle. Pride, an inflated sense of self-importance, goes against God's will. Humility, on the other hand, opens us to God's blessings.
We can never be submissive to each other until we are first submissive to God. God resists the proud because God hates the sin of pride.
Verse 6: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand" emphasizes God's power and our need for humility before Him. This doesn't mean groveling, but recognizing our place in His creation. It says that when the time is right, in due time, God promises reward for humility. God will lift up those who are humble, not necessarily in this life, but ultimately. When we humble ourselves before God, we can trust him to take care of our worries and burdens.
This is a powerful image. It's not just putting down a worry, but actively throwing it onto God. It signifies complete trust and releasing the burden of anxiety.
We must not hand them to Him piecemeal, keeping those cares that we think we can handle ourselves. If we keep “the little cares” for ourselves, they will soon become big problems! Each time a new burden arises, we must by faith remind the Lord (and ourselves) that we have already turned it over to Him.
Casting anxieties on God involves both releasing the burden and trusting Him through prayer.
(1) He gives us the courage to face our cares honestly and not run away
Isaiah 41:10 NLT Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
(2) He gives us the wisdom to understand the situation
James 1:5 NLT If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
(3) He gives us the strength to do what we must do
Philippians 4:13 NLT For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
and (4) He gives us the faith to trust Him to do the rest
Psalms 37:5 NLT [5] Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
The first admonition was to be humble we should also be watchful
1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT [8] Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. [9] Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
One reason we care is because we have an enemy. An enemy that deceives and devours.
Satan deceives. He tries to cause (someone) to believe something that is not true. Other words, to describe this are swindle, defraud, trick, hoodwink, pull someone's leg take for a ride, bamboozle
Corinthians 11:3 NIV But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
Satan devours. Other words are destroy, consume, engulf, envelop, demolish, lay waste, wipe out.
1 Peter 5:8 NLT Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
The word Satan, itself means “adversary,” and the word devil means “the accuser, the slanderer.” Peter gave us several practical instructions to help them get victory over their adversary.
Respect him he’s dangerous
Recognize him he’s the great pretender
Resist him.
First respect him he is very dangerous
He has great power and intelligence, and a host of demons who assist him in his attacks against God’s people. He is a formidable enemy; we must never joke about him, ignore him, or underestimate his ability. We must “be sober” and have our minds under control when it comes to our conflict with Satan.
A part of this soberness includes not blaming everything on the Devil. Some people see a demon behind every bush and blame Satan for their headaches, flat tires, and high rent. While it is true that Satan can inflict physical sickness and pain, we have no biblical authority for casting out “demons of headache” or “demons of backache.”
Recognize him he’s the great pretender
His strategy is to counterfeit whatever God does. According to the parable of the tares, wherever God plants a true Christian, Satan seeks to plant a counterfeit.
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 NLT [24] Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. [25] But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. [26] When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew. [27] “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’ [28] “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. [29] “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do. [30] Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”
[36] Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.” [37] Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed. [38] The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. [39] The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels. [40] “Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. [41] The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. [42] And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!
Satan would deceive us were it not for the Word of God and the Spirit of God. The better we know God’s Word, the keener our spiritual senses will be to detect Satan at work.
1 John 4:1-6 NLT [1] Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. [2] This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. [3] But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here. [4] But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. [5] Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. [6] But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.
Recognize the danger posed by Satan then resist him
1 Peter 5:9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
"Resist" doesn't mean fighting back. It means clinging to your faith and refusing to give in to temptation. Don't be passive! Actively oppose the devil's temptations by holding firm to your faith in God.
Hebrews 11:6 NLT And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Take your stand on the Word of God and refuse to be moved.
Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT [10] A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. [12] For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. [14] Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. [15] For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. [16] In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. [17] Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
We resist and the Lord promises us that the Devil will flee.
James 4:6-7 (NKJV)6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
You're not alone.
1 Peter 5:9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.
Challenges and temptations are a shared experience for all believers. This can be encouraging, knowing you have a community facing similar struggles.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
This passage is a call to be aware of the spiritual battleground and to actively resist the devil's attacks through faith and relying on the support of your Christian community.
Be humble, be watchful and be hopeful
1 Peter 5:10-14 NLT [10] In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. [11] All power to him forever! Amen.
Peter closed on a positive note and reminded his readers that God knew what He was doing and was in complete control. No matter how difficult the fiery trial may become, a Christian always has hope. Because
We have God’s grace
We know that we are going to glory
Our present suffering is only for a while
We know that our trials are building Christian character
We have God’s grace
Our salvation is because of His grace. As we submit to Him, He gives us the grace that we need. He has the grace to help in every time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 NLT So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
We know that we are going to glory
Whatever begins with God’s grace will always lead to God’s glory.
Psalms 84:11 NLT For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
Philippians 1:3-6 NIV [3] I thank my God every time I remember you. [4] In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy [5] because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, [6] being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Whatever God starts, he finishes!
If we depend on God’s grace when we suffer, that suffering will result in glory.
1 Peter 4:13-16 NLT [13] Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. [14] If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. [15] If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. [16] But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
Our present suffering is only for a while
The road may be difficult, but it leads to glory, and that is all that really counts. Christians will face trials and suffering in this life. "A little while" can be interpreted in two ways:
Compared to eternity, our earthly struggles are temporary.
The suffering itself may not be long-lasting.
We know that our trials are building Christian character
Through trials, God works in our lives to make us more mature (perfect), strengthen our faith (confirm), and give us spiritual resilience (strengthen).
Strength and Encouragement (Chapter 5):
1 Peter 5:12-14 NLT [12] I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace. [13] Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. [14] Greet each other with a kiss of love. Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.
The book closes with practical advice for facing trials and resisting the devil's temptations.
It reminds believers of God's ultimate purpose for them – eternal glory in Christ.
The message is one of hope and perseverance, urging believers to stand firm in their faith and find strength in the Christian community.
Peter closed this epistle with a benediction of peace. He opened the letter with a greeting of peace
1 Peter 1:2 NLT God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.
so the entire epistle points to “God’s peace” from beginning to end.
14] Greet each other with a kiss of love. Peace be with all of you who are in Christ.
What a wonderful way to end a letter that announced the coming of a fiery trial!
Peter has given to us a precious letter that encourages us to hope in the Lord no matter how trying the times may be. Down through the centuries, the church has experienced various fiery trials, and yet Satan has not been able to destroy it. The church today is facing a fiery trial, and we must be prepared. But, whatever may come, Peter is still saying to each of us: “Be hopeful!” The glory is soon to comeGod has not promised the followers of Jesus an easy life. Jesus warned,
John 15:18-21 NLT [18] “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. [19] The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. [20] Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. [21] They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.
The Lord promises that He will be with His people.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Joshua 1:9 NLT This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah 41:10 NLT Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Psalms 23:1-6 NLT [1] The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. [2] He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. [3] He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. [4] Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. [5] You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. [6] Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Jesus’ parting words to the disciples in the Gospel of Matthew were: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age”.
Matthew 28:18-20 NLT [18] Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. [19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. [20] Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
God is with us in our joy and in our suffering. Even more importantly, God equips us with everything we need to accomplish His purpose for us.
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