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!
Unity does not eliminate diversity. The absence of diversity is not unity; it is uniformity, and uniformity is dull. St. Augustine said it perfectly: “In essentials, unity. In nonessentials, liberty. In all things, charity. (love)”
If the church is to be an example of how people are to live together as God wants then we need to do it God’s way under His authority. In other words we need to submit to God’s authority and do it God’s way.
We need to do it for the sake of the lost, the Lord’s sake meaning that we are representatives of Jesus and it’s our responsibility to show the character of God, and for our own sakes, in order for Christians to be optimistic and positive in the face of persecution.
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.
We need to submit to God’s authority and do it God’s way.
We need to do it for the sake of the lost, the Lord’s sake, meaning that we are representatives of Jesus and it’s our responsibility to show the character of God, and for our own sakes.
1 Peter 2:18-25 NLT [18] You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. [19] For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. [20] Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. [21] For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. [22] He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. [23] He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. [24] He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. [25] Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.
In this paragraph Peter addressed the Christian slaves in the congregations, and again he stressed the importance of submission. Some newly converted slaves thought that their spiritual freedom also guaranteed personal and political freedom, and they created problems for themselves and the churches.
There are no Christian slaves today, at least in the New Testament sense, but what Peter wrote does have application to employees, and I am going to add volunteers. We are to be submissive to those who are over us, whether they are kind or unkind to us. Christian employees or volunteers must never take advantage of Christian employers or leaders. Each worker should do a good day’s work, or task.
Sometimes a Christian employee, or volunteer may be wronged. For conscience’ sake, he must “take it” even though he is not in the wrong. A Christian’s relationship to God is far more important than his relationship to men.
Matthew 5:10-12 NLT [10] God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. [11] “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. [12] Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Anybody, including an unbeliever, can “take it patiently” when he is in the wrong! It takes a dedicated Christian to “take it” when he is in the right.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NLT [7] even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. [8] Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. [9] Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. [10] That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Of course, the human tendency is to fight back and to demand our rights. But that is the natural response of the unsaved person, and we must do much more than they do. Anybody can fight back; it takes a Spirit-filled Christian to submit and let God fight his battles.
Romans 12:16-21 NLT[16] Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! [17] Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. [18] Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. [19] Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. [20] Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” [21] Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Peter encouraged these suffering slaves the value of submitting by presenting three “pictures” of Jesus Christ.
He’s our example in His life
He’s our substitute in His death
He’s our watchful shepherd in heaven
He’s our example in His life
1 Peter 2:21-23 NLT [21] For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. [22] He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. [23] He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
In spite of the fact that He was sinless in both word and deed, He suffered at the hands of the authorities.
1 Peter 2:19-20 NLT [19] For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. [20] Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.
Jesus proved that a person could be in the will of God, be greatly loved by God, and still suffer unjustly. Our Lord’s humility and submission were not an evidence of weakness, but of power. Jesus could have summoned the armies of heaven to rescue Him!
Jesus had committed Himself to the Father, and the Father always judges righteously. We are not saved by following Christ’s example, because each of us would stumble over the fact that Jesus never sinned and we have and do. Sinners need a Savior, not an,Example. But after a person is saved, he will want to follow closely upon God’s steps and imitate the example of Christ.
The second picture of Jesus that Peter paints is that Jesus is our substitute.
1 Peter 2:24 NLT He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.
He died as the sinner’s Substitute. Jesus did not die as a martyr; He died as a Savior, a sinless Substitute. The Greek word translated “bare” or carry means “to carry as a sacrifice.” The Jewish people did not crucify criminals; they stoned them to death. But if the victim was especially evil, his dead body was hung on a tree until evening, as a mark of shame.
Galatians 3:13 NLT [13] But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 NLT[22] “If someone has committed a crime worthy of death and is executed and hung on a tree, [23] the body must not remain hanging from the tree overnight. You must bury the body that same day, for anyone who is hung is cursed in the sight of God. In this way, you will prevent the defilement of the land the Lord your God is giving you as your special possession.
Jesus died on a tree—a cross—and bore the curse of the law.
The paradoxes of the cross are amazing.
Christ was wounded that we might be healed.
He died that we might live.
The healing Peter mentioned in 1 Peter 2:24 is not physical healing, but rather the spiritual healing.
Psalms 103:3 NLT He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
It is not Jesus the Example or the Teacher who saves us, but Jesus the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world
John 1:29 NLT The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
And the final picture is that Jesus is our watchful shepherd in heaven
In the Old Testament, the sheep died for the shepherd, but at Calvary, the Shepherd died for the sheep.
In the Old Testament, the sheep died for the shepherd, but at Calvary, the Shepherd died for the sheep
John 10:1-15 NLT[1] “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! [2] But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. [3] The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [4] After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. [5] They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” [6] Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, [7] so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. [8] All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. [9] Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. [10] The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. [11] “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. [12] A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. [13] The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. [14] “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, [15] just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.
Romans 8:34 NLT Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Hebrews 7:25 NLT Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
1 John 2:1 NLT My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
As we live godly lives and submit in times of suffering, we are following Christ’s example and becoming more like Him. We submit and obey, not only for the sake of lost souls and for the Lord’s sake, but also for our own sake, that we might grow spiritually and become more like Christ.
The unsaved world is watching us, but the Shepherd in heaven is also watching over us; so we have nothing to fear. We can submit to Him and know that He will work everything together for our good and His glory.
Something I read this morning.
Matthew 11:25-30 NIV [25] At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. [26] Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. [27] “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. [28] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Picture someone who has ventured out too far into the ocean. The tide is pulling them further from shore and they are struggling to keep their head above water. Exhausted, scared, and unable to make it back to the beach, they see a lifeguard diving into the water swimming toward them, ready to rescue and bring them back safely to shore.
Jesus speaks to the weary and exhausted in Matthew 11:28, saying: “Come to me...and I will give you rest.” But immediately before Jesus gives this gracious invitation, Matthew has Him portraying the disciples as “insiders”—those to whom the Son chose to reveal Himself (v. 27). Jesus knew that living as His disciples on mission would not always be easy. His followers would not be understood or appreciated, and following by faith would create all sorts of difficulties.
Jesus invited the disciples, and us as well, to find rest in Him. Jesus does not invite the “wise and learned” (v. 25) to come to Him but those who are feeling overwhelmed and swept away by life’s currents. Jesus not only offers rescue and safety but also true rest (v. 28).
Jesus’ presence certainly doesn’t make us immune to struggles, but it does promise us comfort and rest during our trials. His very presence provides a refuge where we can lay down our heavy loads and catch our breath. Once we accept Jesus’ invitation to find rest in Him, and once we share our burdens with Him, we experience profound peace that only He can give. No matter how heavy our burdens, we can discover rest in His presence, and help others do the same.
We’ve been talking about submission for the past couple of weeks as it relates to our submission to God’s authority so that we can be the witnesses to the world as to what it means and what it looks like to be the body of Christ, the church. In the first part of chapter 3 of 1 Peter he writes specifically about submission in marriage. I am not going to spend any time in this bible study because the only married person that attends this study is James and I can do a one-on-one study with him on this chapter if he wants.
We are going to start with verse 8 of 1 Peter chapter 3 where Peter writes to prepare Christians to be optimistic and positive in the face of persecution.
Remember when we started in the introduction to this study we said 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 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.
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.
Christians in the world today may yet learn the value of Peter’s letter when their own “fiery trials” of persecution begin. While I personally believe that the church will not go through the tribulation, I do believe that these latter days will bring much suffering and persecution to the people of God.
1 Peter 3:8-17 NIV [8] Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. [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. [11] They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. [12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” [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.
“Prepare for the best!” was his message. In this section, he gave them three instructions to follow if they would experience the best blessings in the worst times.
CULTIVATE CHRISTIAN LOVE (3:8–12)
1 Peter 3:8-12 NIV [8] Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. [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. [11] They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. [12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
We should begin with love for God’s people. Peter had been talking about submission to the authority of God and to sum all of what he said previously he said to finally, or to “to sum it all up.” love each other.
Romans 13:8-10 NIV [8] Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. [9] The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Just as the whole of the law is summed up in love, so the whole of human relationships is fulfilled in love. This applies to every Christian and to every area of life.
We have been talking about spiritual unity. Unity does not mean uniformity; it means cooperation in the midst of diversity. The members of the body work together in unity, even though they are all different. Christians may differ on how things are to be done, but they must agree on what is to be done and why.
Another evidence of love is compassion, a sincere “feeling for and with” the needs of others. Our English word sympathy comes from this word. The basis for this is the fact that we are brethren in the same family. God teaches us to love each other.
1 Thessalonians 4:9 NIV [9] Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
Love reveals itself in pity, sympathy, a tenderness of heart toward others. We need to cultivate compassion and actively show others that we are concerned about them,
“Being courteous” or humble-minded” is a good translation, and, after all, humility is the foundation for courtesy, for the humble person puts others ahead of himself.
Not only should we love God’s people, but we should also love to others who insult us or do us evil.
1 Peter 3:9 NIV 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.
As Christians, we can live on one of three levels. We can return evil for good, which is the satanic level. We can return good for good and evil for evil, which is the human level. Or, we can return good for evil, which is the divine level. Jesus is the perfect example of this approach. We talked about that earlier today,
1 Peter 2:21-23 NLT [21] For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. [22] He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. [23] He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
We must operate on the basis of mercy, for that is the way God deals with us.
We must always be reminded of our calling as Christians, for this will help us love our enemies and do them good when they treat us badly. The persecutions we experience on earth today only add to our blessed inheritance of glory in heaven someday.
Matthew 5:10-12 NIV [10] Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. [12] Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
But we also inherit a blessing today when we treat our enemies with love and mercy. By sharing a blessing with them, we receive a blessing ourselves! Persecution can be a time of spiritual enrichment for a believer.
We should love one another, love our enemies, and love life.
1 Peter 3:10-12 NIV [10] For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. [11] They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. [12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
The news of impending persecution should not cause a believer to give up on life. What may appear to be “bad days” to the world can be “good days” for a Christian, if he will only meet certain conditions.
So what are the conditions that must be met in order for us to love life.
First we have to make the deliberate decision to love life. We can decide to endure life and make it a burden, escape life as though we were running from a battle, or enjoy life by faith because we know God is in control.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Peter was urging his readers to take a positive approach to life and by faith make the most of every situation.
Second, we must control our tongues. Many of the problems of life are caused by the wrong words, spoken in the wrong spirit.
Psalms 141:3 NIV Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.
James 3:9-12 NIV [9] With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. [10] Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. [11] Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? [12] My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Third, we must do good and hate evil. We need both the positive and the negative. To avoid or turn from evil means than just “avoid.” It means “to avoid something because you despise and loathe it.” It is not enough for us to avoid sin because sin is wrong; we ought to shun it because we hate it.
Finally, we must seek and pursue peace.
Matthew 5:9 NIV Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
QIf we go out and seek trouble, we will find it, but if we seek peace, we can find it as well. This doesn’t mean peace at any price it means that a Christian exercises moderation as he relates to people and does not create problems because he wants to have his own way.
This does not mean that peace comes automatically but because we seek it and we must trust God. Verse 12 says God’s eyes are on His people and His ears open to their prayers.
1 Peter 3:12 NIV For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
We must trust God to protect and provide, for He alone can defeat our enemies.
Romans 12:17-21 NIV [17] Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. [18] If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. [19] Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. [20] On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
A “good day” for the believer who “loves life” is not one in which he is pampered and sheltered, but one in which he experiences God’s help and blessing because of life’s problems and trials. It is a day in which he magnifies the Lord, experiences answers to prayer, tastes the goodness of God, and senses the nearness of God
The next time you think you are having a “bad day” and you hate life, read Psalm 34, and you may discover you are really having a “good day” to the glory of God!.
Psalms 34:1-22 NIV [1] I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. [2] I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. [3] Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. [4] I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. [5] Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. [6] This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. [7] The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. [8] Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. [9] Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. [10] The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. [11] Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. [12] Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, [13] keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. [14] Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. [15] The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; [16] but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. [17] The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. [18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. [19] The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; [20] he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. [21] Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. [22] The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
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