Skip to content Pilgrims of Faith: Embracing Eternity in 1 Peter 1-2 Nov 20 · 17 min ...more
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Family Research Council is serving in the kingdom of God by championing faith, family, & freedom in public policy and the culture from a biblical worldview.
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Living as Pilgrims: Faith Through Trials 0:10 Good morning. Welcome to Stand on the Word. Thanks for joining me this morning as the sun is rising over our nation's capital, and I believe it's going to be a, a great day. I'm praying the Lord would bless this day and0:21 use it for his purposes and his glory. Today, we're looking at first Peter chapters 1 and 2. And throughout this book, the 5 chapters we're gonna look at over the next 2 days, we're gonna consider this0:33 question, is it God's will for his children to suffer trials and persecution? And that's what we see Peter addressing here in this letter to Christians. Verse0:45 6, chapter 1, in this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you've been grieved by various trials. There are differing differing opinions on when,0:57 Peter wrote this letter, but most biblical scholars believe he wrote this after Paul was martyred in Rome and before, obviously, his own martyrdom. So the window is around1:09 64 to 67 AD. It's most likely that Peter wrote this letter to encourages to encourage the Christians, the churches that Paul had established primarily1:20 in Asia Minor. It it it would of course, it would be appropriate. It even expected that Peter in his leadership role among the apostles would have stepped in to minister to these churches and these believers1:32 that Paul had been nurturing. Nero's persecution, the Roman emperor, his persecution of the Christians began, intently after the great fire of Rome in1:44 64 AD as he was looking for a scapegoat to blame. And then it began to spread across the entire empire, and it was essentially declared open season on Christians. So Peter's letter was most1:56 likely written at the beginning of this persecution as the warning signs were appearing. And the letter seems to be designed to prepare believers for2:07 the pending persecution in part by putting it in perspective in light of eternity. Now the practical instruction in this book, frankly, is very timely for followers2:19 of Jesus Christ today, especially what we see happening around the world globally. We see the the increase of the persecution of believers in countries like Nigeria, Sudan, North Korea,2:31 China, and the the hostility, here in the United States. And and I I've said this before, but I believe scripture teaches2:43 this, that the opposition that the scripture records with the introduction of the kingdom faces similar opposition at the culmination of the kingdom2:55 before the return of Christ, and that's why I think we're seeing this growth of hostility. So I think pastors need to teach and preach from this book. Of course, they need to preach from the whole Bible. But I believe3:06 this has very timely practical advice for the church today because the warning signs are all around us. Alright. Verse 1, chapter3:17 1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the pilgrims of the dispersion of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the father in3:29 sanctification of the spirit for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, grace to you and peace be multiplied. So Peter's using this term sojourners, pilgrims, and this is used,3:41 you know, we see this before, the those scattered. And this goes beyond the traditional use of that term to the Jews who were dispersed after the Babylonian captivity to address both Jewish and3:53 Gentile believers with with this understanding that the world is not their home. The world's not our home. We're just pilgrims passing through, and I think that's what Peter is trying to. He's trying to4:05 help them see all of what they're encountering in light of eternity. This is not our home. We're passing through. We're pilgrims headed to the promised land, which is eternity with our lord and savior4:17 Jesus Christ. And when we live with that perspective, it helps us not only endure, but really to to overcome and thrive in4:29 the midst of the challenges that we face in this life as followers of Jesus Christ. Next, in in 1 verse, we have the unified roles of the members of the trinity, the father, the son, and the holy4:41 spirit. God the father is acknowledged with a reference to the election of believers and his foreknowledge. You know, our infinite or or rather, I should say, our finite ability cannot fully understand4:52 god's, and god understand god and his ways, his infinite, ability. It's just we can't grasp it. But how I would describe this is there is5:04 nothing outside of God, outside of his his knowledge and his will. He knows all things. He is he has he knows from beginning to end. He's outside of time, and we have a hard time5:16 grasping this. Alright. The sanctification or the setting part by the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit is the 1 who draws us to Christ and the son and his redemptive work. The sprinkling of the blood5:28 of Jesus enables us to walk daily in righteousness and obedience. I mean, that's all captured in 1 verse here, that Peter puts down. What Peter puts in that 1 verse, frankly, is a5:40 semester long seminary course. We don't have time to mind that completely, but suffice it to say, there's a lot of truth there. Verse 3, blessed be the God and father of our lord Jesus Christ,5:52 who according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that does not fade6:03 away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed at the last time. Now we we've discussed this before, but,6:15 again, this reflects that our salvation is ongoing. We are saved as we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. We're being sanctified by the Holy Spirit as we walk with him,6:27 and we will be glorified by the father when we enter eternity. Verse 6, in this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you need if need be, you have been grieved6:39 by various trials. So, again, we're as we have this eternal perspective of what's to come, we're able to endure what we're facing today. Peter then sets the stage for discussing the challenges around them6:51 by laying out the hope before them as those redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Verse 7, that the genuis of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire,7:03 may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The testing by fire, it purifies. And what does the purification of gold bring? It makes it valuable.7:15 Our lives are being made valuable by the by the the test and the trials that we face. Whom having not seen you having not seen you love, though7:28 now you do not see him yet believing, you rejoice by joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls. We it's it's by faith.7:40 Of this salvation, the prophets have inquired and searched carefully who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what or what manner of time the spirit of Christ who was in them was7:51 indicating when he testified beforehand of the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would come. Now, again, this, speaks to the mystery that Paul wrote wrote about. It was the8:03 it was latent, the salvation through Jesus Christ that we have the opportunity to experience and walk in. It was latent in the prophecies of the Old Testament that made clear8:16 through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That was God's plan for the redemption of man. Verse 12. To them, it was revealed that not to themselves, but to8:28 us, they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things which angels desire to look8:40 into. So with that, what are we to do? Verse 13. Therefore, since we have this, since it's been made real to us, revealed to us, Therefore, gird up the loins of your8:52 mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. So mentally and spiritually, prepare9:03 yourselves for what's ahead and focus on the joy before you, not the challenges around you. Alright? Let let me let me restate that.9:15 Because what what Peter is saying, he says, mentally and spiritually prepare yourselves for what's ahead by focusing on the joy before you, not the challenges around you. Well, how do we do9:27 that? I mean, how is that possible? Spiritual discipline. Look at verse 14. As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lost, as in your ignorance alright. Don't live the way you used to live. Don't9:38 live with the same orientation. But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all of your conduct, because it is written, be holy, for I am holy. And if you call on the father who without9:49 partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear. Notice that he's making that reference to the pilgrims throughout your stay here. This isn't our home.10:01 We're passing through. That we should live here in reverence, reverence, knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold from your aimless conduct received10:13 by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation10:25 of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who through him believe in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are10:36 in God. Since you have purified your souls and obeying the truth through the spirit and sincere love of the brethren, love 1 another fervently with a pure heart. Alright. Coming up here,10:48 Peter quotes this what he's what we're gonna read next is a quote from Isaiah 40. Having been born again not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible through the word of God which lives and abides forever,11:00 because, and this is Isaiah 40, all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man is the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower fades away.11:12 Listen to this. But the word of the Lord endures forever. Now this is the word by which the gospel was preached to you. Now let's not miss what Peter says here. When the cycle of life has run its course and everything11:24 has passed away, guess what? The word of God remains. So what do you anchor your hope of eternity to? It's the word of God, not11:36 the not the things happening around us, but the word of God, the promises of God. Alright. Chapter 2, anchored in the word, verse 1, therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy,11:48 envy, and evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word that you may grow thereby, If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. If you're in Christ, then act like12:00 it. That's the marine interpretation. If you're in Christ, act like you're in Christ. Verse 4, coming to him as to a living stone rejected indeed by men, but chosen12:12 by God and precious. You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through12:24 Jesus Christ. Like Christ, our example he's our example. We are to live as unto God, bringing glory to the father. That's what Jesus12:36 did. That's what we're to do. Verse 9. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation whose own his own special people, that you may proclaim the12:47 praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, who once were not a people but are now the people of God who had not obtained mercy13:00 but now have obtained mercy. Gentiles were not a people. They were not the people of God. They had the Jewish people or the people of God. But we we now have an identity because13:12 we've been adopted into the family of God as Paul wrote about. We've been grafted into the promises of God. So we now have an identity. Our identity is in Christ, but we're in the family of13:23 God. So that being the case, Peter, like Paul, he Paul did this quite a bit. He goes into our relationships. Here, Peter discusses our relationship with government. Verse 11. Beloved, I13:35 beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, there he is. We're just passing through. This is not our home. Abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable13:47 among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may they may, by your good works, which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. I let your you know, it13:59 might not be today, but at some point, they're they some of them are going to come to their senses, and they're gonna say, you know what? They were right. I was wrong. And and let us live in such14:11 a way that our conduct is a testimony to the grace of God. There there was a time when a misbehaving child could be asked the question, who's your father?14:23 And that 1 question would change their behavior because they were not acting in line with their father. And that's that's what Paul or Peter is saying here is that14:35 you are a son, a daughter of God. Therefore, is it who's your father? Well, my father is is is in heaven. Then you know what? Our behavior should be reflecting14:48 of the character of God. Verse 17, honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. Then Peter goes into the the relationships in the in the14:59 workplace, talking about servants and masters, but we can apply those principles to the workplace. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh, for this15:11 is commendable if because of conscience toward god, 1 endures grief, suffering wrongfully. Alright. Much more to come in the, the book of Peter as we look at, chapters15:22 3 through 5 next time. But be sure and read. A lot a lot is in here. Let me encourage you. If you, are interested in the stand on the word store, you can text the word store15:34 to 6 7 7 4 2, and you can, we'll send you a link. But if you wanna order anything in time for Christmas, you gotta do that by this weekend. Let's pray. Father, thank you for your word, and, I just thank you for the words15:46 of of of Peter. Lord, may we understand that we're just pilgrims. We're just passing through. This is not our home. And and, lord, may we conduct ourselves in such a way that men and15:58 women and and those who see us, who look upon our lives, even though they're critical of us, they attack us today. Maybe at some point when they have that moment of visitation, they will say, they were right. That that16:09 is that is a reflection of the truth of God. And, lord, may it be a part of even that our testimony of bringing others to you. Lord, help us. Help us to live16:21 worthy of the calling. For we pray and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. Alright. Thanks for joining me this morning, and until next time, keep standing on the word.16:33 Today's study comes from the stand on the word bible reading plan available for free at frc dot org slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a day, you16:45 can read through the entire Bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.In this video 0:00 Living as Pilgrims: Faith Through Trials
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