Finding Blessings In Your Burdens: 1 Peter 1:1-12 (1 Peter #1)
-Ancient Roman Empire – the superpower on earth, vast geography, diversity of nations/cultures/languages = constant social/religious/political conflict
-Not yet full persecution, growing pressure powder keg
1). “various trials” – then. 2). “fiery trials” – coming/prophetic
-When divisions occur, XN’s pressured & pulled to join a side (job, city, relationships)
-If you don’t join a side, you get shot by both sides
-Christians not powerful or majority. Risk of divisions in nation would divide church
-Church supposed to be an Embassy for Heaven to represent our King & Kingdom
1 Peter 5:12 NLT “My purpose in writing is to encourage you and to assure you that that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace” – **encourage – give courage (contagious w/fear)
God Does Perfect Work Through Imperfect People
1 Peter 1:1-3a Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
- Who is God?: Trinity – Father, Son, Spirit
- Who are you?:
1). Elect – not predicted but predetermined. :3” Father”, “born again” – adoption
2). Exiles – not home, not welcome
- Who are we?: Apostolic leadership (DAD); mutli-site, roughly same size AZ;
- What’s our mission: 1). obedience (public vs private) + 2). grace (power/help) = peace (w/God, of God)
- Who is the Autho?r: Peter
Married, ran fishing biz w/brother. Brother Andrew introduced to Jesus
12 Disciples (human leader) Inner3 Peter, James, John– best friends
Roller Coaster
“get behind me Satan” -Preach Pentecost Races/Racism; Deny/Die
NORMAL Christian – mistakes, doesn’t get it right 1st or 2nd time, loves God, 2 steps forward 1 step back = encouraging/enduring = Baton dropped & picked up
Blessings Come from God
1 Peter 1:3-6a Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6a In this you rejoice,
1. Great mercy – empathy, compassion
2. born again – new you
3. living hope – certainty of life
4. resurrection – perfect world
5. imperishable inheritance – not at risk
6. heaven – another world
7. God’s power – not alone
8. guarded through faith – protected/safe
9. salvation – the struggle ends, Savior wins
10. rejoice – finding blessings in your burdens
God’s Blessings Outweigh the World’s Burdens
1 Peter 6-9 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1. little while – life
2. grieved – who? what? (SOCIAL MEDIA)
3. various trials (financial, relational, physical, spiritual, mental, national, moral)
4. faith – more precious than gold (gold standard, golden age)
5. fire – non XN – punishes; Xn – purifies
6. revelation of Jesus Christ – Someone/something look forward to
7. love Jesus
8. believe in him – pick your team
9. joy inexpressible & filled w/glory (heavy, weighty)
10. outcome…salvation of your souls – not disappointed
What is the biggest day you have worked for? Graduation? Marriage? Child? Retirement? What did it feel like to get to that finish line?
Your Blessings Outlast Your Burdens
1 Peter 3:10-12 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
OT Prophets
1. blessed by God
2. rejected in history
3. vindicated in eternity
OT People
- Guided by prophets point to Jesus by HS
- Waited in patience & walked in perseverance looking forward to JC 1st coming
US
- We have the same Spirit as the prophets
- We know more than the angels did
- We’ve seen Jesus 1st Coming, await 2nd Coming