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| Series Theme: Peter Studies | |
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Contents:
Chs.2-5
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Chapter: 1 Peter 2 Passage: 1 Peter 2:9-12 A. Find Out:
1. Again, how are we described? v.9a,10a 2. What are we called to do? v.9b 3. How does Peter describe us? v.11a 4. What does he call us to do? v.11b 5. What are we to do and why? v.12 B. Think:
C. Comment:
We need to see ourselves as the people of God, a people who have been called by God and who exist purely by His mercy. We need to see that we are related to God, that we are part of a royal family. When we see ourselves as this, we will realise that we are different, we are holy, we are strangers in an alien world. This in turn will help us to separate ourselves from ungodly and unrighteous attitudes and behaviour and turn to godly and righteous lives. When we see ourselves in this light we will find ourselves leading Christ-like lives and other people will be blessed by us and God will be glorified through us.
This is Peter's reasoning and it is the reasoning that comes out in the New Testament again and again:
This is a very positive form of encouragement. It is not, “Now, now, God loves you. It will be all right in the end” but rather, “Know who you are and why you are and then BE that sort of person in reality and change the world by it!”. That isn't just struggle to be that on your own. The reality is that God has made us what we are at new birth and that involved Him placing His Holy Spirit within us so that He is the power source within us that enables us to be, in reality, what He has declared us to be, and that to change the world!
D. Application:
Chapter: 1 Peter 2 Passage: 1 Peter 2:13-19
A. Find Out:
1. What are we to do and why? v.13,14 2. How should we silence ignorant talk? v.15 3. How are we to live but what are we not to do? v.16 4. In what 3 ways are we to show respect? v.17 5. Who are slaves to submit to? v.18 6. Why? v.19 B. Think:
C. Comment:
First comes the BASIC instruction: submit to authority. That authority may be kings or governors or it may be slave owners (in Peter's time) or employers (in our day).
Second comes the way we are to do that, and there are two ways: first by doing good (obeying the civil law),v.15, and second by having respect (v.17,18) for those above you. How may we respect people who are perhaps corrupt? We are not to, but we are to respect their role or position, and that is quite different. Peter reminds us that the role of the civil authorities is to keep order in society, and we are to respect and obey that role. If we are an employee we are to recognise the power and position of that employer and respect the difference between employer and employee. One gives the instructions and the other takes them. The way they give them may not be good, but they still have the right to give them and we are to respect that.
Third, observe the ENCOURAGEMENTS to do that:
D. Application:
Chapter: 1 Peter 2 Passage: 1 Peter 2:20-25
A. Find Out:
1. For what does Peter say you get no credit? v.20a 2. But what will we be commended for? v.20b 3. Why are we to go this way? v.21 4. How did Christ do this? v.22,23 5. What did he do and for what reason? v.24 6. What were we like and to whom have we returned? v.25 B. Think:
C. Comment:
Peter has just been instructing his readers to submit to authority. When we look at such instructions we might be tempted to think, “Well that only means when the authority is in the right, but not when they are in the wrong”. Peter's answer to this is “Not so!”
He has extended authority to include slave owners. Note the New Testament does not overthrow slavery but goes beyond that and says if you are a slave, be the best you can. There would come a time in history when God's servants would work to overthrow slavery but God knew that the New Testament period wasn't ready for that. Instead Peter teaches, “Be righteous whatever is done to you!”
Look, says Peter, look at Jesus' example when he went to the Cross. That was a totally unjust situation but Jesus remained sinless throughout it and did not retaliate when he was abused. How could he do that? He simply trusted his heavenly Father, that He would use the situation for good, even as they had planned it. Now this is some of the hardest teaching to follow in practise. Everything in us (the sinful nature) wants to rise up and retaliate in such circumstances, but Peter teaches, no trust God, just like Jesus did. This truly is something different from that found anywhere else in the world! D. Application:
Chapter: 1 Peter 3 Passage: 1 Peter 3:1-7
A. Find Out:
1. Who are told to submit to who? v.1a 2. So what may happen, when? v.1b,2 3. How should beauty not come, but come? v.3,4 4. Who did this, in what way? v.5 5. Who was an example and what are her followers? v.6 6. How are husbands to treat their wives, why and with what effect? v.7 B. Think:
C. Comment:
Peter has been talking about submission to authority. The New Testament teaching is that the husband is the head (authority) of the wife (see 1 Cor 11:3-16 : Paul using a cultural practice to explain a spiritual principle ). So, says Peter, Christian wives, when you have come to the Lord and your husband is still unsaved, still be submissive to him (let him learn to be the gracious responsibility holder that God wants him to be) in the same way Sarah was submissive to Abram, even when he was getting it wrong! (see Gen 12:10-20 & 20:1-18). She completely trusted God and in each case the Lord stepped in for her and protected and vindicated her. Trusting in God and not in nagging, showing the husband up, or relying upon argument, is the way to win the unbelieving husband. Give God space to move!
Peter also has words for Christian husbands. This authority thing is not to be abused! “Be considerate” and “treat them with respect”. Do you do that men? God holds you responsible to do it, for your wife is (probably) weaker (often physically and emotionally) than you but is also your equal “partner” and an equal “heir” of the Christian faith and all that comes with that. You are not superior, but simply held responsible by God for what goes on. The buck stops with you! D. Application:
Chapter: 1 Peter 3 Passage: 1 Peter 3:8-12
A. Find Out:
1. What 4 ways are we told to live in harmony? v.8 2. What 2 things are we told not to do? v.9a 3. What are we told to do instead, and why? v.9b 4. What also must we do? v.10 5. And what further? v.11 6. What reason is given for all this? v.12 B. Think:
C. Comment:
Back in 1:15 Peter exhorted his readers to be holy, and all that follows is really how we are holy and are to be different. He has just written about marriage relationships and now he speaks generally. Looking at the verses as a whole let's first consider the things we are NOT TO DO:
But next let's look at the positive things, the things we ARE TO DO:
Now let's look at the motivations for these things:
When we are not doing the positive but are doing the other negative things, then we cannot be enjoying the sort of blessed life that God wants for us. The calling is quite clear: don't do this… (wrong) but instead do this… (good). Is that how it is with us? D. Application:
Chapter: 1 Peter 3 Passage: 1 Peter 3:13-17
A. Find Out:
1. What does Peter maintain about suffering? v.13,14a 2. What does he instruct? v.14b,15a 3. What are they to be ready to do? v.15b 4. Yet how are they to do it? v.15c,16a 5. With what result in mind? v.16b 6. So what does he conclude? v.17 B. Think:
C. Comment:
Remember this is a letter of encouragement and Peter is aware that many of his readers live in tough circumstances, some as slaves, many as servants, and all of them in an alien world. Before he spoke about specific groups, he wrote about not retaliating ( 2:23 -) and now he picks up the theme again: do good and no one will harm you, but even if they do, handle it rightly. How do we do that?
First, see yourself as blessed, sharing in similar sufferings to Jesus. Second, don't be afraid, the Lord will look after you. Third, simply let Jesus be Lord over your life in all circumstances. Fourth, look on every situation as an opportunity to be a witness for Jesus, by your behaviour and then by your words as people question you.
Observe carefully what it says there in verse 15: “be prepared to give an answer ”, i.e. your righteous response to wrongs done against you will be seen by others and they will ask what it is that enables you to live like that. In other words your behaviour will in itself be a testimony to others who will ask, and all you have to do is answer. So often we feel we have to initiate the talking, but Peter says, others will start the conversation when they see the type of life you live. That is a real challenge: lifestyles that provoke comment!
D. Application:
Chapter: 1 Peter 3 Passage: 1 Peter 3:18-22
A. Find Out:
1. Why did Christ die? v.18a 2. What also happened to him? v.18b 3. Where did he go and what did he do? v.19,20a 4. What happened and what did it symbolise? v.20b,21a 5. How does that save us? v.21b 6. What is Jesus' position today? v.22 B. Think:
C. Comment:
A difficult passage. First note that, in line with Peter's previous argument, he says Jesus died righteously for unrighteous people, actually to take the sins of the unrighteous (all of us). Not only did he die but he also came alive, by the power of the Spirit (see Rom 8:11 ). In the Spirit (implying therefore not in his body which was lying in the tomb) he went to those “spirits in prison”. Now this can, surely, only refer to those who have already died and are in eternal punishment. Why? Well there seems no possibility of after-life salvation (see Lk 16:19-) but if Jesus was fully to take the entire penalty of our sin then he would have to go all the way to hell. While there it seems, he confirmed to those who are there the reason for their being there and declared his finished work. Beyond that it is a mystery.
Peter picks out those who disobeyed at Noah's time, as they were some of the earliest to disobey the preached message, and the ark is a picture of baptism. Noah's family went into the ark (Christ) and the floods came and destroyed everything else. Only those in the ark were saved. As we are “in Christ” we can similarly rest at peace, free from the fear of judgement from God, and this was all ratified by God, endorsing what Jesus did by raising him from the dead.
D. Application:
Chapter: 1 Peter 4 Passage: 1 Peter 4:1-6
A. Find Out:
1. What are we to do and why? v.1 2. What results from this? v.2 3. What do pagans do? v.3 4. Of what are they surprised? v.4 5. Yet what will they have to do? v.5 6. Why is the Gospel preached? v.6 B. Think:
C. Comment:
More difficult verses! “Christ suffered in his body” must refer to Christ's death on the Cross for us. Paul tells us that when we came to Christ we shared in his death (Rom 6:2,6-8). So, says Peter, understand the same has happened to you (v.1) and therefore the pull of the world will have no effect on you (v.2). You lived as pagans in the past, before you came to Christ, says Peter, and that IS in the past for you. In all this Peter is continuing his theme of living in suffering (e.g. 3:17 ) and he keeps referring to how Christ suffered to show both example and the effect of his suffering work.
God will judge the living and the dead, he continues (v.5). This is familiar for Peter (see Acts 10:42 ). That's why the Gospel is preached, it is the means of God's judging, or deciding between people, how they react to it. It is preached to the “dead” in at least two senses: first all men are dead in their sins, and second it applies to all men in the past, and only God knows how they would have reacted if they had heard it. When the Gospel comes to us and we receive it, we are judged guilty in the lives we have lived in the body (and our bodies eventually die (as per Gen 2:17 ), but then we receive God's Spirit and are made alive to Him in the Spirit. Our bodies die, but our spirits go on in Him. D. Application:
Chapter: 1 Peter 4 Passage: 1 Peter 4:7-11
A. Find Out:
1. What 2 things are we to be and for what 2 reasons? v.7 2. What are we to do and why? v.8 3. What are we also to do and how? v.9 4. What further thing are we encouraged to do? v.10 5. How are we to speak? v.11a 6. How are we to serve and why? v.11b,c B. Think:
C. Comment:
Remember this is a letter of encouragement and Peter is still encouraging. Here he is encouraging by giving us a list of personal targets to go for in being part of the Christian community.
First he challenges us in our thinking and behaviour: be clear minded (aware of all that is happening and what you are thinking and feeling) and self-controlled (you be in control of what you do, don't let yourself be driven by outside forces). He also gives two reasons for being like this: we're in the end times, and it will help you pray.
Then he goes on to encourage us in respect of our relationships with other people. Love… deeply! Wow! Why? Because when we love, we accept and care for one another and are not constantly judging one another for our shortcomings. Also offer hospitality, open your homes to one another, and don't do it grudgingly, for that's not love. Use your personal gifts to bless one another, speak words of love and blessing and serve one another whole heartedly. When you do this then it's going to be a wonderful community of God's people and God will be praised by those in it who are blessed, and by those outside it who see and wonder at it. These are achievable goals, this is an achievable community, and God can be praised because of it. Go for it! D. Application:
Chapter: 1 Peter 4 Passage: 1 Peter 4:12-19
A. Find Out:
1. What are we not to do? v.12 2. But what are we to do and why? v.13,16 3. When are we blessed and why? v.14 4. How should we not suffer? v.15 5. What does Peter say it is time for? v.17 6. So how should we cope with suffering? v.19 B. Think:
C. Comment:
Hard times. Opposition simply because you are a Christian. Persecution. These are descriptions of life for the Christians at that time, times of “painful trial” (v.12). So how does Peter counsel them to handle it?
First he says don't be surprised . We are often surprised when people are against us simply because we are Christians. Read the book of Acts. There were periods of peace but there also periods of outright hostility against the Christians, and so it will be for us also. Why? Because men rejected Jesus and they will reject us (Mt 10:22 / Jn 15:20 ,21). It is part of the Christian package.
Second, he says rejoice and praise God. The apostles all say the same thing. When it gets tough being a Christian because of the opposition, don't be ashamed or put down, simply rejoice that you share with Christ (see Jas 1:2 / 1 Thess 5:18 ). This needs grace, this means keeping close to Him.
Third, he says know the time: this is a time when God is allowing this to happen to the church, so rest in His sovereign will. Some times will be tough, so be secure in Him. Commit yourself to Him, trust in His faithfulness and do good, yes, in it all. D. Application:
Chapter: 1 Peter 5 Passage: 1 Peter 5:1-7
A. Find Out:
1. To whom does Peter appeal and on what grounds? v.1 2. What does he encourage them to do, and how? v.2,3 3. What will happen, when? v.4 4. Who else does he exhort to do what? v.5a 5. What does he tell all to do, and why? v.5b,6 6. What further are they to do? v.7 B. Think:
C. Comment:
Reverting back to the subject of submission, Peter now picks up on the roles of leaders and followers. Leaders first. He appeals to them as one in the same role, one who is a witness to Christ's death, and also as one who, like them, will share in God's glory in eternity.
Let's observe the ROLE descriptions he gives these men:
Then observe the ROLE ATTITUDES he calls for: willingness, eagerness to serve, being examples. These are things that should be found in leaders.
Next he addresses young men, those in the flock who normally have the greatest problem with authority: submit to those who are older is his simple instruction. Then he extends his instructions to cover the whole flock: put on humility! Why? Well obviously because a humble people will be a people who are submissive one to another, but more than that, because God is against the proud and you don't want Him against you, do you? Yet even more, trust in God and in due season He will lift you up, so rest in Him and let Him do it His way.
D. Application:
Chapter: 1 Peter 5 Passage: 1 Peter 5:8-14
A. Find Out:
1. What are we to be and why? v.8 2. What are we to do and how and why? v.9 3. What will God do and when? v.10 4. Who helped Peter write and what was their purpose? v.12 5. Who sent greetings? v.13
B. Think:
C. Comment:
In verse 12, Peter reveals his purpose in writing: to encourage, and to confirm that, even in the face of suffering, the life they were living was truly all the grace of God. Why would they have needed his encouragement? Because of the things they were going through, the persecution that Satan was seeking to stir up against them. If you read the book of Acts you will see how, after every great evangelistic thrust, the enemy stirred up major opposition. When that comes, the enemy also seeks to sow doubt or fear in our lives, questioning the very reality of our salvation. That's all right, says Peter, simply hold onto your faith, keep declaring the truth, and stand firm. Remember you're not in this alone; it's common to many of God's children around the world. We aren't promised it will be easy, in fact quite the contrary.
Fear not, says Peter, God is the God of all grace and He has the power to hold you. It may be that He allows persecution to come for a season but He will keep you through it or deliver you out of it, so one way or another you will come through strong and secure.
Finally Peter sends greeting from those with him. “She in Babylon” may be an oblique way of referring to the church in Rome from where it is believed he wrote this letter. Mark is probably the co-author of the Gospel that goes under his name. D. Application:
RECAP: "Strong in Suffering - 1 Peter 2:9 - 5:14
SUMMARY :
In this second group of 12 studies we have seen Peter:
COMMENT :
Peter confronts head on the problems that face us as Christians living in an alien world. He challenges us to live lives that will stand out by their righteousness, first of all by the way we submit righteously to all authority and, second, by the way we cope righteously with unjust treatment, simply because we are Christians. God's grace will always be there to bring us through times of opposition. LESSONS?
1. We are a special people, related to God, that is our starting point. 2. Yet we are required to live in submission to authority. 3. Christian wives need to trust God for their husbands. 4. We are not to retaliate when treated unjustly. 5. We are to be positive in doing good in the face of all this. PRAY :
Ask the Lord to give you His grace to enable you to be righteous in the light of Peter's teaching. PART 3 : "Calling Confirmed"
In this third Part we move into Peter's second letter and will see Peter's exhortation to take all that God has provided and go on in our faith. We can have total confidence in our salvation which is based on the historical fact of God coming to His world.
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