1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Pet. 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ… 1 Pet. 2:19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

1 Pet. 3:12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil. 13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. 1 Pet. 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 1 Pet. 5:9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

 Assures them that suffering for doing right is natural (1 Tim. 3:12; Jn. 15:19).  Exhorts to Steadfastness (1 Pet. 4:1).  Can endure (1 Cor. 10:13; Phil. 4:13).  God knows and cares (1 Pet. 5:6-7).

 Peter Understood Their Feelings:  Arrested, Interrogated, and Threatened (Acts 4:1-22).  Arrested, Interrogated, and Beaten (Acts 5:26-42).  Arrested and Condemned to Die (Acts 12:1-5).

 Relationship changed (Rom. 6:3).  Allegiance changed (Col. 1:13).  Now: citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:17-21).  Law of Heaven is Supreme (Jn. 19:11).  Approval of world no longer important.  Approval of God is new goal! Cheating Drunkenness Gambling Adultery Fornication Homosexuality Lascivious Acts: Dancing Immodesty Lewd Entertainment Vengeance Gossip, Lying…

 Heaven is Now our Home:  Abraham (Heb. 11:13-16).  Our treasure is there (Matt. 6:20).  Our hearts desire is there (Col. 3:1-2).  Active duty for our King (2 Tim. 2:3):  Not on vacation  No furloughs  Don’t go home until we receive orders from above.  As long as we are here, the King has something for us to do!

 Not Unusual for Stranger to act better than the resident.  1 out of 10 lepers thanked Jesus for healing (Lk. 17:18).  The good Samaritan (Lk. 10:33).  Christians should treat worldly citizens better than the worldly treat themselves.  Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation (1 Pet. 2:12).

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 Noah  Abraham  Daniel  Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego  Elijah  Elisha  Jeremiah  Ezekiel  John the baptizer  Jesus (John 1:11)

 God chose the kind of people He will save:  Strangers in the world = Friends of God  And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God (Jas. 2:23).  Example: coach choosing starting players Hard work ethic Stand out in practice Look good in preseason games Knows beforehand the type of player he wants, but doesn’t know by name who will fulfill that role!

Col. 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight-- 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

 Those Sanctified by the Spirit  Chosen by God!  Set apart by the Word (2 Thess. 2:13-14; Jn. 17:17; 1 Jn. 5:6).  Abide in the truth (Jn. 8:31-32).  Walk in the truth (2 Jn. 4; 1 Jn. 1:7).  Separated from darkness (1 Pet. 2:9).  Active obedience to God will makes us different from those in the world!  Should feel different.

1 Pet. 3:17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit… 2 Cor. 5:14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died… Must never forget (2 Pet. 1:9).

 We don’t deserve What God has done for us (Eph. 2:1-5; 1 Jn. 4:8-10).  Should feel indebted to someone whose paid our debt (Matt. 18:23-35).  God has always been merciful (Gen. 6:3; 2 Pet. 2:5).  Those who accept God’s terms of mercy will have mercy extended to them.  Those who don’t accept God’s terms will receive justice (Rom. 2:1-13).

 God  Source of All Life  We were dead in sin (Eph. 2:1).  We were made alive in Christ (Eph. 2:5).  Start all over, sins forgiven and forgotten (Heb. 8:12).  Sometimes we find it hard to forgive ourselves and can’t hardly believe God will do it.  Trust God (Rom. 10:17).  Obey Christ  New Life (Col. 3:10).  Sins blotted out (Ps. 32:1-2).

 Sustains (1 Pet. 1:3).  Living hope (1 Cor. 15:1-20)!  Why serve God  Hope!  Why suffer persecution  Hope!  Why study and learn God’s will  Hope!  Why strive to live holy lives  Hope!  Why avoid short-lived pleasures  Hope!  For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Heb. 11:10).  Do you have this hope?