A Field Manuel for Warriors in a Hostile Land Part 1: A Living Hope 1 Peter 1:1-7

1 Peter Background This letter is both a message of encouragement and a warning.This letter is both a message of encouragement and a warning. It’s easy to feel alone and disconnected.It’s easy to feel alone and disconnected.

1 Peter Background

Two questions every follower of Christ asks at some point:Two questions every follower of Christ asks at some point: If God is good, then how could He allow this to happen to us? I thought He loved us!If God is good, then how could He allow this to happen to us? I thought He loved us! If Christ is building His church, then why is this so hard? I thought we were the world’s only hope!If Christ is building His church, then why is this so hard? I thought we were the world’s only hope!

Series Bottom Line: Grace is never more powerful than when life hurts the most!Grace is never more powerful than when life hurts the most!

Remember your Christ-centered identity Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

Remember your Christ-centered identity 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. (1 Peter 1:1-2 ESV)

Remember your Christ-centered identity Chosen according to God’s sovereign planChosen according to God’s sovereign plan To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, (vv.1-2a)

Remember your Christ-centered identity The word translated “elect” means “to choose for ones self.”The word translated “elect” means “to choose for ones self.” according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. The Greek word translated foreknowledge is “prognosis”; a prediction about a future outcome.The Greek word translated foreknowledge is “prognosis”; a prediction about a future outcome.

Remember your Christ-centered identity “Exiles” or “sojourners”“Exiles” or “sojourners” exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (v.1)

Remember your Christ-centered identity Transformed by the powerful work of the Holy Spirit (v.2)Transformed by the powerful work of the Holy Spirit (v.2) in the sanctification of the Spirit, (v.2)

Remember your Christ-centered identity Living in right relationship with God through Jesus shed blood (v.2)Living in right relationship with God through Jesus shed blood (v.2) for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood (v.2)

Remember your Christ-centered identity Compensated for everything we have to endureCompensated for everything we have to endure May grace and peace be multiplied to you.(v.2)

Our new Identity is something to shout about 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,

Our new Identity is something to shout about to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV)

Our new Identity is something to shout about God has great mercyGod has great mercy Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy (v.3)

Our new Identity is something to shout about We have been re-birthed with a living hopeWe have been re-birthed with a living hope he has caused us to be born again to a living hope (v.3)he has caused us to be born again to a living hope (v.3) Living things grow.Living things grow.

Our new Identity is something to shout about We have a living hope because we have a living ChristWe have a living hope because we have a living Christ through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (v.3)

Our new Identity is something to shout about We have an inheritance (v.4)We have an inheritance (v.4) to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, (v.4)

Our new Identity is something to shout about We have a safe deposit for our inheritanceWe have a safe deposit for our inheritance kept in heaven for you (v.4)

Our new Identity is something to shout about We are guarded by GodWe are guarded by God who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (v.5)

Our new Identity is something to shout about In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

Our new Identity is something to shout about 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. (vv.6-7)

Bottom Line: Your existence is defined and directed from your future not your present; from God, not from the world.

For anyone checking out the Jesus-centered life Start living!Start living!

For anyone living the Jesus-centered life What God says about us matters much more than what the world says about usWhat God says about us matters much more than what the world says about us Our condition in the world is tenuous, but our position with God could not be better.Our condition in the world is tenuous, but our position with God could not be better.