1. PREPARED FOR ACTION A Study from 1 Peter
JoLynn Gower

2. WORD FOR THE JOURNEY
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Mind: dianoia: through understanding, perception
1 Peter 2:6 For this is contained in Scripture: "Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed."
Paul portrays the church as a body with Christ as head
Peter portrays the church as a building with Christ as the cornerstone

3. CAUSE FOR STUMBLING
1 Peter 2:7-8 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “the stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone,” and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense…”
Stumbling: proskamattos: something that trips you up
Rock of offense: petra skandalou: rock that creates a skandal; something that catches you in a trap
Matthew 16:18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

4. PRIESTHOOD
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Chosen race: genos eklekton: A group chosen out of a larger group with a common factor relating those within the group; chosen kinfolk
Royal priesthood: basileion hierateuma: priesthood of the kingdom
Holy nation: ethnos hagion: a sanctified ethnic group

5. THE END OF THE AGE
Matthew 24:3-7 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.”

6. PROCLAMATION
1 Peter 2:8 …for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
When people choose to disbelieve the Word, they are sealing their own doom
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Possession: peripoiesis: acquisition and preservation

7. PURPOSE To proclaim the excellencies of God
Excellencies: arete: manliness; valor
Colossians 1: We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
Matthew 28: And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

8. MINISTRY OF PURPOSE
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (showbread)