1 Peter Chapter 1 Verses 13-25

Transcription

1 1 Peter Chapter 1 Verses NKJV Notes by Pastor Mike Sasso Introduction It is never fair to any text to read it out of context. Today s text starts with a therefore. So, as we have learned from past lessons, whenever we find a therefore we must read the verses before it to find out what it is there for. Before beginning today s study, open in prayer and read out loud the first 12 verses of 1 Peter to understand the flow of this chapter. Then begin today s study in verse 13. STUDY NOTES: Verses v. 13 Therefore Peter is saying, Since we have such a precious faith that leads to the salvation of our souls, and since it is God s plan that our faith be tested by various trials, we must take the following actions " Gird up the Loins of Your Mind In ancient days the people, even the men, wore long flowing robe-like garments. When it was time for actions such as running or hard work they would tie the length of their robes up to the loin (waist) in order to give them freedom of movement. Peter is telling his readers, that is what we now must to do our minds in order to think and act without hindrances. The NASB puts it this way Prepare your minds for action. Be Sober To be calm and under control - clear-headed. This is why this word is often used as the opposite of drunken. Rest Your Hope Fully on the Grace Rest here means to trust. Hope means to look forward for something to happen. Grace is the undeserved favor and blessing of God. Therefore we must trust not in our own abilities or talents. Our hope is fully on God s grace alone. A hope fixed on anything else will be disappointed. That is to be Brought to You at the Revelation of Jesus Christ Peter is saying that the full blessings Christians are waiting for will arrive at the appearing of Jesus Christ when He returns. So we must wait for Him patiently in hope. Remember, it is not in this life that we will receive the full reward for our faith, but in the next. v. 14 As Obedient Children The New Covenant has made us Children of God (John 1:12; Rom. 8:16, 21; 1 John 3:1, 2). We have a choice now. We can be obedient children, or we can be disobedient children. Peter exhorts us here to be obedient (Cp. Phil. 2:15). Not Conforming Yourselves to the Former Lusts Lusts here is referring to cravings and desires for things forbidden by God. Peter is exhorting us not to go back to the habits and thought patterns of our past now that we are born again children of God.

2 As in Your Ignorance One of the reasons people sin is because they don t know any better. They don t know right from wrong. But Jesus said, You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. TRUTH APPLIED: 1. What are some of the former lusts (v. 14) that Christians can easily go back to if we don t keep our guards up? Make a list. Come up with some examples of how we can obey this command, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts. 2. It seems that we have choices as Christians to obey or disobey. What are some ways we can gird up our minds? (v. 13) How can we obey the command to be sober? 3. What are some of the things people rest their hope upon that may leave them severely disappointed? 4. How does a person rest their hope fully on grace? What does that really mean? Can anyone in your small group volunteer to give reason why they love Jesus even though they haven t seen Him? Give a very brief testimony. STUDY NOTES: Verses v. 15 As He Who has Called You is Holy When we say God is holy we are saying that He is pure, blameless and set apart from all else. RC Sproul has said that the closest one-word English translation for holy is "other." God is other. He cannot be categorized. He is not like anything or anybody else. Be Holy in all Your Conduct Peter is saying here that our conduct should be different from the rest of the world. We should not be categorized with those who live in ignorance and don t know God. This same Greek word for holy is translated into the English word saint 61 times in the New Testament. The Bible calls all Christians saints (Acts 9:13, 32, 41, 26:10; Rom. 1:7, 8:27, 12:13, 15:25, 26). v. 16 It is Written Peter is declaring that this concept of God s people being holy is not something new. It was written in the Old Testament scriptures. See Lev. 11:44, 19:2, 20:7 for some examples.

3 v. 17 If You Call on the Father The new covenant that Jesus has established gives us a unique and intimate relationship with God. We are now His children. And He is now our Father! (See 2 Cor. 6:18 and context.) Who Without Partiality Judges Each One s Work When God judges He doesn t show favoritism. All sin will be dealt with equally. He judges according to each one s work. This means everyone will give an account for the actions of their lives. See Rev. 2:23, 20:12 & 13, 22:12. Conduct Yourselves Throughout the Time of Your Stay Here in Fear The phrase the time of your stay gives us the concept of our life on earth being a short stay or just a visit before moving on. After that we will move on to eternity. Conduct in fear reflects the seriousness of the consequences of our choices and actions during the time of our stay in this life. We should be very concerned when we think about standing before God in judgment someday to give an account for our lives. This is called the fear of God elsewhere in scripture (Rom. 3:18; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 5:21). v. 18 Redeemed Delivered from evil or released from ransom. We were all under the power of sin. But God redeemed us from sin s power and consequences. Corruptible Things Like Silver or Gold As valuable as silver and gold are to us today, they are nothing in God s eyes because they are temporary. Peter is comparing the values of this world to the values of God. Your Aimless Conduct Received by Traditions From Your Fathers Peter is referring to the religious traditions passed on from generation to generation that have no real effect to change lives because they are merely traditions of men (Matt. 15:8-9, Mk. 7:8). v. 19 With the Precious Blood of Christ In the Old Testament important covenants were sealed by the blood of animal sacrifices. The New Covenant is sealed with the blood of Jesus. See Heb. 9:13-14 & Rom. 3:25. As a Lamb Without Blemish and Without Spot Peter is comparing the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to the Jewish Passover lamb sacrificed for the people that was required to be a perfect sacrifice (Ex. 12:5) v. 20 Foreordained Before the Foundation of the World This phrase reveals to us that God s plan of salvation was already known and planned out by God before the world was even created. God is never taken by surprise. And He isn t just making plans up as He goes along. Because of his foreknowledge (knowing everything before it happens) He already knew about the fall of man before it happened and had already made a plan to redeem man before the world began. This is a profound and amazing truth! Manifest in These Last Times for You This phrase merely means that what God knew and planned before the world began is finally being revealed to us in these last days. For you adds

4 a personal touch. God loves and cares about you and me. We have been included in God s plan of salvation. v. 21 Who Through Him Believe in God This is speaking of Christ (v. 19). Without Christ we would never find God. But because of Christ we now know and believe in God. Who Raised Him From the Dead and Gave Him Glory This is speaking of God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 13:30; Rom. 10:9; Gal. 1:1; Col. 2:12). Gave Him glory -Compare this thought to Eph. 1:20-23 & Phil. 2:8-11. So that Your Faith and Hope are in God The verses we are reading show us God s great plan of salvation, His foreknowledge, and how He is in control. The more we understand His wonderful plan and His incredible power, the more we can put our faith and hope in Him. v. 22 Since You Have Purified Your Souls in Obeying the Truth Through the Spirit in Sincere Love of the Brethren This phrase in v. 22 must be taken in one complete lump. We cannot purify our souls apart from the Holy Spirit s help. Nor can we have purified souls without loving the brethren. 1 Peter 4:8 says, Love covers a multitude of sins. Love One Another Fervently With a Pure Heart Jesus taught us that love is the fulfillment of the entire law of God. See Matt. 22:37-40 & Mark 12: v. 23 Having Been Born Again See John 3:3-7. Jesus taught that no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of the Spirit. All people have been born of the flesh. But there is a need of a second birth of the Spirit before we can become true Children of God. See also Eph. 1:13. Not of Corruptible Seed but Incorruptible Seeds are what gives life to things. The seed which gives eternal life is incorruptible. Incorruptible means indestructible and morally upright. That seed is "the Word of God. Through the Word of God It is through faith in God s Word that we are born again," saved, and continually changed. See 1 Thess. 2:13. We cannot profit spiritually apart from the Word of God, which lives and abides forever. See Is. 40:8; Matt. 5:18, 24:35. TRUTH APPLIED: 1. What is God asking of us when He asks us to be holy in all our conduct? Can you give some specific examples of how this concept would apply to various areas of our lives like our work, our home, our hobbies, and our entertainments? 2. The New Testament teaches us that God is our Father. How do you think this concept differs from the way other religions view God? How do you think this makes a difference

5 between how people of other religions approach God and the way Christians should approach God? 3. We are told that we should live in the fear of God, knowing that we will all stand before the Father s judgment (v. 17). See also Rom. 14:10; 2 Cor. 5:10. How should this effect the way we live? What kind of fear should we have? What kind of fear should we not have? 4. Why did Christ have to shed his blood? (v. 19) 5. We learn a bit more about foreknowledge in today s text. According to v , how does God s foreordaining effect you today? 6. We know that foreknowledge means to know before. But foreordained means planned before. How specifically do you think God plans out the details of our lives? 7. How do we purify our heart according to v. 22? Is it through obedience, love, or the Spirit? 8. Just how important is the Word of God to the Christian? Can a person be a Christian without being exposed to Bible teaching? Why or why not? Ask various volunteers from your small group to describe the Gospel in their own words. What exactly is this Gospel of which angels long to look?

6 STUDY NOTES: Verses v. 24 Compare this quote with Ps 103:15-16 & Is 40:6-8 v. 25 But the Word of the LORD Endures Forever Again, driving home the point of v. 23b. See also Num. 23:19. Now this is the Word by which the Gospel was Preached to You Simply stated, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Word of God! CONCLUSION: Peter definitely exposes us to some deep theological truths. May God help us to not only understand these truths, but also live according to them.