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Sermon notes
November 3rd, 2024
1 PETER 1
Simon Peter was a Jewish fisherman who lived near the Sea of Galilee when he heard about Jesus Christ through his brother Andrew, who had become a disciple of John the Baptist. Upon meeting Simon (Peter), Jesus nicknamed him (Cephas in Aramaic), meaning "rock." As Jesus walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he called Simon Peter to follow him as one of his 12 close disciples.
- Over three years, Peter grew in his faith, eventually became the one saying that Jesus really was the Son of God (Mark 16:16). Peter also swore that he would never abandon Jesus, and yet after Jesus was arrested hours later, Peter denied knowing Christ three times. When he realized that he had betrayed Jesus, Peter wept bitterly (Matt. 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-27).
After his death and resurrection, Jesus met the disciples in Galilee and told Peter to keep caring for the band of followers who were later called the Christian Church (John 21:15-17). Having received the Great Commission and witnessed Jesus’s ascension, Peter and the others went back to Jerusalem under Jesus's orders to wait there for the Counselor (Holy Spirit) that He would send them (Matt. 28:16-20). Ten days later, on the Jewish feast day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came in power upon the group of 120 Christians as they were praying, Peter preaches his very first sermon. (Acts 2:1-4).
Many Jews who were gathered in Jerusalem for the feast day marveled at the disciples speaking about the gospel in their own foreign languages. Peter then stood up and preached the gospel powerfully to all. Three thousand were converted that day to faith in Christ (Acts 2:41).
- Peter continued to be a valuable leader of the early Christian Church. He was present at the Council of Jerusalem where the Jewish Christians recognized Paul as an apostle to the Gentiles and agreed that the gospel was for both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 15:1-12). The Bible does not record Peter's death, but history claims that he was killed for his faith. According to this history, Simon Peter, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, was crucified upside down in Rome by order of Emperor Nero in 64 AD.
- “Who was Peter”, besides the humble fisherman we see all over the Gospels? Yes, Peter is the one who denies Christ three times and he’s so broken in his own spirit that he decides leaving the ministry and going back to his old life is the way to go.
Peter's name is mentioned in the Bible more often than all the other disciples put together: 191 times (162 as Peter or Simon Peter, 23 as Simon and 6 as Cephas). John is next in frequency with only 48 appearances, and Peter is present 50 percent of the time we find John in the Bible. Jesus says to Peter:
- Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
- Matthew 16:19: "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven."
- Peter's name occurs first in all lists of apostles (see Mt 10:2; Mk 3:16; Lk 6:14; Acts 1:13). Matthew even calls him "the first" (Matt.10:2). (Judas Iscariot is invariably mentioned last.)
- Peter alone among the apostles receives a new name, "Rock," (Jn 1:42; Mt 16:18).
- Likewise, Peter is regarded by Jesus as the chief shepherd after himself (Jn 21:15-17), singularly by name, and over the universal Church, even though others have a similar but subordinate role (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2).
- Peter alone among the apostles is exhorted by Jesus to "strengthen your brethren" (Lk 22:32).
- Peter alone is told that he has received divine knowledge by a special revelation (Mt 16:17).
- Peter is regarded by the Jews (Acts 4:1-13) as the leader and spokesman of Christianity.
- Jesus Christ uniquely associates himself and Peter in the miracle of the tribute money (Mt 17:24-27).
- Peter's words are the first recorded and most important in the Upper Room before Pentecost (Acts 1:15-22).
- Peter works the first miracle of the Church Age, healing a lame man (Acts 3:6-12).
- 10.Peter's shadow works miracles (Acts 5:15).
1 Peter 1:1-2. New King James Version
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,(ka-puh-dow-shuh) Asia, and Bi-thy-nia,
2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: to Tuolumne Community Baptist Church Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
- The "foreknowledge of God" is more than God's simply knowing what will take place in the future, for it includes God's special relations with humankind even before creation. The "sanctifying" work of the Spirit is his operation of applying the work of redemption to Christians, purifying them and setting them to tasks of service. The goal of election and redemption is "obedience" to Jesus Christ, who shed his blood on Calvary. The salutation closes with the wish for the multiplication of God's "grace and peace" to the believers.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
- In verses 3–12, Peter sets forth the unique glories of our salvation. He begins by calling for praise to be given to the Author of salvation—the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. This title presents God in a twofold relationship to the Lord Jesus. The name God … of our Lord Jesus Christ emphasizes the humanity of the Savior. The name Father underlines the deity of God’s Son. The full name of the Son is given:
- Lord—the One with the exclusive right to rule in hearts and lives.
- Jesus—the One who saves His people from their sins.
- Christ—God’s Anointed One who has been exalted to heaven’s highest place.
1 Peter 1:4-6
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
- Earthly inheritances are uncertain at best. Sometimes the value of an estate drops sharply because of market declines. Sometimes wills are successfully contested by parties not mentioned in them. Sometimes people are deprived of an inheritance because of legal technicalities. But this divine inheritance is not subject to any of the changes of time, and there are no loopholes in the believer’s title to it. It is kept in the safety-vault of heaven for the child of God.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
- Because of this hope of the redemption of the body and of a glorious inheritance, believers can greatly rejoice even in the midst of trials. The Christians to whom Peter was writing were suffering persecution because of their testimony for Christ. Peter reminds them of one of the delightful paradoxes of Christianity—joy in the midst of sorrow. On the one hand, they can rejoice in the prospect of a kept inheritance for a kept people. On the other hand, they can find joy in the knowledge that the various trials are only for a little while, whereas the glory will be forever.
2 Corinthians 4:17. New King James Version
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
1 Peter 1:7
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,
- True faith is indestructible. The believer may undergo severe tests and trials, but instead of destroying his faith, they become food for faith to feed on. Job probably sustained heavier losses in one day than any other man in the history of the world, yet he was able to say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). How about the three men in the Babylonian furnace who were literally tested by fire. The fire proved their faith to be real. Also, it burned away the ropes that held them, setting them free (Dan. 3:12–30).
- And during their flaming ordeal, they had the companionship of One “like the Son of God.” The genuineness of our faith can only be proved by fire. When prevailing conditions are favorable, it might be easy to be a Christian.
- But when public confession of Christ brings persecution and suffering, then the casual followers drift away and are lost in the crowd. A religion which costs nothing is worth nothing. Faith which refuses to pay the price, is artificial faith. It is the kind of say-so faith that James condemns.
1 Peter 1:8-10
Let’s back up to v.7b so we can see the entire thought:
V.7b “glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ”
8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 receiving the end of your faith-the salvation of your souls.
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
- This salvation was the theme of many OT prophets. God’s ancient spokesmen prophesied the undeserved favor which we would receive. But they did not fully understand what they were writing, look at Daniel 12:
Daniel 12:8-10. New King James Version
8 Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?”
9 And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
1 Peter 1:11-12
11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
- They apparently did not understand: (1) The identity of the Person who would appear as Messiah. (2) The time of His appearance.
- They were inspired by the Spirit of God to foretell the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. But they did not understand that these two events would be separated by at least 1900 years.
- As has often been pictured, they saw the two mountain peaks—(a) Calvary, where Jesus suffered, and (b) Olivet, where He will return in glory. But they did not see the valley which lay between, that is, the present Age of Grace, in which we find ourselves able to see both events, one past, one still future, with a clearer perspective than they.
1 Peter 1:13-17
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;
- Lincoln writes: “He is looking on, taking notice of all, whether there is integrity of purpose, intelligence of mind, and desire of heart to please Him.”
- We are to pass the time of our stay on earth in fear. Christians are not at home in this world. We are living in a foreign country, exiled from heaven. We should not settle down as if this were our permanent dwelling. Neither should we imitate the behavior of the earth-dwellers. We should always remember our heavenly destiny and behave ourselves as citizens of heaven.
1 Peter 1:18-20
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you
- Peter adds these considerations to impress us even more deeply with the importance of making a clean break with the world system from which Christ died to deliver us. We are in the world but not of it. We must not isolate ourselves from unregenerate men, but rather carry the gospel to them. Yet in our dealings and relationships with them, we must never share in or condone their sins. We are to show by our lives that we are children of God. The moment we become like the world, our testimony is weakened. There is no incentive for worldlings to be converted if they cannot see a difference—a change for the better in our lives.
1 Peter 1:21-23
21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
- Loyalty to the Lord Jesus is further demanded by the fact that it is through Him we have come to believe in God. He is the One who has revealed the Father’s heart to us.
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
- The new birth is brought about through the word of God. As men hear or read the Bible they are convicted of their sins, convinced that Christ is the sole and sufficient Savior,
- and converted to God. No one is ever saved apart from the instrumentality in some way of the incorruptible word of God.
1 Peter 1:24-25
24 because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away,
25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
- In contrast, the word of the LORD endures forever. Therefore, the new life of the believer is equally incorruptible. This incorruptible word is the message of good news which was preached to Peter’s readers and which caused them to be born again. It was the source of our eternal life.
Isaiah 40:8. New King James Version
8 The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”