Slides: Who Are You (1 Peter)
1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia,
Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to
the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the
Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and
peace be yours in abundance.
Who’s who
• Who is Peter? An apostle of Jesus Christ.
• Who are you? Elect exiles, chosen, set apart, obedient and cleansed
• Who is God? Father, Son, Spirit
Pentecost listeners
Residents of… Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia… we hear [Galileans] declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” …Then Peter addressed the crowd. (Acts 2:9-12)
Hearing the gospel
Peter’s readers: some spiritual children converted on Pentecost; many spiritual grandchildren by converts’ preaching.
…
the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to
you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. (1 Peter 1:12)
Who are you?
• Elect pilgrims in exile
• Chosen and predestined by Father
• Set apart by the Holy Spirit
• Obedient to Jesus (by accepting the gospel) and sprinkled by his blood
• Overflowing with
grace and peace
Who were you?
• Evil desires … ignorance (1:14)
• Empty way of life (1:18)
• All men are like grass (1:24)
• Called out of darkness (2:9)
• Not a people, no mercy (2:10)
• Sheep going astray (2:25)
• Following urges,
idolatry (4:3)
Who are you?
• Redeemed (1:18)
• Reborn (1:3, 18)
• Free (2:16)
• In his steps (2:21)
• Healed (2:24)
• Beautiful (3:4)
• Heirs (3:7)
• Stewards (4:10)
• Spirit of glory (4:14)
• God’s family (4:17)
• God’s flock (5:2)
• Royalty (5:4)
• Partakers of divine nature (2 Peter 1:4)
Royal priesthood
But you are a chosen people, a royal priest-hood, a
holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not
a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy. (2:9-10)
Exile attitudes
Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I
have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers,
you too will prosper… For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:7, 11)
Elect exiles are different
• Different from who you were
• Different from world’s norms
• Different by God’s decision
Who are you?
• God’s chosen, strangers in the world
• Chosen and predestined by Father
• Set apart by the Holy Spirit
• Obedient to Jesus (by accepting the gospel) and sprinkled by his blood
• Overflowing with grace and peace
Who’s who
• Who is Peter? An apostle of Jesus Christ
• Who are you? Elect exiles, chosen, set apart, obedient and cleansed
• Who is God? Father, Son, Spirit