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