I want to be like Peter 1 Peter 1:1-12 (Nkjv)
- Begging the book of Peter
- It’s of the Lord1900 and I am in high school in a dining hall – Boarding school/ excited to receive letters
- We get that letter and we literally read it line by line over time – especially if its from a loved one
- As we start a new book, I want us to take that approach to this first part of Peter’s letter
- It’s believed that this first letter was written at the beginning of Nero’s persecutions of Christians
- Peters message is that of Comfort, hope and encouragement (we can use some of that)
- He is asking leaders to hold fast to the faith in the midst of the coming persecution
- Just like that letter we got in high school, in order to impact us, convey the true meaning of words, we have to know who its coming from
- Who is Peter?
- Also known as Simon Peter
- Born is Bethsaida and lived in Capernaum
- He was married and, him, John and James were fisherman
- His brother Andrew brought him to Jesus
- John 1:40-42 (Nkjv) One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the [a]Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of [b]Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, [c]A Stone).
- He followed Jesus for 3 years – Has been viewed interestingly
- It was Peter who first confessed Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” a truth which Jesus said was divinely revealed to Peter
- Matthew 16:15-16(Nkjv) – He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
- Jesus rebuked Peter more that any other disciple – (Offense)
- Peter was the only disciple who dared to rebuke Jesus ( What was the heart condition?)
- Peter confessed Jesus more boldly and accurately that any other disciples
- Peter was the one who said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also, we have come to believe and to know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:68-69)
- Peter denied Jesus more forcefully and publicly that any other disciple
- Jesus praised Peter more that any other disciple
- Jesus addressed Peter as Satan
- Mark 8:32-33 (Nkjv) He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not [a]mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
- Peter led a search party in Mark 1:35-39 when Jesus woke early to pray, and they couldn’t find Him
- Peter put his nets out at the direction of Jesus to bring in a massive catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11) – Obedience
- Peter went on a unique outreach trip with the other disciples (Matthew 10:1-42)
- Peter stepped out of the boat during a raging storm and walked on the water with Jesus (Matthew 14:24-33). – Faith
- Peter saw Jesus transfigured in glory, together with Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1-9).
- Peter was the one who asked Jesus how many times we should forgive a brother that sins against us, quoting the high number of “seven times” (Matthew 18:21-35).
- Peter was the one who asked Jesus, after the encounter with the rich young ruler, what the disciples would receive for giving everything up to follow Jesus (Matthew 19:27-30).
- Peter was the one who insisted that Jesus would not wash his feet; then he commanded Jesus to wash his whole body! (John 13:16-20).
- Peter heard Jesus predict that he would deny Him three times (Matthew 26:30-35), and Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with you I will not deny You!” (Matthew 26:35), and the rest of the disciples agreed.
- Peter was the one who cut off the right ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest, when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus (John 18:1-11).
- Peter denied Jesus three times, cursing and swearing that he did not even know “the Man,” refusing to even name the name of Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75).
- Peter was the one who ran with John the disciple to the tomb on the morning of the resurrection, after hearing the report of the women that the body of Jesus was not in its tomb (John 20:1-10).
- Peter was the one who received a personal visit from the resurrected Jesus on the day of the resurrection (Luke 24:33-34)
- Luke 24:33-34 (Nkjv)So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”
- Peter received a public restoration of Jesus in front of the other disciples after the resurrection of Jesus (John 21).
- John 21:15-17 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of [a]Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [b]love You.”He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of [c]Jonah, do you love Me?”He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [d]love You.”He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of [e]Jonah, do you [f]love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
Now we know who is writing, let’s look the letter
- Peter and apostle of Jesus Christ – Once you have been with Jesus, no identity crisis
- He is writing to the Pilgrims – Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia
- To the elect:
- According to the foreknowledge of God the Father (it not coming as a surprise)
- In Sanctification of the Spirit
- For Obedience – Lets all strive to be obedient
- Sprinkling the blood of Jesus Christ ( not in our own)
- Grace to you and peace be multiplied (as you walk closely with God)
- Blessing – His Abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead
- Vs. 3 (Amp)Praise God, because of His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be borne again
- The idea that this is our intentions, but we can’t do it alone. E.g. waking up/alarm
- To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that doesn’t fade away – reserved in Heaven for you
- He is speaking of a tangible assurance- He saw Jesus ascend to heaven and say “ I am going to prepare you a place , and if it wasn’t so – I would not tell you”
- “Who are kept by the power of God through Faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time
- In this you greatly rejoice:
- For a little while, if necessary ( AMPC) ( for our refining) you are grieved by various trials,
- That the Geniuses of your faith, being more precious than Gold is tested under fire
- The testing that happens daily vs when we get to heaven and everything is subjected to the fire – only some to barely escape
- Peter was tested – Satan is asking to shift you Peter
- Luke 22:30-32 (Esv) “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,[a] that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
- This idea that when we are going through trails that God has nothing to do with it is a lie
- If we are Christians, ask God to order our steps- then if He orders them to the fiery furnace, we best be ready to worship Him there
- Monday night- Eva
- That this testing even thought tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in your praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ
- When are you squeezed what comes out?
- Though you have not seen Him (Christ) you love Him
- Though you don’t even see Him now (Peter has seen Him) you believe and trust in Him
- You greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy
- This is through Faith
- Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the [a]substance of things hoped for, the [b]evidence of things not seen.)
- Vs 11& 12 – Peter is calling into history the fact that what He is writing about is indeed Christ who was testified before hand by prophets in the past
- And even the angels are amazed at what a wonderful salvation God has enacted on our behalf
Conclusion
- Here is a man, a man just like you and I – Identify with Peter
- Seems to say all kind of things, but has a zeal for Jesus
- I love how the Bible, shows us behind the curtain, that we don’t just see Peter at the end preaching – but we get to see him like a rock, rugged, sharp edges, smooth parts but when placed by the river over time, he is molded by the living water
- Peter did everything for the love of Jesus
- Jeremiah 17:7-8(Nkjv) “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. 8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not [a]fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit
- Tree (planted by the river)
- I want to be like Peter
- Love God with all my heart, have a zeal to defend the cross
- Not be timid but be Bold about the things of God
- Peter goes on to do great things for God after Jesus
- Peter was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ.
- A man who knew, who he was and what God had done in his life
- If you want to be like Peter, Jesus has a question for you
He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of [c]Jonah, do you love Me?”He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I [d]love You.”He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of [e]Jonah, do you [f]love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep
- I want to be like Peter!
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