I PETER---PRECIOUS POSSESSIONS
INTRODUCTION
1. Peter, the man
A. Before he became a disciple his name was Simon.
B. He was born in Bethsaida and lived in Capernaum.
C. He was a fisherman.
D. He was brought to Jesus by Andrew, his brother.
E. He became one of the leaders of the apostles, both before and after Christ’s death.
F. He was impetuous, brave and energetic.
G. He became a powerful preacher and worker of miracles after the ascension.
2. Those addressed - Jewish Christians
A. The sojourners of the dispersion (1:1; cf. Acts 8:1)
B. They were strangers (sojourners, pilgrims). (1:1, 17; 2:11)
C. They were persecuted. (3:17; 4:12-19)
D. They were persecuted by the Gentiles. (4:3, 4)
KEY WORDS
1. Suffering or its equivalent (21 times) (1:11; 4:13)
2. Hope (1:3, 13, 21; 3:15)
A. Paul was called “The Apostle of Faith”.
B. John was called “The Apostle of Love”.
C. Peter was called “The Apostle of Hope”.
3. Precious used five times in I Peter and two times in II Peter. Note the seven precious things Peter lists:
A. Precious trial of faith (1:7)
B. Precious blood (1:19)
C. Precious Cornerstone (2:4, 6)
D. Precious Christ (2:7)
E. Precious spirit (3:4)
F. Precious faith (II Peter 1:1)
G. Precious promises (II Peter 1:4)
THEME: Suffering
1. The sufferings of Christ are referred to in every chapter.
2. In our suffering, we are to follow the example set by the Lord Jesus. (2:21-25)
DATE
1. About 65 A.D.
2. From the literal city of Babylon on the Euphrates River. (5:13)
KEY VERSES 4:12, 13
OCCASION AND PURPOSE
1. A persecution of these believers was in progress.
A. There is no mention of martyrdom, imprisonment, confiscation of property, or demands to practice emperor worship.
B. The persecutions they endured seem to have taken the course of slander and ridicule for their faith and stand.
1) They may have been accused of disloyalty to the state (2:13-17).
2) They were ridiculed for their separated stand in their personal lives (4:4, 5). “Of course, your former friends will be very surprised when you don’t eagerly join them any more in the wicked things they do, and they will laugh at you in contempt and scorn.” --L.B.
3) WHAT A PARADOX---that which Christian believers suffered to avoid in the purity of the early church, believers today in the impurity of the last days freely indulge in. One wonders how the early Christians would react today to see the present generation of cigarette-sucking, theater-going, dance-crazy, card-playing, rock music-obsessed believers of our day. As they watch the church from heaven today (Heb. 12:1), they must surely be dismayed by our conduct. We find ourselves wallowing in the very muck and sludge they believed had to be withstood for testimony’s sake! (I Thess. 5:22)
2. It appears that a greedy and domineering spirit had arisen among some of the elders of their churches. (5:2, 3)
3. Peter writes the epistle to
A. Fortify the believers subjected to persecution and to build them in the faith
B. To correct the problems with the elders by reminding them that as they are faithful to their calling of teaching and preaching the Word, they would “receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away”. (5:4)
PETER’S ENCOURAGEMENT
He would establish and comfort them by reminding them of the “precious possessions” they have as Christians.
1. We have been begotten by Jesus Christ unto a lively hope. (1:3)
2. We have in reserve an incorruptible inheritance. (1:4,5,10)
3. We are kept by the power of God. (1:5)
4. We are being purified to fit us to stand with Christ. (1:7)
5. We have salvation for our souls. (1:9)
6. We have a Gospel the angels desire to look into. (1:12)
7. We have a great hope. (1:13)
8. We have redemption through His blood. (1:18, 19)
9. We shall not be confounded or ashamed. (2:6)
10. We are born-again by His Word. (1:23)
11. We are built up a spiritual house. (2:5)
12. We are a chosen people. (2:9)
13. We are a royal priesthood. (2:9)
14. We are a holy nation. (2:9)
15. We are His peculiar people. (2:9)
ELEVEN PICTURES OF THE CHRISTIAN
1. A babe (2:2) - desiring the milk of the Word
2. Living stone (2:5) - a vital part of the Church
3. Priest (2:5) - offering up spiritual sacrifices
4. Stranger (2:11) - keeping himself unspotted from the world
5. Citizen (2:17) - honoring the king, whether you voted for him or not
6. Man (2:17) - honor all men in the fear of God.
7. Servant (2:16) - as subject unto God
8. Sufferer (2:21-25) - to be patient, committing all to Christ
9. Steward (4:10) - as using the special abilities God has given us in helping others
10. Oracles (4:11) - as preaching the Word to the lost
11. Pilgrim (2:11) - not attached to this world, but just passing through on our way to heaven
OUTLINE OF THE BOOK
I. SALVATION (1:1-12)
A. Heaven based (1:1-5)
B. Joy producing (1:6-9)
C. Limited to the human race (1:10-12)
II. SANCTIFICATION (1:13-2:12)
A. On the basis of the person of God (1:13-17)
B. On the basis of the preciousness of Christ’s blood (1:18-22)
C. On the basis of the purity of the Word (1:23-2:4)
D. On the basis of our position in God (2:5-12)
III. SUBJECTION (2:13-3:12)
A. Principle established (2:13-20)
B. Principle illustrated (2:21-25)
C. Principle applied (3:1-12)
IV. SUFFERING (3:13-5:14)
A. Strength in suffering (3:13-4:1)
B. Source of suffering (4:2-6)
C. Faithfulness in suffering (4:7-13)
D. Cause for suffering (4:14-19)
E. Course for suffering (5:1-14)