1Peter

09 1Peter 4:7-19 The Right Perspective

September 26, 2018 by Krisan Marotta

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09 1Peter 4:7-19 The Right Perspective - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

1Peter 4:7-19 marks the beginning of the end of the letter. In conclusion, Peter returns his main theme of the letter: how you deal with fellow believers and hostile nonbelievers. His answer in each case is you need the right perspective.

Passage

⁷The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. ⁸Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: ¹¹whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. ¹²Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ¹⁵But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. ¹⁶Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. ¹⁷For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” ¹⁹Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. – 1Peter 4:7-19 ESV

We become metaphorically drunk and distracted by daily life such that we forget that we have an inheritance in the kingdom of God.
Peter starts his summary by urging his readers to remember this world is not home and we live in the last age before the second coming.
If we are humble before God, we are less likely to sin against our fellow believers and less likely to hold their sins against them.
Hospitality was highly valued and a matter of honor in Peter’s day.
Grumbling comes from taking myself too seriously and forgetting that this world is not all there is.
Peter divides the gifts it 2 basic categories: speaking and serving.
Don’t be surprised when you suffer. Why? 1) If people don’t like Christ, they won’t like you either and 2) God has made it clear trials are part of life.

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 10 1Peter 5:1-14 In conclusion

Previous : 08 1Peter 3:18-4:6 And then there’s Noah

Series: 1Peter: Living as aliens and strangers

Study: 1Peter Resources

hoto by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash

06 1 Peter 3:8-17 Who is there to harm you?

January 20, 2016 by Krisan Marotta

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Peter’s main concern in this section is how we treat others, both inside and outside the family of God. But his point is a fuller richer picture than ‘be nice.’ His advice is fix your hope completely on the grace that is coming to you. And then be humble. Be soft-spoken. Seek their welfare. Don’t give evil for evil. There’s a bigger gospel perspective to take.

Part of the series 1 Peter: Living as aliens and strangers
For more information: WednesdayintheWord.com

Many thanks to Reggie Coates of Heartfelt Music & Ministry for graciously providing instrumental guitar music for our podcasts!

06 1 Peter 3:1-7 When you’re treated unjustly

January 13, 2016 by Krisan Marotta

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Peter continues the theme of submission he introduced in 2:11. He calling people who are being persecuted to consider what their response communicates to those persecuting them. His advice is the same in all three examples: When possible show the unbelievers that you are a person of virtue by behaving in a submissive and respectful way.

Part of the series 1 Peter: Living as aliens and strangers
For more information: WednesdayintheWord.com

Many thanks to Reggie Coates of Heartfelt Music & Ministry for graciously providing instrumental guitar music for our podcasts!

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03 1 Peter 1:14-25 Hope makes a difference

January 6, 2016 by Krisan Marotta

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In this section Peter explores the connection between what we believe and how we act 3 ways:
1) vs 14-16- be holy; A holy God has rescued us and to follow him means we are going to live differently and want different things.
2) vs 17-21 – essentially: love the lord you God with all your heart
3) vs 22-25 – love your neighbor as yourself

Part of the series 1 Peter: Living as aliens and strangers
For more information: WednesdayintheWord.com

Many thanks to Reggie Coates of Heartfelt Music & Ministry for graciously providing instrumental guitar music for our podcasts!

09 1 Peter 5:1-14 Final Imperatives

November 11, 2015 by Krisan Marotta

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Peter concludes his letter by returning to his great main themes: salvation, suffering and submission. In his “final imperatives”, Peter encourages his readers to stand firm in the faith and focus on their future hope.

Part of the series 1 Peter: Living as aliens and strangers
For more information: WednesdayintheWord.com

Many thanks to Reggie Coates of Heartfelt Music & Ministry for graciously providing instrumental guitar music for our 1 Peter podcasts!

08 1 Peter 4:7-19 The Purpose of Suffering

November 4, 2015 by Krisan Marotta

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With 4:7, Peter begins the conclusion of the letter. In his summary he returns to two of his major themes: how to respond when suffering for the name of Christ and how to treat fellow believers. In each case you need the right perspective.

Part of the series 1 Peter: Living as aliens and strangers
For more information: WednesdayintheWord.com

Many thanks to Reggie Coates of Heartfelt Music & Ministry for graciously providing instrumental guitar music for our 1 Peter podcasts!

07 1 Peter 3:18-4:6 And then there’s Noah

October 28, 2015 by Krisan Marotta

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1Peter 3:18-20 is one of the more difficult passages of the New Testament. We know it has to fit the context of suffering unjustly for the sake of another and we have to answer these 4 questions:
1—Who are the spirits that Christ made proclamation to?
2—Where are these spirits?
3—When did Christ preach to them?
4—What did Christ preach to them?

Part of our series 1 Peter: Living as aliens and strangers
For more information: WednesdayintheWord.com

Many thanks to Reggie Coates of Heartfelt Music & Ministry for graciously providing instrumental guitar music for our 1 Peter podcasts!

06 1 Peter 3:1-17 Righteous Living

October 21, 2015 by Krisan Marotta

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Peter concludes the section his section how to respond when being treated unjustly speaking to wives whose husbands are disobedient to the word. He summarizes this section “Finally/To sum up” – first how we should get along with a pagan government (2:13), then an unfair boss (2:18) and a non-believing spouse (3:1).

Teacher: Libby Taggart

Part of our series 1 Peter: Living as aliens and strangers

05 1 Peter 2:11-25 When you’re treated unjustly

October 14, 2015 by Krisan Marotta

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Peter begins a new section of the book, explaining what to do when you’re stuck in a situation you can’t leave and you’re being treated unjustly.

Part of our series 1 Peter: Living as aliens and strangers
For more information: WednesdayintheWord.com

Many thanks to Reggie Coates of Heartfelt Music & Ministry for graciously providing instrumental guitar music for our 1 Peter podcasts!

Today is the fleeting moment

October 13, 2015 by Krisan Marotta

Have you ever seen those maps of the stars of the universe? The ones taken from space where there is no man-made light, so you can actually see the billions of stars?

First, these photos impress you with the vastness of the universe and the number of stars is beyond counting. Then they label one tiny pinpoint in the star array: “you are here”, in order to make you feel insignificant and irrelevant.

In 1 Peter 2:1-10, the Apostle Peter does the opposite of that star picture. He reminds us that God will establish his plan through and by the work of Jesus Christ, and you are part of it, if you believe in Jesus.

1So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation– 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. – 1 Peter 2:1-20 ESV

1 Peter	Quote
2:6	Isaiah 28:16
2:7	Psalm 118:22
2:8	Isaiah 8:14

You are a living stone

In this short span Peter refers to three different Old Testament passages to make the point that Jesus is the metaphorical cornerstone for a new temple which includes you. But this temple is not another physical building. It is the people of God under the lordship of Christ. Since Christ is a “living cornerstone,” we are “living stones” built on the foundation of the gospel, called to serve God as a holy nation and to represent God to the rest of the world.

God’s building plan and redemptive purpose for His people began thousands of years ago. It revolves around the work of Jesus Christ and by believing in him, you find a place as a part of His people.

While this may sound like an abstract theological metaphor, it is a life-changing truth.

What’s the first thing we think when life gets hard and trials hit us like a hurricane? Something like this: “God doesn’t love me anymore. God doesn’t care. God’s not listening to me. God has forgotten me. I’m nobody in his eyes. Why should he care what happens to me?”

That’s precisely the kind of thinking that Peter wants to change. He’s insisting: you are not nobody; you are part of the people of God. God does care for you; He planned for you from the beginning of time.

You are a block in the building that begun required a very, costly sacrifice: the death of son Jesus on the cross. And He paid that price for you.

Built on the Cornerstone that will stand

That ought to give us confidence. What God has said will come to pass ‘way back when’ through Isaiah has in fact happened. What God has promised, He has delivered, just like He will keep the rest of his promises.

Nations may come and nations may go. Governments will rise and fall. The winds of persecution rise and fall. The stock market will rise and fall. Political tides will shift and flow.

But the cornerstone will stand.

The cornerstone is the foundation upon which you can surely stand. It is the one place of absolute security, nothing will destroy it; nothing will move it. And if you stand on it, you will be established as part of the people of God.

God has not forgotten or abandoned you. He is building you into His people, strengthening your faith and marking you as His child.

Today is a fleeting moment

When the circumstances and trials of today seem too overwhelming to face, remember there is more than today. Today is a fleeting moment in comparison to our inheritance in the kingdom of heaven.

Today is that tiny pinpoint of star light on the canvas of the universe. But you are part of that canvas that God is painting, the temple He is building. All that He has promised will be yours — you only have to believe.

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Photo Star Cluster NGC 265 taken by Hubble Telescope; Image Credit: European Space Agency & NASA

1Peter

Passage

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 10 1Peter 5:1-14 In conclusion

Previous : 08 1Peter 3:18-4:6 And then there’s Noah

Series: 1Peter: Living as aliens and strangers

Study: 1Peter Resources

Listen

Part of our series 1 Peter: Living as aliens and strangers

You are a living stone

Built on the Cornerstone that will stand

Today is a fleeting moment

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