1Peter 2
Location - First Peter is written to the five providences of Asia Minor. The
large land mass north (some 420 miles) and west of Israel. This is the general
area that Paul’s first missionary journey took him except it covers the entire
Asia Minor area and Paul stayed more to the south.
Interesting Note - This Epistle would show that while Peter may be recognized
as the Missionary to the Jews and Paul as the Missionary to the Gentiles, both
spent much time and effort in evangelizing all people.
Theme - Peter is written to teach Christians the that we can have victory over
suffering. Some form of the word SUFFER is used 15 times in this small, five
chapter Book. The Christian persections were well under way by the time Peter
writes this letter. While the exact date seems to be debated, it is possible
that it was written after the empire-wide persecutions begun by Nero in 64 AD.
Outline:
I. \\#1Peter 1:1-2:12\\ The Saints Service
A. \\#1Peter 1:1\\ Introduction
B. \\#1Peter 1:2-12\\ Our Position
C. \\#1Peter 1:13-17\\ Our Duty
D. \\#1Peter 1:18-25\\ Our Motivation
E. \\#1Peter 2:1-13\\ Our Examples
II. \\#1Peter 2:13-3:12\\ The Saints Submission
A. \\#1Peter 2:13-17\\ Submit to rulers
B. \\#1Peter 2:18-25\\ Servants ought to obey their masters.
I. \\#1Peter 1:1-2:12\\ The Saints Service
E. \\#1Peter 2:1-13\\ Our Examples
1. \\#2Peter 2:1-4\\ We should be as hungry "as newborn babes."
a. Still, in part, thinking of the Word of God, Peter tells us
that we should hunger after it. It is that Word that will
make us "grow." As we digest it, it becomes an inseparable
part of us, giving us life and strength.
b. Peter mentioned \\#1Peter 1:11\\ that it also purifies us.
in \\#1Peter 2:1\\, he describes some areas in which the Word
will change us.
(1) Malice - That internal evil within us all. That place
where road rage, jealousy, vengence, and even pure
evil hides when we think has left us altogether.
(2) Guile - Deceit
(3) Hypocrisies - Pretending to be that we are not.
(4) Envies
(5) Evil Speaking
c. It is the Word of God that strips us of our veener and changes
us from the inside out.
2. \\#2Peter 2:5-8\\ We should be as strong "as lively stones."
a. God has not choosen to meet in a house made of physical stones,
but inside of us. We are the "stones" of God’s house.
b. Yet, we are not lifeless stones to which unbelievers must
come if they are to see the work of God. We are living
stones. Stones that can move among the lost world to
minister help and present our Lord.
c. Yet, any stone is strong. The reason rock, block, and brick
are often used in construction is their strength. So we
ought to be strong for our God in this world in which we
love.
d. \\#1Peter 2:6-8\\ These verses speak of THE STONE. We are
STONES, plural. He is THE STONE, singular. THE STONE
spoken of is Jesus. He is "the chief corner stone" upon
which every other thing is to be build around. Not only in
our life but in the lives of every human being. Those who
reject THE STONE, will stumble and be destroyed by it
\\#1Peter 1:8\\, but to those who accept Him, He is most
precious \\#1Peter 1:7\\.
3. \\#2Peter 2:9-10\\ We should be as unique as "a choosen
generation." The adjectives used to describe our unique nature
speak for themselves. We live as the CHOOSEN - selected by God;
ROYAL - not common; HOLY - sinless and pure; PECULAR - unique
and different. The people who have seen the change in our life-
styles, should sing out "praises" as the change. Of course,
that is not the way we lived in "time past," but now we have
"obtained mercy" and as recepients of that mercy, we should be
changed.
4. \\#2Peter 2:11-12\\ We should be as careful "as strangers and
pilgrims." We are used to living in a country with a uniformed
justice system. Hence, whether we are in Alabama or New York or
Seattle, we can move around very familiar with the customs and
having a general understanding of what is allowed and what is not.
That was not the case in this day. Strangers had to be careful
that they did not violate a custom or law unique to that region.
We likewise ought to be careful in this world, not that we
violate its practice, but that we get pulled into its habits.
II. \\#1Peter 2:13-3:12\\ The Saints Submission
A. \\#1Peter 2:13-17\\ Submit to rulers - Emphasis is on the ALLs.
The idea that Christians were not loyal to earthly governments was
popular in those days due to the misunderstanding of Jesus being
our King. However, Jesus set the record straight when before Pilate
He explained that His kingdom was not presently of this world. Hence,
we can normally be loyal to both kingdom and should strive to submit
to every level of government and to every ordinance of man.
1. \\#13\\ Submit to every (ALL) ordinance.
2. \\#13-14\\ Submit to every (ALL) level of government.
3. \\#15\\ Submit for it is the Lord’s will.
4. \\#15\\ Submit for it will silence the ignorant. (Those who had
strange notions about Christianity since they had heard that
Jesus was the King.)
5. \\#16\\ Submit even though free, that is, not a slave.
6. \\#16\\ Submit without using our liberties as a cloke to hide
malicious deeds.
7. \\#17\\ Honor all - speaking of earthly rulers.
8. \\#17\\ Fear God - To honor earthly rulers and to fear and obey
God should not be opposites. Both should be able to be done.
9. Of course, there are times when they can not be done. Peter is
not trying to teach the corresponding balance of this truth but
this is the same Peter who answered the rulers of Jerusalem
when commanded not to preach about Jesus, "We ought to obey God
rather than men." \\#Acts 5:29, 4:18-20\\ However, during
typical times, there should be little conflict between the two
kingdoms.
B. \\#1Peter 2:18-25\\ Servants ought to obey their masters. This
section discusses the heart of the matter of submission; that is,
we are to submit even when being mistreated. Whenever we read of
slavery in the Bible, we tend to read into it our own early American
history of slavery. This is not the case that Peter is discussing.
He is discussing those who have been subjugated to slavery due to
debt. This is more of a forced apprenticeship (bond servant) than
a slavery based on military conquest or the belief that one race is
inferior to another.
1. \\#18\\ ACTION - Be subject to masters even when they are
forward (crooked, perverse, wicked).
2. \\#19\\ MOTIVATION - We "endure grief" "toward God." We do this
for God sake, that the gospel might be proclaimed. Many a
Christian has won a petty battle only to lose the war.
3. \\#20\\ REASONING - Where is the reward if we have done wrong
and take it well? Here we have the additional truth that if
we accept mistreatment for God’s sake, it "is acceptable with
God"; that is, in suffering in spiritual matters, God will
reward us.
4. \\#21-25\\ OUR EXAMPLE - Jesus Christ. If Jesus was willing to
endure the cross for our sake, why can we not suffer far less
wrong at the hands of others for His sake, that His power might
save them?
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