but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear: (1Peter 3:15
READ. 1Tim 4:13; 2Tim 3:14-17; Act 17:11
EAGER. Acts 26:2
ALWAYS. See Paul, Acts 23:1; 26:2
DEFENSE, not defensive. 2Tim 3:15-16.
YOU can do it. Eph 3:3-4; Titus 1:11
1Peter 3:1-7
a Husband DWELLS with his wife.
SUBMIT
1 Peter 2:13-25
SPOUSES. 1Pet 3:1-7; 1Cor 7:1-5; Eph 5:22-33
USA. Gov. 1Pet 2:13; Rom 13:1-7;
BRETHREN that labor in the Lord. 1Pet 5:5
MASTERS. 1Peter 2:18; Eph 6:5-8; Col 3:22
IN THE CHURCH. Heb 13:17; 1Pet 5:5
TRUE EXAMPLE. SUFFERING like Christ. 1Pet 2:21-25
A lesson about the Apostle PETER.
PASSIONATE. John 13:6-9
an EYEWITNESS to Christ. 2Pet 1:17
TESTED by Satan. Luke 22:31
EVANGELISTIC & Bold. Act 2 – 5
a man of REPENTANCE. 2Pet 3:15-16
An outline from 1Peter 2:11
PASSING through. Sojourners 2:12
IN THE LIGHT. 1Pet 2:9
LOOKING FOR A CITY. Heb 11:13-16;
GROANING here. Lot vexed 2Peter 2:7-8;
RESISTING… the World. Jas 4:1-6; Ga 1:10; 1Jo 2:15. the Devil. Jas 4:7-8; Eph 4:27; 6:11; 1Pe 5:9
INNOCENT of guilt. (not perfect) 1Pet 2:12.
MIND SET ON THINGS ABOVE. Col 3:1-2
STRANGERS. 2:11.
Here are a few lessons from 1Peter. Check back as new lessons are added.
INTRODUCTION OUTLINES:
1Peter Overview Chart.
Who is PETER?
1Peter is a quick start guide for Christians.
The POWER of the suffering Savior.
CHAPTER 1 OUTLINES:
Overview of 1Peter 1.
CHAPTER 2 OUTLINES:
Desiring the Sincere MILK of the word. 1Peter 1:22-2:3
We are LIVING STONES. 1Peter 2:4-8
Offer up SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES to God by Jesus Christ.
We are CALLED out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1Peter 2:9
PILGRIMS and Strangers. 1Peter 2:11
Just a-PASSING through.
by thy GOOD WORKS. 1Peter 2:12 (Scriptures about Good WORKS)
SUBMIT to one another. 1Peter 2:13-25
Follow in His STEPS. 1Peter 2:20-25
CHAPTER 3 OUTLINES:
a Husband DWELLS with his wife. 3:7
How to be READY to give a defense. 3:15
the BAPTISM that saves. 1Pet 3:21
Christ is on His THRONE now. 1Peter 3:22
CHAPTER 4 OUTLINES:
They Think it STRANGE. 1Peter 4:4
Be SOBER and watching. 1Peter 4:7-11
CHAPTER 5 OUTLINES:
the work of ELDERS.
Ye younger SUBMIT.
Ye shall receive a CROWN.
Our adversary the Devil, SATAN.
Who is SILAS?
Spencer is an evangelist for the Franklin & Juniper st church of Christ in Borger Texas.
The term ‘church’ (ekklesia) literally means, ‘the called out.’ It is a derivative of the word ‘kaleo’ which means a ‘calling out.’
I bring this to you attention because this is the word Peter uses in his 1st letter to us, the church.
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath CALLED YOU OUT of darkness into his marvellous light” (1Peter 2:9; emph mine seb).
Peter’s inspired letter says much about being separate, set apart, and different from the rest of the world. The comparison in this verse is light vs darkness.
This calling is to be heeded, but how? To understand what Christian must do to stay out of the darkness and be in the light can be seen in a study of chapter two.
Before we begin, it’s important to remember that the calling by God occurs through the word preached. “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2Thess 2:14). We become Christians by obeying the Gospel. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:3-4; 2Thess 2:8-9; 1Cor 15:1-4). After responding to this call, we can then continue to answer the call to walk in the light as He is in the light (cf. 1John 1:7).
With this background, we can now proceed to answer how to answer the call to come out of darkness.
CAST OFF
Beginning at verse one of chapter two we read, “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings…” From this we see that we are to CAST OFF worldly behaviors. The Christian that is walking in the light has nothing to do with worldliness and sin. Paul wrote, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints” (Eph 5:3). Paul also described the putting off as a putting to death these worldly attributes.
APPETITE for the word
Continuing on, Peter gives the source of knowing what is to be cast off and what our attitude should be toward it. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1Peter 2:2). The revealed word of God is the source book of information to teach us the difference between light and darkness, and that we need to develop an APPETITE for it as much as a newborn baby cries out for milk when it’s hungry. What a vivid description for us to see how vital the bread of life is to our growth.
LIVING STONES
From here, Peter describes who the called are. “To whom coming, as unto a LIVING STONE, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as LIVELY STONES, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1Pet 2:4-5, emph mine seb). This is important to understand for the Christian. Especially as we face persecution for being Christians. Peter will point this out in the remainder of this letter. We are the LIVING STONES of the Spiritual Temple of God.
LIGHT BEARER
Another thing to notice for those that walk in the light. We are to be LIGHT BEARERS to the dark world. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1Peter 2:9-12). Notice that we are to “shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out.” We can do this directly through preaching, and also through our actions in the world. Note verse 12, “they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” The Christian that is CALLED out of darkness shines forth the Light of Christ in their words and deeds (cf. Col 3:17).
EXAMPLE
This walking in the Light becomes an EXAMPLE for others to observe and to follow. Peter lists several areas in which the Christian can shine the Light, “which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1Peter 2:13-17)
DO GOOD
Finally, those that are called out of darkness are to be DO GOODERS. People that continue to do good despite persecution. “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God” (1Peter 2:18-25).
But this is not a do as I say, not as I do command. It is a “do as I did” command. Jesus Himself being the standard for those called to follow. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1Peter 2:21-24, emph mine seb).
It’s interesting to note that chapter two is not the only place in this letter that talks about our being CALLED (see 1Pet 1:15; 3:9; 5:10). The last one is given just before the closing greetings.
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
(1Peter 5:10)
This gives us comfort as we suffer persecution because we walk in the Light. It comforts because the suffering is only temporary, but glory is Eternal!
Spencer
Spencer is an evangelist of the church of Christ in Borger Texas. He has been working with the congregation on Franklin and Juniper since 2014.
There’s a common misconception about the Kingdom of God. It’s taught in error that Jesus will one day set up a physical kingdom, reigning in Jerusalem. According to the error, His plans were foiled by the Jews who rejected Him, and murdered Him. This is commonly called the doctrine of PREMILLENIALISM. Is this true?
It’s against scripture for Christ to reign from a physical throne in Jerusalem. “Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah” (Jer 22:30).
Never trust a doctrine based on the premise that mankind foiled God’s plans. LOL. “He shall not fail nor be discouraged,” (Isaiah 42:4).
His own disciples expected an earthly kingdom, but Jesus said, “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21; cf John 18:36).
However, He does have a Kingdom and it does have a TEMPLE on earth, a spiritual house. In Christ’s Spiritual Kingdom, the church, there is a Temple and it’s being built continually with LIVING STONES. What does the bible say about these living STONES?
“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1Peter 2:5).
God’s Temple today is a SPIRITUAL HOUSE. “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building” (1Cor 3:9-15; cf. 1Pet 2:5). The church of Christ is the Spiritual House of God, the individuals are the living stones.
The church of Christ is the TEMPLE of God and individual members are the living stones. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (1Cor 3:16-17)? “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own” (6:19; Eph 2:21-22)? Anyone that claims that there will be a physical kingdom on earth has overlooked that the Kingdom of God is the church of Christ. “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col 1:13).
There is only ONE Kingdom, ONE BODY. “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all” (Eph 1:22-23; cf. Eph 4:4). Since the church is the Kingdom, and the church is His body, then there is only ONE BODY (temple) in His Kingdom.
Every Temple has a foundation, and this Spiritual Temple is no exception. NO OTHER FOUNDATION exists except the Chief Cornerstone, which is Christ. “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord” (Eph 2:20-21). Referring back to a previous passage about the Spiritual House, Paul said, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1Cor 3:11; cf. Matt 16:18).
As was prophesied, this Kingdom is an ENDURING Kingdom if we keep His commands “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:44). “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end” (Heb 3:6).
Lastly, since people are the Living Stones, we are to STAND FIRM. “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel,” (Col 1:23). The stones that STAND FIRM are precious STONES, but those stones that are not of precious material will be burned. “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” (1Cor 3:12-13).
— spencer
Spencer is an evangelist in Borger, Texas.
THE KINGDOM is the CHURCH:
The Same Beginning: Pentecost. (Mark 9:1; Acts 2:47)
The Same Duration: Forever.
(Daniel 2:44; Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 12:28; Ephesians 3:21)
The Same Ownership: God and Christ. (Ephesians 5:5)
The same historical period: During Roman empire.
(Luke 2:1; Acts 2:1; Colossians 1:13)
The same eschatological beginning: In the “Last Days” or “end times”
(Hebrews 1:2; 1 Peter 1:20; Acts 2:15–17; James 5:1–3)
Kingdom and church used interchangeably: (Matthew 16:18)
JOSHUA was one of only two people allowed to enter the promised land after their rebellion and the wilderness wandering.
In the final speech of Moses, he explains why Joshua & Caleb could enter the promised land.
“Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD” (Num 32:12)
A study of the life of JOSHUA will show how he wholly followed the LORD and the effects of his faithfulness.
This great man had to suffer with the rebellious children of Israel during the wilderness wandering and had to wait 40 years to enter in.
His name means, “a savior; a deliverer” and is the same name associated with Jesus. He died when he was 110 years old.
Joshua is probably best known for the fall of JERICHO, his first battle after becoming the leader of Israel and crossing the Jordan (Josh 5-6:27). “And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days. And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him” (Josh 6:3-5).
Joshua was faithful and OBEDIENT. Because of his own obedience to God, he is able to tell the whole nation to do the same in his final speech. “Therefore be ye very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left” (Josh 23:6). Joshua did what was told him, (Ex 17:10).
His faithfulness and obedience made him an excellent SERVANT to Moses, to God & the People. “And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.” His most famous quote being, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Num 11:28; Ex 24:13; 32:17; Josh 1:1; 24:15).
Joshua was HEEDED by all the people during the beginning of his leadership, “And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go” (Josh 1:16), and they served the Lord during the days of the elders that outlived him. “And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel” (Judges 2:7).
His whole life is an example of UNWAVERING Faith and Courage. It’s seen early after their exodus from Egypt in the battle with the Amalekites (Ex 17:8-16). It is seen as he serves Moses at Mount Sinai, “And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God,” (Ex 24:13; 32:17).
His UNWAVERING faith and courage are seen when he is chosen to spy out the land and his desire to go at once to take the land with Caleb. “And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not” (Num 14:6-10).
We also see a strong ALLEGIANCE & loyalty to Moses when they went up to Mt. Sinai while the others stayed beneath. “And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.” Moses when go on into the midst of the cloud that surrounded the mountain, (Exo 24:13-18).
He remained close to the mountain for the forty days while the others feared and erred. “And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him” (Exo 32:1-17).
He remained close to the tabernacle of meeting that Moses has set up to communicate with God on behalf of the people. “And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle” (Exo 33:11).
What does it mean that Joshua ‘wholly followed’ the LORD? What more can be said? Is there one verse that could describe the character of Joshua?
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might”
(Deut 6:5; 10:12; 30:6; Matt 22:37)
— spencer
Spencer has been serving with the church of Christ in Borger Texas for 8 years.
How nice would it be if every New Born baby came with an owner’s manual? Fortunately, the new mom can look to the older generation for help and advice on what to expect when they’re expecting. (Titus 2:3-4).
What about the New Born in Christ? Wouldn’t it be nice if there were an operator’s manual for how to live as a New Creature in Christ?
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2Cor 5:17).
Well, there is one, and it’s available to all that will decide to open it and study it.
It’s called the Bible.
“But where do you start?” some may ask. Let me suggest to you
The FIRST CHAPTER is a mini course on what it cost for us to become children of God. A good one-line summary could be;
We have a hope in the Promise of the resurrection. Christ Paid the Price for our Protection by the Power of God, through our Precious faith, with His own Precious blood.
Lesson ONE: You’re PRECIOUS; know Who & Who’s you are.
CHAPTER TWO, while using the illustration of a new born babe, Peter encourages us to follow the EXAMPLE of Christ in the way that He ENDURED suffering. This is part of what makes us different. Because we are in Christ, we are a “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (2Pet 2:9).
We are the living stones, being built up into a spiritual house. Therefore, we are to be different. When we ENDURE grief, suffering wrongfully, we are following the EXAMPLE of Christ as He also suffered wrongfully. He did not threaten, but committed himself to him that judges righteously (1Peter 2:23).
Lesson TWO: ENDURE to the end.
CHAPTER THREE teaches us how to live in more specific, perhaps less than ideal situations. Wives toward husbands, husbands toward wives, brethren toward brethren, and Christians who display hope amidst suffering. In the midst of this is this line; “For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile: And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it.” (3:11-12 ASV).
Lesson THREE: TURN Away from evil and pursue peace.
In CHAPTER FOUR we learn this; We’ve spent ENOUGH of our past in lusts of the flesh, the END of all things is near, so be sober. ENTRUST your soul to a faithful Creator when you suffer for the name of Christ. “But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer” (1Pet 4:7).
Lesson FOUR: The END is near, ENTRUST you soul to God.
Then we come to CHAPTER FIVE. This chapter instructs the members of the local congregation. First to the Elders who shall RECEIVE the crown of glory if they shepherd the flock of God. Then, he instructs the younger to submit to the elders. If not, he warns that God RESISTS the proud.
Continuing the instructions, we are told to RESIST the devil. We are not alone in our suffering among the brotherhood who also suffer and must RESIST.
Then the letter closes out with a promise to those who have endured the suffering. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1Peter 5:10).
Lesson FIVE: RESIST the devil, God will remember you.
This letter is a wonderful letter for the New Born in Christ. It’s also a wonderful reminder to the older children of God.
— spencer
Spencer is an evangelist for the church of Christ in Borger Texas.
