1. Peter writes this letter to encourage Christians facing persecution who are scattered across various regions. 2. He reminds them that through faith in Jesus Christ, they have been born again and given a living hope - an eternal inheritance in heaven that is protected by God's power. 3. Christians can rejoice in their salvation despite trials, as enduring trials confirms the genuineness of their faith in God.

1. 1 Peter 1:1-9
“A Living Hope”
September 4, 2016
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA

2. What’s the number one thing?
http://www.thesocialleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/number-1.jpg

3. The Glory of God!
http://www.thecitychurch.org.uk/sites/default/files/glory-god.jpg

4. 1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do
all to the glory of God.
• http://www.nmnewsandviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/glory-of-God.jpg

5. September Memory Verse
John 14:6 (ESV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through me.”

6. WELCOME TO SUNDAY SCHOOL!!
•Fall quarter of lessons in 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.
•ETB (Explore The Bible) Lifeway Series – Electronic.
•Lessons will tie back to studies in Acts and events of
the early Church in Jerusalem.
•Using New King James Version (NKJV) today.

7. Bottom Line of 1 Peter 1:1-9
“A Living Hope”
•Christians will face trials and persecution in life.
•Enduring a trial assures you that your faith is genuine.
•Christians should focus on the future eternity Jesus
has prepared for us and not the present world
situation.

8. References
•MacArthur, John, MacArthur Study Bible (Nashville,
TN: Nelson Publishing, 1997).
•ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers,
2008).
•Dr. Chuck Missler, Sermons on 1 Peter, Session 1,
YouTube Video.

9. Did Peter write 1st and 2nd Peter?
•Most scholars believe that Peter the Apostle wrote
these letters.
•Doubts arise because of the classical Greek style of
writing by an uneducated fisherman.
•Peter was not specifically trained in the Jewish law,
but his literacy is not questioned.
•Peter was living in Rome in 64 AD when he wrote
these letters.

10. Peter’s Educational Background
Acts 4:13 ESV
13 Now when they (the Sanhedrin) saw the boldness of
Peter and John, and perceived that they were
uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And
they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
•Paul was known for his scholarly Jewish training.

11. Peter’s Correct Name?
John 1:40 NKJV
40 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
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 Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is
translated, A Stone).

12. Why is Peter claimed to be the 1st Catholic Pope?
Matthew 16:15-18 ESV
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16
Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the
living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are
you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not
revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18
And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build
my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.

13. Key Phrases in Matthew 16:18
•“you are Peter” – ‘petros’ is a little stone.
•“On this rock” – ‘petra’ is a large rock.
•Jesus said, “on this rock (petra) I will build my Church”.
•The Rock (petra) for building the Church is Jesus, not
Peter.
•1 Corinthians 10:4 (Rock); 1 Corinthians 3:9-11
(Foundation); Ephesians 2:19-22 (Cornerstone).

14. Peter’s Ministry
•Mark was Peter’s secretary to record events and write
letters.
•The Gospel of Mark could have been called “The
Memoirs of Peter”.
•Peter was the spokesperson for the new church in
Jerusalem but left after Stephen’s stoning and he was
freed from prison by the Holy Spirit in Acts 12:17.
•He went to Rome and worked from there.

15. Introduction to Peter’s Letters: Life as a
Christian in 64 AD.
•Nero was the Roman Emperor and had a drive to build
more structures in Rome.
•Nero blamed the Christians for starting the fires that
destroyed Rome in 64 AD.
•The persecution of Christians escalated after the fire.

17. Roman Culture in 64 AD
•Roman religion was viewed as a social activity that
promoted unity and loyalty to the state.
•Christians were viewed as hostile to the state.
•Romans had many pagan gods (idols) for every
occasion.
•Christians were viewed as superstitious because they
worshipped in private in homes.

19. Roman Culture in 64 AD
•The Roman government offered no rights or
protection for Christians or their worship practices.
•Persecution began as discrimination and escalated to
seizure of property, torture and death.
•Roman emperors began to believe that they should be
worshipped as other gods with statues of self.

21. Peter’s Theme for Letters to Christians
•How are Christians to deal with animosity?
•How are Christians to live and honor God in a hostile
world?

22. 1 Peter 1:1-2 NKJV
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the
Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and
Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God
the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience
and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you
and peace be multiplied.

23. …pilgrims of the Dispersion
•Peter is addressing Jews and Gentiles (spiritual
pilgrims) who are aliens on earth (not in our heavenly
home yet).
•Specific message for provinces in modern-day Turkey.
•Jews from all these provinces had been present at the
Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-47.

25. 1 Peter 1:3-5 NKJV
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has
begotten us again to a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an
inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does
not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are
kept by the power of God through faith for salvation
ready to be revealed in the last time.

26. …has begotten us again (we are born again)
•God gave new birth as a part of His provision in
salvation.
•When we come to Jesus in faith, we receive a new
nature and are born in to God’s family.
•Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3 … “unless one is
born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

27. “…begotten us again to a living hope”
•What is this living hope?
•Hope = confident expectation.
•Living Hope = confident expectation placed in
someone who is alive (conquered death and is risen
from the dead).
•This Living Hope is eternal life through our resurrected
Savior.

28. “A Living Hope”
1. This living hope comes from God.
Psalm 43:5 NKJV
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

29. “A Living Hope”
2. This living hope is a gift of grace.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NKJV
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God
and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting
consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your
hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

30. “A Living Hope”
3. This living hope is defined by scripture.
Romans 15:4 NKJV
4 For whatever things were written before were written
for our learning, that we through the patience and
comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

31. “A Living Hope”
4. This living hope is a reasonable reality.
1 Peter 3:15 NKJV
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always
be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a
reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and
fear;

32. “A Living Hope”
5. This living hope is secured by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
John 11:25-26 NKJV
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He
who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And
whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you
believe this?"
John 14:19 NKJV
19 "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more,
but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also."

33. “A Living Hope”
6. This living hope is confirmed in the Christian by the Holy
Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NKJV
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in
believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the
Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:5 NKJV
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has
been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given
to us.

34. “A Living Hope”
7. This living hope defends the Christian against
Satan’s attacks.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 NKJV
8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the
breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope
of salvation.

35. “A Living Hope”
8. This living hope is confirmed through trials.
Romans 5:3-5 NKJV
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and
perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now
hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has
been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who
was given to us.

36. “A Living Hope”
9. This living hope produces joy!
Psalm 146:5 NKJV
5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,

37. “A Living Hope”
10. This living hope is fulfilled in Christ’s return.
Titus 2:11-13 NKJV
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has
appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for
the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great
God and Savior Jesus Christ,

38. We have been born again to a living hope for
an inheritance.
•Our inheritance is a heavenly eternity.
•Jesus is preparing it for us right now.
John 14:2-3 NKJV
2 “In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were
not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am,
there you may be also.”

39. What is the Christian’s inheritance?
•The Christian’s inheritance is not on this earth.
•Peter called us Pilgrims in verse 1 (Not home yet!).
•Revelation 21:1-8 New heaven and new earth.
•Holy City – no crime or bad people or traffic.
•Relationship – God and Jesus.
•Peace – no tears, no death, no pain, no past.
•Satisfied – no thirst.

40. How does Peter describe our inheritance in
verse 4?
• Incorruptible – not subject to passing away or decay.
• Undefiled – unpolluted, unstained with evil.
• Does not fade away – does not lose its value or run out.
• Reserved – has your name on it.

41. Your inheritance is protected.
• v. 5 “…kept by the power of God through faith…”
•“kept” = military word meaning to guard & protect.
•God’s power will keep the believer and inheritance
secure.
•No one can steal it or disqualify you from receiving it.

42. 1 Peter 1:6-8a NKJV
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little
while, if need be, you have been grieved by various
trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much
more precious than gold that perishes, though it is
tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory
at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8a whom having not
seen you love.

43. 1 Peter 1:8b-9 NKJV
8b Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you
rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your
souls.

44. v. 6 – Rejoice in this when you have trials
•What is the “this” in verse 6?
•Living hope.
•Inheritance that is heavenly not earthly.
•God’s protection.
•Salvation.
•Eternity in heaven.

45. Peter teaches about troubles in life in verse 6.
1. Trouble does not last – “for a little while”.
2. Trouble serves a purpose – “if need be”.
3. Trouble brings distress – “grieved”.
4. Trouble comes in various forms – “various trials”.
5. Trouble should not diminish the Christian’s joy –
“greatly rejoice”.

46. The testing of the genuineness of your faith in
verse 7.
•God’s purpose in allowing trouble is to test the reality
of one’s faith.
•The benefit of testing or “fire” is immediately for the
Christian, and not God.
•When a believer comes through a trial still trusting
God, he is assured that his faith is genuine.

47. Bottom Line of 1 Peter 1:1-9
“A Living Hope”
•Christians will face trials and persecution in life.
•Enduring a trial assures you that your faith is genuine.
•Christians should focus on the future eternity Jesus
has prepared for us and not the present world
situation.

48. How does this apply to us today?
•Look at life and its events through “Spiritual Eyes”.
•Example: Refugees fleeing their homes and country.
•Worldly eyes: Stay home and deal with your own
problems.
•Spiritual eyes: They are coming to us when we
could not go to share the Gospel with them.

49. How does the Christian deal with animosity
according to Peter?
1. Remind yourself of the “Living Hope” you have.
2. Remember this world is not our home and your
inheritance is secure in heaven.
3. Use your “Spiritual Eyes” to view the world.
4. Trust God.

51. Next Sunday
September 11, 2016
1 Peter 1:13-25

52. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
John 3:16 NKJV
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting
life.”
John 14:6 NKJV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through Me.”

53. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
Romans 3:23 NKJV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a NKJV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
• Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
• Even Jesus, the only one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay
the penalty for our sins.
• The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in
Revelation 21:8.

54. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
Revelation 21:8 NKJV
8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually
immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the
lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Romans 5:8 NKJV
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we
were still sinners, Christ died for us.

55. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
Romans 6:23b NKJV
23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7 NKJV
7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and
he shall be My son.”
• Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be an overcomer.

56. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in
your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:13 NKJV
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

57. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
If you have questions or would like to know more, Please, contact First
Baptist Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or
http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/