Today we begin a brand new series from an ancient text, written by one of the closest disciples of Jesus, pointing beleaguered believers to their heavenly HOPE in the middle of difficult days.

AUTHOR

Peter - Simon Peter - an apostle of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is the author.  

• This is the same man who was the primary spokesman for the apostles, who denied Jesus 3 times, who spoke during the Pentecost Festival in Jerusalem (3000 people bowed their hearts to the Lord Jesus and were baptized); Peter was 1 of 3 who was given the privilege to spend more time with Jesus than any other people; Peter saw many miracles, heard Jesus teach on numerous occasions, and was given the power to heal the sick and cast out demons. Peter saw Jesus risen from the dead & ascend into heaven. 
• Peter’s given name was “Simon”, but Jesus Himself gave him the nickname “Peter” - which means “rock”.
• This letter is likely written in the early 60s (1st century), during the reign of Nero a wicked Roman Emperor.

AUDIENCE

Peter is writing to believers, as demonstrated by the term “elect”. It is possible that he is writing to both Jewish and Gentile believers.

1 Peter 1:1–2 (NIV)

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia...

The Hebrew people knew what it was like to be scattered to other nations. God even brought ungodly nations to discipline His disobedient people, whom He warned over and over about turning away from Him.

Ezekiel 39:23 (NIV) And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to Me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.

Hundreds of years later, many generations of Jews had grown up outside of Israel after being banished. The particular places Peter is writing to are far north of Israel in an area known as Asia Minor. 

• These Jewish and Gentile believers were living in cultures embracing many false gods including the emperor. These Caesars not only allowed people to worship them, but began to demand that they worship them. Nero demanded to be referred to as, “savior of the world” and “Lord of all the Cosmos.”
• Christians, however, had to recognize that these titles only belong to the TRUE “Savior of the world” and “Lord of all the Cosmos” - the Lord Jesus. Consequently, followers of Jesus would submit to Caesar, but only bowed to Christ as Lord (Phil 2:9-11) . 
• Followers of Jesus refused to follow the other pagan gods/goddesses that these cultures worshiped. So, despite living in a place they called “home”, these believers were treated like exiles - foreigners who really belonged somewhere else.

These believers could bask in the wonderful truth that they have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God. God foreknew (or knew before) those who would respond to the Gospel message and follow Jesus. Peter encourages this audience reminding them of what GOD is saying, “You might be scattered exiles, but you are MINE - God’s elect.” Our children know that regardless of how bad things get, their parents LOVE them, PROVIDE for them, and are COMMITTED to their good and God’s glory. 

Here we see the reality of the Trinity - chosen by the Father, sanctified [set apart for God and made holy] by the Spirit, obedient to Jesus having been sprinkled with His blood. Followers of Jesus are a forgiven family - in a lifelong process of being shaped into the image of Jesus (Rom 8:29). This should help us appreciate the multiplied abundance of God’s grace and peace poured into our lives.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was NOT just a theory or story Peter heard told. He SAW the risen Jesus! And those who follow the risen Jesus have been given new birth into a living hope. We have an inheritance awaiting us in heaven - an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. 

• Our inheritance is kept in heaven until the coming of that salvation...in the last time. When Jesus returns and we receive our inheritance in full, there will be NO MOMENT in this life that will compete with THAT MOMENT! 
• Until that day, it is our faith (trust) in God’s promise that allows us to rest in the fact that we are shielded by God’s power. This should be great encouragement to us just as it was for Peter’s audience.

Peter knew what it was like to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

• He grieved when Jesus was arrested and killed. 
• Peter and the other apostles experienced all kinds of trials - even being been thrown in jail (Acts 5:17-18) and flogged by fellow Jews (Acts 5:40). 
• Peter was grieved when his fellow apostle, James (1 of the 3 closest to Jesus), was beheaded by his enemies (Acts 12:1-2), after which Peter was thrown in prison…again (Acts 12:3-4). 

Thank God, difficult days don’t last forever, and they often teach us lessons & give us perspective we wouldn’t develop any other way. 

Trials prove whether we really trust God or not. It’s easy to trust Him when things are good. But what happens when tough times hit? These difficult days test the genuineness of your faith and mine. Here’s what is strange: It’s in the days we never want to experience that we experience the days we never want to go back and change.

Genuine faith in our Great Savior is of greater worth than any earthly treasure - even gold. And on the Day that Jesus returns, we will suddenly be overwhelmed with this reality:

Only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last. - C.T. Studd

Peter knew Jesus. But Peter’s audience…like you and me…have not seen Him. Yet, Peter knew that his recipients LOVED JESUS. How can you tell when someone really loves another person? These believers showed they love Jesus by being willing to face various kinds of trials for Him. They were…WE are currently receiving - the salvation of our souls. 

• Our minds ARE being transformed
• Our lives ARE being restored; 
• Our thoughts, actions, and words are being made clean - all of which results in inexpressible and glorious joy that find only in our unseen Savior…Who will one day be seen.
• Do you LOVE Jesus? What evidence from your life would demonstrate that? If He returned today, do you think He would say that you really do love Him?

1. What challenged/encouraged you most from today’s teaching? Explain why that was most impactful to you.
2. When you consider WHO is writing this letter, what makes his experiences & insights so significant for us to carefully consider? Name some lessons we can learn from the life of “Rocky”. (e.g. You might not want to ‘correct’ Jesus and have him call you ‘Satan’)
3. Read 1 Peter 1:1-2. Have you ever seen or considered that Peter mentions the Trinity (1 God in 3 persons) in the work of salvation and sanctification? (It’s okay to use a dictionary for difficult terms like “sanctification”.) Explain your answer.
4. Read 1 Peter 1:3-5. What’s the greatest material possession you have inherited or bought to this point. Who will it be passed on to when you die and what does that tell you about how important that THING is? What is different about what believers inherit according to this passage?
5. Read 1 Peter 1:6-7 and share some difficult days that have caused your faith in Jesus to grow.
6. Read 1 Peter 1:8-9. If you love someone, there should be evidence. What are some evidences that you love Jesus? (e.g. time seeking Him) Does this cause you any concern? If so, share why.
7. Any other insights or questions that we need to discuss?
8. Share your prayer needs and lift each other up to our God Who listens!