1 Peter – Elect Exiles: Living as Outsiders • 07.09.23
Nick Lees   -   July 9, 2023

Elect Exiles: Living as Outsiders
1 Peter

  1. Understand the reality you live in
  2. Embrace your identity
  3. Fulfill your calling

Good morning church family! (Baptism Sunday + High Five comments)

Family Worship Sundays in July (kids handout in back)

If you’re new here, I want to welcome you. You picked a great Sunday to join us, as we’re kicking off a brand-new sermon series in 1 Peter called Elect Exiles: Living as Outsiders. Today we’ll be doing an overview of the entire book, and then in the following weeks we’ll go back through it in smaller segments. My hope for our time together this morning is that you would grasp the big picture of this book of the Bible, and you would leave here with a sense of anticipation of the life-changing truth we’ll get to study in the weeks ahead. Perhaps this would even lead you to invite someone else to come and hear these truths next Sunday!

Bibles + Ushers (1 Peter; page ____)

Who am I? Why am I here? I would venture to guess that you’ve asked those questions at some point in your life. These questions get to the very foundation of our existence. They are questions of identity and purpose. I have good news for you – you’re not alone in asking them nor are you left to yourself to figure out the answers to them. The audience of 1 Peter appears to be wrestling with the exact same types of questions!

The letter of 1 Peter is written by the Apostle Peter in roughly 62 A.D. to Christians in what was then known as Asia Minor but what today is known as the country of Turkey. (MAP) Their reasons for wrestling may or may not be the reasons you might ask these questions. The original audience of this letter were facing hardships and trials for choosing to follow Christ.

This letter is one of encouragement, meant to provide instruction and hope to Christians who are bewildered by their family, friends, and even authorities treating them poorly now that they follow Jesus. These circumstances may seem a bit foreign to us in America, although the cultural climate continues to shift and invite such opposition into our lives. But what you have to realize, is that in much of our world today this teaching would seem like it was written directly to them.

(MAP) This is a map of the global persecuted church. In these countries, you typically face immediate consequences for following Christ because it is either illegal to be a Christian or it is highly discouraged. Those who choose to follow Christ in these countries know a lot about living as outsiders – suffering for their allegiance to King Jesus.

I recently read the story of Bassam, a former Muslim man living in the Arabian Peninsula. After coming to know Christ, he kept quiet about Jesus for years. Eventually he became convicted that he needed to speak up and tell everyone about the only true God, Jesus. That is when his walk of suffering began.

First, his wife rejected him, telling everyone in her family that she was married to an unclean man. And since Bassam worked for the police, she made sure his fellow police officers knew they were working with an infidel and pressured them to discipline him. Bassam remained faithful to Christ.

As Bassam was faithful to share his faith with his family, they grew angrier and angrier. Eventually his wife kicked him out of their home and limited his access to their daughters. She refused to divorce him because she wanted access to his government paycheck and benefits. She even made arrangements with his employer to have most of his salary sent directly to her…

Bassam’s brothers-in-law began to beat him regularly. He was admitted to the hospital multiple times with broken ribs, a permanently damaged knee, bruises and bleeding…

Bassam didn’t stop telling them and others about Jesus. Even when his wife had him drug before the courts for apostasy, he was faithful to tell them about Jesus…

Bassam is a modern-day example of a man who has counted the cost of following Christ! He has been willing to endure suffering at the hands of others for the sake of sharing the Gospel with them. He is a challenging example to the rest of us of living for Christ in a world that opposes him. (Series graphic)

Now, we do not face the same level of persecution that Bassam does in his country. In fact, at the time of the writing of 1 Peter, it does not appear that the recipients of his letter were facing widespread physical beatings or torture in the Roman Empire, though that would soon follow. Instead, Peter appears to be writing to those who are harassed verbally, mocked for their faith, rejected and ridiculed by old friends for not joining in on their drunken revelries and sexual immorality. This sounds a lot like choosing to follow Christ in our nation! If you choose to actively live out your faith at school, on the sports field, or when you’re at college, you may be mocked by your peers or professors. If an adult seeks to share the Gospel with co-workers or neighbors, there is a real possibility that you’ll face their scorn for your beliefs. If you live out your faith in your day-to-day life, speaking up and trying to be a light for Christ in this world, it will invite scrutiny and, likely, rejection.

Why is that? Peter points out that when men and women believe in and begin to live like Christ it changes them and challenges others. Authentic faith is so radically different than what this world is used to that it sticks out like a sore thumb. You can’t help but notice the man/woman who has joy in the face of trials. Or take Bassam again, who, after being brutally beaten by his brother-in-law one day, refused to press charges but said instead, “I love you. My Lord tells me to forgive.” The unbelieving world has no category for that! This radical mercy, love, and forgiveness shocks them, at times it provokes them, and, hopefully, it brings them to a place of faith and repentance. If the example of Bassam doesn’t quite hit home for you, consider someone faithfully speaking up on behalf of the unborn or for biblical sexuality. Living out your faith in these ways WILL invite a response from our society. *Pause*

Christians living on mission in the face of opposition are a powerful witness. They bring much glory to God and are used by him to bring people to himself. Living out your faith also provides Christians with much hope as they await the return of Christ. These are realities with which Peter encourages his original audience.

The question for you and me today is – Will I live for Christ in a world that opposes him?

Let’s turn our attention to an overview of the text of 1 Peter. I’m going to read a portion of each chapter of the letter today. Please take note of the themes that arise in these passages:

1 Peter 1:1–9 (ESV)

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

 

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:13–16 (ESV)

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 2:9–12 (ESV)

9 But 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. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

1 Peter 3:13–17 (ESV)

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;

yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

1 Peter 4:1–5 (ESV)

4 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 4:12–13 (ESV)

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1 Peter 5:8–11 (ESV)

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

What are some of the themes that stood out to you?

  • Suffering
    • Presence of it
    • Willingness to face it
    • Linked to their confession of faith in Christ
  • Exile/Sojourners/Aliens (Identity statements)
  • God’s mercy & grace
  • Salvation/Hope of eternal life
    • Rejoicing in these
  • Being sober-minded (thinking rightly about life and faith)
  • Christ’s transforming work
    • They were rescued from one way of life to a new way

I believe our study of this letter will be very helpful for us in understanding our position in this world. It will pair well with our study of Hebrews from the first half of this year, which primed us to understand that we are called to endure in our faith as we look to Christ. 1 Peter will further flesh out what that endurance and looking to Christ ought to look like. It will help us consider how we ought to view personal holiness, respond to ungodly authorities, and live out our faith in our home and in church. I am confident that these are all areas that each of us needs to grow in! I am very excited to see what kind of good fruit God will produce in each of us through this study. I hope you will be committed to digging in and learning as we go!

In the remainder of our time let’s unpack…

Living for Christ in a world that opposes him

  1. Understand the reality you live in

As Peter begins his letter, he opens with a lengthy blessing or praise to God for the work he had done in both him and his audience!

1 Peter 1:3–5 (ESV)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

He is reminding them of God’s work in them and calling them to rejoice in it! If you are here this morning and your faith is in Jesus Christ, then this praise is just as true for you. We can join our voices with Peter in praising God for his great mercy that has caused us to be born again to a living hope through Jesus’ resurrection!

This living hope cannot be taken from us. It is protected by God in heaven. And it is a promised inheritance for us when Jesus returns or calls us home. What an incredible, hope-filled reality!

And yet, throughout this letter we also heard repeated teachings about the reality of suffering – both Christ’s suffering and his people’s suffering. In the midst of the living hope that we have in Christ, there is also the reality of suffering for following Christ. These two elements are linked to one another. Peter made it very clear that Christians are exiles and strangers in the world. There is something different about us as a result of trusting in Jesus Christ! This world is no longer our home; instead, we are citizens of heaven who are living for eternity with Jesus. This is very similar to Paul’s counsel to the Philippians:

Philippians 3:20–21 (ESV)

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

When you trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, you are brought into the kingdom of God. You become a citizen of God’s kingdom. Your allegiance must be first and foremost to God, which results in your life being increasingly conformed to the teachings of his kingdom, which are revealed in his Word. And as your life is conformed to the truth of Scripture you begin to look a whole lot different than you used to.

Your desire to indulge in the passions of your sin nature diminishes. That may look a little differently for each of us… The sinful things that you once desired and enjoyed will cease to satisfy. Peter provides many examples in his letter, such as living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, etc., in chapter 4. These things no longer appealed to them. They had been transformed by grace! Praise God for that! What has that transformation looked like in your life? *pause*

As we heard earlier, going through such a radical transformation inevitably invites opposition. When men and women believe in and begin to live like Christ it changes them and challenges others. Authentic faith is so radically different than what this world is used to that it stands out and invites attention.

That is another key component to the reality Christians live in. Peter speaks of the hostility that Jesus faced in his own life and ministry. He suffered unjustly and was reviled by the very people he sought to bless. And, during Jesus’ life, he said that the world would oppose those who followed him.

Matthew 10:24–25 (ESV)

24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

Suffering is inevitable if you’re living for Christ. Peter knew this firsthand. He had been imprisoned before for his faith. He only escaped death at the hands of King Herod by angelic intervention. It is believed that he was writing this letter from a prison cell in Rome. And within years of writing this letter, Peter would be crucified upside down by the Romans under the reign of the Emperor Nero.

So, whether it’s Bassam in the Arabian Penisula, Peter in 1st century Rome, the Christians spread throughout Asia Minor who received this letter, or you here in America, there is a real cost to following Christ. If you are a Christian, you ought to rejoice in the reality of God’s work in you, but you must also be sober-minded because the reality is also that the world opposes God, therefore it will oppose you. It is impossible to follow Christ and not have to count that cost. Authentic faith will invite opposition.

Which is why it is so important to…

  1. Embrace your identity

Throughout this letter, Peter reminds his audience over and over of who they are! He doesn’t want them to forget their God-given identity. And there are some powerful statements that we’ll survey today and unpack in more detail in the weeks ahead. We will seek to understand their significance in later weeks.

  • Elect
    • Chosen by God
  • Exiles
    • Living somewhere that is not their home
  • Children of God
    • Adopted into the family of God
  • Living Stones
    • Brought from death to life as part of God’s holy temple
  • Spiritual House
    • For God to dwell in
  • Chosen Race
    • God’s plan to have a people for himself
  • Royal Priesthood
    • Set apart to represent God to the world
  • Holy Nation
  • People for His Own Possession
  • Sojourners

These identity statements served to help them remember that they are no longer who they used to be. They are the chosen people of God who have been brought into his kingdom and family. They now represent him to the watching world around them. Peter uses a lot of language that was previously used of the nation of Israel in the Old Testament! This is really a neat observation because it ties into God’s own work in Peter’s life from Acts 10 – impressing upon him that both Jews and Gentiles were able to be God’s chosen people. The recipients of this letter were predominantly Gentiles (non-Jews) and Peter is delighted to remind them of their incredible identity through faith in Christ!

I’m assuming the majority, if not all of us, are Gentiles rather than ethnic Jews, which means we have the same opportunity to embrace our identity in Christ- if your faith is in him. Do you know who you are? Do you know why you are here? 1 Peter will provide the answers, but it will be up to you to listen and obey!

And if you’re here and wrestling with what you believe or your identity/purpose, I hope you’ll keep coming back to consider what God says. There is great hope and purpose in following Christ.

Speaking of listening and obeying… As an outworking of the Christian identity, the expectation is to…

  1. Fulfill your calling

As the chosen, redeemed people of God, Peter’s audience was to suffer in a world that is not their home. Not for the sake of any evil they had committed, but because they had lived boldly for Christ!

1 Peter 4:12–16 (ESV)

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

Their transformed lives invited scrutiny and opposition. This type of suffering for righteousness’ sake is a blessing and reason to rejoice. It is indicative that they were living for Christ!

What do you think that would look like today? How would someone in our day live for Christ in such a way that the world opposes them?

How about living and speaking as if truth were real and exclusive? That ought to do it. Right is right and wrong is wrong. And Jesus is the only way to God. God’s Word is the only source of truth. These kinds of outspoken beliefs will bring all sorts of heat into your life from those who oppose it.

How about living a holy life that represents God well? To go back to an earlier example, when you stand up for the unborn, that doesn’t sit well with our world. You are threatening their worldview and demands for bodily autonomy. About a month ago, while out on Witness on Wednesday, my wife found out the hard way that the world has strong opinions about how large your family should be. God says children are a blessing from the Lord, but the world does not share that view.

Even being bold to talk to your peers about the Gospel will invite pushback. People really do not like to be told they are sinners in need of a Savior. You might be ostracized for it. Are you willing to count that cost? *pause*

“You shall be holy, for I am holy” is what 1 Peter 1:16 said. Holiness doesn’t sit well with those outside of Christ. It is uncomfortable and weird to them. They don’t understand why you would choose to refrain from intimacy outside of marriage or gossip or consuming certain types of media. They also don’t understand why you would believe in Jesus, someone you’ve never met and who you believe raised from the dead to conquer sin and death.

Which is why it’s important to also fulfill the calling to be witnesses. Multiple times in this letter Peter points out that the purpose of a Christian’s conduct is to produce a response in others. Sometimes the response is silencing mockery. Other times it is glorifying God. Ideally, it provides an opportunity to share the gospel!

1 Peter 3:15–16 (ESV)

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Will you live in a way that represents Christ well? Be holy. Be a witness. And be loving.

In his letter, Peter tells us to use our God-given gifts to serve one another. He tells us to submit to authorities for the glory of God. He says that pastors are to shepherd the flock from a position of humility for everyone’s benefit. And we are all called to resist the devil and persevere in the faith.

In all of this, God will be represented well! Christ’s name will be lifted high, and the watching world will be invited to respond, hopefully in faith that leads to repentance… There is a beauty and power in living for the Lord in a world that rejects him. We get to be the bright lights shining in the darkness pointing to the beauty of Christ.

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Philippians 2:14–15 (ESV)

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

As we study this book together in the weeks ahead, I am looking forward to our light shining more brightly and boldly in our community. I pray that both individually and corporately, as the church, we would be refined into the image of Christ in such a way that invites a response from others. That our neighbors, our co-workers, our family members and friends would see changes in us, especially as the political tension ramps up in our nation… changes that invite them to ask about the hope that is in us. That we might then have gospel opportunities to share the reason for our hope!

Today, as we close out our time together, we have the incredible privilege of rejoicing with some Christians who want to publicly shine their light for Christ. How appropriate that after studying about being Elect Exiles: Living as Outsiders we get to celebrate the ordinance of believer’s baptism.

Baptism

Baptism is an act of obedience for all who follow Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus’ last command to his disciples was to go and make disciples of all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and teaching them to observe all that Jesus taught.

As we see in Scripture, baptism is a public profession of a spiritual reality in a person’s life – namely that they have responded to Jesus Christ in faith for the forgiveness of their sins and that they desire to live for him. Baptism is not earning these folks any merit with God, but it is an act of obedience and worship. We have the privilege of witnessing this declaration, celebrating with these individuals, and partnering with them on the journey of a life of faithful service to Jesus.

In the Scriptures, we see that baptism is done after a person professes faith in Christ and it’s done by immersing them in water. The reason for this is that it symbolizes the person’s unity with Jesus’ own death, burial, and resurrection. Consider what Romans 6 teaches:

Romans 6:1–4 (ESV)

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Going under the water symbolizes the person’s death to their sin (the old way of life) and coming back up again symbolizes their being raised from the dead to new life (following Christ).

Today we have the privilege of celebrating with 9 individuals between both services. We’re also going to do things a little differently today. We have the baptismal tank set up on the church lawn, so I’m going to call folks forward 1-by-1 to share their testimonies, then after they have all gone, we will dismiss out to the church lawn to baptize them and rejoice in one final song! Due to our limitations with the livestream, the livestream will end after I dismiss folks to the church lawn.

At this time, I’d like to invite _________ forward to share a testimony of faith in Christ this morning.


9am

  • Alyssa Spracklin
  • Ben Spracklin
  • Josiah Baber
  • Isaiah Baber
  • Laura Travnicek
  • Sacha Raygor

11am

  • Noelle Lees
  • Lincoln Bower
  • Ezra Dielschneider
  • Marique Ruth

 

If you’re sitting here today and you’re realizing that you do not have a testimony of faith like these individuals, I would love to talk with you about that after the service. If you’re here and you’ve never taken the step of obedience to be baptized as a believer, then I would encourage you to email the church and let us know that you’d like to do so as soon as possible! Let’s gather our children from Harvest Kids and head out to the church lawn to participate in the rest of the baptism service. Livestream, you are loved!