1-2 Peter: Spiritual Refugees
Whether it's a family physically displaced from their native land, a mother wrestling with the weight of parenting, or a college student who feels the pace of technology and school passing them by, we know what it feels like to be isolated and alone. For those who feel like foreigners, strangers or exiles the gospel brings us good news. 1 Peter is a letter written to those who feel out of place and uncomfortable in their current situations. Peter writes to people and churches who are in a real sense "Spiritual Refugees," and yet he brings the promise of hope and direction for life into the reality of our trials.
Peter opens his letters to the churches by reminding them of their nature as exiles and the nature of their exile.
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-2
In the opening chapter of 1 Peter, the Apostle calls for believers to find hope in hard times by understanding God's goal in trials.
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12
Peter calls us to hope in our exile by calling us to holiness in our exile.
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-21
It's the certainty of what Jesus has done for us that allows his people to love one another when things are uncertain.
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25
In chapter 2 of his letter to the churches, Peter reminds believers of the foundational role of Jesus in their life and ministry.
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:1-10
As Peter develops his theme of spiritual exiles, he presses the importance of the gospel in both the culture of our heart and the culture of our world.
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:11-12
In the latter portion of 1 Peter 2, the apostle begins to shape the believer's responses to worldly authority figures by showing them the redemptive work of Jesus for their sake.
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-25
As Peter continues to shape the culture of the church with the culture of the gospel he turns in chapter three to husbands and wives.
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-7
In transitioning to his teaching on suffering, Peter equips believers to conduct themselves with Christian actions because of their Christian hope.
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:8-17
To prepare Christians to be misunderstood, Peter helps believers understand the victory Jesus secured.
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-4:6
In 1 Peter 4:7-11, Peter reminds the church that the hope of the gospel is so big that even in the midst of suffering Christians can do the hard but beautiful task of living life together as Jesus' church and for his glory.
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11
In finishing up his section on Christian suffering, Peter encourages believers to understand the nearness of Jesus in the midst of life's hardest times.
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19
In the midst of suffering, Peter turns to the individuals in the church to make sure they are prepared to care for each other.
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-5
In the concluding portion of his letter, Peter provides comfort to an anxious church by reminding them of the goodness of God in their salvation.
Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-14
As Peter opens his second letter to his churches he reminds them of the greatest experience which comforts their anxious emotions.
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-2
The late J.I. Packer asked a profound question: "What do I intend to do with my knowledge about God now that I have it?" 2 Peter 1:3-11 shows Christians the wonderfully practical places where our knowledge of God in Jesus influences our daily lives.
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-11
In the concluding portion of 2 Peter 1, the apostle sets the precedent of Christian living by pointing to the reliability of Jesus.
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:12-21
In the second chapter of his second letter, Peter breaks down the anatomy of false teachers and encourages the church to endure.
Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-22
What we think about judgement actually reveals what we think about God. Peter admonishes his church to misunderstand God's mercy as they await the day of the Lord.
Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-10
In conclusion of his second letter Peter helps Christians recognize the blessing and joy of holiness and obedience.
Scripture: 2 Peter 3:11-18