Eph. 2:8,9; Heb. 9:28

Introduction:

Peter writes to the DIASPORA, the Christian pilgrims scattered throughout the five Roman provinces of Asia Minor. They are in the world, but not of it. We are not to withdraw, but to witness to it. Diaspora usually refers to the Jews scattered among the nations. Here it refers to Christians, both Jews and Gentiles scattered throughout the world.

Peter is well qualified to write these words. For 30 years since the resurrection of Jesus, our Lord, he has been faithful in teaching and preaching and spreading the Gospel. John Mark was his amanuensis. I Peter 5:13. Writing the Gospel, as it was told him by Simon Peter. Peter has visited extensively among the churches.

I. I Peter 1:2, He believes in the Trinity. "the foreknowledge of God the Father", "the santification of the Spirit", "the blood of Jesus Christ".

He believes in election, the foreknowledge of God. "Elect to the foreknowledge of God". Here is a beautiful salutation, his greeting in Greek has the beautiful word, Charis, grace and the Hebrew greeting, Shalom, peace. These are to be multiplied in the lives of the people he is addressing.

II. I Peter 1:3, He speaks of our new birth. "The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again." This word that describes the birth is used only by Peter in I Peter 1:3 and verse 23. He continues "according to His mercy,” look at Titus 3:5, “not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to God's mercy, the Lord saved us,” so wrote the apostle Paul. Our first birth, we are born into this world with gifts; body, soul, and talents. Our second birth, we are born into the gift of the Lord. We have the inheritances of the new world, the kingdom of God. Four of those gifts are:

1. Our new world is filled with living hope. I Peter 1:3, He hath begotten us again with a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

a. This is a personal experience of Simon Peter; once, hope built upon a foundation of an earthly kingdom. His hope for a place in it. He is steadfast if others fail. So, his own judgement.

The cruel crucifixion dashed this to the ground. He is full of despair. Then his own personal failures and then denials. Then, "the living hope by the resurrection". The angel address in Mark 16:7, "go your way, tell his disciples and Peter," only here in Mark and Peter.

b. This is a personal experience of every regenerated man. Every unregenerated, unsaved man is a hopeless creature. Eph. 2:1, "He is dead in trespasses and in sins." Eph 2:12, "having no hope and without God in the world." So these people who are so widely known as infidels and sinners. Jer. 17: 9, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Another translation is "who can change it? Look at Paul in Romans 7:24, "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Romans 7:25, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord." So the picture in our baptism, we are dead with Christ, dead to the old life, we are raised with Christ, raised to a living hope, inseparable from Him. Thus II Cor. 5:17.

2. Our new world brings us an incorruptible inheritance. I Peter 1:4. We are begotten again to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us. This is a matchless revelation to the Christian believer. The word inheritance, a sanctified, unbroken promise. The inherited paternal estate, already in our name.

Rom. 8:17 The believer is called a kleronomos, if children (heirs) of God, and joint heirs with Christ. Here is a series of alpha privities...Greek words with an a, an alpha, in front of them. A denial. We are not corruptible, we are not perishable, we are without defect, we are unfading and unwithering. Look at the promise, these glorious virtues are reserved for us in Heaven.

God's unchanging Word, what His purpose for us. There was a pastor in the slums of London, visited a wretched man in a miserable room. He was half-starved and altogether unsightly. Unconscientiously, the pastor said, under his breath, "Oh, I am so sorry for you." The man heard him and said, "Sorry for me, why man, think of my prospects. Think of the Heaven that awaits me."

Rom. 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

3. Our new world brings us eternal security. I Peter 1:5 We who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. This is written in a present participle, continuous action, it is a military term, to garrison, to keep safe with a garrison. It's an old verb. We are here in enemy territory, our inheritance is one that has been laid to buy Satan. What of us, shall we fail of our inheritance, shall we never live to enjoy it. The abundant protection we have in the garrison of God, He is the one who stands guard here and there.

Peter writes at the beginning of the awful persecution of the Roman Caesars, "The providences soon will follow the pattern of Rome." It is typified by the hatred and infidelity of the emperor Nero. His word was, "The Christians to the lions!"

I Peter 1:6 Ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. That refers to being grieved, being saddened. And the word in Greek following refers to a tempting trial.

I Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. The word for trial, a trial with an apparent result. A culmination, a fiery trial, but we are kept by the power of God. The confiscation of their property was almost universal, but there is a glorious inheritance reserved for us in heaven.

4. Our new world will be fully realized at the end of the age. I Peter 1:5 A salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (When Jesus comes again)

a. Salvation has three time-status, definitions.

1. Past-saved from the penalty of sin

from the wrath of God

from condemnation in judgement

from spiritual eternal death

from everlasting punishment in hell.

2. Present-the new life, disposition, and character. II Cor. 5:17 Wrought by the Holy Spirit, saved from the power of sin, by the indwelling sanctifying Spirit of Christ.

3. Future-a full future deliverance. Our spirits will be delivered from the very presence of sin. Heb. 12:23;9:28. Our bodies will be resurrected and immortalized. The sting of death is removed. This accomplished bliss is not attained here, but at the unveiling of the Lord, the revelation of the Lord, when He comes again.

I Peter 1:5 Apokalupto-to unveil.

Heb. 1:13 Apokalupsis- an unveiling

Rev. 1:1 Apokalupsis-of Jesus Christ.

O that home of the soul, in my visions and dreams

Its bright jasper walls I can see,

Till I fancy, but thinly, the veil intervenes

Between that fair city and me.

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