1st Peter Unashamed of the Gospel in a Morally Shameless Society - Winter Quarter 2019
Be Unified
Christianity at one time thrived with minimal opposition in the geographical areas where this letter went. As the letter went out, cultural, social, and political winds were blowing that had already had an impact on the comfort levels of Christians. Furthermore, a more severe situation, a fiery trial, was appearing on the horizon. That situation is similar to feelings…
Be Humble
Christians were under social pressures and physical persecution was at hand. The wolves (or the lion as 5:8 will address) were attacking the flock, causing it to scatter. Therefore, the shepherds were exhorted to diligently tend the flock.
Be Unashamed
In the present context for those studying this booklet, our suffering is mostly along the line of inconveniences at best and insults at worst. However, we should remember that Christianity Today magazine issues a World Watch List each year. That is a listing of the 50 countries where it is most dangerous to follow Jesus. North Korea is the highest rated. It categorizes…
Be Decisive
Jesus warned his disciples about the response of the world to their decision to follow him: “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:20). Sometimes the cost of discipleship is being maligned; sometimes it is being martyred. Since Christ suffered, Christians must be resolved to suffer whenever and however necessary.
Be Righteous; Be Baptized
Be Righteous, 1 Peter 3:8-17 If you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed.
Be Baptized, 1 Peter 3:18-22
Baptism…now saves you
Be Mature
This passage begins with the picture of a baby and a bottle of milk, but its message is to grow up into spiritual maturity and completeness.
A second picture in this passage is a construction project. We do not want to be a building half-built. We are to become everything God has called us to be – complete and mature.
Be Loving
Lesson 5
1 Peter 1:22-2:1, Be Loving
Love one another earnestly.
“Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth.” (1:22a), and “Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding world of God.” (1:23), a resulting command flows: “Love one another earnestly from a pure heart.” (1:22b).
Be Holy, for I am Holy
Lesson 4
1 Peter 1:13-21, Be Holy
The thematic verse for this section of 1 Peter is a quotation of Leviticus 11:44. “Be holy for I am holy.” (vs. 16). In conjunction with this call, God has made us a covenant with us, empoweres us, supplies a model, and provides a safety net.
“Be holy” means “behave”.
Be Great
Have you ever received star treatment? Have you enjoyed an occasion at which you were made the center of attention and all your wishes were catered to? You felt that you were great because you were treated as though you were great.
Every phrase in 1 Peter 1:10-12 tells Christians, though we are exiles and strangers in the world, that we are at the center God’s focus in…
Be Motivated
Unashamed of the Gospel in a Morally Shameless Society – Be Motivated If we are going to Be Secure (lesson 1) in a culture that has an ever-growing intolerance of our belief system, we need a pep talk-a motivational speech. 1 Peter 1:3-9 is one of the great Christian motivational speeches of all time.
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