Peter as Pastor - 1 Peter 1

We don't have the privilege of knowing anything about Peter's day by day activities once the Biblical narrative turned to Paul and the Gentiles.  We don't know exactly when Peter left Jerusalem, but we know that he did.  Did he ever cross paths with Paul outside of Jerusalem?  We don't know.  Did he spend time in the cities where Paul established churches?  We don't know.  According to early Christian sources, both Peter and Paul were executed within a few years of the Roman fire under Emperor Nero which was in 64 A.D.  People suspected Nero himself as the arsonist, but a scapegoat was found in the unpopular religious sect - the Christians - who were social outcasts and already suspected of wicked practices.  Horrible executions and persecution began to take place.  

So Peter writes.  He writes to believers ... he writes out of the love of a pastor's heart to help people who were experiencing troubled times and for whom worse things lay ahead.  He writes, not to correct theological heresy, but to strengthen men and women who were in danger of losing their lives because of their faith.  Let's listen in ... he offers wisdom for you and I in our lives and for our time as well.

Read 1 Peter 1  

Reflect on these precious things that this pastor wants you to know:

1.  Peter wants you to know that God, Himself, birthed you!  And He birthed you into a hope that is alive - living - never to die.  He also birthed you into an inheritance that is perfect and pure.  

2.  Peter wants you to know that trials and trouble refine you - they test your faith and prove it to be strong and stable.  

3.  Peter gives 5 declarative command statements in verses 13 - 16.  Watch the progression -

          a.  prepare your minds

          b.  discipline yourselves

          c.  set ALL your hope on the grace revealed in Jesus

          d.  don't conform to previous desires

          e.  be holy in all your conduct

          See the way they link together?  Mental preparation leads to personal discipline which effects behaviors.  

4.  Peter wants you to know that holiness in life matters.  Why?  Because God is holy and we have been birthed by Him.  What does that look like, according to Peter?  Consider 3 things:

           First:  A holy life is a life of obedience.  When God speaks, His children obey.  

Jeannette Clift George wrote:  "Our will and God's sovereignty meet at the option of obedience."  

She also wrote:  "I expect from God a far reaching assignment and He says, 'First clean out your desk!'  Sometimes the nearest obedience is the the hardest thing to do."

Obedience is so closely linked to faithfulness.  

            Second:  A holy life is a life of reverence toward God.  It recognizes the presence of God in every moment.  It is an attitude of the mind.  It is the mind that is always in the presence of God.  

            Third:  A holy life is a life of love.  It is visible.  It is active.  It is fervent.  

So, believer, face what is in front of you today.  You can.  Because you are secure in the presence of God.  He walks with you.  His Spirit is in you.