The fact that man is destined to die and then to face judgement is one of the most sobering truths of the Bible. This truth is beautifully surrounded by the reality of the three appearances of Christ: long ago when he came to die to take away sins, now in the presence of God for us, and when he returns to bring salvation to all those who wait for him.
Read Hebrews 9:23-28
Peter encourages his readers not to be surprised if they suffer as Christians. Instead, they should rejoice because the same Spirit that led our Lord Jesus is also leading them through suffering to glory. Further, Christians ought not to be ashamed of their trials because it is through trials that God is refining his Church and his people and their trials are nothing compared to the eternal suffering the 'carefree' world will experience when Christ returns.
Read 1 Peter 4:12-19
All people, believers and unbelievers alike, will stand before Christ's judgement seat where all that they have done will be openly manifested. For believers the Judgement Seat is not a seat of condemnation because Christ has taken their condemnation upon himself. Rather, it is a seat of evaluation where believers, who are justified fully in Christ apart from their works, will be graciously rewarded for their works of service to Christ and others. The promise of a future reward should stimulate God's people to self-denying service to their Redeemer.
Peter encourages his readers to continue to imitate Christ in his resolve to suffer rather than sin. He instructs them to keep Judgement Day in focus when the persecutors will be judged and when God's people will enter into the fullness of the promised eternal life.
Read 1 Peter 4:1-11
Christians are destined for a glorified, heavenly body after they are finished with their earthly body. Paul longs for his glorified body but wishes that it comes without him dying, that is, when Christ returns. If however, dying means the nearer presence of Christ then he would prefer to be away from his body. In the meantime, until either his death or Christ’s return our aim should be to please Christ, the one we love and adore.
Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
Believers are to live in harmony and love with one another and to return blessing for cursing to those who are hostile to them. When they live such a radically different life from the unbelievers around them the unbelievers will ask questions about the Christian faith. Christians are to answer with gentleness and respect, giving a reason for the hope they have in Christ.
Read 1 Peter 3:8-18a
In the Lord Supper the Lord Jesus gives himself to his people that they might have a share in all that he has accomplished for them by his death and resurrection. Believers who eat and drink by faith feed on Christ as their spiritual food.
Read Mark 14:12-31
Christianity is on trial before the unbelieving world. God calls Christian wives to be like Christ in submitting to and respecting their husbands. Husbands are to be like Christ in loving, understanding, serving leadership of their wives who are co-heirs with them of the grace of God.
Read 1 Peter 3:1-7
Baptism was instituted by Jesus Christ as a mark of discipleship for his people. The disciples of Christ include believers and their children.
Read Matthew 28:16-20
Because we live before God and before the world Christians need to live in such a way that will recommend Christ to others. Peter encourages them to imitate Christ who, when treated unjustly, entrusted his situation to his Father who judges justly. Peter holds Jesus up not only as an example but also the Redeemer who through his death on the cross enables God’s people to imitate him by the transformation of their lives.
Read 1 Peter 2:13-25
