At the conclusion of Peter’s letter to the suffering Christians he reminds them to stand fast in the true grace of God, to love the Church, both local and universal, and to be in Christ because only in him is there peace. Download
Peter encourages his readers to humble themselves before God by transferring all their concerns and burdens to the Lord. The fact that God has a mighty hand and that he cares us us is all the encouragement we need to rest in his wise providence. The fact that Satan is looking to destroy us should be all the encouragment we need to resist his advances. Peter ends this section by reminding us that the God of all grace will equip and preserve us and bring us to his eternal glory. Download
Peter calls us to humility, both as leaders in the Church and as members. The leaders are to imitate Jesus the Chief Shepherd by shepherding the flock of God with self-denying service. Members of the congregation are to submit to their leaders in the Lord and to clothe themselves with humility as they serve one another. Download
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. Download
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. Download
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. Download
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. Download
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. Download
The Church is made up of people who were once in spiritual darkness. By the work of Christ, the Cornerstone, and the mercy of God, these people have come to Christ and have become living stones called to give themselves to God for his glory. Download
Peter begins his letter by reminding his readers and us that the Christian life is lived in tension. We have an inheritance awaiting us but we live in this world with its attendant struggles. We are pilgrims with a promise. Download