Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Strangers in a Strange Land: Living for God in a Godless Society Part 2

1 Peter 1:1-3 – Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:  May grace and peace be multiplied to you.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

A. The Physical Exiles of Peter’s Letter

1 Peter 1:1, Acts 2:7-11

B. The Spiritual Exiles of Christ’s Kingdom

1. Our Identity as exiles, sojourners, strangers

1 Peter 2:11, Hebrews 11:13

a. New family status

– Our relationship with God: Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:5

b. New kingdom status

– Our authority under God: Colossians 1:13, John 13:12-13

(Points A – B.1.b are covered in Part 1)
c. New heart attitudes

– Our affections are changed: 1 Peter 1:8-9, Psalm 73:25

– Our attachments are changed: 1 Peter 1:3; 18, Col. 3:1-4, 1 John 2:15-17

2. The Cause of us being exiles, sojourners, strangers

– New birth: 1 Peter 1:3; 23, Jeremiah 32:38-41

C. The Work of New Birth

1. God the Father in the work of election

1 Peter 1:2a, Acts 2:22-23, Romans 8:28-29, John 17:1-3

2. God the Spirit in the work of setting apart

1 Peter 1:2b, 1 Corinthians 1:1-2

3. God the Son in the work of redemption

1 Peter 1:2d, 1 Peter 1:17-19, Exodus 24:1-8, 1 Peter 1:2

D. The Purpose of New Birth

1. For obedience to Jesus Christ

1 Peter 1:2c, Romans 1:1-6, Romans 16:25-27

2. For conformity to Jesus Christ

1 Peter 1:14-16