1 & 2 Peter: Our Living Hope
Pastor Tommy Bailey
1 Peter 5
“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, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you…”
1 Peter 1:3-4 (emphasis added)
The hope of the gospel in every sphere of life:
- Earthly citizenship (2:13-17)
- Vocation and work (2:18-21)
- Relationships (3:1-17)
- Local and global Church (5:1-11)
Marks of a faithful shepherd in 1 Peter 5:
- Serve willingly (vs. 2)
- Serve for the right reasons (vs. 2)
- Serve with humility (vs. 3)
- Serve as a Godly example (vs. 3)
“Our confidence is not in our love for him, which is frail, fickle and faltering, but in his love for us, which is steadfast, faithful and persevering.”
John Stott
“As soon as I answer the question “Am I okay?” with anything other than the promise and provision of my belovedness in Christ, I drift toward anxiety and darkness. Yes, there is a temporary high from the offerings of the world, but after the high fades, the sense of lostness and wandering returns.”
Russ Masterson, Searching for Grace
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”
Psalm 42:11
The character of Satan in the New Testament:
- Father of lies (John 8:44)
- Accuser (Revelation 12:10)
- Tempter (1 Thessalonians 3:5)
- Thief (John 10:10)
- Murderer (John 8:44)
- Prince of the world (John 14:30)
“Satan is a lion (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus is a lion (Revelation 5:5). One is on a leash. The other is on the throne.”
Matt Smethurst
Discussion Questions
- Since we’ve been called to “double submission” (to both the Chief Shepherd and His people), is there anything keeping you from either submitting to Him or serving His church well?
- What can you do to eliminate “slackness” in how you serve the Lord?
- A good portion of this chapter deals with the exhortation of humility—why do you think this is important, and how can you focus this week on this instruction?
- Are there anxieties in your life that you need to cast on Jesus?
- In what ways can you guard against the schemes of the devil?
“Jesus binds himself to his people. No expiration date. No end of the road. Our side of the commitment will falter and stumble, but his never does.”
Dane Ortlund, Deeper