To Elect Exiles

1 Peter - Oneoff  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Notes
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Introduction

Proposition: Because of who we are, we must live for God.

Greeting

Good evening, everyone and welcome.
Since this is a “cottage meeting,” and is more informal, I thought it would be a good opportunity to present the sermon a bit differently. You will notice, as we go along, that part of this message is going to have to do with modelling a method of studying the Scriptures. That is not to say that I assume that you are not capable of studying the Bible or discerning the message of God, but it may be helpful to some. If none of this is new to you, please bear with me, it may well help someone else.

Scripture Announcement

Let us turn to tonight's passage: .

Scripture Introduction

We’ll read the passage in a moment, but I’d like to mention a few things while you turn there.
An important part of studying the Bible is examining the socio-historical context of the times in which the passage was written. The reason this is necessary is that there is a vast gap between us and the original readers of the Scriptures in terms of circumstances and time. If we are to discern the intended meaning of Scripture - which should always be our aim - then we must do our best to discover what the author actually meant to convey to the original readers. Only once we have done that can we move on to discover what God is communicating to us in terms of application in our context (important concept in the post-modern context).
The next step in personal study is reading the Bible, but for the purposes of a sermon, a useful way of approaching a passage is to provide some background. This is usually my approach, because I like to raise some relevant contextual information that can be referred to again during the sermon in passing.
The reason this is necessary is that there is a vast gap between us and the original readers of the Scriptures in terms of circumstances and time. If we are to discern the intended meaning of Scripture - which should always be our aim - then we must do our best to discover what the text actually meant to convey to the original readers. Only once we have done that can we move on to discover what God is communicating to us in terms of application in our context (important concept in the post-modern context).
With that said, I’d like to raise some relevant background information that will provide immediate context to the passage.
Peter wrote this to the churches in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. These were rural areas.
The recipients of 1 Peter were mainly gentiles. They came from different backgrounds and belonged to various people groups.
That Peter used much terminology that was previously used only for the Jews is significant considering who the recipients were (i.e. not Jews). Peter overtly connects Christians, regardless of background, to the people of God.
Christian suffering is largely in view in this letter, but one should not think that this was official, state-sponsored persecution. Rome had not yet started persecuting Christians officially, but they faced persecution from within their communities in a variety of different forms. In particular, the Christian in a rural community would face the hostility and suspicion of being someone who endangered the community.
It is to people in this context that Peter writes. Let’s read .

Scripture Reading

1 Peter 2:1–12 ESV
1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Sermon Introduction

Sermon Introduction

I said earlier that it is important to have some background or contextual information when reading Scripture. When we look at this passage, that principle becomes especially important. Knowing some of the context of this letter makes the passage make more sense. Peter was writing to a specific group of people who were in a particular situation.
Knowing that Peter’s readers came from a rural area of the Roman Empire and that they were suffering at the hands of those around them gives us a clue as to what Peter is doing here. While Peter’s readers were organised in churches, they were significantly more isolated than the believers in more urban areas like Jerusalem. This, together with the suffering that Peter spent the majority of chapter 1 dealing with, provides us with insight into why Peter spent so much space on the topic of Christian identity.
Christians need to know who they are so that they can cope with persecution. Christians need to know who they are so that they can be encouraged. Christians need to know who they are so that they will live their lives appropriately. It is only when we understand who - or should I say what we are taht we can live as we ought to be living, that is, as effective Christians.
In the face of the various troubles and sufferings that the churches in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, and in response to the isolation and vulnerability of these Christians, Peter provides them with their identity to encourage them and give them hope so that they might live properly as Christians.
This is a relevant message for us today, for we too need to know and recognise who we are. Identity is a particularly important aspect of one’s life because what we think of ourselves tends to have a large impact on how we live our lives. If someone thinks extremely highly of himself, he is likely to be arrogant. If someone considers himself to be musical, his hobbies and behaviour will show that and bear it out. But beyond that, knowing who we are provides a framework for understanding the world, as well as security, especially when - as Peter shows here - that identity is centred on the person of Jesus Christ, God Almighty.
These two questions show
Christians need to know who they are so that they can cope with persecution. Christians need to know who they are so that they can be encouraged. Christians need to know who they are so that they will live their lives appropriately. It is only when we understand who - or should I say what we are taht we can live as we ought to be living, that is, as effective Christians.
Simply put, Peter’s message here is this: Because of who we are, we must live for God.
A particularly important aspect of life is one’s identity. A brief trip to your local bookstore or a simple conversation (particularly with a teenager) will show you that human beings are obsessed with identity. The question “who am I?” is one that many people struggle with. In fact, many people will spend a great deal of time and effort to “find themselves” - whatever that means.
When you analyse this passage of Scripture, a number of images and phrases jump out at you and make the central idea clear. Simply put, it’s this: Because of who we are, we must live for God.
Because of who we are, we must live for God.
It might when we understand who we are, we come to understand our place in the world, the purpose of our lives, and how we ought to live.
So then, “Who are we?”

I. We are believers

Firstly, Peter describes his readers as believers.

Being a believer means suffering is inevitable

In saying that, Peter reminds his readers, or points out for them, that they are fundamentally different from the world. The contrast that Peter sets up between the world and Christians makes this clear. Christians believe in Christ and view Christ as precious but the world rejects Christ and does not value Him.
I know this is not a new idea to us, but, I think, although we know this, we often forget it, or, at least, we often live our lives in a way that does not reflect that we know that we are different to the world. How often, for example, are we surprised when we suffer specifically because we are Christians? Quite often, in my experience.
I’ll give you a personal example. Back when I was in matric, a lively discussion which began in my biology class between the rest of the class and me ended up continuing into the 6th form quad where a large percentage of my grade took great delight in insulting me for my faith in God. It was hardly the sort of persecution that Stephen faced at the hand of the Jews, but it was upsetting, and I couldn’t quite understand why people who were normally my friends turned on me like that. I shouldn’t have been surprised - it is to be expected. I like Peter’s way of expressing it later in this very book.
1 Peter 4:12 ESV
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
By pointing out the difference between Christians and non-Christians, Peter reminds his readers who they are and what they can expect as Christians. If you believe in Christ, the cornerstone who is rejected by the world, and regard Christ as precious, is it any wonder that the world rejects you? This is a well-established point that can be proven anecdotally again and again, but it’s also something that Christ Himself said in :
John 15:20–21 ESV
20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
If you know that who you are means that you will suffer hardship and persecution, it does make it easier to deal with. Forewarned is forearmed, as they say, and this point stands for us as well. If you haven’t suffered much hardship for being a Christian, it is coming, though I would hazard that everyone here has at some point.
But more than forewarning his readers and making them aware that hardship is a part of who they are, Peter encourages them by stating that belief will not be shame ().
1 Peter 2:6c ESV
6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
1 Peter 2:6 ESV
6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
Since salvation is contingent on belief in Christ since salvation is the work of God, being described as a believer has significance beyond what we normally recognise in such a simple term. Being a believer comes with the assurance that you will be saved, though we should also note that, according to verse 2, we “grow into salvation.” In other words, being a believer requires perseverance and is not a simple, single decision, it is something that must last throughout your life. But with that, despite the persecution that comes with it, comes great security and hope.
Who are we? We are those who believe in the cornerstone, Christ, the Lord. We are those who, according to , who come to Christ. We are believers, and that means that we will not be put to shame, for our future is secure.
Similarly, but unrelated to persecution, the values of the world are vastly different from our own. Where does this difference stem from? Quite simply, their lack of belief in Christ. There is no fixed moral centre and no meaning to be found in life, if one rejects Christ. And so, we should not be surprised when the people of the world hold vastly different values to us. And we shouldn’t forget that the world holds vastly different values to us and get swept along paths that are not fitting for someone who believes in Christ.
Who are we? We are those who believe in the cornerstone, Christ, the Lord. We believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be. We believe that He is the “Word become flesh.” We believe that he died, rose and paid the penalty for our sin. We believe that the only way to the father is through Him. We hold Christ as being precious.
Doing this ch
Part of believing in Christ is, according to verse 4, coming to Him. Peter
We are those who believe in the cornerstone, Christ, the Lord. We are those who, according to , who come to Christ. We are believers, and that means that we will not be put to shame, for our future is secure.
1 Peter 2:9–11 ESV
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
We know that before we were Christians, our eyes were darkened. In that state, we could not
Verses 10 makes it most obvious: we have “received mercy.”
However, what we might not realise is that to the original audience, this idea would have meant a great deal. They were looked down upon, ostracized and treated with a great deal of suspicion. They suffered a great deal for being a Christian (Peter refers to “various trials” that “grieved” his readers) and so pointing out that the

II. We are God’s chosen people

Secondly, we are God’s chosen people. The Christian’s identity is not simply that he believes in Christ, it is also that he has been called by God. This is the point that Peter makes in , when he says that his readers are “a chosen race” and people who are “called” out of darkness.
1 Peter 2:9 ESV
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
The significance of this is striking. For a group of people who were suffering and out in a rural backwater of the Roman Empire, this would have been a source of great comfort and encouragement. Rather than being an unimportant group of people, they are shown to be very important. They were a peculiar people, a people chosen by Go, a people who belonged to God. But the language that Peter uses here is also significant because it is the the language reserved for describing the Jews, the original chosen people of God. Look at .
Deuteronomy 10:15 ESV
15 Yet the Lord set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day.
But even more than that, the language that Peter uses here is the language reserved for the Jews, the original chosen people.
We should also note that the language that Peter uses here is the language reserved for the Jews, the original chosen people.
Rather than being a people who should be scorned, Peter turns the situation on its head by showing that the believers in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia are people to be envied for they are chosen by God and belong to the King of Kings. They are now a part of the people of God. In the face of persistent persecution and hardship, and for a group of people who were normally seen as unimportant (and, therefore, vulnerable) this is great encouragement and frees them to persevere in the Lord.
On a separate note, we should be careful of reading later theological controversies/developments into the Scriptures. The ideas that we are chosen by God and that those who “disobey the word" were destined to do () perfectly complements the idea that we come to God and believe in Him. If either one is left out, you end up either with a deterministic paradigm, or one that over-emphasises human involvement in the work of salvation which could lead to a doctrine of “salvation of works” or too much self-reliance and a detraction from one’s relationship with God.
1 Peter 2:8 ESV
8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
Rather than this, we should see that although we must believe, we - note the passive voice - “have received mercy” () and are chosen by God. That God is the active agent is emphasised, but we should look - particularly considering the context - to the privileged position we hold and bask in the love and mercy of God (). As a result, we should have confidence and an attitude of thanksgiving and praise towards God. This is where the emphasis lies.
1 Peter 2:10 ESV
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Lest we get too individualistic, we should note the collective emphasis here. Christians are “a chosen race” and “a holy nation.” Each Christian is part of a larger people group, one that belongs to God. This is something that is particularly seen in verse 1. The instructions that Peter gives there all relate to the community, something that highlights the importance of the community and emphasises the second part of the idea that we are God’s chosen people. We are individuals, but an indispensable part of the identity Peter gives us is that we are a part of God’s people.
1 Peter 1:1 ESV
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
As much as Peter’s audience was to understand that they were in a position of great privilege, they, like us (perhaps more so for us) were to also understand that they belonged to God, that they were part of a people, and that the center of all of this was elsewhere. Again, our salvation, our faith, our Christianity, is not about us. Throughout the passage, Peter makes it clear that our identity is found in God and, therefore, our life should centre around Him.
Each Christian is part of a larger people group, one that belongs to God. As much as Peter’s audience was to understand that they were in a position of great privilege, they, like us (perhaps more so for us) were to also understand that they belonged to God, that they were part of a people, and that the center of all of this was elsewhere. Throughout the passage, Peter makes it clear that our identity is found in God and, therefore, our life should centre around Him.
1 Peter 2:9 ESV
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
This is particularly noticeable in the declaration that we are a “holy nation, a people for His own possession.” First, we belong to God, so our lives should revolve around Him. Second, we a people who are holy, that is, set apart for Him. Set apart from what? The world. We are distinct from the world and this should be obvious in our actions, thoughts and attitudes. Peter does not mean that we are holy in moral terms; although it is true that Christians have had the legal guilt of their sin taken away, they still sin, and we cannot claim to be without sin. But we are set apart for God and called out of the darkness of the world and the ignorance of Christ (why?) so that we can proclaim God’s “excellencies.” The practical result of this is that we should have nothing to do with that which is of the darkness of the world; we are called by God for the sake of God so that we can worship and serve Him, which necessitates a purity of life.
Because of the time and place in which we live,
Who are we? We are believers who come to God and will not be put to shame. We are God’s chosen people who are to be set apart for him.

III. We are a royal priesthood (and a spiritual house)

Thirdly, we are both God’s spiritual house and a royal priesthood.
1 Peter 2:9 ESV
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

1. What does it mean to be a priesthood?

These two images come right out of the Jewish heritage of Christianity. As a priesthood, his readers were to understand that they were set apart for serving God and had the responsibility to live in a way that was . Beyond that, however, they were to understand that they occupied a privileged and special position. In the ancient world - and today, in certain contexts - priests had special access to deity and special privileges that came along with that. Priests were intermediaries between God and man, but now Peter indicates the truth represented by the tearing of the Temple curtain, that they had access to God and occupied a special position. Again, this is something that would be very encouraging to a people who were suffering for the sake of Christ. What is a little suffering when you occupy such a privileged position.
The same is true for us. we can take heart in the face of persecution, but the other side is equally applicable to us. The other side of this truth/privilege is the responsibility to offer spiritual sacrifices to God and to live in accordance with the standards of a priesthood that is set apart for God. We should not miss the significance of the fact that every believer is a part of the priesthood of Christ. Every believer has access to God. Every believer is able to (and must) offer sacrifices to God. Every believer can (and must) serve God.
These two images come right out of the Jewish heritage of Christianity. as a royal priesthood,
We should not miss the significance of the fact that every believer is a part of the priesthood of Christ. Every believer has access to God. Every believer is able to (and must) offer sacrifices to God. Every believer can (and must) serve God.
The same is true for us. we can take heart in the face of persecution, but the other side is equally applicable to us. The other side of this truth/privilege is the responsibility to offer spiritual sacrifices to God and to live in accordance with the standards of a priesthood that is set apart for God.

2. What does it mean to be a spiritual house?

The other point that Peter makes is that we are a spiritual house. When Peter described his readers in such a term, he meant that they were the temple of God. That is, the site of worship of God and the dwelling place of God. Again, for a people who were suffering and who lived in the middle of nowhere, this would have been most encouraging and pointed to their position of considerable honour. Consider the high position one has if one is part of the actual temple of God. The temple was the centre of spiritual life and observance, and a place that was most important.
And if that is what Christians are, then we are truly privileged, and a little suffering really isn’t anything in comparison and is something that can and should be easily endured. But we should notice that we are only a brick in the wall. Individually, we do not make up the entire temple. This is important since it provides us with an identity that is collective, not individual, and prohibits an individualistic Christianity that does not care about others (I refer you back to verse 1).
1 Peter 1:1 ESV
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
Just as Peter’s readers were a priesthood together, and formed the temple of God together, so we are only those things collectively with other Christians. Peter’s teaching about the Christian identity here implies that we see each other as important members of a community of faith who are together in their privilege and suffering, and who are together in the ministry of God.
Just as Peter’s readers were a priesthood together, and formed the temple of God together, so we are only those things collectively with other Christians. Peter’s teaching about the Christian identity here implies that we see each other as important members of a community of faith who are together in their privilege and suffering, and who are together in the ministry of God.
In a nutshell, being described as the temple and priesthood of God, as much as it was encouragement, was a call to Peter’s readers to live in a manner that reflected this, that is to be pure, to serve God, to offer sacrifices to God, and to praise God.

Conclusion

Do you see the relevance of this today?
Because of who we are, we can be encouraged/comforted and must serve God.
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