Through The Bible - English - 66 (1 & 2 Peter) by Zac Poonen
Summary
Peter writes that the true grace of God is multifaceted, beginning with God choosing believers according to His foreknowledge. This grace is tested through various trials, which serve to purify faith, much like fire purifies gold. Enduring these trials leads to a deeper detachment from worldly attachments and ultimately results in praise and glory through faith, even without physical sight of Christ.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What is the theme of 1 Peter?Peter writes to believers living as foreigners in this world to exhort them and testify about the true grace of God, contrasting it with counterfeit grace.
Chosen according to the foreknowledge of GodGod chose believers not arbitrarily, but based on His foreknowledge of how they would respond to the gospel, much like a viewer watching a movie of the future without influencing the actors.
The purifying purpose of various trialsBelievers go through trials for a little while to prove their faith, just as gold is purified in the fire to remove impurities and worldly attachments.
Inexpressible joy and the salvation of our soulsEven though believers have not seen Jesus, they love Him and rejoice with inexpressible joy, obtaining the salvation of their souls as the outcome of their faith.
Called to be holy as God is holyJust as children reflect their parents, believers are called to be holy in everything because God, who purchased them with the precious blood of Christ, is holy.
Longing for the pure milk of the wordJust as newborn babies naturally cry for milk, truly born-again believers have an automatic hunger for the pure milk of God's word to grow in their salvation.
The call to submit to human authoritiesThose who have experienced the true grace of God will have no problem submitting to governing authorities, honoring all people, and respecting masters even when they are unreasonable.
Following in the steps of Christ in sufferingJesus suffered unjustly and left an example for believers to follow, entrusting His case to God without making threats when mistreated.
Conduct in marriage and the homeWives with unreasonable husbands are to submit respectfully to win them without words, adorning themselves with a gentle and quiet spirit, while husbands must live considerately with their wives as the weaker vessel.
Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of GodElders must shepherd the flock voluntarily and humbly, and younger people must submit to elders, humbling themselves under God's mighty hand so He may exalt them in due time.
Partaking of God's own natureGod has granted us magnificent promises through the new covenant, chief among them being the ability to partake of God's own divine nature.
Adding virtues to your faithBelievers must be diligent to supply moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love to their faith.
Identifying marks of false teachersFalse teachers can be recognized not merely by their doctrine, but by two primary marks in their lifestyle: sensuality and greed for money.
The promise of the Lord's comingThough scoffers mock the promise of Christ's return, the Lord is patiently waiting so that all whose names are in the book of life have the opportunity to repent before everything is burned up.
