1 Peter: Participation in Christ (4:12-5:14)

Topics in 1 Peter 4:12-19


 Fiery Ordeal 


•      Christians should not see
suffering as strange because of the backwards way of their
kingdom Suffer for the Name 


o   Christians should not be surprised at their
suffering since they are in participation with Christ who
suffered at the hands of the world. 


 o   Reproaches should be seen as a test of
allegiance 


o   Suffering is bearing witness for Christ and a cause
to rejoice 


o   Suffering looks like shame to the world, but it is
actually glory  


o   Those who suffer innocently can with confidence put
themselves in God’s hands who will make all things right 


Judgement in the Household of God 


•      Judgement beginning in the
household of the Lord is an OT concept (Ez 9:6, Amos 3:2, Mal
3:1-5).  


•      Judgement does not necessarily
equal punishment for the believers. It is connected to the
testing/fiery ordeal   


Topics in 1 Peter 5:1-7 


Witness 


•      The early followers of Jesus
weren’t just ordinary witnesses who could be called upon to give
their testimony in a court setting. By bearing witness or sharing
their experience with the risen Jesus, they ran the risk of
persecution and even death. What’s interesting is that the Greek
word for witness, μάρτυς (mártus) began over time to carry the
connotation of martyr—someone who is willing to suffer or even
die for bearing witness to King Jesus. In the New Testament, we
begin to see this association with witnesses and martyrdom.
  


Elders, Shepherds, Flocks 


•      Considering the sufferings of
Christ Peter exhorts church leaders in their responsibility
towards God’s flock. They are not merely caretakers for a time,
but they are to equip the church to persevere.   


Young, Old, and Humility 


o   The Greek word for humility here was a derogatory
word meaning “the mindset of a slave/servant”. But for the
Christians this was the way of Christ (Phil 2:1-11=
Kenosis). 


Topics in 1 Peter 5:8-14 


The Devil and resistance 


o   Peter is seeing the persecution connected to the
deceiver the one who is behind the false gods, idols, and empire.
 


Stand firm 


•      Jesus is the example. He humbled
himself in submission to God even to death on the cross. The
cross in the world POV looks like a loss, not a victory, but it
was actually the greatest victory of all. Christians are called
to do likewise.   


Perfection (in Christ) 


•      Perfection is better thought of
as wholeness or completeness, not in a strictly moral sense.
 


•      Peter uses Paul’s favorite phrase
for Christianity- “In Christ”


 •      This indicates the
importance of location. Either in Christ or in the world 


•      God in Christ will bring about
all the things in this verse, but we must be connected to him
through submission, humility, and allegiance.  





 If you have questions on 1 Peter please email
Ryan@expedition44.com or matt@mtzn.com and we’ll try to address
them in the series conclusion episode