1 Peter

Peter writes to suffering believers: in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and respect and a good conscience. Defending the faith begins with submitting to Christ's lordship, not only with sound arguments. The church has a duty to defend the gospel as well as preach it, and a gentle, respectful answer joined to a godly life puts slanderers to shame.

Peter asks, "Who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?" Even if believers suffer for righteousness' sake, God blesses them, for he works all things together for their good. In their hearts they are to honor Christ the Lord as holy and always be prepared to give a reason for their hope, with gentleness and respect, not arrogance or snark. The goal is not to win arguments but to win souls, and it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.

Peter calls the church to unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind, and not to repay evil for evil but to bless, quoting Psalm 34. Christ gives the church its ministers to build up the body toward unity of faith. Christian virtue rests on the grace of God; there but for his grace go any of us. Christ also calls believers to love their enemies, blessing those who revile them, so that they live as faithful witnesses in a hostile world.

After instructing wives, Peter tells husbands to live with their wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel and as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that their prayers may not be hindered. Men and women are equal in God's image and in salvation, though they have different callings. God does not give husbands privileges without responsibility; they are to care for their wives' spiritual welfare. All believers are to cultivate the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.

A sermon based on 1 Peter 3:7, and preached at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Sewickley, PA, during the evening Worship Service on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

A sermon based on 1 Peter 2:18-25, and preached at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Sewickley, PA, during the evening Worship Service on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

A sermon based on 1 Peter 2:18-25, and preached at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Sewickley, PA, during the evening Worship Service on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

A sermon based on 1 Peter 2:11-17, and preached at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Sewickley, PA, during the evening Worship Service on Sunday, April 21, 2024.

A sermon based on 1 Peter 2:11-17, and preached at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Sewickley, PA, during the evening Worship Service on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

A sermon based on 1 Peter 2:11-12, and preached at Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Sewickley, PA, during the evening Worship Service on Sunday, March 31, 2024.