Sunday Sermons

What characteristics do you look for in a leader? The right answer is, “it depends.” It depends on where you’re headed. All throughout 1 Peter we have been repeatedly reminded that our hope needs to be fully set on the grace that will be revealed at Christ’s return (1:13). In other words, we need leaders that will lead us toward the future glory… and we need to know how to rightly follow them. In this section of the letter, Peter paints a clear picture of how godly leaders should lead: as humble shepherds caring for those who are facing suffering. Further, our response to these leaders should also reflect humility. It is when such humility is reflected in the church that she will truly experience Christ’s grace.

Suffering is a key element in the Christian life. Peter has repeatedly made this clear throughout this letter. To share in Christ’s suffering is the life to which we are called as we keep our hope fully set on Christ, awaiting his glorious return. Peter, however, takes this a step further by calling us to rejoice now while in the midst of suffering, for it will result in joy and gladness when Christ’s glory is revealed later. Even if we are insulted for standing firm with Christ, it will result in our blessing. The key, though Peter clarifies, is that we not suffer as a result of wrongdoing; such behavior will lead to shameful judgment. Instead, let us suffer for upholding the will of God that we might experience Christ’s glory at his return.

Time is of the essence. Though true for all in some circumstances, this truism is always true for those who follow Christ. How we live now should reflect our future hope while contrasting our former passions. Just as Christ once suffered, those willing to endure suffering now demonstrate a genuine desire to please God. Despite the great cost, those who turn away from the passions of the flesh will be those who experience the fullness of the glory of the One who made it all possible. This is the vision that Peter calls for us to live out in our lives as exiles. Thankfully, he also provided specific ways for us to live this out.

Over the last few weeks, the Apostle Peter has shown us how to live lives of submission in the various facets of our lives. As uncomfortable as that might be for us, the reality is that how we live demonstrates where our hope is fully set. In this section, Peter affirms that righteous living will result in our blessing. Further, if we suffer for doing good, there is an even greater blessing. For, it was Christ’s righteous suffering that secured our future hope.

The call to live honorable lives despite our exile stature in the world has been applied by Peter in various ways. First, as citizens, we are to be subject to every human institution (2:13-17). Peter then applied this to servants, who are to endure even unjust suffering, for to do so gives the opportunity to display Christ to unbelievers (2:13-24). Now Peter turns to the marriage relationship. How should we live honorable lives as husbands and wives? We must rightly submit ourselves to God hoping that our conduct might point them to Christ.

Suffering, by most people’s standards, is generally avoided at all costs. The thought of leaning into hardship, especially when it comes unjustly, seems so backwards to most people. Yet, this is how Peter instructs his readers—to be subject to those with authority over us regardless of how you are treated. Such a command is hard to hear, let alone obey! However, Peter takes it a step further: to endure sorrows is a gracious gift to you… because it grants you the opportunity to be like Christ. There is no question that Jesus’ suffering was the greatest injustice the world has ever witnessed. As his people, we have been set free from sin to now follow in his steps.

From the beginning of this letter addressed to the churches spread throughout Asia Minor, Peter has been reminding the faithful of the incomparable hope that they have in Christ. That even though we are exiles in this world, we have an inheritance waiting for us and a new identity as the chosen people of God. But with all of these things being true, it produces a tension and questions over how we should live in a world that is not ultimately our home. In this week's text, Peter begins to answer these questions.

One word that has taken on new meaning in recent years is the word identity. How does one view him or herself? What are the key components that determine one’s identity? From one’s nationality to one’s profession, there are many ways we might identify ourselves, sometimes even rejecting who God has made us to be. Peter wants his readers to have a crystal clear understanding of who they are: in Christ, we are a royal priesthood and God’s own people. Despite our exiled circumstances, we are called to live out this identity rooted and established by God’s very word.

On what is your hope fully set? For some, hope is just an optimistic sentiment, such as hoping for good weather tomorrow. For those who know Christ, hope is an assurance of the grace that will be revealed when Christ returns. It is on this hope that our lives are to be fully set. Peter calls on his readers to live lives that pursue holiness, fearfully conducting lives under the Father’s watchful view. What would motivate you to live such a life? Peter reminds us of the precious gift of Christ’s sacrifice that ransomed us. Grounded in this truth, we must live lives that clearly demonstrate our need for the hope promised to us by faith in Christ.

Joy can be elusive. So often it can escape as we face many hardships and difficulties. How can we keep from letting our joy evaporate, especially in light of what God has accomplished for us through Jesus Christ and his powerful resurrection? As Peter dives into the body of his letter to the exiles, he calls on us to praise God, recognizing the living hope to which we’ve been called that secures an eternal inheritance that will be revealed in the last time. This inheritance has been promised to us and even foretold by the prophets of old, though they themselves didn’t fully see or know Christ. Despite the challenges we face in our present day, we have an even greater perspective on this hope since Christ has been made known to us.