1st Peter Series

February 05, 2022

The 1st recorded letter Peter wrote {written before 64 AD} was to believers in the Northern Provinces of Asia in what is now Turkey {Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia}.

There are many “Favorite” things to choose from in this letter:

• A promised inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade – 1 Peter 1:3-4

• Our redemption was purchased with something infinitely more valuable than silver or gold - the blood of Jesus – 1 Peter 1:18-19

• A call to holy and righteous living – 1 Peter 2:9, 21-24

• A call to love each other and use our spiritual gifts – 1 Peter 4:8-10

• An invitation to cast all our worries and cares and anxieties on Jesus because He cares about us – 1 Peter 5:6-7

All excellent and worthy “Favorites”, but none of them made it to the very top of my list.

What is at the top of my list might surprise you.

My Favorite Thing About 1st PETER is this ----- There IS a Villain in the Story.

• 1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

The devil would like us to believe that:

• He doesn’t exist

• He’s harmless

• He’s misunderstood

• He’s not to be taken seriously

The fact that we don’t take him all that seriously fits in well with his plans, but notice some of the words Peter used to describe this “harmless and misunderstood” being:

• Adversary - one's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute.

• Enemy - a person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.

o Nemesis - the inescapable agent of someone's or something's downfall.

• Prowl - move around restlessly and stealthily, especially in search of prey.

o Skulk - keep out of sight, typically with a sinister or cowardly motive.

• Devour - eat hungrily or quickly.

o synonyms: consume · destroy · wipe-out · annihilate · devastate · ravage · ruin · wreck · afflict · torture · plague · overcome · overwhelm

And notice the words of other Bible writers:

• Ezekiel 28:14-16 - You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. 16 Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. {see also Isaiah 14:12-14}

• Zechariah 3:1 - Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.

• John 8:42-44 - Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. 43 "Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 44 "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.

• 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 - But what I am doing, I will continue to do, that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds.

• Ephesians 6:11-12 - Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Revelation 12:3, 9 - Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads...... The great dragon was hurled down-- that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

And notice the words of Ellen White:

• . . . . What mental anguish Christ passed through! What grief! What torture of mind! He was face-to-face not with a hideous monster, as is represented with bat’s wings and cloven feet, but a beautiful angel of light, apparently just from the presence of God. . . . {CTr 208.4}