Considered Alien-1 Series

CONSIDERED ALIEN-I—1Peter 1:1-2

ALIEN ENOUGH?

Attention:

In 1947, someone found some unidentifiable ‘wreckage’ debris in Roswell, NM. The wreckage was transported to a military installation near the southwestern border of Nevada currently known as Area 51. The military locked down information regarding the incident, & for years even denied that there was a military installation there. Every since then the conspiracy theorists have run amok with it! Some claim that the wreckage was that of an alien(outer space) ship which crashed in the desert & the military is deconstructing it to learn alien other-worldly technology. Some have gone so far as to say that our modern-day computers are a result of that ‘alien technology.’ & on & on it goes!

When we think of Roswell or Area 51 we usually think of the ‘crazies’ associated with the theories. Or we may think of the aliens themselves described as—little green men with huge bulging eyes & triangular shaped heads.

The very prospect of ‘aliens from outer space’ is questionable at its best! & to devote one’s life to the study of such sets one apart as ‘alien’ in itself.

With these things in mind I want you to consider the way Christians appear to a lost world—To some we are strange, weird, alien & thereby, a little fruity.

There was a song some years back by DC Talk entitles Jesus Freak. The chorus of that song reads—

“What will people think when they hear that I’m a Jesus Freak? What will people do when they know that its true. I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak. There ain't no disguising the truth.”

True Christians are indeed ‘Considered Alien’!

Peter addressed his circular letter to those who were considered as aliens in the world.

Why are Christians considered aliens?

4 reasons Christians are considered aliens.

?Am I ‘alien enough’ to garner an audience for Christ?

?Are you ‘alien enough’ to call attention to Christ?

1—Christians are considered alien by...

ASSOCIATION(:1)

Explanation:(:1a)

1:1a—“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, & Bithynia,

a. Apostles—

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,”

“Peter’s” given name was Simon. Simon was first directed to Jesus by his brother Andrew(Jn. 1:40-41).

He was later called directly by Jesus from his fishing to become a fisher of men(Mat. 4:18-20; Lk. 5:1-11).

Prior to Simon’s becoming a vested disciple, Jesus gave Simon the name “Peter,” by which he would later be readily recognized(Jn. 1:42). “Peter” means ‘Rock’ or ‘Stone.’ “Peter” thus would cling to his personal confession of Jesus of Nazareth as “the Christ”, in which confession he would remain firm—as an immovable rock.

Prior to Jesus’ transfiguration, Peter confessed Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God”(Mat. 16:16).

Peter rebuked Jesus shortly after his confession, becoming a “stumbling block” to Jesus’ ministry(16:21-23).

Peter is listed first among the 12 in Matt. 10:2ff.; Mk. 3:16-19; Lk. 6:13-16; Acts 1:13.

Peter became the spokesman for the 12 apostles while the Lord walked on this earth.

Peter along with James & John, was part of Jesus’ ‘inner circle’ who witnessed:— 1)Jesus’ transfiguration(Mat. 17:1-2ff/Mk. 9:2); 2)Jesus’ revival of a girl who had died(Mk. 5:35-42); 3)Jesus’ prayerful submission(to God) in the Garden of Gethsemane(‘oil press’), whereby He would willfully die by Roman crucifixion(Mk. 14:32-33).

Peter knows & declares himself “an Apostle” who is sent from “Jesus Christ”. Jesus declared the 12 as apostles(Lk. 6:13).

Peter was called upon by the resurrected Jesus to personally Feed Jesus’ lambs, Tend Jesus’ sheep & Feed Jesus’ sheep(Jn. 21:15-22).

All apostles were specially chosen & given revelation which would give birth to the church. “Apostle”—apostolov— ‘A delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.’ Strong—A delegate; specially--An ambassador of the Gospel; officially--A commissioner of Christ["apostle"] (with miraculous powers).

From—apostellw—1) To order (one) to go to a place appointed; 2) To send away, dismiss. Strong—Set apart, i.e. (by implication--To send out (properly--On a mission) literally or figuratively. From—apo—Off, away from—&—stellw—To set, place. Thus ‘to set away from.’

b. Jesus—

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,”

“Jesus”—Ihsouv—="YHWH is salvation.” From Hebrew ewvy(Joshua) meaning "YHWH is salvation.”

Lk. 1:26-31—“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, & considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb & bring forth a Son, & shall call His name JESUS.”