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.”
Mat. 1:20-21—“But when he[Joseph] had considered this[divorcing Mary], behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. “And she will bear a Son; & you shall call His name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.””
c. Christ—
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,”
“Christ”—Cristov—1)Anointed; The Messiah.
Him:
Dan. 9:25—“Know therefore & understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore & build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks & sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, & the wall, Even in troublesome times.”
His mission:
Isa. 53:4-12—“Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted & extolled & be very high. Just as many were astonished at you, So His visage was marred more than any man, And His form more than the sons of men; So shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; For what had not been told them they shall see, And what they had not heard they shall consider. Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised & rejected by men, A Man of sorrows & acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, & we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, & afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed & He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison & from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked-- But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, & be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.”
*Together—“Jesus Christ”= ‘the Anointed One who is the singular Savior’
This title assumes that this Jesus will be allowed full Lordship of our lives.
?Is this particular “Jesus” the “Christ,”...the One you personally recognize as the anointed of God, for your salvation, & no other?
Argumentation:
1Cor. 4:14-16—“I[Paul] do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me.”
1Cor. 11:1—“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
1Cor. 5:11—“But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner--not even to eat with such a person.”
Mk. 8:34-38[Lk. 9:23-26]—“When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, & take up his cross, & follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake & the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, & loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me & My words in this adulterous & sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
2Thes. 3:14, 15—“And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person & do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”
1Pet. 2:6—“Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
2Tim. 1:6-12—“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power & of love & of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us & called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose & grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death & brought life & immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, & a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed & am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”
Rev. 16:15—“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, & keeps his garments, lest he walk naked & they see his shame.”
Illustration:
2013’s ‘Riverfront Festival’ in Carrabelle, FL/After the day’s activities, the festival planners sponsored a ‘meet-n-greet’ for the vendors/Even though it was at Harry’s Bar, your pastor went!(I had water!)/I gained an audience at one table I infiltrated & garnered the attention of others around me/They wanted to hear what I said—A pastor in a bar is a novelty at best!/BUT some actively avoided me, looking at me as if I shouldn’t be there/I obviously made them nervous/ASSOCIATION
‘Guilt by association’ is made plain to children by concerned parents everywhere!/We don’t want our kids ‘hanging’ with the wrong crowd/Profiling danger/Haunt them the rest of their lives/ASSOCIATION
My testimony—before Christ/In high school, Debbie Poole earnestly tried to witness to me, but I saw her as an alien because of her commitment to Jesus & Church related stuff/ASSOCIATION
If you associate with ‘Jesus Freaks’ you will be seen as a freak yourself!
?You ashamed...
To attend a Bible Study?
To attend church?
To join the church & be recognized as a member by others?
Application:
?You an Alien by ASSOCIATION with God?
?You ‘Christian Enough’ to be considered an Alien?
2—Christians are considered alien by...
SOJOURNING(:1b)
Explanation:(:1b)Temporariness
1:1b—“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, & Bithynia,
Peter has dedicated at least a portion of his ministry to a particular segment of humanity to which this letter is addressed. This particular segment is termed “the Dispersion”. Those of “the Dispersion” inhabit the then current Roman political provinces of “Pontus”, “Galatia”, “Cappadocia”, “Asia”, & “Bithynia.” Political boundaries constantly shift depending upon the ruling authorities. All of these provinces were located in the modern-day country of Turkey.
“Asia”(Asia Minor) appears to have made up roughly the western 1/3 of Turkey & the other provinces would have made up slightly less than the eastern 2/3. These provinces thus encompassed the vast majority of modern-day Turkey, an area of ~300, 000 mi2.—B&H Maps & THNTC
There is “no evidence” that Peter had any personal missionary dealings within the provinces mentioned.—THNTC
‘Most of Pontus was, for administrative purposes, united by the Romans with the province of Bithynia, though the eastern part[Pontus] subsisted as a separate kingdom under Polemon & his house(36 BC to 63 AD), & the southwestern portion was incorporated with the province of Galatia.’—ISBE
“Cappadocia” was “a region in[of]Asia Minor, bounded, under the Roman empire, on the north by Pontus, on the east by Armenia Minor, on the south by Cilicia & Commagene, on the west by Lycaonia & Galatia.”—Thayer.
“Asia”(‘Asia Minor’) appears to have been somewhat centrally located within the western part of modern-day Turkey which is surrounded by the Black, Aegean & Mediterranean Seas.
“Bithynia”(western) & “Pontus”(eastern) bordered the southern shore of the Black Sea. It encompassed what would be the northern border of modern-day Turkey.
“Pilgrims/Strangers/Aliens/Sojourners/Temporary residents”—parepidhmov—‘One who comes from a foreign country into a city or land to reside there by the side of the natives; 2) A stranger; 3) Sojourning in a strange place, a foreigner; 4) in the NT metaph.—in reference to heaven as the native country, One who sojourns on earth.’ Strong—from para[a primary preposition; properly--Near] & the base of epidhmew[To make oneself at home, i.e. by extension--To reside(in a foreign country)]; An alien alongside, i.e. A resident foreigner. Used 3X.
“Dispersion/Scattered/”—diaspora—1) A scattering, dispersion—1a) Of Israelites dispersed among foreign nations, 1b) Of the Christians scattered abroad among the Gentiles. Strong—from diaspeirw[To sow throughout, i.e. figuratively--Distribute in foreign lands]; Dispersion, i.e. specially & concretely--The (converted)Israelite resident in Gentile countries. Used 3X.
If you place/rank being an American above your being a Christian, you are ‘probably’ not a Christian...
...You merely live in a post-Christian society founded upon Christian principles to which you ascribe...not making you a Christian/follower of Jesus.
Argumentation:
Jn. 21:15-24—“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. “Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself & walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, & another will gird you & carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, & said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who testifies of these things, & wrote these things; & we know that his testimony is true.”
Jesus secured Peter’s commitment to His lambs/sheep—regardless of racial, language, political, or geographical boundaries.
Eph. 2:10-16—“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-- that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel & strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope & without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, & has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, & that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.”
**Heb. 11:13-16—“These all[Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah] died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them & confessed that they were strangers & pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” **Acts 8:1-4—“Now Saul[later known as Paul] was consenting to his[Stephen’s] death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; & they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea & Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, & made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, & dragging off men & women, committing them to prison. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.”
**Acts 11:19-21—“Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, & Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus & Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, & a great number believed & turned to the Lord.”
Lk. 14:25-27—“Now great multitudes went with Him[Jesus]. And He turned & said to them, “If anyone comes to Me & does not hate his father & mother, wife & children, brothers & sisters, yes, & his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross & come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
Mat. 10:16-23—“Behold, I send you[the 12 disciples] out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents & harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils & scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors & kings for My sake, as a testimony to them & to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, & a father his child; & children will rise up against parents & cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”[describes the ‘perpetually incomplete Jewish mission’—NAC].
Acts 8:25-40—“So when they had testified & preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise & go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. So he arose & went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, & had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near & overtake this chariot.” So Philip ran to him, & heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, & said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up & sit with him. The place in the Scripture which he read was this: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.” So the eunuch answered Philip & said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, & beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered & said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip & the eunuch went down into the water, & he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; & he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.”
Illustration:
New employees/New in town/Temporary/Risk/Don’t have the same love for your business as you have/Somewhat alien but you hire them anyway, yet not expecting to hand over the keys to them anytime soon/SOJOURNING
Temporary—Other more pressing things color your decisions, allegiances, & alliances/SOJOURNING
Snowbirds/Leave ‘the cold-white north’ during winter & leave here during summer/Their alliances are based upon the weather only/They may enjoy the area & have establish friendships with you but never vest themselves fully/They are here, but they are here for other reasons than are the home folks/They are only ‘visitors’/SOJOURNING
Application:
?You an Alien by SOJOURNING with/by God?
?You ‘Christian Enough’ to be considered an Alien?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
Roswell NM & Area 51
Action:
Christians are considered alien by...
1. ASSOCIATION(:1)
2. SOJOURNING(:1b)
Presented 09/07/2014am to:
FBC Cbelle
206 Storrs Ave. SE
Carrabelle, FL 32322
