General Motors has a feature since 1996 that makes their cars unique. It’s the OnStar system. You have probably heard of the OnStar system on television. It can help you unlock your car when you lock yourself out. It can assist you finding a restaurant or directions to your hotel when traveling. It can assist you by calling emergency services when you are an accident. It can even check your email or stock quotes so keep your hands free for driving. According the HOWSTUFFWORKS.com, more than 4 million people are a part of the Onstar network. There are many components that go together to make the OnStar system work. There are the buttons found on the rearview mirror. The blue Onstar button allows you to contact a live advisor. The red Onstar button allows you contact someone in case of an emergency. There is the GPS antenna so the satellites in the sky know where you are. There is the cell phone antenna so an operator can contact you when needed. There is an additional sensor on the airbags and another controller on the door locks. There is also the computer under the hood of your car that controls everything together. The car continually receives signals from the GPS satellite so Onstar knows where you are. If something bad happens, like running out of gas or a tire goes flat, either you call Onstar by simply pressing the button inside your car or … Onstar automatically calls you inside your car when the sensor tells it that your airbags have deployed. The computer underneath the hood uses the cellphone antenna to communicate the car’s location to Onstar. Onstar is a way for people to get help easily and quickly in emergency.
Our faith lives in a hostile world. The faith in a sovereign God who runs each and every element in the universe is having a hard time these days. For many Americans, it is becoming more and more difficult to believe in altogether good and infinitely powerful God. For many people the pain and misery of living camouflages any hope one has in finding the God of the Bible.
One skeptic has recently written: “Why has God made it so difficult to believe in him? If I loved somebody and had infinite power, I would use that power to show myself more obviously. Why has God made it so difficult to see his presence and his plan?” This is a fair and haunting question. Theologians refer to this as “the hiddenness of God.” The skeptic uses stronger terms, referring to God as the God who has absconded and left us with no visible sign of His existence. Many of us wish that God were more like the Onstar system. Wherever life takes us, we like to know that God is near to assist us in emergencies. We like for Him to make His presence more visible to us as we grapple with the difficulties of life. We want God to be present at the push of a button.
For the next few weeks, we’re are going to examine the words of Peter. These words are in the first letter of two letters we have recorded for us and are known as 1 Peter in our Bibles. Peter wrote to Christian believers scattered throughout modern day Turkey. He writes to encourage them because they are experiencing the world’s hatred. These new believers in the faith were feeling the pressure and hostility for their faith in Jesus Christ. This pressure and hostility caused many people to struggle with God. Many Christians had not only their property and livelihoods taken from them, but many also lost their lives. Frankly, they had many more questions than answers.
Christians today want to know where God is when we struggle. When the ninth month of pregnancy brings news of a stillborn infant rather than the joyful arrival of a brand new baby… When the new business brings bankruptcy rather that financial rewards… When the doctor tells you the worst news – “it’s cancer.”
Peter writes his letter to tell us of God’s Providence where God has everything (and we mean everything) worked out for His purpose. Everything is worked out according to God’s eternal plan.
The USS Astoria during WW II engaged the Japanese during the battle for Savo Island before any other ships from the U.S. naval fleet had arrived. During the crucial night of the battle, August 8, the Astoria scored several direct hits on a Japanese vessel but was itself badly damaged and sank the next day. About 0200 hours a young Midwesterner, Signalman 3rd Class Elgin Staples, was swept overboard by the blast when the Astoria’s number one eight-inch gun turret exploded. Wounded in both legs by shrapnel and semi-shock, he was kept afloat by a narrow lifebelt that he managed to activate with a simple trigger mechanism. At around 0600 hours, Staples was rescued by a passing destroyer and returned to the Astoria, whose captain was attempting to save the cruiser by beaching her. The effort failed, and Staples, still wearing the same lifebelt, found himself back in the water at lunchtime. Picked up again, this time by the USS President Jackson (AP – 37), he was one of 500 survivors of the battle who were evacuated to Noumea.
On the road of life, there are intense difficulties that cause us to forget our destination. The Providence of God is our refuge and fortress. It is our shield. It provides us courage and staying power.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” (1 Peter 1:1-2)
1. Recognize Who is Speaking to You
Let’s look at the big picture before we begin this section. We are basically approaching the first two verses of 1 Peter here to answer three questions. We want to find out who Peter, the writer, is. We want to also examine who the readers of this letter are, and why the letter was written. That is the big picture.
A few moments ago I told you about a letter from a skeptic. Allow me to repeat his question to refresh your memory: “Why has God made it so difficult to believe in him? If I loved somebody and had infinite power, I would use that power to show myself more obviously. Why has God made it so difficult to see his presence and his plan?” As much as the question seems powerful, however, I contend that the answers we give must remind the questioner that maybe, just maybe, the question itself hasn’t been carefully thought through. For example, how often would we want God to reveal himself? Once a day? Every time there is an emergency? If God were to speak to us through the OnStar system, how often would you need to press the button to remind you of His presence? Would we like to hear a voice every now and then, saying, “Trust me”?
The interesting thing about this demand is that some have seen God’s presence. Some have heard His voice — yet it did not make it any easier for them to believe. It turns out that when you are all-powerful, someone will always demand that you demonstrate the fact. As we look closer at who wrote this letter, we see a remarkable man named Peter, a nickname meaning “rock.”
Peter had the most dramatic disclosure ever given to the human eye atop the mountain, when he saw the transfiguration of Jesus.
“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.” (Mark 9:2-8)
He felt so overwhelmed that he did not want to come down again. Yet not long afterwards, when Jesus was arrested and on his way to the cross, Peter denied that he ever knew him.
“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” (Matthew 26:69-75)
The simple truth is when Navigating through life, we to sense God’s presence.
This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, 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.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, 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 everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:14-17)
Point of Truth: God gently restores us when we fail to remember His presence. In one word we learn from Peter – restoration. God gently restores us when we have failed to sense His presence on the road of life.
2. Realize Your Not Home
Peter again writes in verse one: “To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia…” (1 Peter 1:1)
There are three words I want you to pay attention in verse one. The word “exiles” maybe strangers or aliens if you different translations. Persons who belong to some other land and people, who are temporarily residing with a people to whom they do not belong. The first century Christ-followers were under intense persecution from Rome. They were being blamed by the evil Roman Emperor, Nero, for the burning of Rome. Many Christians had not only their property and livelihoods taken from them, but many also lost their lives. It was an extremely difficult time to be a Christian. And there may have been some among Peter’s readers, who even felt like giving up or giving in.
The word “home” is a powerful word. It means so much more than a house or an apartment where you live; it’s a place dear to your heart. Have you ever lived somewhere or visited somewhere and you seemed “out of place?” In your heart you felt a longing and a tugging to return home? We call that homesickness. As you grow closer to Jesus through your relationship with Him, the more out of place you will feel in this world. You’ll find yourself becoming homesick for heaven, and the pleasures and allures of this world become less and less appetizing.
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:13-16) Some people who claim to follow Jesus love this world and don’t really look forward to the next world–that’s a pretty good sign about the condition of your heart.
The Apostle Paul had a faithful companion named Demas. He was like a right-hand man to Paul in his ministry. But as Paul was suffering in prison, he made this terrible statement about Demas: “Demas has deserted me, having loved this present world.” (2 Timothy 4:10) We are aliens because we believe there is another world, and we don’t feel at home in this world. We know deep down in our hearts that there is another world.
One of the greatest minds of the 20th century was C.S. Lewis. He wrote: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 3:20) People often laugh at us because we believe in heaven saying, “All you Christians care about is heaven; you aren’t living in the NOW.” Again I turn to quote C. S. Lewis to counter such skepticism: “There is no need to be worried by facetious people who try to make the Christian hope of Heaven ridiculous by saying they do not want ‘to spend eternity playing harps.’ The answer to such people is that if they cannot understand books written for grown-ups, they should not talk about them. All the scriptural imagery (harps, crowns, gold etc) is a symbolical attempt to express the inexpressible. People who take these symbols literally might as well think that when Christ told is to be like doves, he meant that we were to lay eggs!” Peter reminds us not to become too attached to this life.
The second word is in verse on “dispersion.” Other translations have the word “scattered.” Dispersion was historically applied to the Jewish nation when it was set apart and scattered into foreign nations by the Babylonian and the Assyrian captivities. Here Peter applies the same word to the Christian community, saying they were scattered and dispersed by the hand of God. When Peter wrote this there were about one million Jews lived in Palestine and two to four million lived outside it. God scattered the believers to fulfill the commission of Acts 1:8, so that they were to be salt and light wherever they went. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) So “scattered” is not a bad term at all. It reinforces that we are not home. Since we are not home, we are not comfortable. We needed to be reassured that God was in charge, that nothing was left to chance. That God was weaving even their difficulties into the wider tapestries. We need to know the Providence of God.
The third and last term in verse one is “elect.” “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,” (Philippians 1:29) The Bible speaks a lot about election - God’s choice of His people. In the Greek text, the word “chosen” comes right after “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.” It is placed at the start for sake of emphasis. Peter wants us to know from the outset that our relationship with God does not depend on our weak grasp on Him, but rather on God’s sure grip on us. Our salvation is not our doing; it is God’s doing! We can submit to God during times of trial because He is in control of saving and keeping His own. This comforting theme of God’s control runs throughout Peter’s letter. In a universe governed by God there are no chance events. Indeed, there is no such thing as chance. Chance does not exist. It is merely a word we use to describe mathematical possibilities. But chance itself has no power because it has no being. Chance is not an entity that can influence reality. Chance is not a thing. It is nothing. Instead our world is run by Providence. A God who cares for us and leaves nothing to chance. The word providence refers to God’s provision for His people. We use the word provisions to refer to things we acquire for future needs. At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him. But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.
Someone hear maybe upset to hear that God chooses people. We don’t like that kind of talk. Listen to Charles Haddon Spurgeon: ‘But there are some who say, "It is hard for God to choose some and leave others.’ Now, I will ask you one question. Is there any of you here this morning who wishes to be holy, who wishes to be regenerate, to leave off sin and walk in holiness? ‘Yes, there is,’ says one. ‘I do.’ Then God has elected you. But another says, "No, I don't want to be holy. I don't want to give up my lusts and my vices.’ Why should you grumble, then, that God has not elected you to it? For if you were elected you would not like it, according to your own confession. If God this morning had chosen you to holiness, you say you would not care for it. Do you not acknowledge that you prefer drunkenness to sobriety, dishonesty to honesty? You love this world's pleasures better than religion; then why should you grumble that God has not chosen you to religion? If you love religion, He has chosen you to it. If you desire it, He has chosen you to it. If you do not, what right have you to say that God ought to have given you what you do not wish for?
The rugged hope of the believer is not that we will escape distress or peril or hunger or slaughter, but that Almighty God will make every one of our agonies an instrument of his mercy to do us good. Point of Truth: God gives us the staying power to make it home.
3. Remember You’re A Passenger
Volkswagen began selling cars in the 1997 with the following tag line: “On the road of life, there are passengers and there are drivers.” As the ad closed, people at home would see the words “Drivers Wanted.” Peter labors to tell us that in the road of life there are passengers and there are drivers. Passengers wanted. In reverse of current thinking, Peter tells us that God is driving the believers life.
Peter assumed that his readers accepted the Trinity. He doesn’t stop to explain or defend it. Peter just states that we were chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that we may obey Jesus Christ. God is one God who exists in three coequal, eternal persons, the same in substance, but distinct in subsistence. Each person of the Godhead has a role in our salvation. We can have hope because our salvation depends on this great Triune God.
3.1. Your Route is Mapped by God the Father.
“according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (1 Peter 1:2a)
“He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you…” (1 Peter 1:20)
3.2. Your Path is Rated G
“in the sanctification of the Spirit” (1 Peter 1:2b)
“But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
The word “sanctification” means “setting apart” and looks here at the initial work of God’s Spirit in taking a believer out of the world and setting him apart unto God in the community of God’s elect people. There is an ongoing sense to this word as it points to the process by which the Spirit progressively separates the believer to God. We must also submit to the Spirit. Salvation is a something that takes place in three (3) tenses: You have been justified (declared forgiven); You are being sanctified (it’s a process) and one day when you stand before God you will be glorified. When Jesus saved you from your sin, He wasn’t finished with you. Forgiveness was only the first step. Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” That’s the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit who lives in you. You are still a work in progress.
3.3. Your Road Ends in Blessing
“for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” (1 Peter 1:2c)
You may have been asking yourself, when we were discussing obedience, “But I am a Christian and not always obedient. What happens when I am not? Do I loose my salvation? Does it mean I am not saved?” God is making His covenant with His people; He has promised to be faithful. In the Old Testament He taught the Jews sin could be forgiven through a blood sacrifice. He was teaching them a life had to be sacrificed to make atonement for sin. Every year on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest killed an animal and sprinkled the blood on the Ark of the Covenant kept in the Holies of Holies. At first, the Holy of Holies was a room in a portable tent called a tabernacle, and then later it was located in the Temple in Jerusalem. Obedience is part of our new life.
So what about the times when we are disobedient? God is committed to forgiveness, even when we aren’t obedient. God will always fulfill His part of the promise, but God will forgive us, even when we fall short on our part.
Carl Sagan, one of the most likeable, educate astronomers of the 20th century, consulted for NASA, hosted “Cosmos” on PBS and wrote many books including Contact which was made into a movie starring Jodie Foster. Carl Sagan spent most of his life examining the heavens, but he never found God. He wrote: “Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.” (Pale Blue Dot, 1994) A few months before he died on December 20, 1996 from bone cancer he wrote: “I would love to believe that when I die I will live again, that some thinking, feeling, remembering part of me will continue. But much as I want to believe that, I know of nothing to suggest that it is more than wishful thinking.”
Point of Truth: God’s power directs your road safely to Him.
A few moments ago I told you a story about the USS Astoria during WW II and a signalman named Elgin Staples. I didn’t tell you the whole story. On board the transport, Staples hugging that lifebelt with gratitude, looked at that small piece of equipment for the first time. He scrutinized every stitch of the lifebelt that had served him so well. It had been manufactured by Firestone Tire and Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio, and bore a registration number. Given home leave, Staples told his story and asked his mother, who worked for Firestone, about the purpose of the number on the belt. She replied that the company insisted on personal responsibility for the war effort, and that the number was unique and assigned to only one inspector. Staples remembered everything about the lifebelt, and quoted the number. There was a moment of stunned silence in the room and then his mother spoke: “That was my personal code that I affixed to every item I was responsible for approving.”
I can only imagine the emotions within the hearts of mother and son as they pondered the convergence of responsibility and its impact on life. The Providence of God is our refuge and fortress. It is our shield. It provides us courage and staying power.
