1 Peter: Peter: strangers
VCC July 19, 1998
1 Peter 1:1, Stranger and aliens
Peter was willing to leave all
Mark 1:18--willing to obey
He had left his home to see John the Baptist--he had a hunger
Mt. 19:27, We left everything to follow you
Interesting to note the friends that Peter chose...those who also would follow Jesus.
1:11, as strangers and aliens in this world.
Most of us are too attached to this world, and this world’s way of thinking.
Being aliens and strangers has to do with CITIZENSHIP and thinking.
Php 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2, NIV).
Luke 5:1-11
This is some time after Jesus’ first encounter with Peter...
John 1:35-42, A word was placed in Cephas (stone) heart adn faith took root. He believed that Jesus could do what he said he could do and take a wavering, up and down, man and turn him into a ROCK.
We all have our faith tested tos ee if we trust and obey.
Peter was willing to obey...when tired, discouraged, and as a result saw God PARTNER with him in seeing a miracle take place.
God is looking for those will will partner with Him to release His power!
Peter knew fish habits, good spots, effects of the climate, why listen to a carpendar?
We all know what it is like to toil through long darkness and get nothing. We work ourselves to the bone and see nothing, but when we enter into partnership with Christ...he brings the increase.
John 15:5, abide in me and you will bear much fruit.
Peter learned not to do things like the people in theworld around did, he learned to partner with heaven.
Acts 2--Partnered with God and the power of God fell and 3000 saved.
Acts3--Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give unto you, 5000 believed
Acts 10-- Peter at Cornelius’ house...he obeyed the word, even when it cut against his ideas.
Lessons on partnering with God.
We need to act on the Word of God (Luke 5:5)
John 21:1-6, There was no hesitation now!
James 2:14-17, Faith without deeds is dead.
1 Peter 1:22, obeying the truth
Heb. 10:17, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christ.
We need to spend time in Word
Failure and sin don’t necessarily exclude from partnership (Luke 5:8)
there needs tobe a deep conscousness of personal sin and need for Jesus.
Zacchaeus--one of most wicked
We must leave all (Luke 5:11)
Jas 4:4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God? We must leave our old patterns of thinking. (Rom. 12:2)
Therefore it is important that we immerse ourselves in the Word, that is how God speaks to us and how we know what He thinks and how His Kingdom operates.
We need to know the laws of His Kingdom because as citizens of his kingdom there are laws and principles we need to know to partner with Him and see His power displayed.
Mt. 19:16-22, Rich young man was not willing to leave all...Peter says “we left all” (19:27)
Conclusion
What is God challenging you that you are failing to obey, or hesitant to do?
What past failures and sins are holding you back?
What are you hanging on to that keeps you from partnering with God?
What is keeping you from God’s Word?
