Peter encouraged the persecuted believers to whom he wrote. God still needs encouragers in today’s church. What can we learn from Peter?
1. We can learn from Peter the Man.
A. Peter was a common man.
-He was a fisherman (Mt. 4:18).
-He was an untrained leader (Acts 4:13).
Consider how God uses common people in His
service.
B. Peter was a changed man.
“Simon”- This was Peter’s pre-conversion name.
“Peter”- Peter was his post-conversion name.
Cephas is the Aramaic name for Peter(which
means rock.) Peter became a rock in the
early church. (John 1:42)
Consider the changes that occured in order
for Peter to change from a reluctant disciple
to a bold disciple.
Consider:
- The filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)
- Jesus faithful support of him (Mt. 4:19)
C. Peter was a called man… He was called to be
an ”apostle”.
Remember: all of us are called.
D. Peter was knowledgeable about his subject.
Peter was writing people who were suffering
persecution. In Acts 4 & 12 we read about
Peter’s suffering for the faith.
Who was better qualified to encourage
suffering saints than a man who had been
persecuted?
God uses the experiences of our
lives to encourage others (through us).
(II Cor. 1:4)
2. We can learn from Peter’s Mission.
A. Peter wrote people who were scattered by
persecution(1:1). I Peter seems to be
addressed to both Jews and Gentile believers.
- “Dispersion” (1:1)- scattered Jews
- 2:10- Gentile believers
B. Peter wrote to people who felt like strangers.
He calls them sojourners(1:17). Believers are
strangers in this world.
C. Peter wrote people who were suffering for
their faith. (See 2:19-23; 3:14,17-18,4:13,
15-16,19; 5:1,9,10)
People who are scattered, alienated and suffering
need encouragement and a word of hope.
3. We can learn from Peter’s Message.
A. Peter offered a message of hope.
(See 1:3,13,21; 3:15)
B. Peter taught that God is in control in spite
of suffering. The word “glory” is used often
in I Peter. God will bring glory to His name
in spite of our hardships.
(see 1:7,8,21,24; 4:11,13,14; 5:1,4,10,11)
He is always in control, even we think Him not
to be.
C. Peter taught that God’s grace is sufficient.
(see 1:2,10,13; 3:7; 4:10; 5:5,10,12)
1. Grace strengthens (II Cor. 12:1-10)
2. Grace helps us overcome weaknesses
(I Cor. 15:9-10)
