THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
SPREADING THE SOUL-SAVING MESSAGE OF JESUs
(Chapters 1-2)
Introduction by narrator accompanied by a cappella singing:
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. Spreading the soul-saving message of Jesus. And now, Timothy Sparks and Ben Bailey.
Ben Bailey:
“The Word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Pet. 1:25). I’m Ben Bailey.
Timothy Sparks:
And I’m Timothy Sparks. Welcome to our study of the Book of 1 Peter. This lesson is being brought to you by individual members and congregations of the churches of Christ. We invite you to visit the church of Christ in your area. We are making these broadcasts available on CD or DVD. If you would like a complimentary copy, you may log onto our website at www.thegospelofchrist.com, fill out the request form you will find there, and we will be happy to send to you whatever you need. We will not even charge you for the postage.
In the closing verses of 1 Peter 1, we learn that “the Word of the Lord endures forever.” The Word of the Lord is the means of our salvation. It cannot be destroyed or diminished, and those who oppose it will be crushed by it. It will last forever.
Ben Bailey:
In 1 Peter 1:24, Peter says, “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away. But the Word of the Lord endures forever” There is a sharp contrast here between the frailty of man and the enduring nature of the Word of God. If we back up to verses 22 and 23, we can see the point—we are to place our faith in the Word of God, since it will never dimish or be destroyed. Peter says that we have purified our souls by obeying the truth. We are not going to live forever. Hebrews 9:27 says, “It is appointed unto man once to die, and then the Judgment.” The life we are living right now is brief and passing. James wrote, “What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (Jas 4:14). But there is good news. Jesus said in John 11:25-26, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” We can live forever with God and Christ in Heaven—if we place our faith in the Word of God.
Timothy Sparks:
The Word of God in this life helps us to have the very best of lives. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (Jn. 10:10). The psalmist wrote,
“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word…. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You! I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me…. Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day…. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119: 9,11,30,97,105).
Jeremiah wrote, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jer. 15:16). Jeremiah also said, “O earth, earth, earth, Hear the word of the Lord…. ‘Is not My word like a fire?’ says the Lord, ‘And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?’” (Jer. 22:29; 23:29). Like the blacksmith’s anvil—which wears out many hammers but itself remains unaffected—the Bible wears out the skeptics’ innocuous charges, all the while remaining unscathed. John Clifford (1836-1923), a Baptist minister and social reformer, wrote:
Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime.
Then looking, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
“How many anvils have you had,” said I,
“To wear and batter all these hammers so?”
“Just one,” said he, and then with twinkling eye;
“The anvil wears the hammers out, ye know.”
And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon.
Yet though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed…the hammers gone.
God’s Word can save our souls (Jas. 1:22). It also will one day serve as our Judge (Jn. 12:48). But if we conform our will to the Word of God, then we need not fear the Day of Judgment.
Ben Bailey:
Peter makes the application here by saying, “This is the word which, by the Gospel, was preached to you” (1 Pet. 1:25). He carries that theme on into chapter 2 when he writes, “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (vss. 1-2). Peter wants these Christians to know that since the Gospel brought them the good news about salvation, then they need to make sure that their lives are in accord with that Word. Peter tells them to abandon malice (anger), deceit (lying), hypocrisy, envy, and evil speech. Peter says, “like newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” As a new Christian, you must grow out of your old lifestyle, and you must grow up in your faith as you mature. Here again, we see stressed the importance of growing as a child of God. Peter says in 2 Peter 3:18, “Grow!” The idea of growing is that we must continually grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. If you reach a point in your Christian life where you say, “This is exactly where I need to be,” rest assured that you are not where you need to be. Rather, you are right where the devil wants you! Here is what Paul said about such an attitude in Philippians 3:12-14.
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
As Christians, we should make it our goal to grow every day by studying our Bibles. Acts 17:11 says of the Bereans, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” When it comes to the enduring nature of the Word of God, we must realize that we must listen to that Word, obey that Word, and never stop growing as a child of God.
Timothy Sparks:
It is the Word of God that does the convicting and the converting. It is the Word of God that changes our lives. I once saw a billboard that said, “The truth does not change, but the truth can change you.” The Word of God (1 Pet. 1:25) is like Christ (Heb. 13:8), in that it remains the same, “yesterday, today, and forever.” Yes, the Word of God can change our lives. The psalmist said, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Ps. 19:7). You should not be converted to “just anybody.” Rather, you should be converted to Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt. 6:21). We are not to lay up treasures here on the Earth. We are to lay up treasures in Heaven, “where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Mt. 6:20). In 1 Peter 2:4, Peter speaks of Christ as “a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious.” Then, in verse 5, he says, “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” In Romans 12:1-2, Paul wrote,
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
As Christians, we are called upon to make a daily sacrifice. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” In Luke 9:62, Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Paul said to the Christians in Philippi, “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all” (Phil. 2:17). Paul counted it a blessing to sacrifice himself in the service of God.
Ben Bailey:
The idea behind “living stones” is the idea of stones that have not cracked or broken, but that have instead withstood the test of time. Just as Jesus is a living stone, so we, too, must be solid, dependable, trustworthy, living stones in His kingdom. After all, we are being built into a spiritual house in God’s family. Peter describes us as “a royal priesthood.” Isn’t it comforting to know that, as Christians, we are not dependent on any one man, or group of men, to serve as a priest for us today? Hebrews 10:12 says of Jesus, “After He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, [He] sat down at the right hand of God.” We do not have to go through any man to receive forgiveness of sins. After all, we are “priests” (Rev. 1:6). No man should “stand out” as a priest, because every Christian is a priest in the family of God. This is why we are told in Matthew 23:9, “Call no man ‘father.’” We have no need of any “religious father” other than God. And because we are all priests, it should compel us to offer up daily sacrifices to God as grateful Christians.
Timothy Sparks:
There are numerous ways in which we can offer up sacrifices to God. Hebrews 13:15 tells us that we can do that by the fruit of our lips. We also can offer up sacrifices through our prayers to God. Peter is trying to encourage us to have spiritual lives. We must not focus our lives on the things of this Earth. In Colossians 3:2-4, Paul said, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” From 1 Peter 2, we learn that we exist on the bedrock foundation of Jesus Christ, and that we must continue to grow spiritually. The concept that all Christians are priests takes our minds back to the Old Testament. The Levites were the priests in the Old Testament, and had to be committed to God on a daily basis. Thus, we, too, should be dedicated to sacrificing to God on a daily basis—through the kinds of lives we live. In 1 Peter 2:11, Peter says, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” Peter’s point, of course, is that we cannot be spiritual priests, yet be living lives of sin.
Ben Bailey:
There is no doubt that we are fighting a spiritual battle against the devil and sin. Yes, there will be difficulties, trials, and tribulations. But we have several things going for us. We have Heaven as our goal. And we have the Word of God that endures forever. Plus, we receive numerous benefits as Christians. We are living stones in God’s spiritual house. We are a royal priesthood unto Him. Peter wants to remind us of all that we have, and how we must not go back to our former lives. Yes, we will have to make daily sacrifices, but in the end, it will be worth whatever sacrifices we make. Whatever else we do, we must not go back to the devil’s side! This is why Peter says, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” Let’s face it—our flesh sometimes goes to war with our spirit. And sometimes we give in to the fleshly desires, even though we know we should not. But the point is that we can overcome; we can win the battle. If you are battling a fleshly issue—whether it is a sin, or a disease, or some type of fleshly lust—remember that if you remain faithful and true to God, then you one day will be able to claim the heavenly home that has been reserved for you. If we remember that we one day will live in eternal bliss with God, shouldn’t that help us not to give in to fleshly lusts?! That is Peter’s point, in fact. We cannot allow ourselves to be caught up in the fleshly desires of the world. If we do, then we will miss what is really important—getting to live with God throughout all eternity.
Timothy Sparks:
I am reminded of the Gospel song, “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through. My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue.” Paul noted in Philippians 3:20-21, “Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” We are here for only a brief period. We learn from 2 Peter 3:10 that the Earth and everything in it will one day be burned up. We, therefore, should be holy and righteous. We should yearn for the day when God will make eternity ours!
Ben Bailey:
In Romans 13, Paul presents a dialogue about submitting to the government. In 1 Peter 2:13-16, Peter discusses the same topic when he says, “
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.”
He also mentions that servants need to submit to their masters. In our day, the application would be the employer/employee relationship. Peter’s point is the same as Paul’s—that we as Christians must submit to the government (as citizens) or to our employer (as an employee), as long as what we are asked to do does not violate the will of God. Paul referred to the government as “God’s minister to you for good” (Rom. 13:4). Peter uses the same type of terminology in 1 Peter 2:17ff. So far as is possible, we, as good citizens, must obey the laws of men. We know that there can be exceptions, of course. We learn from Acts 5:29 that we ought to “obey God, rather than men.” If governments or employers enact laws or rules that conflict with God’s laws and rules, then our allegiance is to God, not to a government or employer. As Christians, we need to show people that we are willing to obey the laws, and be good citizens and employees, so much as is possible. If we work under an employer, the way to make a good impression on the boss, or our coworkers, who may not be Christians is for us to be seen as being the very best Christian we can be. In Colossians 3:23, we are told, “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” In Ecclesiastes 9:10, we read, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” Christians ought to be the hardest workers, and the most honest employees. We must live in accordance with the laws and rules, as long as those laws and rules do not violate the will of God.
Timothy Sparks:
Peter returns to his theme of suffering when he says in 1 Peter 2:21, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” This is significant. We have been called to follow Christ so closely that we should even be willing to be persecuted. Charles Sheldon authored a book, In His Steps, based upon the text of 1 Peter 2:21. Sheldon suggested in his book that before we act or react, we should ask, “What would Jesus do?” Then, based on our knowledge (from the Word of God) of what Jesus would do, we should do only what Jesus would do, regardless of the consequences. Thus, we should follow in the footsteps of Jesus, even if it means that we will be persecuted. Peter reminds us that Jesus “bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed” (vs. 24). This has to do with our salvation.
Ben Bailey:
Jesus died on the cross for us. If you have not become a Christian, we ask you to consider what we’ve said today, and to look at these passages to see what you must do to receive Christ. It is made clear throughout the New Testament that you receive Jesus by believing in Him as the Son of God, by changing your heart and repenting of your sins, by confessing Jesus as God’s Son, and by being baptized into Christ.
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Narrator accompanied by a cappella singing:
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1. What is the contrast that Peter intends to draw by his statements that “all flesh is grass” but “the Word of the Lord endures forever”?
2. According to Hebrews 9:27, what type of “second chance” will people have, once this life is over?
3. What was the point Jeremiah was trying to make when he said that he “ate” God’s Word (Jer. 15:16)?
4. What, according to Jesus’ statement in John 12:48, will judge us?
5. When Peter urges us to “lay aside malice” (1 Peter 1:25), what he is telling us to do?
6. When Peter tells Christians to “grow” (2 Pet. 3:18), what is the idea he is trying to get across?
7. How is the Word of God (1 Peter 1:25) comparable to Jesus (Heb. 13:8)?
8. Why do Christians today not need a priest to carry their thoughts and prayers to God on their behalf?
9. In 1 Peter 2:5, Christians are compared to “living stones.” What do those stones compose?
10. According to Revelation 1:6, who are the priests in the church?
11. When Peter refers to Christians as “sojourners and pilgrims” (1 Pet. 2:11), what is his point?
12. According to Philippians 3:20-21, we are “citizens,” but citizens of what?
13. In 1 Peter 2:16, Peter explains something Christians can do to “silence the ignorance of foolish men.” What is that “something”?
14. What is the point of Ecclesiastes 9:10 (“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going”?
15. The text of 1 Peter 2:24 reminds us that Jesus bore our sins, and then tells us what that should mean to us. What should it mean?
16. Explain the intent of Peter’s comment in 1 Peter 2:21 (“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps”).
17. If we are urged to ask ourselves before we act, “What would Jesus do?,” how, exactly can we know what Jesus would do?
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, 607 McLish Ave., Ardmore, OK 73401; (580) 223-3289; www.thegospelofchrist.com