Sunday School Lesson

1. 1 Peter 1:1-9
“A Living Hope”
September 4, 2016
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
What’s the number one thing?
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The glory of God!
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1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
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2. September Memory Verse
John 14:6 (ESV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me.”
WELCOME TO SUNDAY SCHOOL!!
• Fall quarter of lessons in 1 & 2 Peter and Jude.
• ETB (Explore The Bible) Lifeway Series – Electronic.
• Lessons will tie back to studies in Acts and events of the early Church in
Jerusalem.
• Using New King James Version (NKJV) today.
Bottom Line of 1 Peter 1:1-9
“A Living Hope”
• Christians will face trials and persecution in life.
• Enduring a trial assures you that your faith is genuine.
• Christians should focus on the future eternity Jesus has prepared for us and
not the present world situation.
References
• MacArthur, John, MacArthur Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Nelson Publishing,
1997).
• ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Publishers, 2008).
• Dr. Chuck Missler, Sermons on 1 Peter, Session 1, YouTube Video.
Did Peter write 1st and 2nd Peter?
• Most scholars believe that Peter the Apostle wrote these letters.
• Doubts arise because of the classical Greek style of writing by an
uneducated fisherman.
• Peter was not specifically trained in the Jewish law, but his literacy is not
questioned.
• Peter was living in Rome in 64 AD when he wrote these letters.
Peter’s Educational Background
Acts 4:13 ESV
13 Now when they (the Sanhedrin) saw the boldness of Peter and John, and
perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished.
And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
• Paul was known for his scholarly Jewish training.

3. Peter’s Correct Name?
John 1:40 NKJV
40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon
Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have
found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to
Jesus.
Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You
shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone).
Why is Peter claimed to be the 1st Catholic Pope?
Matthew 16:15-18 ESV
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter replied, "You
are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed
are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but
my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will
build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Key Phrases in Matthew 16:18
• “you are Peter” – ‘petros’ is a little stone.
• “On this rock” – ‘petra’ is a large rock.
• Jesus said, “on this rock (petra) I will build my Church”.
• The Rock (petra) for building the Church is Jesus, not Peter.
• 1 Corinthians 10:4 (Rock); 1 Corinthians 3:9-11 (Foundation); Ephesians
2:19-22 (Cornerstone).
Peter’s Ministry
• Mark was Peter’s secretary to record events and write letters.
• The Gospel of Mark could have been called “The Memoirs of Peter”.
• Peter was the spokesperson for the new church in Jerusalem but left after
Stephen’s stoning and he was freed from prison by the Holy Spirit in Acts
12:17.
• He went to Rome and worked from there.
Introduction to Peter’s Letters: Life as a Christian in 64 AD.
• Nero was the Roman Emperor and had a drive to build more structures in
Rome.
• Nero blamed the Christians for starting the fires that destroyed Rome in 64
AD.
• The persecution of Christians escalated after the fire.

4. Roman Culture in 64 AD
• Roman religion was viewed as a social activity that promoted unity and
loyalty to the state.
• Christians were viewed as hostile to the state.
• Romans had many pagan gods (idols) for every occasion.
• Christians were viewed as superstitious because they worshipped in
private in homes.

5. Roman Culture in 64 AD
• The Roman government offered no rights or protection for Christians or
their worship practices.
• Persecution began as discrimination and escalated to seizure of property,
torture and death.
• Roman emperors began to believe that they should be worshipped as
other gods with statues of self.
Peter’s Theme for Letters to Christians
• How are Christians to deal with animosity?
• How are Christians to live and honor God in a hostile world?
1 Peter 1:1-2 NKJV
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus,
Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience
and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be
multiplied.
…pilgrims of the Dispersion
• Peter is addressing Jews and Gentiles (spiritual pilgrims) who are aliens on
earth (not in our heavenly home yet).
• Specific message for provinces in modern-day Turkey.
• Jews from all these provinces had been present at the Day of Pentecost in
Acts 2:1-47.

6. 1 Peter 1:3-5 NKJV
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His
abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and
that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the
power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
…has begotten us again (we are born again)
• God gave new birth as a part of His provision in salvation.
• When we come to Jesus in faith, we receive a new nature and are born in
to God’s family.
• Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3 … “unless one is born again, he cannot
see the kingdom of God.”
“…begotten us again to a living hope”
• What is this living hope?
• Hope = confident expectation.
• Living Hope = confident expectation placed in someone who is alive
(conquered death and is risen from the dead).
• This Living Hope is eternal life through our resurrected Savior.

7. “A Living Hope”
1. This living hope comes from God.
Psalm 43:5 NKJV
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
2. This living hope is a gift of grace.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NKJV
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who
has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by
grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and
work.
3. This living hope is defined by scripture.
Romans 15:4 NKJV
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that
we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
4. This living hope is a reasonable reality.
1 Peter 3:15 NKJV
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a
defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,
with meekness and fear;
5. This living hope is secured by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
John 11:25-26
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in
Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in
Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
John 14:19
19 "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see
Me. Because I live, you will live also."
6. This living hope is confirmed in the Christian by the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NKJV
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:5 NKJV
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been
poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

8. 7. This living hope defends the Christian against Satan’s attacks.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 NKJV
8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith
and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
8. This living hope is confirmed through trials.
Romans 5:3-5 NKJV
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that
tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and
character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of
God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to
us.
9. This living hope produces joy!
Psalm 146:5 NKJV
5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
10.This living hope is fulfilled in Christ’s return.
Titus 2:11-13 NKJV
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the
blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus
Christ,
We have been born again to a living hope for an inheritance.
• Our inheritance is a heavenly eternity.
• Jesus is preparing it for us right now.
John 14:2-3 NKJV
2 “In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am,
there you may be also.”
What is the Christian’s inheritance?
• The Christian’s inheritance is not on this earth.
• Peter called us Pilgrims in verse 1 (Not home yet!).
• Revelation 21:1-8 New heaven and new earth.
• Holy City – no crime or bad people or traffic.
• Relationship – God and Jesus.
• Peace – no tears, no death, no pain, no past.
• Satisfied – no thirst.

9. How does Peter describe our inheritance in verse 4?
• Incorruptible – not subject to passing away or decay.
• Undefiled – unpolluted, unstained with evil.
• Does not fade away – does not lose its value or run out.
• Reserved – has your name on it.
Your inheritance is protected.
• v. 5 “…kept by the power of God through faith…”
• “kept” = military word meaning to guard & protect.
• God’s power will keep the believer and inheritance secure.
• No one can steal it or disqualify you from receiving it.
1 Peter 1:6-9 NKJV
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have
been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much
more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found
to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not
seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with
joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation
of your souls.
v. 6 – Rejoice in this when you have trials
• What is the “this” in verse 6?
• Living hope.
• Inheritance that is heavenly not earthly.
• God’s protection.
• Salvation.
• Eternity in heaven.
Peter teaches about troubles in life in verse 6.
1. Trouble does not last – “for a little while”.
2. Trouble serves a purpose – “if need be”.
3. Trouble brings distress – “grieved”.
4. Trouble comes in various forms – “various trials”.
5. Trouble should not diminish the Christian’s joy – “greatly rejoice”.
The testing of the genuineness of your faith in verse 7.
• God’s purpose in allowing trouble is to test the reality of one’s faith.
• The benefit of testing or “fire” is immediately for the Christian, and not
God.
• When a believer comes through a trial still trusting God, he is assured that
his faith is genuine.

10. Bottom Line of 1 Peter 1:1-9
“A Living Hope”
• Christians will face trials and persecution in life.
• Enduring a trial assures you that your faith is genuine.
• Christians should focus on the future eternity Jesus has prepared for us and
not the present world situation.
How does this apply to us today?
• Look at life and its events through “Spiritual Eyes”.
• Example: Refugees fleeing their homes and country.
• Worldly eyes: Stay home and deal with your own problems.
• Spiritual eyes: They are coming to us when we could not go to share
the Gospel with them.
How does the Christian deal with animosity according to Peter?
1. Remind yourself of the “Living Hope” you have.
2. Remember this world is not our home and your inheritance is secure in
heaven.
3. Use your “Spiritual Eyes” to view the world.
4. Trust God.
Next Sunday
September 11, 2016
1 Peter 1:13-25

11. The Plan of Hope & Salvation
John 3:16 NKJV
16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 14:6 NKJV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me.”
Romans 3:23 NKJV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a NKJV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
 Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
 Even Jesus, the one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay the
penalty for our sins.
 The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in
Revelation 21:8.
Revelation 21:8 NKJV
8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with
fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Romans 5:8 NKJV
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 6:23b NKJV
23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7 NKJV
7 “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be
My son.”
 Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be an overcomer.
Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that
God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one
believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.

12. Romans 10:13 NKJV
13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
If you have questions or would like to know more, please, contact First Baptist
Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/