From the KNOWN to the UNKNOWN - �Living Counter-intuitively

BICF

16th March 2025

1st Epistle of Peter - CONTEXT

• Peter prominent in the early church in Jerusalem
• Used by God to introduce the Way to Gentiles (Cornelius)
• Spent time in Antioch (Gal 2:11-14)
• Written from Rome 60-64 AD - just before Peter’s death
• Focus of Christianity at ANTIOCH - more Gentiles coming to faith
• Most of Paul’s letters to churches written / circulated
• Letter addressed to GENTILE Christians in Asia Minor

Around 60 AD

Acts 16:6-8

EUROPE

ASIA M

SYRIA

ISRAEL

Introduction to 1 Peter

• Focus on SUFFERING - FOR THE FAITH (taking up the cross)
• Contains recipe for SUCCESS - the paradox!
• Definition of SUCCESS
• The accomplishment of an aim or purpose
• The attainment of fame, wealth or social status
• Tone of letter reflects Peter’s own character transformation

Successful Living as a Christian

• Living on the basis of our IDENTITY -
• CHOSEN (belong to Jesus),
• Saints of God (being sanctified, for obedience, set apart)
• Maintaining a heavenly perpsective amidst earthly trials
• Having PURPOSE / PLAN / PERSEVERANCE
• Focus on change in CHARACTER, not CIRCUMSTANCE

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1 Peter 1 - A Recipe for Success

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• Purpose or Goal (1:9, 2:9)

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• The SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS (v9)

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• (Becoming like JESUS - 2 Cor 3:18 / Eph 3:19 & 4:13 / 1 Jn 3:2)

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• A royal priesthood, a peculiar people to declare His praises who called us from darkness to light! (2:9)

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1 Peter 1 - A Recipe for Success

• Process (1:13-16, 22,23)
• KNOWLEDGE of New Birth (repentance / reliance on the Spirit)
• Living Hope, Genuine Faith, God’s grace THROUGH THE WORD
• Skills of preparing mind for action, self-control, holiness (obedience & transcending natural evil desires), Deep Love for fellow believers

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• Persistence (1:3,7)
• Living Hope of resurrection & indestructible inheritance
• Genuine Faith that accesses God’s shielding power

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Key to Achieving SUCCESS

• RIGHT ATTITUDE
• “ATTITUDE” => Thought + Feeling - A deliberate CHOICE!
• Attitude --> BEHAVIOUR

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RIGHT

• AWARENESS - Right thinking - mind of Christ shaped by the Word
• ATTITUDE - Truth of the Word with the JOY of the Lord
• ACTION - Live / act righteously that pleases the Lord

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Pick up the ATTITUDE

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1 Peter 2:3-12

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Key to Achieving ‘SUCCESS’

Attitude for successful living as a Christian

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LIVING AS ALIENS / STRANGERS in this world!

(1:1 / 1:17 / 2:11,12)

* DO NOT RELY ON WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW - Prov 3:5,6

* They that WAIT UPON THE LORD shall renew their strength - Is 40:30,31

Deliberately move from the KNOWN to the UNKNOWN

Sources to Keep us Successful

• The WISDOM of God - ‘Logos’ - Psalm 119:97-100, 105
• The WORD of God - ‘Rhema’ - Acts 13:2,3
• The PEOPLE of God - Col 3:16

Counter-intuitive Living : SPIRIT-enabled

• Resolve to live as STRANGERS & ALIENS --> Guidance & Advice
• Resolve to say nothing or do nothing without acknowledging Him
• Ask the Lord especially when you THINK you know what to do!
• Resolve to be a PECULIAR person!

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WELL DONE, Good & Faithful servant - Enter into the JOY of your LORD!