A Living Hope for Foreigners and Exiles Introduction to 1 Peter

Every morning before the sun would rise John would wake up his boys, Simon and Andrew, and head out the door of their home to prepare for another day of fishing on the Sea of Galilee. On the north shore they would meet up with Zebedee and his boys, James and John. Fishing was the family business. It’s what they knew and it’s what they loved. Simon never sat around his house in the evening and dreamed of being a preacher. Unlike the Prodigal Son, Simon never yearned for the glitz and glamor of the big city. He was a fisherman. He loved the smell of the sea, the challenge of bringing in the nets, and celebrating with his dad, brother, and friends when the day's catch was brought in. All of that changed when Simon met Jesus. Today we are beginning a new study of two letters written by the fisherman who became the rock, that’s the name Jesus gave Simon. Let me tell you how it happened. Simon’s brother Andrew was a follower of John the Baptist, the man who was telling everyone the Messiah was coming. Andrew was there the day John the Baptist said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!” “...I have seen and testify that this is God’s Chosen One”  (John 1:29; 34 NIV). Andrew believed John and began following Jesus. Then we read, 

41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter). (John 1:41-42 NIV)

“Cephas” is an Aramaic word which means, “stone” or “rock.” As we read the Gospels we begin to wonder if Jesus might have given Simon the wrong name. Instead of being steady, immovable, and unshakable, many have said that Simon Peter was impetuous. Miriam Webster describes “impetuous” behavior as “impulsive behavior; the impetuous among us act without thinking long and hard about the consequences of their actions. They are rash and reckless.” That might be how we would describe Peter at times and yet, Jesus called him the rock. There is a radical distinction between the way we evaluate others and the way Jesus sees them. We judge others in the moment and our judgment is final. Jesus sees us for what He will make of us and not some impetuous, foolish decision we made in the moment. Let me give you an example of what I’m talking about by taking a look at the low moment of Peter’s life. After Jesus had shared the Passover meal with His disciples they all went out to the Mount of Olives where Jesus would pray, prepare to be arrested, and then crucified. While they were making their way to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told His disciples they would all fall away from Him. Peter blurted out, “They might, but I would never do that Lord!” Let me read it to you. Turn with me to Mark 14:27-31 and let’s read together.  

27 "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: "'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." 29 Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." 30 "Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "today-- yes, tonight-- before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times." 31 But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same. (Mark 14:27-31 NIV)

Peter was quick to speak up. He would often say things before he thought them through, but there is nothing he said that would come back to haunt him like the time he was so bold as to make it known that even if all of the other disciples turned away from Jesus, he never would. Well, it wouldn’t take long for Peter to find out just how wrong he was. In Luke 22:55-62 we learn that Peter did exactly what Jesus said he would do…he claimed to have never even known Jesus. While Jesus was being interrogated at the house of the high priest, Peter was warming himself by the fire. Read along with me.

55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." 57 But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them." "Man, I am not!" Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." 60 Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:55-62 NIV)

Can you imagine what that moment was like for Peter? Peter denied he knew Jesus for the third time, Jesus looked at Peter, and Peter was reminded of what Jesus had said to him. Peter got up from the fire, got away from the crowd, and cried his eyes out. Can you relate? Have you ever done something and later felt such shame, such guilt, that it was crushing to you? I feel pretty confident in saying that if Peter would have been alive today and we would have been the one betrayed, we would have never let Peter forget what he had done. We would never give him a second chance to betray us ever again. We would rub his nose in it over and over and over again.  “Peter! You are done!”And yet, Peter wasn’t done. Jesus came for sinners, not saints. Jesus came to bring in those everyone else had written off. Jesus came to bring forgiveness for those whom others categorized as unforgivable. Jesus had a plan for Peter’s life and it wasn’t to leave him at his lowest, but to make him a rock. So, after Jesus died on the cross, spent three days in the tomb, and was raised to life again by the power of God, Jesus sought out Peter. Here’s how it happened. Peter and some of the other disciples had gone back to the Sea of Galilee when Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” Some of the other disciples said, “We’ll go with you.” They were out on the Sea of Galilee all night long and of course, they didn’t catch a thing! Early the next morning they saw a man standing on the shore. He said, “Throw your nets out on the right side of the boat and you’ll find some” (John 21:6 NIV).  Immediately their nets were so full they could hardly bring them in. Then they knew it–it’s the Lord! Peter took off his outer garment and jumped in the water. He swam as hard and as fast as he could to get to Jesus. After the rest of the disciples had pulled the heavy load of fish they noticed a fire with fish grilling on it. Jesus gave them some bread, handed them some grilled fish, and they were amazed. A little later we read, in John 21:15-19,

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" (John 21:15-19 NIV)

Three times Peter had denied Jesus. Now, three times Peter was given the opportunity to let Jesus know he loved Him. Did you notice? There was no mention of what Peter had done, no lecture, no “I-told-you-so.” “Peter, do you love me? …Follow me!” And he did. For the rest of his life Peter would follow Jesus. Until his dying day, when he was crucified in Rome by Nero, Peter would follow Jesus. It is interesting that when Peter wrote the two letters we will be studying for the next several months that he starts and finishes with “grace.” Peter, like all of Jesus’ followers who truly understand their relationship with the Lord, was a recipient of the abundant grace, the undeserved grace of the Lord. There is no sweeter grace than the grace which comes to those who know they do not deserve it, that they could never earn it. It was this grace, the grace of Jesus, which thoroughly transformed Peter’s life. How extravagant is Jesus’ grace? I wish Peter was here this morning so he could tell you firsthand, but I know one story he would most definitely tell you. After Peter had failed Jesus so miserably and been restored so tenderly, Jesus, less than 50 days later chose Peter to deliver the most important sermon ever, the sermon that lit the fire that has never gone out. It happened on the Day of Pentecost, in Jerusalem, where people had gathered from far and near to celebrate and worship God.  Luke tells us the streets of Jerusalem were packed with people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, and as far away as Rome. There were Jews and converts to Judaism. There were Arabs, Cretans, Parthians, Medes, and Elamites. With such an incredible crowd and such an important announcement, who would Jesus choose to deliver the sermon? Peter! Peter? The Holy Spirit fell upon Jesus’ followers and they began to speak in all of the languages of the people gathered. Everyone was amazed. They didn’t know what to make of what they were seeing and hearing. Some said, “These folks are drunk!” It was at that moment that Peter stood up and began to speak. Turn with me to Acts 2:14-21 and let’s read it together. 

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' (Acts 2:14-21 NIV)

From that moment until he sat down Peter explained to the crowd about Jesus. What God had long foretold and promised. What Jesus had done and what was done to Him. It was all part of God’s plan. Then Peter said, 

36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." (Acts 2:36 NIV)

The sermon had been delivered. The Holy Spirit was moving among the crowd. Something unmistakable, unforgettable had taken place, something that nobody who was present that day would ever forget. The people began to ask, “What should we do?” There is a lesson here that I hope none of us will miss. When God moves, when He speaks to our heart, when He convicts us of some change He desires to make in our lives, when He does something in our lives, our response should be, “What should I do?” It would be the greatest of sins to experience His presence and simply walk away. There will always be an answer to the question, “What should we do?” Peter spoke up,

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-- for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:38-39 NIV)

Luke tells us, in Acts 2:41, that 3,000 people responded to Peter. They were baptized and became followers of Jesus that day! By the time we get to Acts 4, the number of new followers of Jesus had reached 5,000! Do you remember the question that was asked when they first heard the good news about Jesus, “What should we do?” The question asked for those who had become followers of Jesus was now, “How shall we now live?” And the answer to that question is what we will be learning as we make our way through 1&2 Peter. I want us to read the first two verses of 1 Peter together even though we won’t begin to dig into them until our next time together. Read it with me.

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. (1 Peter 1:1-2 NIV)

This letter was written near the end of Peter’s life, in the early 60s A.D., while he was living in Rome. The early church fathers, men like Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Tertullian, and Eusebius all wrote about the martyrdom of Peter at the hands of emperor Nero. Peter had followed Jesus for a little more than 30 years when he was crucified in 64-65 A.D. by Nero. Near the end of his life he wrote this important letter to the followers of Jesus who were “exiles,” “foreigners,” “strangers” living in Asia Minor, what is modern-day Turkey. Peter liked this description of Jesus’ followers, but what does it mean to be an “exile” or a “foreigner” living in Asia Minor or Oklahoma City? We will talk much more about this next time, but let me simply say this: It means we are different. Not better or worse than those around us, but different. We have a different identity, a different purpose, a different orientation, and a different disposition than those who are not followers of Jesus. I was reading something a brother in Christ from India, who has been living in the USA for the past forty years, wrote this past week. He came to America to go to seminary, the first time he had ever left his home country of India. Even though Imanuel Christian, his wife, Violent, and their family have lived in America for many years, he writes,

My wife and I are from India; we are aliens and foreigners in this country. No matter how long we live here, because of our skin color and the way we speak, we will always be treated as foreigners. Living as foreigners and aliens in a foreign culture has its own typical problems. (Imanuel Christian)

Imanuel pointed out visible differences that marked he and his family as “aliens and foreigners,” but Peter sees an even greater difference between those he writes to and their surrounding culture. Peter wrote to those who were living in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, all under Roman rule, and yet they were as diverse in their language and customs as we are here at Britton Christian Church. Edmond Clowney writes,

The geographical areas addressed include a ‘fantastic conglomeration of territories’--coastal regions, mountain ranges, plateaus, lakes and rivers systems. The inhabitants were even more diverse. They had different origins, ethnic roots, languages, customs, religions, and political histories. While we do not know what people groups or strata of society were included among the Christians of Asia Minor, we are struck by the unity that the gospel produces. Diverse as the backgrounds of these people were, they had become the new people of God, the family of believers, the chosen people scattered in the world (2:9-10; 17; 5:9; 1:1) (Clowney, Edmond. The Message of 1 Peter. pg 2-3)

The difference we will discover as we work our way through 1 Peter is the new identity, not based on social structures, ethnicity, nationality, language, or politics, but on our having been chosen and set apart by God through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. This new identity in Christ begins a new way of living and a new way of seeing the world around them. Peter writes,

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… (1 Peter 1:3 NIV)

It was their identity as Jesus’ followers that served as the lens through which they saw themselves, others, the Roman government, the world around them, and the experiences they had in life.  One of the focal points of Peter, in this letter, is the topic of suffering. We learn about the suffering and persecution of the followers of Jesus in most every book of the New Testament. It is something that we who are followers of Jesus in America find quite foreign, but it was prevalent in Peter’s day, and suffering because of one’s allegiance to Jesus is still prevalent around the world. Some of you have come from countries where being a follower of Jesus will cost you. I remember just a few months ago when I was meeting with Rita, who is from China, about her decision to become a follower of Jesus.  I had been told that Rita’s mom taught the Bible back in China so I asked Rita about her mother. I asked Rita if her mom taught the Bible at a church. Rita said, “No, she teaches the Bible to small groups of people in her home. Churches in China are not welcome.”  This past week I learned about a brother in Christ, Armando Villadaras, who was born in Cuba and witnessed Fidel Castro take over the country in 1959.  Armando was a poet, not a revolutionary or activist, but in 1960, at the age of 23, Castro had him put in prison because he would not say, “I’m with Fidel.” Armando spent the next 22 years of his life in prison because he refused to say those three simple words. He was beaten, tortured, they threatened his wife, but he would not give in. All he had to say was, “I’m with Fidel.” Most would say, “What would that hurt?” but Armando was a follower of Jesus and not Fidel Castro.  Twenty-two years later, after his wife Marta had gotten the ear of some U.S. Congressmen, and French President Francois Mitterand, Armando was released and he resettled in the United States. On May 12, 2016, Armando Valladares was given The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty’s Canterbury Medal, which is given annually to “a person who embodies and lives out an unfailing commitment to religious freedom, someone who has resolutely and publicly refused to render unto Caesar that which is God’s.” When he was presented his award, Armando said,

I am not an extraordinary man, and I am quite ordinary. But God chose me for something quite extraordinary. When I was 23 years old I refused to do something that at the time seemed very small. I refused to say a few words, “I’m with Fidel.” First I refused the sign on my desk at the postal office that said that, and after years of torture and watching many fellow fighters die, either in body or in spirit, I still refused to say those words… They did not keep me in jail for 22 years because my refusal to say three words meant nothing. In reality those three words meant everything. For me to say those words would constituted a type of spiritual suicide. Even though my body was in prison and being tortured, my soul was free and it flourished. My jailers took everything away from me, but they could not take away my conscience or my faith. (Armando Valladares)

What a powerful testimony! How did Armando keep from losing his mind during those 22 years? How do our brothers and sisters around the world keep from renouncing their faith and walking away from Jesus when they are threatened, ridiculed, and forsaken by their friends and family? How did Peter stay strong when they began to pound those nails in his wrists and feet? They kept their eyes on Jesus, the One who had suffered for them. Peter wrote,

20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:20-21 NIV)

I can’t wait to walk through the pages of Peter’s letter to the “exiles” and “foreigners” from so long ago with all of you during these next few months. It is going to be an exciting, challenging, and encouraging journey for all of us as we seek to walk in obedience right here in Oklahoma City. Before we go, I want to take you back to the day of Pentecost when those travelers who had come to Jerusalem heard the good news about Jesus. Do you remember how they responded? They asked, “What should we do?” That’s the question I want to put before you this morning. Now that you have heard the good news about Jesus, what will you do? Will you come to Jesus, surrender your life to Jesus, or will you simply walk away unfazed and unchanged? Don’t walk away, come to Jesus this morning and let Him begin the same work in you as He did in Simon the fisherman who became a rock. Mike HaysBritton Christian ChurchJanuary 7, 2024