New Testament Vistas

New Birth

Into a Living Hope1 Peter 1:3-9

HOW CAN AN ALL-POWERFUL GOD ALLOW PAIN AND SUFFERING?

1 Peter 1:1-3a

1 Peter 1:1-2

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout 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, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

This world is not my homeStrangers in the world Exiles

Reside as aliens

Living as foreigners

Resident aliens

Hebrews 11:13b And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven.

We live here, but our home is there1 Peter 1:3a Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth …

BENEFITS OF THE NEW BIRTH

1 Peter 1:3b-5

1 Peter 1:3b In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, …

Living Hope

Future Inheritance

Present Protection

Ephesians 2:12 remember that

at that time you were separate

from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and

without God in the world.

… 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, …

Living Hope

Future Inheritance

Present Protection

… 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Living Hope

Future Inheritance

Present Protection

RESIDENT ALIENS LOOKING FOR A BETTER FUTURE

1 Peter 1:6-9

Living now & looking forward

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self- controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Living now & looking forward

1 Peter 4:5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Why we can handle suffering

1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith–of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire –may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Why we can handle suffering

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

WE WILL EXPERIENCE TRIALS

Acts 14:22 “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of

God”

The role of faith in our trials

God is at work in the midst of our

pain for our good.

Suffering is temporary, then

we get to go home.

1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you

may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

The role of faith in our trials

God is at work in the midst of our

pain for our good.

Suffering is temporary, then

we get to go home.

God is at work for our good

1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”

1 Peter 4:16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

God is at work for our good

1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy

The main verse for this is Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Don’t stop at Romans 8:28

Romans 8:29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.