BACKGROUND:
The apostle Peter wrote this letter to encourage believers who would likely face trials and persecution under Emperor Nero. During most of the first century, Christians were not hunted down and killed throughout the Roman Empire. They could, however, expect social and economic persecution from three main sources: the Romans, the Jews, and their own families. All Christians would very likely be misunderstood; some would be harassed; a few would be tortured and even put to death. Peter may have been writing especially for new Christians and those planning to be baptized. He wanted to warn them about what lay ahead—they needed his encouraging words to help them face opposition.
In the style of ancient letters, Peter began by identifying himself. He was an apostle, the title Jesus had given to the twelve disciples (Luke 6:13). The title apostle designated one who had authority to set up and supervise churches and discipline them if necessary. Even more than a title of authority, “apostle” means one sent on a mission, like an envoy or ambassador. As an apostle of Jesus Christ, Peter wrote with authority because, like the Old Testament prophets, he wrote God’s very words.
When people accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, God transfers their citizenship from the world to heaven (Philippians 3:20). Thus, while they live on this earth, they are like foreigners in this world. The world becomes a “foreign land” to believers because their real home is heaven and they are only on earth temporarily.
The church began in Jerusalem, but before long it had spread across the Roman Empire and beyond. Peter wrote this letter to both Jewish and Gentile believers in churches scattered throughout various Roman provinces. Most likely, Peter planned for the letter to be circulated from one church to the next throughout each area. He may have separated the names of each province to indicate the circular route that the bearer of this letter would travel.
This verse mentions all three members of the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. All members of the Trinity work to bring about our salvation and provide a threefold assurance to believers. Although Christians are “foreigners” in this world, they take comfort in the fact that God chose them long ago. Peter wanted these believers, scattered as they were across the empire’s provinces, to be united in their experience of God’s favor and peace in their daily lives.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
As we study scripture we come to the conclusion that God is looking for people to use. And he is looking for people that He can bless, honor, use in great ways. As I read this passage today, we see that the person God uses is going to take some heat for following Christ. (2 Timothy 3:12)
So what I'd like to do today is look the kind of values that make a difference in our lives so that God can use us. 2 Chronicles 16:9 (LB) says, “For the eyes of the Lord search back and forth across the whole earth looking for people whose hearts are perfect toward Him that He can show His great power in helping them”
It says there that God is looking for people to use. When Jesus Christ was here on the earth, God did what He wanted to do through the body of Christ physically. And all that God did, He did through His Son, Jesus Christ. But Jesus Christ died, was resurrected and went back to heaven. Today, God still works through the body of Christ. But the body of Christ is you and me. We are the body of Christ. We are His eyes, His hands, His feet. And what God did through Jesus Christ, physically, He now wants to do through His spiritual body, the body of Christ. He doesn’t do it through groups but He does it through individuals. E.M. Bounds who wrote the book The Power of Prayer said “Men are always looking for better methods but God is looking for better people.” Because God uses people. He doesn’t use light bulbs or tents or stages or microphones. He uses people.
What kind of person does God use? What kind of qualities make us usable? The Bible says that God is looking for people to use, He’s searching for people to use. I believe that if you will get usable then God will use you in ways you never thought possible.
1 Timothy 4:16 says, “Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others.” The Bible says that we are to be ruthless in our evaluation of ourselves so that we stay useable, pliable, flexible, moldable. God uses us when we are refined and ready to be used. So it says “Keep a close watch on all you do and think.”
Lamentations 3:40 says “Let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord.” All through scripture we’re told to test our ways, examine them. This morning I talked about making a list of values then checking yourself on the values on a daily basis. This is what he’s talking about here. Look at your life and say, “God, am I still usable?”
This week, I want to give you six qualities that God is looking for in people He can use. My encouragement for you is to spend some time in personal examination and praying together for these qualities in our lives. What is God looking for? Keep reading the reat of this week.
Lord, draw people to COV this morning. Prompt their hearts to be in worship - to bring you their worship, and then Lord, speak to their hearts and minds. I love you guys. Stay faithful. Stay the course.
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