Jen Wilkin's summary notes for Session 2 of I Peter.
Verse 1: "Therefore" (look at what came before). It's about the attitude of the heart. Put off malice. Put on good will. Put off deceit. Put on all truth. Put off hypocristy. Put on all genuiness. Put off envy. Put on generosity. Put off slander. Put on all praise.
Verse 2: Tells us how to receive it: long for it. Desire it like panting after water. A strong word here (Psalm 42:1) What attitude? Like a newborn baby desires milk. A natural state of a newborn Christian: they want the word of God. What's the result? Growth which equals the word and works (doers and hearers). i.e. nutrition plus exercise. He says you have experienced it, now live it.
Verse 3: If you've experienced that the Lord is gracious, now live it out.
Verses 4-5: The building work God wants to do. Metaphor switched to something being built now. Chiefstone is Jesus. Living stones are us. Building a spiritual house. In ancient times, these stones had to be shaped to put into place. Do we feel God's shaping? What should the result be of this shaping? To offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Verses 6-8: Peter now thinks of passages that connect to the OT. Psalm 118:22 (Jesus is the chief cornerstone). Jesus is also the stumbling stone (Isaiah 8:14-15). Jesus is the foundation stone (Isaiah 28). Jesus is the supernatural stone (Daniel 2) Jesus is the Rock in the wilderness. He is precious to us who believe. Those who refuse to build on Him, stumble over Him and He will become a rock of offense. Jews and Gentiles are joined together.
Verse 9: Titles that belong to Jews and Gentiles who we are before God: Royal Priests brought together in Jesus, no longer separate. We are a possession of God.
Verse 10: Now we are God's. What a revelation for the Gentiles. Why did He do it? That we would proclaim the praises of God.
Note: Now the second part - Our Duties
Verses 11-12: You've received the inheritance, so now how should you live? Wage war against our flesh because this wars against the soul. What's the result of keeping our conduct honorable? They will see our good deeds and God will be glorified. Live in holiness. Live as set-apart people.
Question: What was the Roman Empire like during this time? A lot of taxes, subjugation, elite vs the poor. Augustus honored as a "god". Julius Caesar a military leader. Herold installed as King. There was impoverishment, hunger, debt, agrarian society, disintegration of villages and communities and violence of the Zealots.
Verse 13-17: Another duty is to show proper submission to the government. Live as a good citizen in your community. Remember that Peter wrote this in the days of the Roman Empire (see above). Why obey? For the Lord's sake.
Note: Whenever the Bible speaks of submission, it's not on a human level, but to God. By doing this (doing good), what is the result? Put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Live it right!
Verses 18-20: Slaves and Masters. The duties.
Verses 21-25: Suffering for doing what's right. Take courage from the example of Jesus. We are identified with the death of Jesus on the cross. The provision for our physical healing was made by Jesus on the cross and also our spiritual healing. He is now our Shepherd and Overseer of our soul.
Shepherd: Pastor.
Overseer: Bishop.
Remember that before God tells us what to do, He first tells us all He's given to us in Jesus Christ. When we receive what He's given us, He then gives us the ability to do it.
Next: Session 3: Submission and Suffering
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