EMBRACING THE IDENTITY OF A HOPEFUL SOJOURNER 1 Peter 1:1-5.

EMBRACING THE IDENTITY OF A HOPEFUL SOJOURNER1 Peter 1:1-5

1 Peter 1:1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: To the temporary residents dispersed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia

“temporary residents dispersed…”

Pilgrims who had been reached during Pentecost?

Acts 2:9-11 -- Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia

Does not seem to account for the idea of being “forcefully dispersed temporary residents”


Christians forcefully dispersed by Roman colonization?

Roman colonization purposes:“Romanize” a region (language,

culture, politics)Provide a strategic military

presence, especially on frontiersFoster commerce between distant

regions of the empire



Emperor Claudius (AD 41-54)Reign characterized by conquest &

expansionEstablished Roman colonies in all 5 of the regions listed in 1 Peter 1:1

Timeframe fits neatly into traditional record of the era when Peter lived in Rome

Also historical record that Claudius expelled people from Rome who were associated with “Chrestus”



Choosing colonistsSometimes chose the poorSometimes chose to free slavesSome volunteered for this because

as colonists they often got privilegesPlaced military vets there if area

was of strategic military importanceOften the colonists were NOT

citizens of Rome



Reaction to colonistsNative population often despised

them and even tried to hurt themColonists hope was in the distant

protection of Rome

So what???

Supports the historic reliability of the Bible

Peter does an amazing job of encouraging these displaced believers

Many here today have a lot in common with these sojourners

Ultimately ALL OF US are sojourners

1 Peter 1:2

chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

1 Peter 1:2


Romans 8:29 -- For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son

1 Peter 1:2


Matthew 23:37 -- Jerusalem, Jerusalem! She who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing!

1 Peter 1:2


1 Peter 1:2


Rooting our identity in these realities causes “grace and peace to be multiplied to us” and it prompts us to “3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 1:3b

According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

1 Peter 1:3b

According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the deadEphesians 2:4-5 -- God, who is

rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us,5 made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

1 Peter 1:3b

According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the deadJohn 1:12-13 -- 12 Yet to all who

did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

1 Peter 1:3b


1 Peter 1:3b

According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the deadEph. 2:12 -- At that time you were

without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

1 Peter 1:3b

According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead1 Thess. 4:13 -- We do not want

you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

1 Peter 1:3b


1 Peter 1:4

He has given us a new birth . . . into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.

1 Peter 1:4


“Since wealth and inheritance were most often vested in land in the first-century world, a displacement from one’s homeland meant that whatever property one stood to inherit would be of uncertain benefit, if any. Thus, the loss of inheritance and family rights could lead directly to feelings of hopelessness.” (Karen Jobes, 1 Peter)

1 Peter 1:4


1 Peter 1:4


Luke 12:31-34 -- 31 “But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. 32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1 Peter 1:5

5 You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Application Points

We would be wise to practice the discipline of anticipation

We would also be wise to regularly ponder our adoption in Christ

“I am a child of God. God is my Father & heaven is my home. Each day can be an investment in my true & lasting homeland. Every day my true home is one day nearer.”

Become a child of God by receiving Christ!

EMBRACING THE IDENTITY OF A HOPEFUL SOJOURNER 1 Peter 1:1-5.

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