Closing Words for 1 Peter
1 Peter 5:10 – 14
Introduction
Peter now ends this short letter with few but relevant message to Christians suffering severe persecution and fiery trials. What he had written here is still a word of encouragement to give his reader hope they really need. Verse 10-14 according to some expositors is one of the great benediction in the Bible. Indeed we have a hope and reason to be hopeful.
I. We have God’s grace.
A. God is a God of all grace.
B. He is the source of all grace.
C. His grace is “manifold” (1 Peter 4:10) and meets every situation of life. As we submit to Him, He gives us the grace that we need.
D. He has grace to help in every time of need (Heb. 4:16), and “He giveth more grace” (James 4:6).
E. We are saved because of His grace (Eph. 2:8-9, 1 Pet. 1:10)
F. God is all sufficient, and His grace is sufficient for any occasion or need (2 Cor. 1:3, 12:9).
Illustration: Much Grace
It does not matter where He places me or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me. For the easiest positions, He must give grace; and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient. So, if God places me in great perplexity, must He not give me much guidance? In positions of great difficulty, much grace? In circumstances of great pressure and trial, much strength? As to work, mine was never so plentiful, so responsible, or so difficult; but the weight and strain are all gone. His resources are mine, for He is mine! – J. Hudson Taylor
II. We are called unto His glory
A. Christians are called by God to eternal glory and happiness.
B. God’s purpose is that we will be with Him eternally.
C. If we depend on God’s grace when we suffer, that suffering will result into glory (1 Peter 4:13-16).
D. The road will be difficult, perilous, and full of sorrows but it leads to glory and that is the best thing.
III. Our sufferings is just a while or temporary.
A. God puts a limit to our sufferings. He places boundaries and limits to the sufferings we must face.
B. Christians grows by suffering. God brings sufferings into our lives to draw us closer to Him.
C. God promises to be with us in our suffering, but not necessarily to remove the suffering.
IV. Christian Character that comes out of sufferings
A. God will “make you perfect”
1. The word perfect here means to mend, repair, complete, equip, prepare and put in order.
2. God would take the broken pieces of our lives and relationships and mend it for His eternal glory.
3. God uses suffering as a tool to equip His people for life and service.
B. Establish
1. To establish means “to fix firmly, to set fast.” Christians must not be unsteady in their stand for Christ. Our hearts need to be established (1 Thess. 3:13; James 5:8), and this is accomplished by God’s truth (2 Peter 1:12).
2. The believer who is established will not be moved by persecution, or led away by false doctrine (2 Peter 3:17).
C. Strengthen
1. To strengthen means to cause someone to be or to become more able or capable. To fill with strength.
2. The idea here is to make us more able to face the trials of life.
3. No one really knows how strong their faith is until it has been put to trial.
D. Settle
1. Settle means to lay a foundation
2. It is used this way in Heb. 1:10. The house founded on the rock withstood the storm (Mat. 7:24-27).
3. A believer who is equipped by God will “continue in the faith grounded and settled” (Col. 1:23). He will not be “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14).
Illustration: Problems
1. Problems often provides us with greater opportunities
2. Problems can promote our spiritual maturity (Ps. 105:16)
3. Problems prove our integrity (1 Pet. 3:15).
4. Problems produce a sense of dependence
5. Problems prepare our hearts for the ministry.
V. Closing Comments
A. Peter tells us that this letter is written through Silvanus. Probably he was also the man named Silas in the Book of Acts who was with Paul in some of his journeys (Acts 15:40, 16:19-20.
B. Marcus mentioned here is John Mark, who was taken along by Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. When things got difficult Mark left Paul and Barnabas and returned home (Acts 13:13). Paul and Barnabas was divided whether Mark should accompany them on their next journey (Acts 15:36-39). Eventually this young man become a trusted and valuable associate (Col. 4:10, 2 Tim. 4:11).
C. The command about the kiss of charity, or “greet one another with a kiss of love. This command is found four times in the NT. (Rom. 16:16, 1 Cor. 16:20, 2 Cor. 13:12, 1 Thess. 5:26). It is an expression of our love for one another. I understand this that during that time and setting, it was not men kissing women, but men kissing men, and women kissing women. No sexual association was involved here and it is never a Hollywood kiss.
VI. Conclusion:
In the midst of suffering, we can still be hopeful. God is the God of all grace and he is able to give grace in any situation you are in. Christ uses sufferings also to equip us and make us fit for service. Will you serve Christ even if it means you will be suffering? Will you put your hope in Christ?
