Redeemer Modesto Sermon Audio

Key Thought: Hold fast in circumstances by holding fast to the identity God gave. No doubt as Peter writes this letter to the scattered churches that he is cognizant of their circumstances. Peter refers to the recipients as scattered (exiles) and mentions suffering at least fifteen times in this letter making it the major theme. Peter is also known as the Apostle of hope; while John predominantly wrote about love and Paul wrote predominantly about faith, Peter writes about hope. The circumstances that the church was in because of the Romans persecution of the Christians was of great concern, but as you notice with a reading of the letter, it is not the main theme. While he validated their suffering, he didn’t focus on the circumstances. The main theme is the hope that is found in Jesus and the new identity that Christians have been given in him. As we look at these next few verses we will see the identity given, the identity lived out, and the identity looking forward. The identity refers to the pe