God's Plan for Believers (1 Peter 1:10-16)

  1. Introduction
    1. Peter is writing from Rome, to Jew and Gentile believers facing mounting persecution
    2. Peter wants to encourage believers to embrace suffering as:
      1. a way to participate in the life of Christ
      2. a way to grow in holiness
      3. a way to have assurance of faith
    3. Peter goes to the OT prophets to make an argument for the Christian life in the midst of persecution.
  2. The Fullness of God's Plan Has Been Revealed! (v. 10-13)
    1. The Prophets sought knowledge of God's plan and found the Messiah would suffer (v. 10)
      1. Isaiah 53's suffering servant
    2. The Plan of God was that Glory would be preceded by this suffering (v. 11)
      1. Isaiah 40:5 (The glory of the Lord will be revealed...
    3. The Plan of God was not to be revealed in totality until after the prophets (v. 12)
      1. 2 Timothy 1:8-10
    4. We have received a fully revealed plan and promise in Christ! (v. 13)
  3. Our Response to God's Plan is Faithful Action (v. 13-16)
    1. Knowing that we will follow Christ in suffering and glory, we must "gird up our loins" to:
      1. Be sober-minded and self-controlled (v. 13)
        1. In the midst of turbulence, we must be STEADY
      2. Be full of hope in Christ's future return (v. 13)
        1. In the midst of suffering we trust in God's promises 
      3. Be obedient to our present call to holiness (v.14-16)
        1. In the midst of suffering we allow God to shape up into the image of His Son
  4. Application
    1. Remember
      1. God has given us everything we need to overcome the world's troubles in the hope that the Gospel brings
      2. God has not called us to faithful living while leaving us powerless
      3. We should find peace in trouble because Christ suffered before glory
    2. Do
      1. Do not emphasize future hope over present holiness
      2. Do not emphasize present holiness over future hope