WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.030 --> 00:00:02.870 Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. 00:00:02.988 --> 00:00:03.858 Day 47 00:00:04.760 --> 00:00:06.260 immersed in first Peter, 00:00:08.870 --> 00:00:12.350 the Apostle Peter knew that he needed to write a letter to encourage certain 00:00:12.355 --> 00:00:16.010 believers who were encountering opposition and persecution from 00:00:16.015 --> 00:00:17.420 their unbelieving neighbors. 00:00:18.230 --> 00:00:20.930 Such difficult experiences were also impacting these 00:00:20.930 --> 00:00:22.310 believers' perspective of God. 00:00:23.600 --> 00:00:29.480 In the early sixties, ad Peter was living in Rome, which he calls Babylon, alluding 00:00:29.480 --> 00:00:33.830 to the ancient city that oppressed God's people in the First Testament, he had 00:00:33.830 --> 00:00:37.460 learned about the difficult situation that the followers of Jesus were facing 00:00:37.460 --> 00:00:41.810 in another part of the Roman Empire, the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, 00:00:42.380 --> 00:00:47.330 Cappadocia, Asia, and Bethia, all in Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey. 00:00:48.395 --> 00:00:53.075 Peter now writes to those believers largely made up of Gentiles, encouraging 00:00:53.075 --> 00:00:54.515 them in the face of suffering. 00:00:55.295 --> 00:00:59.495 He also gives them a clear sense of identity as God's chosen people 00:01:00.005 --> 00:01:02.975 and he urges them to continue on the path of holy living. 00:01:04.445 --> 00:01:08.405 Peter begins by reminding the believers of the great hope they now have in Christ, 00:01:09.215 --> 00:01:11.375 God's new world is being kept in heaven. 00:01:11.375 --> 00:01:16.145 For them waiting for the day, it will come down and be revealed as their inheritance. 00:01:17.390 --> 00:01:19.610 Next Peter Marvels at the transformation. 00:01:19.610 --> 00:01:24.800 Their faith in Jesus has brought about God paid a ransom to save you from the empty 00:01:24.800 --> 00:01:26.780 life you inherited from your ancestors. 00:01:27.110 --> 00:01:32.840 He says, so now you can show others the goodness of God for he called you out of 00:01:32.840 --> 00:01:34.730 the darkness into his wonderful light. 00:01:35.600 --> 00:01:40.130 Alluding to the First Testament, Peter tells them, once you had no identity 00:01:40.135 --> 00:01:42.920 as a people, now you are God's people. 00:01:43.640 --> 00:01:46.760 Then using language that further echoed descriptions of Israel. 00:01:46.970 --> 00:01:53.180 He declares you are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. 00:01:54.200 --> 00:01:58.400 However, their new identity has created a number of earthly problems. 00:01:58.880 --> 00:02:03.140 Peter says, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge 00:02:03.145 --> 00:02:07.400 into the flood of wild and destructive things they do, so they slander you. 00:02:08.645 --> 00:02:11.465 The slander may have included accusations that the believers were 00:02:11.465 --> 00:02:15.065 disloyal to the emperor because of their allegiance to Jesus. 00:02:15.815 --> 00:02:20.015 Peter tells them not to worry about these charges and insults, but rather 00:02:20.020 --> 00:02:24.755 to remain devoted to Christ while continuing to be good citizens, they 00:02:24.755 --> 00:02:30.245 are to keep their consciences clear, to honor the emperor, and to worship Christ. 00:02:30.665 --> 00:02:32.405 That's all the defense they should need. 00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:37.940 When it seems like Peter is wrapping up his letter with a doxology all glory 00:02:37.940 --> 00:02:40.040 and power to him forever and ever. 00:02:40.340 --> 00:02:40.970 Amen. 00:02:41.690 --> 00:02:43.940 He continues on with a slightly different theme. 00:02:44.510 --> 00:02:48.710 Perhaps he received additional news about these believers before Silas, a 00:02:48.715 --> 00:02:52.700 friend who probably served as scribe and Messenger left to deliver it. 00:02:53.510 --> 00:02:57.920 Dear friends, Peter continues, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you 00:02:57.920 --> 00:03:01.340 are going through as if something strange were happening to you. 00:03:02.105 --> 00:03:05.705 These new believers may not have expected their faith in Jesus to lead 00:03:05.705 --> 00:03:07.775 so directly to troubles and insults. 00:03:08.375 --> 00:03:12.125 Perhaps they were even disappointed in God for the way things were turning out. 00:03:12.935 --> 00:03:17.675 Peter tells them that they should actually be very glad for these trials make you 00:03:17.675 --> 00:03:19.895 partners with Christ in his suffering. 00:03:20.705 --> 00:03:23.705 This recalls Peter's language in an earlier part of the letter. 00:03:24.215 --> 00:03:25.835 Christ suffered for you. 00:03:26.195 --> 00:03:29.675 He's your example, and you must follow in his steps. 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:33.800 This should remind us of the message of Mark's gospel, most 00:03:33.800 --> 00:03:35.450 likely built from Peter's account. 00:03:36.260 --> 00:03:40.010 There we saw that Jesus himself pioneered the way of suffering and 00:03:40.010 --> 00:03:44.060 service and taught his disciples that they were to follow that path as well. 00:03:45.080 --> 00:03:48.020 With this additional treatment and suffering, Peter concludes 00:03:48.020 --> 00:03:52.850 his letter after repeating his doxology all power to him forever. 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:53.690 Amen. 00:03:54.530 --> 00:03:56.900 He offers one last word of encouragement. 00:03:58.010 --> 00:04:01.310 My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you 00:04:01.315 --> 00:04:05.300 that what you are experiencing is truly part of God's grace for you. 00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:08.120 Stand firm in disgrace. 00:04:13.775 --> 00:04:15.455 The letter of first Peter. 00:04:17.915 --> 00:04:22.055 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. 00:04:23.495 --> 00:04:27.755 I am writing to God's chosen people who are living as foreigners in 00:04:27.760 --> 00:04:33.265 the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bethia. 00:04:34.610 --> 00:04:39.080 God, the father knew you and chose you long ago, and his 00:04:39.080 --> 00:04:40.610 spirit has made you holy. 00:04:41.330 --> 00:04:44.660 As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed 00:04:44.665 --> 00:04:46.340 by the blood of Jesus Christ. 00:04:47.300 --> 00:04:54.620 May God give you more and more grace and peace, all praise to God, the 00:04:54.620 --> 00:04:56.690 father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:57.230 --> 00:05:01.220 It is by his great mercy that we have been born again because God 00:05:01.220 --> 00:05:03.110 raised Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:05:03.995 --> 00:05:08.675 Now we live with great expectation and we have a priceless inheritance. 00:05:08.945 --> 00:05:14.135 An inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled beyond 00:05:14.135 --> 00:05:19.055 the reach of change and decay, and through your faith, God is protecting 00:05:19.055 --> 00:05:23.315 you by his power until you receive this salvation which is ready to be 00:05:23.315 --> 00:05:25.865 revealed on the last day for all to see. 00:05:27.125 --> 00:05:31.115 So be truly glad there is wonderful joy ahead. 00:05:31.385 --> 00:05:36.035 Even though you must endure many trials for a little while, these trials 00:05:36.035 --> 00:05:37.955 will show that your faith is genuine. 00:05:38.405 --> 00:05:42.035 It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold. 00:05:42.845 --> 00:05:47.195 Though your faith is far more precious than mere gold, so when your faith 00:05:47.195 --> 00:05:51.350 remains strong through many trials, It will bring you much praise and 00:05:51.350 --> 00:05:55.880 glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 00:05:56.990 --> 00:05:59.840 You love him even though you have never seen him. 00:06:00.710 --> 00:06:06.110 Though you do not see him now, you trust him and you rejoice with a glorious in 00:06:06.110 --> 00:06:11.660 inexpressible joy, the reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 00:06:12.965 --> 00:06:17.105 This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about. 00:06:17.405 --> 00:06:22.985 When they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you, they wondered 00:06:22.985 --> 00:06:27.425 what time or situation the spirit of Christ within them was talking about 00:06:27.455 --> 00:06:31.415 when he told them in advance about Christ's suffering and his great glory. 00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:35.105 Afterward, they were told that their messages were not 00:06:35.105 --> 00:06:36.665 for themselves, but for you. 00:06:37.955 --> 00:06:42.845 Now this good news has been announced to you by those who preached in the power 00:06:42.845 --> 00:06:44.885 of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. 00:06:45.605 --> 00:06:49.235 It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly 00:06:49.240 --> 00:06:50.765 watching these things happen. 00:06:51.935 --> 00:06:56.705 So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. 00:06:57.245 --> 00:07:01.055 Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when 00:07:01.055 --> 00:07:03.515 Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:07.190 So you must live as God's obedient children. 00:07:07.940 --> 00:07:12.530 Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. 00:07:13.040 --> 00:07:17.780 You didn't know any better then, but now you must be holy in everything you do. 00:07:18.140 --> 00:07:23.120 Just as God who chose you is holy for the scriptures, say, you 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:25.610 must be holy because I am holy. 00:07:26.870 --> 00:07:31.190 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. 00:07:31.340 --> 00:07:34.640 He will judge or reward you according to what you do. 00:07:35.210 --> 00:07:39.620 So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as temporary 00:07:39.620 --> 00:07:44.390 residents for you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty 00:07:44.390 --> 00:07:48.980 life you inherited from your ancestors, and it was not paid with mere gold 00:07:48.980 --> 00:07:51.230 or silver, which lose their value. 00:07:51.755 --> 00:07:57.545 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless lamb of God. 00:07:58.415 --> 00:08:02.045 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began. 00:08:02.705 --> 00:08:07.805 But now, in these last days, he has been revealed for your sake, the through 00:08:07.805 --> 00:08:12.725 Christ you have come to trust in God, and you have placed your faith and 00:08:12.725 --> 00:08:17.375 hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. 00:08:18.650 --> 00:08:21.800 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth. 00:08:22.190 --> 00:08:25.040 So now you must show sincere love to each other. 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:29.810 As brothers and sisters love each other deeply with all your heart. 00:08:30.680 --> 00:08:35.750 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end, your 00:08:35.755 --> 00:08:40.160 new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal living 00:08:40.160 --> 00:08:42.770 word of God as the scriptures say. 00:08:43.520 --> 00:08:44.840 People are like grass. 00:08:45.200 --> 00:08:47.780 Their beauty is like a flower in the field. 00:08:48.290 --> 00:08:53.690 The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of the Lord remains forever. 00:08:54.470 --> 00:08:58.130 And that word is the good news that was preached to you. 00:08:58.730 --> 00:09:05.210 So get rid of all evil behavior, be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, 00:09:05.300 --> 00:09:08.090 jealousy, and all unkind speech. 00:09:08.645 --> 00:09:13.535 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow 00:09:13.535 --> 00:09:15.785 into a full experience of salvation. 00:09:16.325 --> 00:09:18.365 Cry out for this nourishment. 00:09:18.575 --> 00:09:22.475 Now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness, you are 00:09:22.475 --> 00:09:26.585 coming to Christ who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. 00:09:27.035 --> 00:09:31.625 He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor, 00:09:32.565 --> 00:09:37.025 and you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. 00:09:37.520 --> 00:09:43.460 What's more, you are his holy priests through the mediation of Jesus Christ. 00:09:43.730 --> 00:09:48.710 You offer spiritual sacrifices that please God as the scriptures 00:09:48.710 --> 00:09:55.040 say, I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem chosen for great honor. 00:09:55.280 --> 00:09:59.150 And anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced. 00:09:59.630 --> 00:10:01.670 Yes, you who trust him. 00:10:01.670 --> 00:10:06.110 Recognize the honor God has given him, but for those who reject him. 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:13.220 The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone, and he 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:15.590 is the stone that makes people stumble. 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:17.810 The rock that makes them fall. 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:22.730 They stumble because they do not obey God's word, and so they meet 00:10:22.730 --> 00:10:24.710 the fate that was planned for them. 00:10:25.190 --> 00:10:26.510 But you are not like that. 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:28.640 For you are a chosen people. 00:10:29.180 --> 00:10:33.950 You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. 00:10:34.895 --> 00:10:39.695 As a result, you can show others the goodness of God for he called you out of 00:10:39.695 --> 00:10:42.005 the darkness into his wonderful light. 00:10:43.235 --> 00:10:48.005 Once you had no identity as a people, now you are God's people. 00:10:48.275 --> 00:10:53.465 Once you received no mercy, now you have received God's mercy. 00:10:55.055 --> 00:10:57.905 This concludes today's Immer reading experience. 00:10:58.055 --> 00:10:59.285 Thank you for joining us.