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Simon Peter – Prominent Prophet of the Apostles (8 of 10)

Focus Text: 1 Peter 5.1-4

Like other first century writers, Peter had a great hope which sustained him, and that hope was absolutely not the hope “of this world.” Rather, he considered himself and other believers to be “sojourners and pilgrims.” (see 1 Peter 2.11). In a context related to leadership Peter wrote, “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (1 Peter 5.1-4). Notice that Peter explicitly mentioned the “crown of glory that does not fade away.” This crown of glory was Peter’s hope! Note some other passages which reveal details about this hope.

Peter’s hope was a “living hope.” (see 1 Peter 1.3). The word living is a word which stands in stark contrast to the word dead; yet, that is the contrast of life without Christ as compared to life with Christ. The living hope which Peter knew and preached was a hope that was made possible by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When Jesus arose He demonstrated His power over the grave and thereby showed Himself capable of guaranteeing the future resurrection of all believers. The living hope that exists in Christ is a hope that can be available in none other!

Peter’s hope was “in God.” (see 1 Peter 1.21). More completely, Peter’s hope AND faith were in God. As a believer, Peter’s hope and faith stood on exactly the same ground as any other believer. He did not have any special or preferential treatment because he was an apostle and prophet. Rather, Peter learned the essential truths to being in Christ in exactly the same way as you and I have to learn them; he heard the word, processed it, made decisions regarding it, and submitted to it of his own free will. Furthermore, even though he was a prophet, his life continued to require conformance to the gospel message as long as he lived. For Peter’s faith and hope to be in God, Peter’s will had to become one with the Father; that’s the same as it is for you and me today.

Peter’s hope was motivation for sanctification (see 1 Peter 3.15). Setting one’s self apart for special service – that’s the thrust of the verse just cited. It is not enough merely to claim to be a Christian; one has to act in certain ways to live up to that claim. One thing that is expected of believers is that we place God in a special place in our hearts; He is not just one of many things; He is THE goal and affection of the true believer. With that view of God, we equip ourselves to meet the challenges that come our way including the ability to make a reasoned response to all reasonable questions about or faith.

Peter was a man of great hope; he personally possessed that hope and he imparted that hope to others through the message that he preached. Hope is a sustaining virtue in any life and it certainly was one in the life of the apostle and prophet, Simon Peter.

Questions:

1. What future hope inspired Peter (see 1 Peter 5.4)?

2. Why was Peter’s hope a “living hope”? Who or what made it alive?

3. If we sanctify God in our hearts, what does that equip us to do? Conversely, if we fail to sanctify God in our hearts what will we be unable to do?

4. How does hope sustain the believer?

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

A Lot Of Salt