TO THE STRANGERS

1 PETER 1:1

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

“Strangers” this particular word is used 3 times in the Scriptures. Here of course, and in 1 Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” and finally, in Hebrews 11:13 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” As resident strangers we need to know some facts that will be a help, a blessing and a guide to our time here until we go to that place where we will no longer be strangers.

 

I. FACT - GOD KNOWS BETTER THAN WE DO [v. 2]

[and He knows it before it’s even relevant from our point of view]

1. He Knows Each Person [Ps. 139:1-16]

2. He Knows Every Situation [Ps. 139:17-24]

3. He Knows Each Need [Matthew 6:32]

For… your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

 

II. FACT - GOD CAN DO MORE THAN WE CAN

1. He Has the Plan [v. 3-4, 6-9, Genesis 50:20]

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

2. He Has the Power [v. 5, 2 Corinthians 12:9]

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

3. He Has the Patience [2:11-25, 2 Peter 3:9-15]

 

III. GOD CARES MORE THAN WE DO

 

1. He Cares for Us [1 Peter 5:7]

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

2. He Cares About Our Circumstances [Mark 4:35-41]

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

3. He Cares About Our Future [Rm. 8:17-23]

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.