Hope-Filled Pilgrims
1 Peter 1:1-2
Jeremy Bell
February 23, 2025
Sermon Recap PDF
Sermon Summary
I. “Elect” – Chosen by God
- There’s a reason that Peter describes them this way. And that’s because He wants them to be ministered to by the reality of their salvation. He wants them to be reassured of God love and care for them personally.
- They have been chosen, or elected, by God for salvation. He begins with elect because he wants to remind them of God’s covenantal love.
The verb elect means “to select, or choose out.” The biblical doctrine of election is that before Creation God selected out of the human race, forseen as fallen, those whom He would redeem, bring to faith, justify, and glorify in and through Jesus Christ. –JI Packer
“Those who make a decision for Christ find that God made a decision for them in eternity past.” — Phillip Ryken
- The doctrine of election humbles us, makes us thankful.
“God owes sinners no mercy of any kind, only condemnation; so it is a wonder, and matter for endless praise, that He should choose to save any of us; and doubly so when His choice involved the giving of His own Son to suffer as sin-bearer for the elect.” — JI Packer
II. “Exiles” – This World is Not Our Home
- This world is not our home. Christians “carry another passport”, as we are on a pilgrimage to the city of God.
- And as we make our way to the celestial city, we are regularly reminded that our hope is not in this world but in the world to come.
- The people are God not exiles because we want to be different or weird, but because this world is not our home.
- We have a citizenship in heaven that supersedes any earthly citizenship here.
- We have a heavenly king that we obey. Even while we live as responsible, thoughtful, courteous, diligent citizens on this earth, we recognize that we’re just travelers here.
- We are passing through. Our hope is not anchored here, but in the homeland to come.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” 1 Peter 4:12-14
“And after we have suffered a little while, the God of all grace will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” – 1 Peter 5:10
“Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; tis grace that has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” – John Newton
Questions for Discussion/Application:
- Consider taking time to read 1 Peter 1:1-2 out loud. What initial insights or observations of the text do you have?
- Read the notes above under point #1, “Elect – Chosen By God.” How does considering God’s convenantal love, as expressed in the doctrine of election encourage and minister to your soul?
- Jeremy quoted J.I. Packer who said, “God owes sinners no mercy of any kind, only condemnation; so it is a wonder, and matter for endless praise, that He should choose to save any of us; and doubly so when His choice involved the giving of His own Son to suffer as sin-bearer for the elect.” How does that quote land on you? Do you find yourself regularly filled with wonder at what Christ has done for you in saving you?
- What can be done to cultivate deeper wonder and awe at how God, on the basis of no merit of our own, chose to rescue and redeem us? How are you doing with “preaching the gospel to yourself” regularly?
- Jeremy under the second point said, “This world is not our home. Christians ‘carry another passport,’ as we are on a pilgrimage to the city of God. How should this truth inform how we live?”
- Jeremy led us in meditating on the hope of heaven. How can the hope of heaven, help us today to glorify God in the various circumstances we find ourselves in?
- Encouraging Song: Hymn of Heaven
- Consider taking time to pray — asking God to fill us with a deeper sense of awe and wonder at having been by grace alone, chosen by God. Also take time to ask God that the hope of heaven would fill our hearts!