By Pastor Roger Feenstra
Have you ever wondered what your purpose is in this world? I mean, you get up in the morning and it seems just like every other day; You feel like you're in the movie Groundhog Day. Maybe you have seen that movie where the main character wakes up every morning and everyday turns out to be exactly the same as the previous one. And he finds that no matter how hard he tries to change the outcome, when he wakes up the next day and it begins all over again, just like the day before. It's as if the world has a hold on his life and he can't break its grip.
Maybe that's how you feel in your life. There seems to be no purpose - you have no goals - Life just keeps on rolling along and each day brings the same old, same old.
In our passage today, and throughout the following weeks, Peter the author of this letter is going to help you understand what your purpose is and how you can face each day with a newness of life -- escaping the hold that the world has on you.
Follow along with me as I read verses 1 and 2 of 1st Peter:
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
The opening verse claims that this book (or letter) you are holding in your hands was written by "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ."
Most of us remember or have heard of Peter. Peter was a trusted disciple of Jesus Christ and was a part of His most inner circle. You have probably heard of Peter since his name is mentioned more times in the New Testament than any other person except for Jesus Himself.
Peter, The Rock
In fact, the name Peter was given to him by Jesus Christ. Peter's actual name was Simon
Bar-Jonah (or Simon son of Jonah or John: Matthew 16:17; John 21:15-17). The name Peter was a nickname that Jesus gave to Simon. Some of you have been given a nickname or know someone who has one. Usually a nickname matches the personality of the person who receives it. For example, when I was in the Coast Guard I was only seventeen years old and I was the youngest guy on our ship, the older guys gave me the nickname "Youngblood."
The nickname that Jesus gave Peter means "Rock" in the Greek language. And while Peter doesn't always come across as a rock, Jesus knew what Peter would eventually become. He knew that Peter would one day become a strong leader, a rock. Peter is also called "Cephas" in the New Testament which is the word for rock in the Aramaic language. Therefore, throughout the New Testament you will read of him being referred to as Simon, sometimes Simeon (which is the Hebrew spelling), Simon Peter, Simon son of John, Peter, and Cephas.
Simon's background was that he was a fisherman. He owned his own boat (Luke 5:3) and he fished on the Sea of Galilee. Once he met Jesus, the Bible says, "[He] left everything and followed him" (Luke 5:11).
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, Peter followed Him throughout the countryside for about three years. Peter was the spokesman for most of the other disciples and he was known for his directness in the way he interacted with others and with the Lord.
Peter, A Man of Strengths and Weaknesses
Peter was also a man like us with many strengths and many weaknesses. Once, when Jesus was explaining to His disciples that He must be killed and on the third day rise again, the Bible says that Peter took Jesus aside to rebuke Him for talking about His death and said,
"Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." (Matthew 16:22).
But Jesus rebuked him by saying,
"Get behind me Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on
the things of God, but on the things of man." (Matthew 16:23).
Peter had fallen victim to Satan's trap of unbelief and Jesus rebuked him for it.
Peter fell victim to Satan (again) on the night of Jesus’ arrest, learning that he was humanly weak and could not trust his own resolve. Also, he learned the hard way that he needed to be watchful and careful – boasting about how strong he was in the Lord did not keep him from falling. He needed to depend on the Lord’s strength and not his own: (Luke 22:54-62).
And let me say this, you are just like Peter. You have no power of your own to fight Satan. I am always amazed when I hear people say that they "told Satan this or that". The Bible never tells you to talk to Satan. It never instructs you to rebuke Satan. In fact, at our men's retreat we even sang a song that was incorrect. The words were, "I told Satan, get thee behind me." It was Jesus who said that. Jesus is the One who is able to tell Satan to get lost. You can't fight Satan with your words. Rather, the Bible says, we are to "resist him" by putting on the armor of God (Ephesians 6). You always fight the spiritual battle with the Lord's strength, not your own.
Peter thought he would never fall or turn his back on Jesus and he was boastful about it. Once Peter said, "Lord, I will never turn my back on you. I will never deny you. I will always follow you." But we discover later that Peter did deny Christ, not once, but three times. Peter was prideful, which is a lie of Satan.
You see, you have no reason to boast about anything you have done in your life. You have zero ability on your own to be strong in the Lord. Your power, your boasting, your ability to grow in Christ only comes from Jesus Himself. Where does Jesus get His power to fight Satan for us?
Jesus was born and lived a sinless life, and because He is God, He took on your burdens and sins when He was crucified on the cross in accordance with the Scriptures, He was buried and on the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures. After His resurrection Jesus appeared to Cephas (that is, Peter) and the other disciples as well as more than five hundred others. And because of his death and resurrection you are justified, that is, made righteous in God's eyes - Just as if you had never sinned. And the result of those who believe in Him is the promise of eternal life (1 Corinthians 15).
From the very beginning of this book of First Peter, Peter is making it clear that this letter is not about him. It is about Jesus Christ and what He has done for you and me and how He can help us live holy lives.
Peter, The Apostle
Peter was an apostle --
The word apostle means "One who is sent." Peter was sent to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. He was not interested in sharing his own story, rather his purpose was to instruct his readers on how Jesus Christ makes them holy. As an apostle, Peter was not proclaiming his personal testimony. No, that was not the authority that Christ gave to Peter and the other apostles before He ascended into heaven. Jesus told Peter this in the book of Matthew 28:19,20:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Peter, The Ambassador
Peter's mission was to be an ambassador for Jesus Christ. Do you know what an ambassador does? In the United States an ambassador is appointed by the President to travel to another country and proclaim the message of the President. The ambassador doesn't tell his own message, he tells the message of the one who sent him.
And that is what Jesus has called you to be and to do. To be His ambassador, proclaiming His message of salvation. The apostle Paul, in 2nd Corinthians 5:20 says,
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us."
But Peter was more than an apostle or an ambassador. Turn with me to the book of Second Peter. In verse one, Peter identifies himself further:
Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
Peter, The Slave of Jesus Christ
Notice in this verse Peter identifies himself as not only an apostle, but a servant. The New Testament was originally written in the Greek language and in the Greek language the word "Servant" is the word "doulos." Doulos literally should be translated "Slave." It comes from the word "deo" which means "to bind."
What is a slave? A slave is someone who is owned. A slave is bound to serve. A slave does not do his own thing, rather he always does what his master instructs him to do. As a slave in the New Testament times your will and your capabilities were at the service of another. Therefore, Peter is saying that he is a slave of Jesus Christ. He could do nothing on his own -- as a slave he was to obey and do the bidding of his master, Jesus Christ.
So here we have Peter, a man who walked and talked with Jesus Christ. Who in human terms could boast about knowing Christ personally; who could brag about Jesus giving him the nickname "Rock." But instead, he proclaimed that he was nothing -- merely a slave of Jesus Christ, one who carries out the Lord's orders. Everything Peter did, everything he owned, including his salvation was because of Christ Jesus.
The Book of First Peter, Addressed To Christians
Peter continues by addressing his readers:
"To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,"
When Peter uses the words "Elect exiles" here he is speaking in spiritual terms -- in other words, he is addressing this letter to all Christians throughout the world who are separated from their heavenly home. You may remember that the apostle Paul wrote that we are "Citizens of heaven" and we are awaiting our Savior Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). This is what Peter means by "exiles". As Christians, we are not a part of this world, we are just visitors.
We're getting ready to celebrate the 4th of July in our country. And what a great celebration most of us will have; barbecues and fireworks! But in all of our celebrations, we should not forget that this earthly residence that we are living in here is simply temporary. This world will never satisfy our deepest desires. We will never find complete peace while we are here on earth. Our life here will always be a mixture of happiness and sadness. Jesus said this in John 14,
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
We have a heavenly home to look forward to. This sinful, stressful, and painful earth that we live in is hostile environment for those who are Christians. In this world we will face struggles, heartache, persecution and even death.
God Knows and Understands Your Difficulties
Yet Peter is showing us that this trouble you face is not a surprise to God. Everything that you are experiencing here on earth is all happening (Verse 2)...
"according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,"
And what a comfort that should be for all of us. No matter what you have been through, or are going through, it hasn't escaped the attention of God. Some in our church have faced the death of loved ones over the past few months; Many have lost jobs; Some are struggling in their relationships; Several are facing financial turmoil.
But Peter stresses here that God knows all that will happen even before it happens. In the book of Isaiah 65:24 God says this:
"Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear."
In other words God knows what is going to take place in your life even before you experience it and even before you cry out to him. He knows.
And while we cannot comprehend God's purposes at times, we should take comfort in knowing that He is fully aware and fully in control of our lives.
Look at what God says in His word about this:
"He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world." Ephesians 1:4
God knew that you would need a Savior and so before the foundation of the world He determined to forgive your sins through Christ. Look at 1st Peter 1:17-21:
"17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He [Jesus] was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."
Do you see what is being said here? Peter is saying, while you are living in this dirty filthy earth, away from your heavenly home, realize that before the foundation of the world, Jesus Christ was promised to bring you faith and hope if you place your trust in Him.
Christians, Set Apart To Be Holy
But how do we live that life here on earth? It seems so difficult at times. You live your life on this earth through the Holy Spirit. Peter uses the phrase,
"In the sanctification of the Spirit."
Sanctification is what the Holy Spirit does for us. Sanctification means to be "set apart" or "declared holy." From the moment you believe in Jesus Christ, the Bible shows you that you are being sanctified.
Look how this works.
The Bible says, "None is righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:11). It says that "No one seeks God" (Romans 3:11). Therefore, if left to yourself, you will always turn your back on God. You can't help it, because the Bible says, "All fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
So Jesus promised that He would send a "Helper" to you after He ascended into heaven (John 15:26). And this "Helper" who is the "Holy Spirit" will guide you into all truth (John 16:13). Because you and I have a Helper (the Holy Spirit) we are to "Set [our] minds on the things of the Spirit" not the things of the "flesh" or the world (Romans 8:5-7). Paul calls this the "Renewing of our mind" (Romans 12:2). As we focus on the Spirit of God and our minds are renewed we begin to do the will of God and by His will we are being sanctified or made holy (Hebrews 10:10).
So Peter is telling you in verse 2 that as you live your life in a world of turmoil and as you look forward to your heavenly home, keep your mind focused on the Spirit of God and as you do so, God sanctifies you and you are made holy, set apart from the world.
But why is this necessary? Well, verse 2 goes on to say that it is necessary in order for you to be obedient to Jesus Christ.
"for obedience to Jesus Christ and d for sprinkling with his blood:"
Cleansed By The Blood Of Jesus Christ
The phrase "Sprinkling with his blood" is an idea that the readers of Peter's letter would most likely have understood. For us to understand it fully we need to look back at an Old Testament ceremony.
You have probably heard about the disease of leprosy. Today, it is not common (only about 200,000 cases per year according to the World Health Organization), and has the name "Hansen's disease." Leprosy is caused by a particular bacterium. In the Old Testament, leprosy was dreaded and feared. Any person with leprosy (which was really a skin disease of any kind) was excluded from the community. That infected person was to live alone and shout "Unclean, unclean" whenever he or she approached a town or village. In the Old Testament book of Leviticus, God gave Moses laws to follow when a leper was cured.
When a person was cured or healed from their skin disease, there was a particular protocol that was to be followed so that the community would know they were cleansed and could be welcomed back into the town or village. Turn to Leviticus 14:1-7.
"The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “This shall be the law of the leprous person for the day of his cleansing. He shall be brought to the priest, 3 and the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall look. Then, if the case of leprous disease is healed in the leprous person,4 the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two live clean birds and cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop. 5 And the priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthenware vessel over fresh water. 6 He shall take the live bird with the cedarwood and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. 7 And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed of the leprous disease. Then he shall pronounce him clean and shall let the living bird go into the open field."
Therefore, this passage in Leviticus is not just giving laws for dealing with lepers, but it is giving us a picture that one day a Savior would come whose blood would be the ultimate sacrifice for our spiritual disease, sin.
David, in the book of Psalms (Psalm 51:7), alludes to this cleansing and he relates it spiritually to cleansing from his sin or iniquities:
"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
So when Peter writes that we are to be obedient to Jesus Christ by the "Sprinkling of his blood"
David is referring to getting rid of spiritual defilement in our lives. And because we are defiled by sin daily, we need continual sprinkling, in the spiritual sense, with the blood of Christ.
You see, it is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that you can be cleansed from your sins.
"For obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with His blood" means that God's plan for you is not obedience that is marred or stained by unforgiven sin, but obedience whose failings are cleansed by the blood of Christ. It means continual daily obedience and forgiveness.
In 1 John 1:7, The apostle John gives a wonderful reminder that your sins are forgiven, not by what you do, or how you act, but by the "blood of Jesus" who sacrificed His life on the cross for you.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
When we walk in the light of Jesus Christ, we have fellowship with each other and the passage goes on to state that we have fellowship with God too. Because of this, if you have not believed in Jesus Christ, then the Bible is clear that you have no access to God and no cleansing of your sins. You are dead in your sins. If you are not a believer in Christ, you are like a dead man, with no breath.
If you are a believer and you continue in your sin, without acknowledging it before God, you are like a leper, with your fellowship broken. It is only through Jesus Christ that you can ensure a heavenly home and live a life that is set apart or holy. Jesus said, "Whoever believes in me has eternal life" (John 6:47). And today, you can say, "Lord, I believe in you." And at that moment Jesus Christ's blood cleanses you from all sin; past, present and future.
What Is Your Purpose?
So let's summarize what these two verses have said;
1. You are to be a slave of Jesus Christ, obeying His will by being His ambassador to a lost world.
2. This world is not your home. You are an exile, a foreigner, an alien in this world. And because of that, you are going to experience heartache and sadness.
3. Take heart, because God is aware of everything you are going through. In His Divine plan He knows what is best for you.
4. And because of that, He sent the Holy Spirit so that you might have the strength to live your life on this earth and by renewing your mind through the Holy Spirit you might be sanctified, set apart, and holy.
5. And as you grow in your walk with Christ and obey Him you are reminded that your sins are forgiven due to His sacrifice for you on the cross, and the shedding of His blood.
What an amazing two verses of Scripture! What richness and promises that they give us. But today, sadly, there are some who believe in Jesus Christ, who call themselves followers of Him, but don't realize that they are strangers or exiles in this world, or perhaps they don't care. Perhaps it's you? Maybe you're trapped in your sin? Maybe the world has you in a stranglehold and you can't get away? 
Then turn to Jesus Christ right now and confess your sins. Understand that you are washed in His blood and allow Him to transform your life.
You may be reading this today; listening to the Word of God, but you've never trusted in Jesus Christ. You've never said, "Lord, I believe in You." Then today you can be washed in the blood of the lamb. You can have your sins forgiven and receive the promise of eternal that comes only through Jesus Christ. Tell Christ that you believe, and then turn and follow Him, just like Peter did. There are no magic words to say, there is no special prayer, simply a conviction that you believe in Jesus Christ and the fruit of your conviction will be an act of your will and your desire to follow Him and serve Him.
For those who do, Peter gives a promise, that "Grace and peace will be multiplied to you." In other words, the promise here is, that all your moments would be filled with God's undeserved spiritual blessings.
So what is your purpose in life? Peter says it is to be obedient to Jesus Christ. And in your obedience you are not promised that all of your problems will disappear, rather God will give you His grace and peace to get through them.
Why not determine to live your life in obedience to Jesus Christ this week. Realize that this world is not your home, it's just temporary, and trust Christ to help you live each day for Him.
