T HE K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
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FEBRUARY 29, 1920 P E T E R W R I T E S A B O U T C H R I S T IA N L IV IN G .
w a l k ^ v e r a s ^ fw a l k ^ ’^ f l n o ^ ^ e 116 abideth * Mm ° Ught hlmSeIf also 80 t0 LESSON TEXT 1 Pet. 2:1-5, 11, 12, 19-25. (Read 1 Pet. 2i: 1-5, 11, 12, 19-25; Mat. 5:1-10.)
-(1) Wherefore laying aside all ma- lice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,' (2) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby; (3) If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious, (4) To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and, precious, (5) Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (11) Dearly beloved, . I beseech you as strangers and pil grims, abstain from fleshly lusts ' which war against the soul; (12) Hav ing-your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visi tation. (19) For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God (1) The Priestly Aspect, vs. 1-5. (2) The Pilgrim Aspect, vs., il-12. (3) The Persecuted Aspect, vs. 19- 25. The Epistle of Peter is a general let ter to all believers,— both Jew and Gen tile. Peter was the first apostle to the Gentiles, and a special apostle to the Jews. Paul was the LESSON apostle to the Jew EXPOSITION first. Here Peter is T. C. Horton In this epistle he is dealing with the church concerning the trial of their faith. First, in general, (1:7, 11, 13); second, as related to details of the Christian life (2:4 ; 3:9) third, on ac^ count of righteousness (3:10; 4 :11 ); fourth, as Christians, for His name’s sake (4:12-19); fifth, trial from Satan’s persecution. dealing with both Jews and Gentiles ( 2 : 10 ). Theme. Aspects of Christian Living. Outline.
grief, suffering wrongfully. i 20A F2 r.w,hat Slory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently! this is acceptable with God. (21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow1his steps: (22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: (23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threat ened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we! being dead to f(ins, should live unto right eousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (25) For ,ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned . unto the Shepherd and Bishop of vour souls. The epistle is practical in application, and a splendid study for believers in these days. Peter is here carrying out the Lord’s last command to him “ Feed my sheep— feed my lambs.” He tells how they became children of God. Born of the Word (1 :2 3 ); how they are to grow by the Word (2 :2 ), and how long the Word will endure (1:25). The epistle is a wonderful condensa tion of great truth,—-telling us how to Iwe, how to love, how to labor, how tc look for the coming of the Lord, amidst sufferings and trials. Read the epistle fifty times without stopping, and then begin to tabulate some of the great lessons it contains,, and you will be a better equipped Chris tian for the rest of your life. (1) THE PRIESTLY ASPECT OF THE BELIEVER, 2:1-5. Believers are priests. The Church, viewed collectively, is a priesthood (2:5, 9). God’s order is clear. The head of the house is a priest. All Israelites were to be priests (Ex. 19:6 ):
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