SPRING QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2013

THEME: “GOD HAS THE LAST WORD, BOTH NOW AND FOREVER”

“OUR HOPE FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW”

Sunday School Lesson No. X – May 5, 2013

REV. FRANK A. DAVIS, III - PASTOR-TEACHER

Lesson Text: I Peter 1:3-12

Required Reading: I Peter 1:1-12

Motto Text: I Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his

abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

from the dead.”

Reliable Resources: Precepts for Living, UMI; Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Standard Lesson Commentary; Libronix Electronic Library; The Church In Action Vol. 1 by Dr. David Jeremiah; The Touch Bible; Logos Bible Software 5

Introduction to Peter

We introduce this week’s lesson by giving you an overview of I Peter by H. L. Wilmington. “Of the original twelve apostles, three were chosen to write inspired New Testament books or epistles. The three are Matthew, John and Peter. Peter’s name appears 210 times in the New Testament. Paul’s name, 162 times and the remaining eleven apostles combined appear 142 times…

A key word in Peter’s epistle is “Suffering” used 16 times. And grace appears 8 times. The book must have been written around

A. D. 64, on the eve of the outbreak of the persecution by Nero…

Peter develops the doctrine of Christ in a remarkable way in the short epistle. He discusses:

A. The Incarnation of Christ. (1:20)

B. The names for Christ:

1. A Spotless Lamb. (1:19)

2. The Chief Cornerstone. (2:6)

3. The Precious Stone. (2:7)

4. The Stumbling Stone. (2:8)

5. The Bishop of our Souls. (2:25)

6. The Chief Shepherd. (5:4)

C. His sinless life. (1:19; 2:22)

D. His suffering and death. (1:11; 2:23, 24; 3:18)

E. His resurrection. (3:21, 22)

F. His ascension. (3:22)

G. His presence at God’s right hand. (3:22)

H. His second coming. (1:13, 17; 4:13; 5:1, 4)”

According to the Word in Life Study Bible, Peter’s writings describe “Christians in the Crucible… First Peter offers unique hope to people ‘grieved by various trials’ (I Pet. 1:6), a hope rooted in the power of Jesus’ triumph over death (1:3, 21) and the certainty of His return (1:13). What practical difference does that hope make? It dramatically affects one’s behavior. Instead of caving in under the stress and pressure of adversity, the person of hope responds with Christ-like dignity and moral integrity.”

Beloved, this hope empowered the early church to face unbelievable trials and tribulations from hungry lions to becoming “Roman candles” to light up the torture chambers of the arenas. They stood as the Hebrews writer penned 11:36-39, “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise.”

Beloved, let us examine the lesson for this week I call “Our Hope for Today and Tomorrow.” Anticipated Power Points:

·  The Confidence of our Hope. I Peter 1:3-5

·  The Comfort of our Hope. I Peter 1:6-9

·  The Conditions of our Hope. I Peter 1:10-12

LESSON OUTLINE

Peter opens the lesson by describing the source of our hope. To the persecuted church scattered throughout an unfriendly world, he declares the blessing of the Triune God. The church is “chosen by the Father” (1:1-2a); “is made Holy by the Spirit” (1:26) and, “cleansed by the blood of the Son” (1:2c). With such a wonderful work of the Godhead, Our Hope for Today and Tomorrow is established.

I. The Confidence of our Hope. I Peter 1:3-5

A.  This hope is purchased by Jesus’ death and resurrection. vs. 3. (I Corinthians 15:14)

B.  This hope is priceless, kept in the Holy presence of God. vs. 4

C.  This hope is protecting the believer daily, in spite of all adversaries. vs. 5 (Romans 8:35-39; Jude 24-25)

II. The Comfort of our Hope. I Peter 1:6-9

A. In spite of any circumstances. vss. 6-7

Peter wanted the believer’s hope not to be focused on the present circumstances, regardless of how good or bad they may be. Faith is always under fire, and when it is proven, will come forth as gold! But whatever this world offers is only for a moment. Paul said in II Corinthians 4:18, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

B. Insured by Christ Jesus Himself. I Peter 1:8-9

Trials spoken of by Peter serve to strengthen and increase our faith and fervency to God. As we remain faithful through the many tests and trials, we do it not on what we’ve seen, but on what we believe concerning our Lord Jesus Christ, just as Jesus taught Thomas in John 20:29, “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”

III. The Conditions of our Hope. I Peter 1:10-12

A. As foreseen by the prophets. vss. 10-12a

They lived in great expectation of God’s fulfillment of His Word. Most never saw what they prophesied but believed it would come to pass, even until their dying breath! HALLELUJAH! Isaiah wrote of a hope he personally never saw but it came to pass and opened the hearts of many who eventually saw his scriptures fulfilled in Christ. (Read Acts 8:30-39).

B. His fascination to even the angels. vs. 12b

Paul wrote in I Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” The things that were proclaimed by the prophets even cause angels to want to peek into the fulfillment of God’s promises for His saints! Beloved, if the angels are excited, how about you and me!

CLOSING

So I close with the words of an old hymn: “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”

Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA & Little Bethel Baptist Church, Amite, LA

Mailing Address: Post Office Box 19768, New Orleans, LA 70179 - Phone: (504) 486-7876

Website: www.thestudyhour.com (See and hear lesson taught via Video)

Radio Broadcasts: WLNO AM 1060, Saturday 8:30 a.m.; Sunday 5:30 a.m.

WABL AM 1570 (Hammond-Amite area) Sunday 7:00 a.m.

WHNO TV-Channel 20, Sunday, 6:30 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD: May 12, 2013 II Peter 1:4-14

Pastor Davis invites you to hear him teach the Sunday School lesson at Bibleway on Wednesday at noon.