Part 1: 1 Peter: The Story Behind The Book

CONVERSATIONS IN THE STORM

PART 1

1. PETER’S BACK STORY.

“This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

1 Peter 1:1 (NLT)

“God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.”

1 Peter 1:2-4 (NLT)

2. PETER’S STORM AND FEAR.

“That day when evening came, He said to His disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with Him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’”

Mark 4:35-38 (NIV)

• At the root of your fear is a lack of control.

• God will intentionally lead you into situations you cannot control.

“As evening came, Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.’”

Mark 4:35 (NLT)

• You don’t have to be in control, because Jesus already is.

“And He awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

Mark 4:39 (ESV)

“He said to His disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!’”

Mark 4:40-41 (NIV)

• When you are in a storm, you have two options: fear or faith.

“Then He asked them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’”

Mark 4:40 (NLT)

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

“The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”

Acts 12:6-7 (NIV)

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS TO:

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This week’s Reading Plan and blog/podcast:

• YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan: “Say to the Storm” (6 days)

• Blog and podcast: “Finding Grace and Peace”