1 Peter, Pt. 4: What is Salvation?
About the Series
NB: At this point in the sermon series, we’ve reviewed this overarching theme a few times. Instead of just reading the summary, consider asking your group if they can summarize the book’s theme in their own words.
1 Peter is a letter written to 1st-century Christians living on the edge of the Roman Empire, whom Peter calls “exiles” or “strangers.” These disciples are outsiders in society, but insiders in God’s Kingdom, born into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus. Peter encourages them to rejoice, even in suffering, to love one another deeply, and live holy, disciplined lives. He challenges them as spiritually free people to choose to honor everyone, even those who treat them harshly. Underneath his encouragement and instruction is the underlying assumption that disciples of Jesus are learning to become like him—living their lives as He would. They may share in his suffering, but they will also share in his resurrection! Through this series, we are invited to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, becoming like Jesus in our families, workplaces, and communities.
Read this Sermon Recap
1 Peter pt. 4, What is Salvation?
What is salvation? Peter’s letter opens by urging his audience of exiled Christian disciples to set their minds on the inheritance kept in heaven for those “who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1v5). He says they are receiving the “outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1v9).
Some associate the experience of salvation with a moment of conversion. For others, it is understood as a process they’ve experienced over time. The Bible speaks of salvation as both an accomplished fact (Ephesians 2:8 – “By grace you have been saved…”) and as a still-unfolding work of God (1 Peter 1:9 - “you are receiving…the salvation of your souls”). Disciples of Jesus are called to grow up into our salvation in the distance between those 2 points.
Peter speaks of the work of God in Christ for our salvation in at least 4 ways: as a work of healing (2:24); as a ransom that bought us out of slavery (2:16); as a substitute taking our death sentence (3:18); and as Christ triumphing over the powers of this world (3:21-22). Like the facets of a gem, each one is worth considering as we work to understand the full beauty of what God has done for us.
In response, we let our hearts (and voices! and hands!) rejoice with a joy that is inexpressible in its fullness (1v8). We live in the world as co-creators called alongside the Spirit of God on mission, bringing the good news of God’s salvation wherever we go. And we often meditate on the reality of what we confess weekly: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Discuss these Questions
(Leaders: Before going into the questions, you may want to give your group a minute or so of silence, reflecting on and listening to the Spirit around the question, “What is Jesus inviting you to notice tonight?”)
Tonight, we are going to use this set of questions to guide our discussion. You may want to pull up the guide on your phone to help you process and reflect.
1. Is anything lingering in your mind/heart from Sunday that you’d like to discuss?
2. How do you understand your need for salvation? Which of the 4 pictures of salvation do you most identify with? (As a follow up: Is there another aspect of salvation that the Spirit might want you to sit with in this season?)
3. Together, turn your conversation about salvation into prayers of praise and/or petition. EG, “God my Redeemer, I praise you for saving me from the sin I was a slave to.” “Christ our Victor, would you deliver me from my anxiety and help me live in your care?”
Practice for the Week
As you go into your week, choose one picture of our salvation to meditate on. Set those words – or better yet, a symbol that will remind you of it – near the area where you sleep. Let them be the words that greet you in the morning and the last words you see before going to sleep. Remember and give thanks.