“The definitive mark of those who have been loved by God through the grace of Jesus is that we love.”
We are continuing our Take Heart series through 1 Peter by looking at the defining trait of the believer: our love for one another. In this week’s message, Ben Stuart lays out two different reasons Peter gives for why we are meant to love each other and explores some of the ways we can love sincerely and actively.
Key Takeaway
How do you identify as a Christian? Jesus declared His believers would be known by His Love. We love because He has purified us, loved us first, and is forging a forever family in His Kingdom that will never fade. We reject what we do that kills the body of Christ and replace those actions with His everlasting provision.
Where are we at this point in the book of Peter? (1: 1-21)
God has moved first. Peter talks about all God has done on our behalf.
The implication is that what God has done affects what we do.
Hope fully and Be holy.
Jesus said to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind AND to love your neighbor as yourself.
Love with a pure heart. Mean it. Love earnestly. Peter exhorts them to love sincerely and actively. Love is genuine care for people that manifests itself in activity for their benefit. This is how Christians are to love each other.
If we're honest, loving someone is a pain. It's a lot of work that we don't necessarily want to do.
Why do we love?
1. 1 Peter 1:22"having purified your soul"- perfect tense; and action fully completed in the past whose implications run into the future. It's not striving to be purified, you've already been purified.Hagnizo- sanctify, consecrate, holy. You consecrated yourself to the Lord, you purified your soul to say "The essential part of me is His". The best part of you belongs to Him.But how and when did that happen?By our "obedience", a combo of "listen" and "under", to the truth. 1 Peter 1:18-21 says that someone told you about Jesus and you believed and obeyed through knowing, believing, and hoping.
So, having been purified by the obedience to truth, it is FOR something. It is for a sincere brotherly love. God is forging a family. Ben gave the example of how his daughter Sparrow was instantly both a daughter to him and Donna, but also a sister to Hannah and then later Owen. It was an example of how our connection with God is an instant connection with the Church family. God, being a Father, desires for all His children to get along. Jesus as He was dying, looked at his disciple John (no blood relation) and Mary, His mother, and said "Son, behold your mother. Mother, behold your son." Because of who Jesus is and their allegiance to Him, they weren't biologically related, but they were now family.
2. 1 Peter 1:23. You're stuck with us. God is forging a forever family. "We have been born again"- perfect tense again. Both of Peter's references to love are rooted in the past, what Jesus has done, not the future. Then he launches into talking about seeds and quotes Isaiah and it feels confusing and out of place. It's not. It's deliberate.
Read Isaiah 40: 1-11 for context. Peter quotes Isaiah to them as an encouragement and motivation to love each other by talking about grass that fades, flowers that die, and God's Word standing forever. That doesn't seem like it makes sense with the passage, but Peter is writing to a scattered people in Rome who are being pressed on from every side. The temptation is to keep your head low, say nothing, and slowly lose your distinctiveness as the people of God. Peter purposely draws on Isaiah who was a prophet during the Babylonian captivity where the people of God were taken away from their society and culture, given new names, indoctrinated, and also pressed to lose their distinctiveness as God's people.
Peter and Isaiah are encouraging them that everything around them that seems so mighty, strong, and triumphant will one day be no more, except the Word of the Lord. The promises of God do not fade. Just like Jesus was promised in the Old Testament, He came, and He rose: invest in the promise of His Kingdom that will never end. So, the people remembered all that happened in Babylon, and just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego linked arms and refused to worship another god, the early Church saw that as an example of how Believers live and endure fire in an oppressing culture.
Don't be afraid, instead, prioritize the Kingdom of Jesus. So why do we love each other? God is forging a forever family.
How do we love each other sincerely?
Put off relational poison. 1 Peter 2:1-3. Put off means to strip off a garment of clothing. Paul uses the phrase often when he says "Put off the old self, put on the new." Peter is talking about more than just behavior modification, he is looking at heart transformation. The key to good loving is good longing. Let's stop doing certain things and long for God's way.If you really want to love, stop practicing...
Malice: intent to harm, can be word and/or action
Deceit: withhold or distort truth, manipulation
Hypocrisy: false face, presenting a version of you that's not really you. Lacks integrity. We don't like what is in us, we feel a deficit, so we fake it.
Envy: resenting good that is in someone else because you want it for yourself and don't have it.
Slander: tearing others down
All of these things are like a fast-spreading cancer that will make the body weak and eventually kill it. Put off the relational poison, do not practice these things.
Partake in God's provision. Long for spiritual milk. The word spiritual here means "reasonable", it corresponds to reality. So, since we have been born again, drink that which will sustain life, not tear it down. You have a new body, so support that body.Babies instinctively know they need milk, but they will use anything to get it if the source isn't right there. So, you'll see them sucking on a toy, or a hand, or whatever they can get themselves near. It's a legitimate need that they are taking to an illegitimate place. Not only will it not help them, but it makes may make them sick. That's what Peter is saying. These sources you are going to are poison to yourself and others. So, stop sucking on the poison.So if you reject the poison, you have to replace that vacancy of the need with something. This is where Peter lets you know that the replacement is God's Word. And not just reading it, but tasting that the Lord is good. What you need to fill the vacancy is the kindness of God, His love, grace, and mercy. You encounter that in the Word, both individually and corporately. Once we are all in the Word, we have psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to speak over each other to grow in Christ.
Drink so you can be nourished and grow. Drink from the correct source. The Gospel is always reject and replace. Reject the poison, replace it with His provision.
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"Love it a genuine care for other people that manifests itself in activity for their benefit."
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Ben Stuart
Discussion Questions
How do you identify a Christian?
What is the command in 1 Peter 1:22?
Why is it so hard to love other believers?
What does it mean "having purified our souls by obedience to the truth" and what is it for? What is the purpose?
God's heart is for all of His children to get along. Why?
Can you summarize why Peter quoted Isaiah in 1 Peter 1:24-25
What things are we to "put off"?
Ben referred to the things we are to put off as poison. Why are they so dangerous?
How can we long for spiritual milk and have that need met?
What do you need to reject in your life? What do you need to replace it with?
Scripture References
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet1.It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.2.The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3.Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4.so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5.After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.6.He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”7.Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”8.“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”9.“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”10.Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”11.For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.12.When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13.“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.14.Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.15.I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.16.Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.17.Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.Jesus Predicts His Betrayal18.“I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned13:18 Greek has lifted up his heelagainst me.’13:18 Psalm 41:919.“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am.20.Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”21.After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”22.His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23.One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24.Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”25.Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”26.Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27.As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”28.But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29.Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 30.As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial31.When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.32.If God is glorified in him,13:32 Many early manuscripts do not have If God is glorified in him.God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.33.“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.34.“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.35.By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”36.Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?”Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”37.Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”38.Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!
18.For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19.but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20.He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21.Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
A Living Sacrifice1.Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2.Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.Humble Service in the Body of Christ3.For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4.For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5.so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6.We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your12:6 Or the faith; 7.if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8.if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,12:8 Or to provide for others do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.Love in Action9.Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10.Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11.Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12.Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13.Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.14.Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15.Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16.Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.12:16 Or willing to do menial work Do not be conceited.17.Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18.If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19.Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”12:19 Deut. 32:35 says the Lord. 20.On the contrary:“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”12:20 Prov. 25:21,2221.Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Psalm 3434 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.,34 In Hebrew texts 34:1-22 is numbered 34:2-23.Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelek, who drove him away, and he left.1.I will extol the Lord at all times;his praise will always be on my lips.2.I will glory in the Lord;let the afflicted hear and rejoice.3.Glorify the Lord with me;let us exalt his name together.4.I sought the Lord, and he answered me;he delivered me from all my fears.5.Those who look to him are radiant;their faces are never covered with shame.6.This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;he saved him out of all his troubles.7.The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,and he delivers them.8.Taste and see that the Lord is good;blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.9.Fear the Lord, you his holy people,for those who fear him lack nothing.10.The lions may grow weak and hungry,but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.11.Come, my children, listen to me;I will teach you the fear of the Lord.12.Whoever of you loves lifeand desires to see many good days,13.keep your tongue from eviland your lips from telling lies.14.Turn from evil and do good;seek peace and pursue it.15.The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,and his ears are attentive to their cry;16.but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,to blot out their name from the earth.17.The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;he delivers them from all their troubles.18.The Lord is close to the brokenheartedand saves those who are crushed in spirit.19.The righteous person may have many troubles,but the Lord delivers him from them all;20.he protects all his bones,not one of them will be broken.21.Evil will slay the wicked;the foes of the righteous will be condemned.22.The Lord will rescue his servants;no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
27.and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
