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Christ Our Example

by Dr. Frederick Drummond, Sr.

“Pilgrims on the Way Home”

1 Peter: A Working Outline

I.   Believers Are Pilgrims (1:1-12)

“We don’t belong.”

• We have a living hope through the resurrection.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1:3)

• We have an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled in heaven.

to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1:4,5)

• We have this as our cause for great rejoicing.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, (1:6,7)

• We are living in days of prophetic fulfillment—grace.

Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,

searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into. (1:10-12)

II.   Because You Are on a Pilgrimage, Be Sober (1:13-2:10)

“Match up.”

• Rest in hope through grace.

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1:13)

• Obediently conform to your new role.

as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; (1:14)

• Be holy.

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1:15,16)

• Christ redeemed you through His holy sacrifice.

And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1:17-21)

• You have been born again by obeying the truth.

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away,

But the word of the LORD endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. (1:22-25)

• As newborn babes desire the milk of the word.

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (2:1-3)

• You are part of a spiritual house of trust.

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” (2:4-7)

• You are the “now” people of God.

and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (2:8-10)

III.    As Pilgrims Abstain from Fleshly Lusts (2:11-3:17)

“Be an example.”

• Submit to every ordinance (be good citizens).

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme,

or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—

as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (2:13-17)

• Submit to your employers.

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

“Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (2:18-25)

• Submit to your husbands, and husbands, be wise.

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,

when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—

rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,

as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. (3:1-7)

• Bless and be blessed.

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

For “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.

Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.” (3:8-12)

• Be ready to explain your pilgrimage.

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (3:13-17)

IV. Christ Is Our Example of Suffering for Sin (3:18-22)

“The just for the unjust”

V. As Pilgrims Emulate Christ’s example of Suffering for Sin (4:1-11)

“Our stand against sin”

• Cease from sin.

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, (4:1)

• Don’t copy unbelievers.

that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. (4:2,3)

• Ignore their disapproval of your lifestyle.

In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. (4:4)

• They will have to face judgment.

They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. (4:5-7)

• Walk in harmless love.

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (4:8)

• Have a generous attitude.

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. (4:9)

• Minister your gift.

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (4:10)

• Speak the Word.

If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (4:11)

VI. As Pilgrims Emulate Christ’s Example of Suffering Through Trials and Tribulations (4:12-19)

“Our attitude under pressure”

• Don’t be caught off guard.

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; (4:12)

• Rejoice at the privilege.

but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (4:13)

• Rest in the glory of it all.

If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. (4:14)

• There is no reward in suffering for evildoing.

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. (4:15,19)

VII.   As Pilgrims Emulate Christ’s Example of Suffering in Ministry (5:1-4)

“Our willingness to serve”

• Elders shepherd the flock.

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: (5:1)

• Be a servant like Christ.

Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; (5:2)

• Be examples like Christ.

nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; (5:3)

• You are answerable to the Chief Shepherd.

and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (5:4)

VIII.   Conclusion (5:5-14)

“Trust God.”

• Be submissive.

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” (5:5)

• Be humble.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, (5:6)

• Leave your problems with Christ.

casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (5:7)

• Be sober.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (5:8)

• Allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify you.

Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (5:9,10)