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1 Peter 1:1-2 ESV

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

I. CONTEXT OF 1 PETER
A. Peter writes to people living behind enemy lines in a land that is not their home.
B. In Christ we have become part of His kingdom and outsiders in the world.

II. JESUS FIRST, AMERICA SECOND
A. American Christianity tells us we can follow an outsider Jesus and yet be an insider in our culture.
B. We portray Jesus in USA as popular to justify the compromises we make for popularity in our day.
C. A call to follow Jesus is a call to follow Him into a way of life that runs against the grain of our culture.
D. In causing us to be born again, God has caused to be born into a life of exile.

III. ELECTED INTO EXILE
A. For us to be born again we have to be elected by God because in our sin we would never choose Him.
B. We are more than just saved. God causes us to be born by His Spirit into new life. No one asks to be born.
C. Dead people don’t raise themselves. God must make us new if it is to happen. (Ezekiel 37:26)

IV. THE MYSTERY OF CONVERSION
A. God’s election does not negate need for repentance and faith in conversion.
B. There is some mystery to conversion and we must be ok with that reality.

V. THE GOOD NEWS OF ELECTION
A. You cannot mess up your conversion because God is the One doing the work.
B. You cannot lose your election because God has cast the only vote that will ever matter for you in Jesus.