The first order of business in Peter's desire to help us learn to live well as 'foreigners' in this world is a clear, unambiguous description of the great salvation that God has given to us as a gift.  The first 2 verses of the letter concisely affirms that we are 'chosen 1) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father; 2) through the sanctifying work of the Spirit; 3) to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood'.  In response to this 'Good News', Peter jumps into the body of the letter with a rousing song of praise - verses 3-12.  The key words for each section are: hope (3-5), joy (6-9) and revelation (10-12).  May we, in response to hearing this text understand our salvation more clearly, value it more highly, and celebrate it more fully!
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We are an International Church!  On a normal Sunday morning we have people from every continent in the world (excepting Antarctica!) joining us for worship.  How appropriate for us to carefully read this letter called '1 Peter' which is specifically addressed to a group of 'exiles' or 'foreigners' - people who are living in a land that is not their own.  Peter uses this language both literally and metaphorically - he is writing to people who were actually expatriates, but he also clearly uses that language to call ALL followers of Jesus to live in this world AS IF you are foreigners and strangers who are awaiting their final home.  Much of Peter's language then is to help us a) understand and celebrate our salvation and b) learn how to live well in this world as temporary citizens.  May our hearts be open to hear and respond to these very practical words from Peter!
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In drawing this letter to conclusion, Paul's primary concern is to issue a number of specific injunctions that will help the believers in Thessalonica to understand how they can live out their faith in Community so that they will become known as a Community that reflects that values of the Gospel.  We identify 3 sections: 1) Love and Respect your Leaders; 2) Live out your Faith Together - including 5 pastoral injunctions, 3 'all the time' practices and 5 instructions about being a Spirit-led community; and 3) Let God do His Work in You.  The strong reminder at the end of this letter is that we do not become pure and blameless in this world by trying harder; instead we become more like Jesus as we grow to love and honor Him more and more and allow Him to do the work of making us holy!  May this be our experience together!
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In our text today Paul draws our attention forward to the physical return of Jesus to this earth.  He reminds us that is is an event which is absolutely certain and one which ought to dramatically affect they way in which we live now.   From the 3 sections of our text we draw 3 lessons:

• Living expectantly means living responsibly in Community (4:9-12)
• Living expectantly means learning to grieve well - with certain hope (4:13-18)
• Living expectantly means being awake and sober - putting on faith and love as a breastplate and hope as a helmet (5:1-11)

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