Jan. 04, 2026

“BE HOPEFUL”

“THE POWER TO CHANGE YOUR PERSONALITY”

1 PETER 1:1-2

If you had the power to change within you. How many of you would change some aspects of your personalities?

In 1 Peter we find the power to change your personality. There is a wrong way and the Biblical way to change your personality.

*The goal is to lead us to make a commitment with God to allow Him to change us and remove any obstacle that hinders us from making that change.

1.  The Example Of Peter- 1 Peter 1:1

1 Peter 1:1 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.”

“Peter”- God changed Peter’s personality.

1 Peter 5:6 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”

God’s way is not self-improvement but being supernaturally transformed by God:

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

God doesn’t offer us an improvement but a transformation.

2.  The Candidates For Change- 1 Peter 1:1

1 Peter 1:1 “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.”

“Pilgrims”-strangers-living in a place but not a citizen.

“Dispersion”-scattered, talking about the Jews being dispersed throughout the world.

Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Hebrews 13:14 “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.”

3.  The Way Of Change- 1Peter 1:2

1 Peter 1:2 “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.”

vs.2 “elect”- those who choose Christ to be their Savior, the elect.

Ephesians 1:4-5 “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”

John 6:37 “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me (this is election), and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.(this is free will)” 

God is the one who changes you.

2 Timothy 1:9 “who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”

2 Timothy 2:19 “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

“God’s foreknowledge” vs.2 does not conflict with mans free will.

vs.2 “… in sanctification of the Spirit…”- sanctification is to be set apart.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?”

The only way to change is by allowing the Holy Spirit to control your life. “All” of it not just some of it.

vs.2 You are chosen to “obey”

James 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” 1 John 1:9, 1 Peter 5:6, 

vs.2 “…sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:”

*We have been cleansed from sin.

*We have been ratified by the New Testament.

*We have been set apart by the blood of Jesus Christ so we can serve Him.

4.  The Power To Change- 1 Peter 1:2

1 Peter 1:2 “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.”

*Grace is how we are saved- Eph. 2:8-9

*God’s grace is necessary to sustain us through this life:

Hebrews 4:16-need, 2 Corinthians 8-give, Hebrews 12:28- serve, James 4:4-7-victory, Romans 12:6.

 1Peter 5:5-6 “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.” 6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”

James 4:8-10 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

“Humility” is a total dependency on God. Will you let Him change you?