1 Peter 1 - Living Like You are Born Again
Summary
TLDRThe video script begins a series on the book of 1 Peter, emphasizing its relevance and power. It highlights Peter's apostolic authority and addresses believers as pilgrims with a heavenly hope. The message underscores the importance of being taught God's ways, the significance of holiness and obedience, and the assurance of an incorruptible inheritance in heaven. It also acknowledges the necessity of trials and grief in testing faith. The script concludes with a call for holy living and fervent love, urging believers to rest their hope fully on the grace brought by Jesus Christ.
Takeaways
- 📖 The series explores the book of First Peter, emphasizing its relevance and power.
- ✍️ Peter, the author, is a significant figure in the Gospels, known for his faith and flaws.
- 🌍 Peter addresses the Christians in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, emphasizing their status as pilgrims.
- 🚶♂️ Believers are described as pilgrims, indicating their transient state on earth and their hope for heaven.
- 📜 The letter is general, written to a broad audience rather than a specific congregation, addressing universal Christian teachings.
- 🕊️ Peter highlights the importance of a heavenly hope and the significance of looking towards an incorruptible inheritance in heaven.
- 🔥 Trials and grief are presented as necessary for refining faith, which is more precious than gold.
- 🔍 Old Testament prophets predicted the grace of the New Covenant, showing continuity in God's plan.
- 👼 Angels are interested in the salvation of humans, showing the significance of God's plan for humanity.
- 🧠 Peter encourages believers to prepare their minds, live holy lives, and focus on their heavenly inheritance.
Q & A
Who is the author of the letter discussed in the script?
-The author of the letter is Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.
What is the significance of the term 'pilgrims' in the context of the letter?
-The term 'pilgrims' refers to believers who have not settled in this world and are looking forward to their heavenly home.
Why does Peter not emphasize his apostolic credentials like Paul does in his letters?
-Peter's apostolic credentials were well established and not questioned, so he simply identifies himself as an apostle without additional qualifications.
To whom is Peter addressing his letter?
-Peter addresses his letter to the pilgrims of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
What is the significance of the term 'dispersion' in this letter?
-The term 'dispersion' refers to Christians, mainly from a Gentile background, who are scattered and do not have a central homeland, similar to the Jews after the Babylonian exile.
How does Peter describe the nature of the believers' inheritance?
-Peter describes the believers' inheritance as incorruptible, undefiled, and not fading away, reserved in heaven.
What role does faith play in the believers' trials according to Peter?
-Faith is tested by trials to display its enduring quality, which is more precious than gold, and it leads to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
What is Peter's view on the relationship between grief and trials?
-Peter acknowledges that grief in trials is sometimes necessary and that God has a purpose for both the trials and the grief they cause.
How does Peter explain the concept of election in his letter?
-Peter explains that believers are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
What is the main focus of Peter's message in the beginning of his letter?
-The main focus is on the living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the incorruptible inheritance reserved in heaven, and the importance of enduring faith during trials.
Outlines
📖 Introduction and Context of Peter's Letter
The book of 1 Peter begins with the apostle Peter addressing the recipients as 'pilgrims of the dispersion' in various regions. He emphasizes Peter's prominence in the Gospels and his journey from denial to restoration by Jesus. Unlike Paul, Peter simply identifies as an apostle without additional qualifiers. He writes to Christians, referring to them as pilgrims, highlighting their heavenly hope and the transient nature of their earthly existence. This letter underscores the importance of focusing on heaven, contrary to some modern teachings that downplay it.
🗺️ Recipients of the Letter and its General Nature
Peter's letter is addressed to a broad audience of Christians in regions of modern-day Turkey, rather than a specific congregation. Unlike Paul's letters, which often addressed specific issues within particular churches, 1 Peter is a general epistle intended for the wider Christian community. Peter underscores the need for collective learning and submission to God's word, emphasizing the importance of teaching and guidance in the Christian life. He also highlights the historical and contemporary Christian presence in the region, urging prayers for modern Christians in Turkey.
🛡️ Believers' Identity and Calling
Peter describes believers as 'elect according to the foreknowledge of God,' chosen for sanctification and obedience through the Spirit. He emphasizes that God's choice is not random but made with foreknowledge and wisdom. Believers are called to live holy lives, and their election involves a process of sanctification and obedience. Peter transitions into praising God for His mercy and the new birth given to believers, which leads to a living hope through Jesus' resurrection. This hope is tied to an incorruptible, heavenly inheritance.
🌟 Living Hope and Heavenly Inheritance
Peter praises God for the new birth and living hope given through Jesus' resurrection, leading to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance reserved in heaven. He emphasizes that this inheritance is protected by God's power through faith, ensuring believers' salvation. Peter acknowledges the trials believers face, stating these trials test and refine their faith, which is more precious than gold. He encourages believers to rejoice in their heavenly inheritance despite current sufferings, highlighting the importance of enduring trials with faith.
🔥 The Purpose of Trials and Grief
Peter addresses the necessity of trials and the grief they bring, emphasizing that such experiences test and prove the genuineness of faith. He reassures believers that grief in trials is a part of God's plan and necessary for growth. Trials reveal the strength of faith, which is precious to God, even more than gold. Peter encourages believers to find joy in their tested faith, as it leads to praise, honor, and glory when Jesus is revealed. The end goal of faith is the salvation of their souls, despite current hardships.
📜 Prophetic Foretelling and Angelic Interest
Peter explains that the salvation believers experience was prophesied by the Old Testament prophets, who diligently sought to understand the grace to come. These prophets predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories, ministering to future generations. Peter highlights that the gospel now preached fulfills these prophecies. He also notes that angels long to understand these truths, indicating the profound mystery and significance of God's redemptive plan. This underscores the continuity and depth of God's salvation plan.
🧠 Preparing for Action and Holiness
Peter instructs believers to 'gird up the loins of your mind,' meaning to prepare their minds for action and be sober-minded. He urges them to set their hope fully on the grace to be revealed at Jesus' return. This involves living as obedient children, not conforming to past desires but being holy in all conduct, reflecting God's holiness. Peter emphasizes that holiness begins in the mind and is supported by a deep engagement with God's word, leading to a transformed life. The call to holiness is central to Christian living.
🙏 Living Holy Lives and Loving One Another
Peter calls believers to pursue holiness and fervent love for one another, indicating that true Christian living involves both. He underscores that holiness is not outdated but a beautiful and essential aspect of God's nature. Believers are to reflect this holiness in their lives. Additionally, Peter stresses that love must accompany holiness, as both are vital to Christian life. He reminds believers of their redemption through Christ's precious blood, motivating them to live righteously. The balance of holiness and love is crucial.
💖 Holiness and Fervent Love
Peter continues to emphasize the importance of living holy lives and loving one another fervently. He reiterates that believers have been born again through the incorruptible word of God, which endures forever. This new birth calls for a life of purity and sincere love. Peter quotes Isaiah to highlight the eternal nature of God's word, contrasting it with the transient nature of human life. He calls believers to live out their faith with a focus on both holiness and love, reflecting their new identity in Christ.
📜 Enduring Word and Holy Living
Peter concludes by highlighting the enduring nature of God's word, which has survived through centuries of transmission, persecution, and neglect. He quotes from Isaiah to emphasize that while human achievements fade, God's word remains. Peter encourages believers to live in holy reverence, recognizing the eternal significance of their faith. He recalls the Roman Emperor Diocletian's failed attempt to destroy the Scriptures and contrasts it with the enduring presence of God's word. The call to holy living and fervent love is reinforced as central to the Christian faith.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Apostle
💡Pilgrim
💡Dispersion
💡Foreknowledge
💡Sanctification
💡Living Hope
💡Inheritance
💡Faith Tested by Fire
💡Holiness
💡Love One Another
Highlights
Peter begins his letter by addressing the pilgrims of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, emphasizing their status as travelers in search of a heavenly home.
The letter is written by Peter, a prominent apostle known for his close relationship with Jesus and his significant role in the Gospels.
Peter highlights the difference in his introduction compared to Paul's letters, noting that his apostolic credentials were unquestioned from the beginning.
Peter calls the believers 'pilgrims,' emphasizing that their true home is in heaven, not in this world.
The letter is addressed to a wide geographical area, indicating it was intended for general Christian instruction rather than addressing specific issues in a particular congregation.
Peter describes the believers as 'elect according to the foreknowledge of God,' highlighting the deliberate and knowledgeable choice of God in their selection.
Believers are chosen for sanctification and obedience, not just for salvation, emphasizing the importance of living a holy life.
Peter praises God for the new birth and living hope given through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the eternal and incorruptible inheritance reserved in heaven.
Faith is tested through trials to display its genuine quality, which is more precious than gold.
Peter encourages believers to rejoice in their heavenly inheritance despite facing various trials and grief.
Peter points out that trials and grief are sometimes necessary for the growth and testing of faith.
Peter underscores the importance of understanding what God has done in their lives before focusing on practical instructions.
Peter calls for mental preparation and sobriety, urging believers to set their hope fully on the grace to be revealed at Jesus' return.
Peter emphasizes holiness, stating that believers should be holy in all their conduct because God is holy.
Peter concludes by stressing the enduring nature of God's Word and the necessity of both holy living and fervent love among believers.
Transcripts
[Music]
tonight we begin a brief series through
the book of first Peter and I think
you'll see how powerful and relevant
this book is let's just begin with this
thought here from verse one how the
letter begins Peter an apostle of Jesus
Christ to the pilgrims of the dispersion
in Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and
Bithynia now first of all we have the
author of the letter it's Peter and you
all know Peter Peter the probably the
second most prominent man in the Gospels
after Jesus himself Peter the same one
who walked on the water and who sank in
the water
Peter the same one who confessed that
Jesus was the Christ the Messiah the son
of the Living God and Peter the same one
who was rebuked by Jesus just a moment
later Peter the same one who protested
that he would never deny Christ and then
a few minutes later he did deny Christ
and the Peter who was restored from his
denial by Jesus along the shores of the
Sea of Galilee this Peter is writing and
he writes as you notice verse one says
as an apostle now what I find
fascinating about this is to compare
this just a little bit with Paul's
letters you know most of the New
Testament letters were written by the
Apostle Paul this is one of only two
letters written by Peter when Paul
introduces himself in his letters it
always has a phrase something like this
Paul an apostle by the will of God
something very similar to that you know
this Peter doesn't do that in this
letter and I think one reason why is
that Paul was an apostle born out of due
time Peter was an apostle from the very
beginning to put it bluntly nobody
questioned Peter's apostolic credentials
so he just I'm that Peter Peter an
apostle notice who he writes to of Jesus
Christ to the pilgrims of the dispersion
in Pontius Galatia
fedosya Asia and Bithynia he addresses
the Christians that he writes to here in
the first century and he's probably
riding around the year 64 AD that's what
most scholars think somewhere around
there so we're talking about maybe 30
years or so after Jesus has ascended to
heaven he's writing to them and the
first thing he calls these believers are
pilgrims now you understand what the
idea of a pilgrim is we're coming up to
Thanksgiving so we're thinking of the
Pilgrims and we think of the guys with
the Quaker Oats hats you know and the
buckles on their shoes well those people
were called pilgrims because they didn't
settle down in one place they were
looking for a place to settle down and
that's what a pilgrim is a pilgrim is
someone who has not yet settled down in
a place but is searching for a place to
settle down now our place as believers
to settle down is not in this world
our place is believers to settle down is
in heaven and that's why the idea of a
heavenly hope hangs with such prominence
throughout this letter of first Peter
it's in the very first verse when he
uses the title pilgrims he's pointing
towards heaven and I want you to know
that in some circles within the
Christian world today it's very popular
to advance this idea that being a
Christian isn't just about going to
heaven
you know the Bible really focuses is on
what we do in the world here and now now
believe me I would be the first one to
say that being a Christian is not only
about going to heaven but if you read
the New Testament it puts a lot of
emphasis on heaven and it stirs up a
heavenly hope and even the mention of
the word pilgrim sort of suggests that
for us so he's writing to pilgrims but
notice from a particular place of the
dispersion which is kind of an
interesting phrase or word that he uses
there he's writing to Christians mainly
from a Gentile background we see that
from later on in the letter especially
verse 18 this very chapter but he calls
them pilgrims of the dispersion the
dispersion being a reference to
when the ancient Jews were dispersed at
the Babylonian Empire but what he's just
trying to say is you guys are dispersed
into the world you don't have a center
homeland but your pilgrims waiting for
your homeland
just like the Jews after the Babylonian
exile and then he mentions the cities
where they're gathered you see it there
in verse one Pontus Galatia Cappadocia
Asia and Bithynia now all of these
places that he mentions and on a map we
could show you this all of these places
that he mentions are places of what
would be today modern day Turkey
northern southern all the just general
area there and the first thing I want
you to notice by this is because he
mentions all these different regions in
the area of Turkey one thing I want you
to be aware of is this was a letter not
written to a specific congregation now
Paul's letters for the most part were
written to specific congregations and
usually to address a specific problem in
that congregation oh no there's heresy
in kalasa
I got a write a letter oh no there's
arguments in Philippi I got a write a
letter oh no they've gone off the rails
again in Corinth I got to write a letter
first Peters very different it is one of
what we call one of the general epistles
first Peter second Peter James first
Peter first John second John third John
general epistles epistles not written or
letters I'm using kind of the churchy
word for it epistles they're letters
written not to one specific congregation
but to Christians in general now I just
want that to sink in with you just for a
moment here understand that we as
Christians in general need to be taught
about the Christian life you know some
things are so obvious for us as
believers that we don't really see them
and think about them but this is
something that our age right here right
now needs to hear we live in such an
individualistic age we live in an age
where
all of y'all got instant access to
information from your smartphone not to
mention your tablet or your personal
computer and you could look up all the
facts about this or that or the anything
just like that it's very easy for us to
think in our modern age
I don't anybody teach me nothin I can
figure it out look it's out there ladies
and gentlemen I want to show you that
just a basic principle behind these
letters of the New Testament especially
the general letters is you and I we're
all in this together let's just say we
we need to be taught how to live God's
Way we do and and it shows us a
fundamental principle we must submit
ourselves to the Word of God whatever it
says in here how we should live we need
to take that seriously we need to say
listen God you helping me I want my life
to conform to that you moving in my life
I want to be able to fulfill that I
don't have the choices now I don't need
that I can figure this out no we need to
submit ourselves to the Word of God one
other thought and if I could ask put up
that map just one more time to show
these cities when you see the reach and
where that is
listen up there were many Christians
there in the day that Peter wrote
through the centuries this has been a
highly Christianized areas this is the
modern nation of Turkey and there is
almost no Christian presence in Turkey
today percentage-wise our congregation
supports a pastor and his church in
Istanbul you should think pray for the
Christians of Turkey pray that God's
work there advances because this very
area where Peter originally wrote the
letter to which has had a strong
Christian presence through the centuries
has very very little Christian presence
for the last hundred years okay going on
now to verse 2 he's going to describe
the people that he's writing to they are
elect a court
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 so you believers your elect
in other words God chose you and he
chose you notice here in verse 2
according to foreknowledge in other
words God chose you but not in a random
way we all understand that God chooses
but how does God choose he chooses
according to his foreknowledge according
to his wisdom in other words God doesn't
look over the human race and just kind
of say eeny meeny miny moe those are the
ones I choose no there is wisdom and
knowledge and and and and forethought
within his choice now I don't really
believe that foreknowledge connecting
with election means that God chooses me
only because I choose him that would
mean basically there's no choosing on
God's part whatsoever but I believe that
God's knowledge of who I am of what my
destiny is of what I will do with my
life of my inclinations that it plays
some role in whatever it is that he
chooses but the big picture is God's
choice of us isn't random as believers
it's done with knowledge and forethought
but notices we are chosen according to
foreknowledge of God in sanctification
of the Spirit for obedience Christians
are chosen but they're chosen in
sanctification and for obedience if you
think the whole point of you being
chosen by God is saying hey man God
chose me I got my ticket to heaven I can
live any way I want I wonder if you're
chosen at all because it's choosing that
God describes it's a choosing that is
for sanctification or holiness and for
obedience this is just basic fundamental
to Christian thinking here and again for
obedience and sprinkling of the blood of
Jesus Christ grace to you and peace be
multiplied now he's going to give
thanks to God the Father here now
starting in verse 3 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 from
the dead to an inheritance incorruptible
and undefiled 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 I want you notice how Peter
begins this letter he gives his greeting
his few introductory words and then he
says let let's talk about let me explain
to you what God did when he rescued us
let me explain to you what God did when
we became born again how you were saved
if you want to use that term how God
rescued what he did now again this is
such an important principle and one
that's so difficult for us in our modern
age in our modern age we are so
practical and pragmatic ok you Pastor
you said I need help in my Christian
life great tell me what to do come on
give me a list give me the three things
I got to do to live a successful
Christian life come on I want to do one
two three do I want you notice in those
few verses in which he begins there's no
doing it's about what God has done he
says listen before I tell you what to do
and there's gonna be plenty of doing for
us to do in the letter of first Peter
but it's all founded on the spaces of
you got to understand what God has done
in your life do you really understand do
you understand what God has done in the
realm of the Spirit there is a spiritual
world that we interact with every day
but many of us are in some ways blind to
it we ignore it Peter's trying to open
our eyes to the spiritual reality of
what happened when God rescued us
so he says blessed be the God and father
of our Lord Jesus Christ he's praising
God for his unbelievable plan where he
says he has verse three begotten
again now when he says begotten us again
in verse three it's different from John
chapter three the Gospel of John where
it talks about being born again or born
from above it's different wording but
it's the same idea we're born again
we're given new life in Jesus Christ
Peters idea is that when a person is
rescued by God when they are saved
they're made a new creation in Jesus
Christ and you were born again verse
three to a Living Hope why is the hope
living look at what it says there in
verse 3 it's a Living Hope because it
comes through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ of the dead I mean if a hope
comes to you through the resurrected
Jesus it's gonna be a Living Hope you
know maybe some dead Buddha can give you
a dead hope maybe dead Muhammad the
Prophet can give you a dead hope the
Risen Jesus Christ deals with a Living
Hope and he wants that hope to be alive
in each and every one of us so the hope
lives because it's set on verse 4
inherent inheritance incorruptible it's
an inheritance that can never go away
it can never fade away because it's
reserved in heaven again a heavenly look
in first Peter when God rescued you he
gave you an inheritance have you ever
dreamed of a big inheritance you know oh
I had an uncle who I never knew and he
died and he left me a jillion dollars
you know Wow well let me tell you
something about that jillion dollars you
don't know what's gonna happen in the
financial world in the next six months
or a year or ten years but that could be
a very corruptible inheritance right let
me tell you something though the
inheritance that God gives us in Jesus
Christ it's incorruptible and it's
reserved for us in heaven this is his
message so it's verse four incorruptible
undefiled it does not fade away now I
want you to notice he's not
telling us what our inheritance is he's
telling us what it is not it's not
corruptible it's not defiled it does not
fade away it's almost as if what it is
is too great to describe so all Peter
can tell us is what it is not by the way
I just had a thought but when you
consider this kind of thing I think
about when we talk to people about faith
in Jesus Christ and there are times when
if we're gonna tell people about God's
Word and God's work and all that there
are going to be times we have to warn
people about Hell it's not exactly my
favorite thing to do I don't know about
you but I mean it's real so there's a
there's a place we're doing that but not
only should I or should we warn people
about Hell but a second warning that we
can give or maybe it should be our first
warning is on what they will miss out on
in heaven it's not just that hell is a
bad place which it is heaven is a great
place and as much as it's bad to go to
hell it is unbelievable glorious to be
in heaven so it's not just that the
penalty you'll deserve it's the reward
you'll be denied or the inheritance and
these are the ones verse five who are
kept by the power of God through faith
this makes our inheritance certain we
are kept by the power of God and this
enables us to endure through faith until
the coming of Jesus notice we're kept by
the power of God but how through faith
that means your faith in my faith the
person who has kept is the person who's
abiding in a continual relationship of
faith with God faith and the preserving
power of God work together and keep the
believer now it continues on but notice
verse six is going to introduce some
difficulty that they're having right
then looking at verse six he says in
this you rejoice you
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
whom having not seen you love though now
you do not see him yet believing you
rejoice with joy inexpressible and full
of glory receiving the end of your faith
the salvation of your souls
so we rejoice in this you rejoice what
do we rejoice in we rejoice in the idea
that we have an incorruptible
inheritance in heaven now give friends I
want you understand I get it
how some Christians can kind of live
this dreamy pie in the sky you know
sometimes the cliche that's used you're
so heavenly minded you're up no earthly
good I understand there's an extreme
like that out there but can you please
understand what Peter's saying here
he holds the hope of heavenly reward
right in front of believers and says
this is important for you to hold on to
that that you shouldn't think that
primarily the end of God's plan is the
salvation of this whole world that we
live in but it's heaven above
now we rejoice in that heavenly
inheritance to come but notice this
though now for a little while if need be
you have been grieved by various trials
and first one when you say various
trials this bad trials because he uses
the analogy later on in verse 7 that
you're being tested by fire fire bad
trial get this this isn't like a heating
pad this is like a open flame I want you
to notice something there verse 6 he
says if need be you have been grieved
sometimes it is thought that if you were
a real Christian come on now if you
really trusted Jesus you'd never be
grieved in a trial if you really trusted
Jesus
be like the spiritual Superman go ahead
shoot the bullets of adversity at me and
they just all bounce off me ha ha ha
nothing affects me I want you notice not
only does Peter say that the trial
itself is necessary but there are times
when our grief in the trial is necessary
God never has the expectation that we
would go through trials and adversity
with this stoic dr. Spock like I am
never shaken by anything no and let me
tell you there are times when God knows
we need the grief
that's a slogan for you you need the
grief sometimes we do it look at verse 6
if need be you have been grieved there
is a need be not only for the various
trials but more especially there's a
need be for being grieved itself God has
a purpose not only for the trial but
also for the heavy grief that we bear in
the midst of the trial now some of you
right now you're in a season of
difficulty or trial and you are grieved
in the midst of it and you think I must
be so out of God's will because if I was
in God's what I would be just
ecstatically happy all the time please
Joe that's not only is that not
Christianity I don't even think that's
sanity do you ever read the Psalms did
you ever see how God deals with us with
the whole complexity of all of our human
emotions and behaviors know that there
there's a season to be unbelievably
happy praise the Lord for that and there
is a season where God appoints grief for
our life and he has things to teach us
in that what Peter's saying is look I
know you got this inheritance in heaven
above don't be shake
if you're in a season a grief why verse
7 because your faith is being tested by
fire our faith isn't tested because God
doesn't know how much faith we have or
what kind of faith we have our faith is
tested because we are often ignorant of
our own faith God's purpose and testing
our faith is to display the enduring
quality of our faith and you want to
know how important that is look how
precious your faith is to God verse 7
it's much more precious than the gold
that perishes now isn't gold refined by
fire and if you would refine gold with
fire and gold a pretty precious thing
how much more then our faith which is
much more precious than gold you know
it's funny gold is one of the most
durable of all metals just a week or so
ago England and I were on vacation and
we we went to Israel and we were
floating in the Dead Sea and if you
float in the Dead Sea you want to take
off all your jewellery and stuff well I
had my wedding ring on and I said to my
wife I said Ingle oh do I have to take
my wedding off she goes no wait gold
won't won't hurt it in the Dead Sea and
it didn't it's just fine
the Gold's pretty durable metal but even
it will pair us someday but not the
result that comes from our faith it's
even more precious than gold that
perishes and at the end it all verse 9
we will receive the end of your faith
the end of your faith is the return of
Jesus and the ultimate salvation of your
soul testing and trials are inevitable
as long as we are on this side of the
end of our faith as long as we do not
yet see the God we serve we have to
endure through trials and face them with
faith and joy so I'm what you notice
Peters encouraging some discouraged
believers isn't he here's your heavenly
hope hang in there I know you're being
tested but the result of this is worth
it the result of this is something
that's more precious and more durable
than gold
hang in there to the end do not give up
such times now verse 10 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 they've now 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 friends those are three
verses are very thick with information
but he's talking about the revelation of
this salvation that we receive okay see
you you got a heavenly inheritance did
we get that you're going through some
trials now but that's storing up some of
your heavenly inheritance well this
whole plan that God does to give us this
in Jesus Christ to give us new life in
Jesus but Peters trying to tell us it's
nothing new God had this planned out a
long time ago he says in verse 10 of
this salvation the prophets have
inquired and searched carefully it was
very important to Peter and to other New
Testament writers to demonstrate that
what the Bible speaks about what God
would do through the Messiah Jesus
Christ was not a novelty he spoke about
it in the Old Testament it was testified
beforehand by the prophets they as a
matter of fact verse 10 they prophesied
of the grace that would come to you you
see the prophets of the Old Testament
long to see the grace of the New
Covenant to come they prophesied having
some knowledge of what was to come but
so much less than they really wanted to
know
think about it how much would Isaiah
have loved to read the Gospel of John
you imagine that I bet you're gonna be
able to pick out Isaiah in heaven he's
gonna be just one reading the Gospel of
John over and over again you know think
about all those amazing
prophets man they searched they looked
into it they're like wow we spoke about
this ahead of time and we only had a
shadowy understanding of what this was
gonna be but here it is all revealed and
then in verse 12 says to them as
revealed that not to themselves but to
us they were ministering the prophets
understood that they were ministering to
people far beyond themselves as well as
to people in their own day and these
things the prophets predicted were
reported as finished fact by the
Apostles look at verse 12 the things
which now have been reported to you
through those who preach the gospel
so Peter saying the things we apostles
told you that happened in the person and
the work of Jesus all of that was
predicted in the Old Testament we
brought it to you right here right now
and then he says verse 12 the things
which angels desire to look into okay
it's not like the main point of what
Peter's talking about here no it's a
side point he's setting on the side out
in heavenly inheritance about enduring
through trials now it's nothing new but
the Old Testament prophets predicted it
and then he just gives us a little
throwaway line things which the angels
desire to look into it doesn't that blow
your mind there are angels studying us
right now I don't say that to freak you
out but they they they long to know what
we do God is using us to teach angelic
beings first Corinthians chapter 4
Ephesians chapter 3 first Timothy
chapter 3 all give to us the idea that
we are under angelic observation and
Peter just says it as a tantalizing
throwaway line but it's it's really
fascinating for us to grab a hold of and
to consider right now verse 13 therefore
okay you wanted something to do you
can't okay
just tell me what to do Peter says I'll
tell you what to do but in good time
first let me tell you about your
heavenly inheritance
let me tell you that it's okay that your
faith is going to be tested let me tell
you that that this is nothing new but
God planned it out a long time ago now
I'll tell you what to do verse 13
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
as obedient children not conforming
yourself to the former lusts as in your
ignorance 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 and if you call on the
father who without partiality judges
according to each one's work conduct
yourselves through the time of your stay
here in fear what does he do first of
all you got to get serious verse 13 gird
up the loins of your mind gird up the
loins of your mind what's that even mean
well he's using an ancient figure of
speech were to gird up the loins was to
fasten the belt you had you know they
robe these robes these tunics and if you
were gonna do some work you know if
you're gonna you had to take up your
robe and tuck it into your belt tuck
your robe into your belt that's what he
means my good influence we would use the
figures feet today roll up your sleeves
and get ready to work that's what he's
saying how about this roll up the
sleeves of your mind in other words get
ready to work with your head with the
way that you think be sober
that means the ability to take a serious
look at life it means to control what
you think about to control the things
you decide to set your mind upon I'm
gonna say something that is an absolute
revolutionary concept to some of you it
is possible in Jesus Christ to control
what you set your mind upon you don't
have to set your mind on things
our impure on things that are silly on
things that are fruitless on things that
are crazy you can set your mind on
things that are good honourable
beautiful helpful fruitful before God
this is really possible in Jesus Christ
and this is where the battleground is so
that's the first thing it says look you
want something to do and you krislac
realize the battleground is there in
your mind and what should you do with
your mind looking at there and verse 13
rest your hope fully on the grace that
is to be brought to you at the
revelation of Jesus Christ he can't stop
talking about heaven what is the
revelation of Jesus Christ and the hope
that's gonna start thinking about the
return of Jesus and how glorious that's
gonna be now look I don't know when
Jesus is coming back again I hope it's
soon I look at the situation in the
world around us like oh man I don't know
if it can get any crazier I really don't
you think this is this is a crazy time
come quickly Lord Jesus but I tell you
whether Jesus comes back for me or I go
to him first
I got to get ready to meet him there's
gonna come a day when Jesus Christ is
revealed to me fully
either cuz I go to him or he comes to me
so I have to rest my hope upon that day
the only way we can do that is to
receive the grace that is to be brought
to you now I love that phrasing there in
verse 13 notice what he says the grace
that is to be brought to you that's how
about Grace in the future there's a
message I've done a few times it's been
so long I've done it but I call it grace
past present and future because Bible
talks are grace that was given to us in
the past it talks about grace that we
walk in right now and here's grace
that's going to be given to us in the
future our life with God is Grace past
present and future
set your mind upon that wouldn't it be
horrible if you believed in Jesus Christ
your whole life if you suffered things
for him if you sacrifice things for him
and when Jesus came he was ticked off at
you wouldn't that be awful no no rest
your hopefully on the grace that's going
to be revealed to you on that very day
and therefore verse 14 as obedient
children not conforming yourselves to
the former lusts as in your ignorance in
other words live as obedient children
verse 15 live holy
now notice to live as obedient children
as it says in verse 14 and to live holy
as it says in verse 15 I'll talk about
holiness in just a moment I need to make
this point first though
that's our actions isn't it primarily
doing with our actions I want you to
notice something he spoke to the mind
before he spoke to the actions do you
see how important that is this is why
the Word of God has such a huge place in
our own pure living and sanctification
before the Lord we need to be bringing
the Word of God into our life reading it
listening to it
memorizing it thinking about it
meditating on it because what we need is
what the Apostle Paul called in the book
of Romans the renewing of our mind and
Peter felt the same way because before
he addressed our actions he spoke to
gird up the Launcher roll up the sleeves
of your mind we deal with that first and
then out of that flows a holier life
and that's when I went speak I hear in
verse 15 but is he who has called you as
Holy you also be holy in all your
conduct you know it's hard to think of a
word that sounds more old-fashioned and
out of place in the church today than
the word holiness when you hear the word
holiness
don't you think of an angry man shaking
a bony finger in your face this
gentleman the holiness of God is
beautiful the holiness of God is
majestic the holiness of God is part of
what makes God God and God looks I says
I am separate from sin and shame and
impurity and the ways of this world I
want you to be holy as well I pray and
listen I believe it'll happen because
these things just kind of run in cycles
and God is always bringing back a fresh
work I don't despair on this but I pray
for this I pray that a whole new young
generation will come to a new
appreciation of the holiness of God and
learn to love it and treasure it and see
how the holiness of God transfers into a
holiness of life that's why God comes to
us and he says be holy for I am holy men
417 and if you call upon the father you
know look if you're gonna call upon the
father and you realize our holy life is
connected with all this now let's take a
look at the last few verses this
motivation for godly living verse 18
knowing that you were not redeemed with
corruptible things like silver or gold
from your aimless conduct received by
tradition from your father's but with
the precious blood of Christ as of a
lamb without blemish and without spot he
or deed was for deigned before ordained
before the foundation of the world but
was manifest in these last times for you
through him 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 now understand this he
says this work that God did in your life
it was not done with corruptible things
knowing this verse 18 you were not
redeemed with corruptible things you
were
redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus
and if I could put it very bluntly we
weren't redeemed by the precious blood
of Jesus so that we could go out and
live like garbage that's know why he did
it he came to redeem us from that
garbage life not to it my effect verse
18 to save us from your aimless conduct
received by tradition by your father's
this is the frame of mind that seeks to
be justified by the law
it's aimless conduct it seems to have an
aim rescuing yourself by good works but
it's aimless because it can't succeed
instead God did what we couldn't do
verse 19 he sent a lamb without blemish
and without spot and he was foreordained
before the foundation of the world to
make the sacrifice and in that we would
believe in God who raised him from the
dead he says simply talking about the
glorious plan of salvation and how this
should be a motivation it should be a
motivation for us to consider all that
God did for us that's why I want to live
for him now have you heard the
illustration of the cart and the horse
here you got the horse and the cart and
let me tell you something about the way
that horses and carts work the cart has
to be behind the horse if you put the
cart in front of the horse it doesn't
work now in this illustration the horse
is all that Jesus is and all that Jesus
did to rescue us Peter mentions it so
many times right here of the precious
blood of Christ lamb without blemish for
ordained from before the foundation of
the world manifest last time raised from
the dead I don't know that the person
work at these guys that's the horse
what follows behind the horse our
commitment to living a righteous life in
Jesus Christ the horse
draws the cards our constant temptation
and Christian living is to put the cart
before the horse to think that Jesus is
pleased with us or Jesus rescues us
because of our holy living and that's
not it he did his freakin we're to
respond to all he's done to us by our
righteous life verse 22 since you've
purified your souls and 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 grass and all the glory of
man as the flower of the grass the grass
withers and it's flower falls away but
the word of the Lord endures forever
this is the word by which the gospel was
preached to you now notice this he says
look since I love how it begins at verse
20 since you've purified your so listen
Peters like saying I know I've been
telling you to be holy I know I've been
telling you have a passion for purity
and your Christian life because I know
you're there I know you want to do that
but but let me add one more thing to you
it's almost as if Peter saying you want
to been wanting to know what to do now
I'm telling you what to do live holy
but then second do you notice what he
says here in verse 22 love one another
fervently holy living is incomplete if
it's not accompanied with love now
there's a problem in the Christian world
and it is not a new problem I think it's
a problem that's existed from the very
beginning it just matters what end of
the problem you're on the problem goes
something like this
there's holy living and there's fervent
love we always want to emphasize one or
the
now right now we're in a love page man
the important thing is that we love it's
all community it's all relationships and
listen all that's important to God does
God want us to love yes he does but does
he also want us to be holy you better
believe it now in previous I don't know
generations or ages whatever you want to
call it
those have been holy ages you got to be
holy your life has to be right
stop doing that start doing this you
know emphasis on islands is that good
does God want us to be holy you better
believe he does but not to the exclusion
of love now right now I pray that the
Holy Spirit speaks to your heart one
word it's the word you need to hear I
praise even speaking more love or more
holiness now we both need all of those
more it's not like we can ignore one or
the other
but isn't it just usually a fact in our
life were more deficient in one than the
other
I love how Peter puts this yes pursue
that holiness but love one another
fervently with a pure heart through
verse 23 the Word of God which lives and
abides forever and then he ends with
this great confidence in the Word of God
I love this verse 24 the grass withers
and it's flower falls away but the word
of the Lord lives or indoors forever
Peter is quoting from Isaiah chapter 40
verses 6 through 8 and as he quotes here
we see that his word has been fulfilled
ladies and gentlemen the word of the
Lord certainly has endured think about
it for centuries
the only way that the word was
transmitted was by people making copies
by hand now that's that's a tenuous line
but God beautifully preserved his word
through all the centuries that it had to
be copied by hand in those years it was
persecuted vigorously there were Roman
emperors that made it virtually their
life mission to burn every copy of the
Scriptures they could find it survived
centuries of ever-changing philosophies
all kinds of critics it survived
centuries of neglect the the Word of God
has survived centuries of neglect in the
church from both the pulpit and the pew
and today what do we hear a bunch of
people on a Wednesday night listening
learning paying attention to the Bible
truly the word of the Lord endures
forever in the year 303 ad the Roman
Emperor Diocletian demanded that every
copy of the scriptures in the Roman
Empire be burned
that was his Imperial decree but he
failed in that obviously 25 years later
the roman emperor constantine
commissioned a scholar named Eusebius to
prepare 50 copies of the scriptures at
government expense it endures forever
let me read you this quote from Charles
Spurgeon God's Word never dies God's
Word never changes there are some who
think we ought to get a new gospel every
few years or upon every few weeks but
that was not Peters notion he wrote and
he was divinely inspired to write
concerning the Word of God which lives
and abides forever now what should it
result in in us I'll leave you with
those two things holy living and fervent
love one for another
I'll let God speak to your heart
as to which one he wants to work on more
right knee we're not gonna exclude
either one we want more of both but if
there's a greater need in one area
another let's let God speak to our
hearts about that right now
Father in Heaven we just collectively
now as a congregation we want to take a
quiet moment and invite you to speak to
our heart because Lord we we don't want
to be deficient in either area it's the
Lord speak to us about these areas of
holy living and fervent love as we wait
upon you in silence just for a moment
father thank you for the inheritance
that we have in you it's absolutely
incorruptible thank you for that
heavenly hope that you give us and Lord
thank you even for the grief that we
sometimes bear out of necessity in your
plan we praise you for it together Lord
in Jesus name
you
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