TEXT: 1 Peter 1:1-5
READING: Romans 5:1-21
SUBJ: The manner and nature of receiving salvation – especially to consider that precious assurances are given us in the testimony of the resurrection and the experiences with Christ in this life.
AIM: That we should be strengthened and encouraged in the Lord as we face the rigors of this life.
INTR:
1. A review of verses 1 and 2 as to who the addressees are and how they are distinguished.
2. We should see an epistle as a complete message rather than a collection of independent thoughts. With that in mind we would herein see how the tone is set for the whole letter.
3. The message of Peter is intended to encourage and to strengthen these people through an understanding of God’s purpose in salvation.
THESIS: The precious truth of the Gospel has always moved men to a life of strength and assurance. This is motivated by an understanding of why Christ died and the assurance that His purpose is accomplished. Therefore, theirs is a life of faith and obedience.
I. Begotten vv. 3-5
1. Of regeneration
2. James – by the Word of Truth: Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18).
3. We are reminded that: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
4. Always with a purpose: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4).
II. Unto a “lively” hope and to be realized as proceeding from
1. The resurrection of Jesus Christ – And consider “Blessed be the God and Father of…”
2. We might well think of this as being a living hope in that Christ ever liveth to make intercession f.
3. There is activity and evidence of life in the way of the believer.
1) There is sense of being spiritually alive and responsive to God in Christ.
2) We are confirmed in this by our thoughts being directed to the being and existence of God.
4. We are indeed “living stones” – Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
III. To an inheritance:
1. Consider that we are typified by the tribe of Levi:
1) We consider: The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance. Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them. (Deuteronomy 18:1-2).
2) And see also: The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. (Psalms 16:5)
2. Incorruptible – imperishable and not subject to decay in that The Lord Himself is not subject to corruption.
3. Undefiled – Having no defect whatsoever. He was the perfect sacrifice to be offered and “unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
4. That fadeth not away – will not wither (consider old furniture or inscriptions on tombstones.
IV. Kept -- Guarded by the power (dunamis) of God through the agency of faith unto salvation
1. We must understand that God in Christ is active in securing us in salvation.
2. The Lord has staked His integrity in keeping us unto eternity.
3. We are reminded of Paul’s words to the Philippians: Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
4. And we know and are assured of His ability to do as He wills
V. Salvation ready to be revealed – even now.
1. The time of preparation is accomplished and lacks nothing: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:1-3)
2. The consummation of our salvation is all that remains.
