Gospel Privilege

Gospel Privilege 1 Peter 1:8-12 Context • Peter has been blessing the Lord for the His great salvation, which leads to a train of thought – you are being guarded for an inheritance that is being kept for you. • Peter is leading us to a challenge – see verse 12. • To lay the groundwork for that challenge, Peter highlights two great realities: 1. Your faith overcomes trials (v. 6-7) and distance (v. 8-9). 2. You are an incredibly privileged person (v. 10-11). • Today’s sermon has two points: (1) Privilege of Faith; and (2) Privilege of History Privilege of Faith (1:7-9) • Connecting to the Context: 1. Notice the “though” words in vs. 6 and 7. 2. Notice the present verbs – see, love, believe, and rejoice. These present verbs connect us back to “being guarded” in verse 5. 3. Your perseverance in trials and your joy despite distance is proof that you are being guarded. • • • Paradox of Faith – John 20:29; Luke 10:13-15; John 11:53 Experience of Faith – present love, glorious and inexpressible joy Goal of Faith – these joy-filled expressions, which await ultimate fulfillment, are the purpose of your salvation. Privilege of History (1:10-11) 1. Historical Privilege: • • 3x Searched – searched, inquired, inquiring; three different words implying a diligent and thorough search. Peter highlights historical uncertainties and seemingly disconnected prophecies (a suffering, slain, universal Ruler?). 2. Personal Privilege: “to be yours” … “serving you” … “announced to you” … “good news preached to you.” 3. Supernatural Privilege: • • The Holy Spirit was responsible to deliver the good news to you. Angelic beings marvel at your experience of faith in the gospel. Reflections 1. False teachers in every age have used supposed visions of Christ (Colossians 2:18) and messages from angels (Galatians 1:8-9) to bolster their claims. Peter says that simply receiving the gospel makes us more privileged than prophets, eyewitnesses of Jesus, and even angels. 2. Our gospel privilege speaks to the expression of our faith. Joyful satisfaction in God’s grace and the loving acknowledgement of God’s blessing leave no room for a Christianity that’s austere, moribund, morose, duty-bound, boring, or grouchy.