The Affection of Awe

Affected by Awe 1 Peter 1:17-21 Affections in 2025 • The first Sunday of every month in ’25, we are asking God to heighten our religious affections. • Definition of Affection: Deep and lasting transformation of the soul that results in the zealous pursuit of God, overflowing love for God’s people, and joyful service in God. • Today, we will use 1 Peter 1:17-21 to see the fuel for every other affection – holy wonder at God’s personal and sacrificial love. Peter’s Third Command (1:17) • Peter sandwiches this third command between two points of knowledge – God’s impartiality and your purchase. • God’s Impartiality: 1. Peter taps a rich Old Testament concept: God cannot be bribed by the rich nor does He excuse the folly of the poor (Leviticus 19:15; 2 Chronicles 19:7); God’s loyal love compels Him to reward faithfulness (Psalm 62:12); God sees through fake ignorance (Proverbs 24:12). 2. With this command, Peter both comforts and warns. • Conduct Yourselves with Fear – citizenship aware of the watching world but motivated by the knowledge of God. Life-Altering Knowledge • Knowing: Peter is starting to build a case; even his grammar shows that he’s starting down a road of incredible ramifications • Ransomed: a payment of release made to a slave owner; a ransom is a price received, not a sum that is paid. It’s passive; something that happens for you and outside of you. Though you do not participate in the payment, you benefit from the result. • Perishable: note the high value items not a part of your ransom. By the Blood of the Lamb The Predicted Lamb – Genesis 22:13-14; John 1:29 The Paschal Lamb – Exodus 12 The Suffering Lamb – Isaiah 53 The Glorious Lamb – Revelation 5 The Conquering Lamb – Jeremiah 11:19-20; Revelation 7:9-17; Revelation 17:14 • The Wedded Lamb – Revelation 19:7-9; 21:9 • • • • • Reflections 1. When the value of this Lamb settles into your soul, your affections will flower into a life well lived. 2. When words fail – that’s where Peter wants us to start.