Called to Salvation

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SERIES DESCRIPTION: In this series on 1st and 2nd Peter, Pastor Shawn and Krista highlight how Peter is remind the church that they are CALLED OUT of the darkness. This week, P. Shawn explores 1 Peter 1:1-12 as Peter reminds us that we are called out of darkness to Salvation.

Altar Instructions: Please come up when I begin the 1st of the last 3 sub points during point 3.

Series | Called Out

Special Prayer

I wan to take a moment to pray: The events over this week have sent a shock wave through our Nation.

Friends wether we agree or disagree… I believe our response to evil in this life should always be as Jesus taught us…

Comfort those who mourn.

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

We’re going to pray today… for the

Kirk family & families impacted by the school shooting in EVER GREEN Colorado.

For the family of the shooter - the dad who turned in his own son.

For the division in our nation,

That We pray that believers would rise up and be the light in the darkness. Etc….

Pre-Message Welcome

Grace Place family! It’s awesome to have you here with us today, whether in person or online.

I’m Shawn, and along with my wife, we serve as the Co-Pastors of this incredible church.

At The Grace Place, our mission is clear: we are Caring People, Caring for People.

We pray that you experience God’s care in our time together and in your life.

Spanish Welcome - 2nd Service ONLY!

A nuestra familia de habla hispana .... Bienvenidos… es-pera-mos que usted… y su familia.. se-sien-tan bien a-tend-idos también.

To our Spanish speaking family... welcome, we hope you and your family feels cared for as well.

Before we get into the message today….

Pastor Plug: Hispanic Heritage Day

Sun. Sept. 28th

Hispanic Heritage Day (Sunday, the 28th)

Join us for a Hispanic Heritage Celebration! During the service, we'll worship in both English and Spanish as we highlight our Spanish Translation Ministry. Everyone is invited to dress for the occasion—bright, colorful fiesta attire is encouraged. Make sure to hang after service and grab some refreshing aguas frescas.

Transition: This week we are starting a brand new series called…

Series | Called Out

In this series will be on the writings of 1st and 2nd Peter.

Peter is writing to a church facing lots of persecution and hardship. He is writing to encourage and remind them that God has called them to STAND OUT from the darkness around them.

One of the key verses that sum up his letters is found in… 1 Pet. 2:9…. lets look at it together… it says this… to the People of God

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who CALLED YOU OUT of darkness into his marvelous light.”

His words to this 1st century church - speak directly into many of the challenges we face today.

This is a great reminder… for the church today - “YOU ARE CHOSEN - you are CALLED OUT BY GOD!

No matter the challenge… the call remains the same STAND OUT - DON’T BE LIKE the world around you.

In my opinion 1st & 2nd Peter seems to hit nearly every topic of Christian living.

Open your bibles to 1st Peter 1:1-12 … it will aslo be on the screen for you to follow… 1 Pet. chapter 1… we’ll begin reading at v.1..

1 Peter 1:1-12 ESV

English Standard Version Chapter 1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

***Feel free to encourage people to listen to the Holy Spirit speak to them personally as the message is preached

LETS PRAY

YOU CAN WALK OFF THE STAGE WHEN YOU SAY AMEN

Transition: the title of our message today is...

Sermon Title | Called to Salvation

Peter is CALLING US OUT…. he is reminding us in these 1st 13 verses…. reminder to us is… DON’T FORGET you are CALLED to BE SAVED.

I would like to point out 3 key things in these 13 verses.

The first thing I want you to notice IN YOUR NOTES is…

The PEOPLE. 1 & 2 Peter

There are some key people mentioned in the early verses of 1st Peter that help us to understand some key context to the rest of his letters

First… Lets talk about…

The AUTHOR. v. 1a, Matt. 16:18

Well it’s quite obvious who the author is as he Identify’s himself as Peter in v.1

Who is Peter? He is an apostle of Jesus…

The stipulations of being an apostle were this… they had to be someone who was sent out by Jesus to proclaim the Gospel, and they were an EYE whiteness of Christ.

***Peter is known as one of the Greatest Apostles that ever lived.

Peter was a husband, a fishermen, he was bold and brash, a leader of leader, he was a bit of a bull dog.

If there was a book called Peters Greatest HITS we would see things like…

The time he Walked on water

Or

The time he stepped out as the first ever to confessed Jesus as son of God.

Now we have to remember Peter was a lot like us… his life is NOT just filled with HIGHLIGHTS…

If there was a book called Peters WORST HITS we would see things like…

The time he tried to Rebuke Jesus….

Or

The time he 3 times he Denied knowing Jesus.

These just scratch the surface.

Peter is identified in scripture with several names

Simon, Cephas,

His actual name in greek is the word Petros - Which means a fragment of a rock or “Small Rock”

Peter is just a fragment of the ultimate ROCK and cornerstone- JESUS.

Peter was a key figure, but the true foundation of the Church is Christ alone.

It’s this Peter that gives us these letters.

As we are noticing the people in this book… We talked about the author… now lets talk about… IN YOUR NOTES

The AUDIENCE. v. 1b, Acts 16:6-7, Acts 2:9

We see the audience here in the latter part of v.1

Notice the group of cities listed here.

These letters from Peter fall under the biblical genera of General Epistle - they we’re aslo called Circular letters… becuase they we’re passed around to these different churches.

Many date these letter to have been written around-60-64 A.D.

What was happening during this time that made it so difficult on believers?

Well… Jesus had been crucified… for just over 60 years… the Holy Spirit had empowered the church and Christianity was spreading like wildfire.

In AD 64 there was a massive fire in Jerusalem – Many historians both secular and Christian… say that it was started by the Roman Emperor Nero and then blamed on Christians.

Many say Nero was obsessed with buildings and developing his empire. So he had a portion of the city burned to flatten it so he could rebuild to his likings. He was one of the most ruthless-Emperors to ever live.

The outcome of Christians being-blamed for the fire was outrage and mass persecution.

Christians we’re being killed daily as an example for those that would appose the Empire.

This sentiment quickly spread to other regions outside Jerusalem where peters had sent his Letters

So, Peter takes the time to encourage the believers in this region

It’s interesting to NOT that as Peter is tipically known as th Apostle to the Jews… here we see him ministering to some gentile churches he planted… We know this from passages like 1 Peter 4:3 - where Peter encourages them by saying…. DON’T to turn back to your Gentile ways.

To wrap up this point..

Peter himself was eventually Martyred within 1-2 years of writing these letters to the churches.

When we look at the life of Peter and the believers of these church… we owe a depth of gratitude to them as they boldly and bravely carrying on the mission of God. In a horrible time.

There was no doubt Peter lived what he preached. He was not perfect but he was authentic.

I believe this was a key to his effectiveness ministering of the Gospel.

How about you ?

Here is the question I believe scripture is asking us today…

Question: In what ways are you living what you preach?

In what ways are you living out what you believe?

Our words to have great affect.

POSSIBLE ADD ON CHARLIE K

The title of our message today is...

Sermon Title | Called to Salvation

As we are noticing the people in this book… We talked about the author… now lets talk about…

The PROBLEM. v.1b

There are big problems that the church is facing that can not be ignored. Peter is comforting these believers who are facing challenges beyond our imagination.

One of their problems is this… IN YOUR NOTES…

They were OPPOSED. Isa. 5:20a

Roman rule extended into the region of Asia Minor where these believers we’re being opposed on all sides and they we’re tired of it…

v. 7 puts it like this… I know you have been grieved by various trials

In their attempt to spread the GOOD NEWS and the WAYS of GODS KINGDOM… they are called evildoers in Ch. 2

Isa the profit addresses this very thing that has been going on for centuries… - lets look at it together on the SCREEN Isa. chapter 5 and verse 20…

Isaiah 5:20a Woe to those who call evil good and good evil…

We see this very thing continue today… speaking the truth in Love is called HATE speech - it’s called evil…

The reality is this…. we do NOT FIGHT AGAINST FLESH and BLOOD… this is a SPIRITUAL WAR.

The reality about the message of JESUS is THIS…

Friends the Kingdom of God IS EXCLUSIVE… its not any different in its exclusivity than every other RELIGION.

If you reject Islam you are seen as an unbeliever and infidel

If you reject Mormonism you are outside their church

If you reject the idea of karma and reincarnation -you are outside the system and benefits of Hinduism

If you reject the eightfold path of Buddhism enlightenment and freedom from suffering is not in the cards for you.

Friends, there is NO doubt a special focus against the message of the Gospel WHY -this is NOTHING NEW…

Here is the truth… as long as SIN is in this world… the enemy will be at work through sin to distort the mind of people against God. This should NOT be shocking.

We wrestle NOT against flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness and evil.

Paul was addressing these problems then and they are still relevant today as believers are facing OPOSITION.

This church was experiencing some MAJOR problems… they we’rent just OPPOSED… but … IN YOUR NOTES…

They were SCATTERED. Isa. 41:10

We see this v. 1 as Paul identify’s these churches as a people who have been scattered around the area and dispersed from their into different regions due to the opposition.

This is not a new theme in scripture… we see this over and over again, the message of God grows in influence and the people of God are opposed and eventually scattered…

This is not a new tactic of the enemy… divide and conquer has always been his method. Weaken them by … separating them… was his plan

The enemy knows… If you are alone and separated - you are vulnerable.

Friends it’s a sure sign of the work of the enemy… he is so sneaky.. that he doesn’t even have to physically isolate you NOT but emotionally. When you find yourself lonely, and isolated from your people.

The enemy loves to thin out the flock.

He knows if we are divided… he doesn’t even need to fight against… becuase we will gladly fight against one another.

Isaiah the writer brings us some incredible encouragement to the isolated and exiled believers….

Lets look at it together on the screen.. Isa. 41:10…

Isaiah 41:10 “fear not, for I am with you (Even though you are isolated and exiled, scattered, lonely), ; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (What is God saying to his people? I AM STILL WITH YOU - don’t be afraid…

There will always be problems … in this world… Jesus faced them, the disciples faced them, believers throughout history faced them… BUT ITS IMPORTANT IN THE MIDTHS OF OUR TROUBLE WE KNOW HOW TO SEE GOD… AMOUNG US.

So we can receive encouragement, help, and strength to keep on keeping on.

Here is the question I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves today…especially if you are discouraged

Question: Where do you see God at work?

You might feel like the believers that Peter was writing to today… You might feel surrounded, scattered and alone…

Let Gods word encourage us today by taking our eyes off the problems, and put them on the solution by asking yourself…

Where do I see God at work?

He is STILL at work today! He is on the THRONE, He is still working to strengthen and help you.

Do you see him… do you hear him…

So far… we look at the people he is writing to and the problems he is addressing, and he is CALLING THEM OUT…

Transition: the title of our message today is...

Sermon Title | Called to Salvation

The bottom line of the message for today and our last point… I want you to notice IN YOUR NOTES…

The PROMISE. v.1a, 9

Friends… Although you have been rejected by your society… you might be discouraged, feeling rejected by the world But I want to remind you of THE PROMISE.

What is the PROMISE? I the Promise is this… IN YOUR NOTES…

You are CHOSEN. v. 1a, 4, 8, Matt. 7:12

We see this in the very 1st verse… he say’s you are ELECTED, this word means… you are CHOSEN, you are SELECTED… chosen and selected not by anyone…

You are chosen BY GOD and FOR GOD.

You are called-out from among the world around you…

Called out for what? Called out to LIVE different… BE DIFFERENT… SOUND DIFFERENT… LOVE DIFFERENT… RESPOND DIFFERENT. To represent the ways of Gods Kingdom - in world… lost in sin.

We will un-pack all the ways we are called out over the next 8 weeks.

I have to always remind myself as a CHOSEN son of God… I’m CALLED out to be different…

Peter drills down as he is explain the great PROMSE they have in Christ… Next… he helps them understand your NOT just CHOSEN here on earth… but IN YOUR NOTES

You are GOIN . v. 3,4,5,8

Yea… your going somewhere… this place is NOT your home… you have an eternal inheritance.

So hang on…your almost there… you have a great PROMISE that is ON IT’S WAY.

He describes it like this in v. 3 - 5… lets read it and be encouraged together… becuase there is NO doubt in my mind… that this comforting message for these scattered, discouraged believers might bring some HOPE for you to…

Let’s let the word go to work in our hearts and remind us of His Great Promise…

English Standard Version Chapter 1

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to H

in v. 8-9 Peter closes this part of his encouragment by saying…

English Standard Version Chapter 1

1 Pt. 1:8

v. 9 says…

English Standard Version Chapter 1

because

the FINAL OUTCOME of your FAITH in CHRIST.. is the SALVATION of your Souls. You will NO longer waged war within… you will be FULLY FREE IN ETERNIty WIth ME.

I believe scripture is inviting us to ask ourselves this question…

In what ways is the joy of your salvation evident?

The joy of our salvation… is for your difficult days, its for your days that are filled with problems just like these churches peter was writing to.

No matter where we find ourself in life today… becuase of our salvation… we can, slow down, pause, take a breath, and do as Peter suggest…. consider our future hope and what REJOICE with JOY even thought you will be unable to properly express the indescribable future we have in Christ.

Transition: As I close today….

Salvation Altar Call

So today… if you do NOT know Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is your day…

He is your hope from the evil and sin you have been struggling with.

This struggle comes from a resistance to his ways.

I want to invite you to stop struggling and fighting and explaining away the ways of God.

God has called us to LOVE and he has called us to truth

To stop hating our neighbor and despising his TRUTH.

Do not ignore his invitation, his pull, his tugging, today is the day of SALVATION.

I believe Jesus is here today, and He wants to save you. Salvation simply means to deliver or to free. It’s not just about delivering you…

It’s about believing

Believing in Jesus means trusting what He say’s—about sin, and eternal punishment, thats the bad news.

The good news is this… that His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins, making us right with God.

Ephesians 2:8 reminds us: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Salvation requires two things:

1. God’s Grace—His undeserved gift of forgiveness and life because of His love for you.

2. Faith—placing your trust in Him for salvation.

If you’ve never asked Jesus to save you, today is your day. If you’d like ask him… , raise your hand.

I want to invite you to Repeat a prayer after me

· There is nothing magical in this prayer.. it simply is a way of declaring to Jesus what has taken place in your heart.

Here is how I would like to end the service for everyone else….

Call to Action Altar Call

We’re going to end the service to day by reminding ourselves of the joy of our SALVATION… the great Inheritance we have in CHRIST.

INVITE PEOPLE TO STAND and PUT a HAND upon ONE ANTHER… the POWER of HUMAN TOUCH.

If you want to encourage someone today or if you need encouragement… lets activate the body of Christ to encourage one another…

SONG: WHAT A GOD YOU ARE SONG

ALL ACROSS THE ROOM – HAS THE HOLY SPIRIT spoken to you in anyway today?

Going Deeper

What stuck out to you the in this passage? v. 1-13

In what ways are you living what you preach?

Where do you see God at work?

In what ways is the joy of your salvation evident?

What might the Holy Spirit be saying to you in light of this teaching?

How might the Holy Spirit want to transform you in light of this teaching?

What actions might the Holy Spirit want to take in light of this teaching?

Tongues & Interpretation

1. To STRENGTHEN the Church (1 Cor14:5)

For prophecy is greater than SPEAKING in TONGUES, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be STRENGTHENED.

Believers, God has operated through this gift today to strengthen you today. Let your faith be strengthened and know that God is in control and using supernatural measures to speak to us.

2. Is a SIGN for unbelievers. (1Cor. 14: 21a, 22)

1 Corinthians 14:21–22 (ESV)

In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

22 -  So you see that speaking in tongues is a SIGN, not for believers, but for UNBELIEVERS.

The Bible explains to us God has chosen to use this gift to be a sign for you. A sign for what? It is a sign of his realness for those of you who have been doubting or questioning the existence of God. He wants you to know he is REAL and he wants to bring you spiritual life and health. If you're in here today and you don't know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior... he wants you to know he has gone to great lengths to show you his love today. (Great opportunity for a salvation altar call if it fits).