Standing Firm week 2
Notes
Transcript
Gospel of Grace
Gospel of Grace
Last week we began the series titled “Standing Firm,” how we can have hope in the fire as God’s chosen people.
We looked at the first 3 verses of 1 Peter 1, and looked at how we have been chosen for a living hope.
Because we belong to Jesus Christ, we can stand firm in hope, holiness, and humility - even in suffering.
This morning we are looking at verses 10-12, in these three verses we are looking at the Gospel of Grace.
Grace is one of the distinctive features of the Bible.
No other system of religious thought, past or present, contains an emphasis on divine grace comparable to that of the Bible.
As a general definition, the doctrine of grace pertains to God’s activity rather than to His nature.
Despite our sinfulness, God withholds the justice that has been earned and instead extends favor.
Simply Grace is not receiving what we deserve.
Because of our sin, we deserve Hell’s damnation, but because of God’s love for us, when we receive the gift of salvation, because of the shed blood of Jesus, we do not receive the consequences of our sin, because God has shown us grace.
10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,
11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.
Verse 10 connects with verse 9, with the term “salvation.”
In verse 9 Peter tells the people that because of their faith, they have obtained salvation.
Pray
1. Grace Prophesied
1. Grace Prophesied
10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries,
Because of the people’s faith they have received salvation, the salvation that we even today have received has been prophesied by the prophets of the Old Testament.
The salvation that we have will be completed in the future, that is when Jesus returns for His people the promises of our salvation will come to completion.
As believers in Jesus Christ we represent the fulfillment of prophecy.
We are actually living in the days when the history, the prophesies of the prophets of salvation are being fulfilled.
The Old Testament prophets prophesied of the grace that is ours.
Our salvation here is described as grace, and the point is that such grace was to come to us.
The prophets prophesied about salvation through the grace of God, and they searched intently and with the greatest care.
The Old Testament prophets sought the Lord to discern the time when their prophesies would be fulfilled.
2. Suffering and Glories Predicted
2. Suffering and Glories Predicted
11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
Peter continued in this verse to emphasize that the Old Testament prophets had a predictive ministry and did not live in the days of fulfillment.
The prophesies of the Old Testament prophets were not just something that they made up but was inspired by the Spirit of Christ, this is showing that their prophesies are authoritative and accurate.
The prophecies were not the invention of the prophets or their best guess.
They were revealed by the Spirit of Christ.
The Spirit of Christ here does not refer to Jesus’ human spirit but is referring to the Holy Spirit sent from Jesus.
The same Spirit that inspired the prophets also speak authoritatively through the gospel.
Christ’s death and resurrection are a staple of New Testament preaching.
Peter’s point, of course, was that the prophets predicted these matters but did not know when they would be fulfilled, and they hoped upon hope that they would be fulfilled in their days.
It is like thinking of the removing of the believers and Holy Spirit from the earth, which we call the rapture, as believers we would love to be here to experience it.
The believers that Peter is writing to would have loved to witness the rapture also, but they did not, but they will still witness and receive the completion of their salvation.
What the prophets desired to know and what they searched out fervently was the person or time that the Spirit of Christ with them indicated.
The prophecies were both about the person of the Messiah and the time of His appearing.
The prophets prophesied about what was not fulfilled in their day.
They predicted Christ’s suffering and glory.
His glories refer here to His resurrection and triumph over evil powers.
3. Serving Others
3. Serving Others
12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.
The Old Testament prophets longed to see and experience the fulfillment of what they prophesied.
But God revealed to them that their ministry of prophecy and foretelling would not be realized in their day.
Their ministry was not ultimately directed to themselves or their own generation but to those who live on the other side of the death and resurrection of Christ.
Peter claims not only that the Old Testament prophets were ministering ultimately to believers in end times, but that the prophets knew it by revelation.
What the prophets foretold has now been announced to believers through those who proclaimed the gospel.
A distinction is drawn between the prophets who anticipated and predicted the coming of the gospel and those who have now actually proclaimed the fulfillment of the gospel to the believers in Asia Minor.
Both the prophets that prophesied and those who proclaim the gospel message are inspired by the Spirit.
To say that the Spirit is sent from heaven is likely a reminder of Pentecost, when the Spirit was poured out on the church to bear witness to Jesus Christ.
We have an early indication here of the authority of the New Testament message, for the proclamation of the gospel is on the same level as the prophecies of the Old Testament.
The gospel fulfills what is found in the Old Testament, and in that sense the prophetic character of the Old Testament can only be grasped in light of the fulfillment now realized in Jesus Christ.
Peter’s main point is that believers in Jesus Christ are incredibly blessed to live in the time when the predictions of the prophets have come to pass.
Believers also stand in contrast to the angels, for they also long to glance at and reflect upon these truths.
The point is that angels reflect with delight on God’s saving actions.
More specifically, angels do not experience the gospel in the same way as human beings since they are not the recipients of redemption.
The privilege of enjoying and anticipating salvation comes to the forefront.
Old Testament prophets saw it from afar, and angels also marvel when gazing upon what God has done in Christ, while the readers of this letter actually experience it.
Closing
The prophets, who prophesied about this coming salvation searched and investigated these things.
They did not understand all of the details about the coming Messiah that the Spirit revealed to them, but they did know that they were not serving themselves.
Through Peter and his fellow apostles, this good news that they anticipated has now been preached even to us.
The gospel is so incredible that even the angels long to catch a glimpse of these things.
They are observing the church to try and understand God’s amazing grace.
