1 Peter 1:17-25 A Special Obligation
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If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.
A Special Obligation
Introduction:
Writing to God’s chosen people, scattered around the empire. Strangers in a strange, hostile land with hostile people. Some are elect, but don’t know it yet. They are there to reach them.
Suffering is their lot, but they are assured of eternity with Christ. God has chosen them for a great mission, with eternal rewards. They are surrounded by enemies and they need each other.
Their service, their redemption from the slavery of sin was costly. They are incredibly blessed.
We can learn corresponding lessons in the 21st Century – that’s why the Lord left us this letter.
We are God’s chosen people, a small minority scattered abroad.
The world around us is hostile and becoming increasingly so
There are others who need to be saved around us, or we would not be here.
We are surrounded by hostility and need each other.
God redeemed us from our life of depravity at great price.
We, too, are incredibly blessed and privileged by the mission God has given us.
The world should recognize us for who we are, and who’s we are.
Key Question: Who’s child are you?
Key Question: Who’s child are you?
Answer and command: You are a precious child of the most high God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Act like it.
Answer and command: You are a precious child of the most high God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Act like it.
Transition: Once saved, God expects us to get moving forward, not let go and let God. We have a favored place with Him for a reason. We are the light of the world. The apostle tells us, in the next few verses, how we are to light up the world.
First Point: Watch your conduct.
First Point: Watch your conduct.
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
Explanation:
Don’t be casual about your relationship with God the Father
Privilege to be adopted
If you embrace the great God as a Father and a Judge, you ought to live the time of your sojourning here in his fear.”[1] Matt Henry
He judges. Showing no favoritism. God is no respecter of persons, James 2. Has nothing to do with election. He does not choose us because he likes us. He chooses us because He chooses some for glory. Just as the potter chooses some for honor and dishonor. He is merciful.
What He has done overall, what He did for you.
What He has done for others - reprobation
You inherited nothing of value from your forefathers. Earthly goods will rot and decay. In the end, they too were sinners and we inherited their sin tendency.
Silver and gold- snare to salvation. Temporary
Redeemed from a pointless way of life, received by tradition.
Your blessing and relationship with the Father will endure for ever – you cannot break it if He has given you faith.
Illustration: Ungrateful or ill-behaved children don’t bring glory to their parents. Grateful, well-behaved children do.
Argumentation:
Low view of God.
Saved so you can sin like you want
Dress like you like, talk like you want, act like you like,
God has forgiven you and will keep right on doing so.
Misunderstand the image of God
Application: If you don’t take your relationship with the Lord seriously, perhaps, as Anselm said: You have not yet considered the greatness of the weight of sin.
Exhortation:
Gratitude – we must reflect it.
We are God’s children, bought with a terrible price. Our public and private conduct must reflect our parentage.
Second Point: You are precious to God.
Second Point: You are precious to God.
but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Explanation:
Sacrifices and Offerings
Under OT Law, a blood sacrifice was required to atone for sin
Sacrifices had to be repeated daily, monthly, yearly
Christ was the perfect sacrifice
His blood could cover any sin, render any sinner righteous in God’s eyes
One sacrifice for all time
Foundation of the world, Father, son, Holy Spirit
Father initiated, Son took the punishment/redeemed His people, HS opened our eyes.
“for the sake of you, who are believers in God.”
Not for the rest of the world – only His elect.
believers in God Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”
raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory
just like He will for you.
He was dead, you were dead.
We cannot revive ourselves.
Glory due God to Christ
“for the sake of you, who are believers in God.
God has paid everything for you.
Illustration: Manzanita bush.
Argumentation: Contemporary world:
People turn to Christ of their own volition.
God is too nice and loving to require a sacrifice. If God is so loving, He couldn’t do this to His son.
Sinful man did it, but it was still a part of God’s plan. Father, Son and Holy Spirit conceived and implemented the plan.
Application: The HS compels us ever so gently
Opens our eyes to our sin
Opens our understanding of the gravity of that sin
Opens our understanding of the mighty, thrice holy, fearsome nature of a just God
Opens our eyes to the jeopardy we are in
Directs us to the Saviour.
Exhortation: If you are a Christian, you get this. If not, you need to compare your present and past experience to what the Bible is saying. God is calling you – He extends the call to everyone. Look what He did to save His people. Repent of your terrible sin and turn to Christ.
Third Point: Right response to God’s blessing.
Third Point: Right response to God’s blessing.
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All flesh is like grass, And all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, And the flower falls off, But the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word which was preached to you.
Explanation:
As obedient children you have obeyed and purified your souls
repented/turned to Christ
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.[2] Jas 4:8
love one another
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The word of God is the seed of your rebirth and it is eternally permanent - it will never fade away
On this earth, we are like the grass and the flower – we thrive physically for a time, and then our bodies whither away and we die. But we will live eternally because the basis of our rebirth is eternal.
This is the word that was preached to you… (and you heeded)
as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one;
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
you are chosen
you will suffer
you are redeemed
you will be glorified
Apostles and prophets preached the same doctrine, throughout history.
Illustration: We live in a world that is deceptively dangerous, like living in a fortified area with hostiles all around. It appears peaceful and harmless outside, but at any moment we are subject to attack and we don’t know where it will come from. This is why followers of Christ need to love one another and be loyal to one another. The saddest thing is when attacks come from within the church. This is why church discipline is important.
Argumentation:
Christians are like a cult or a sect (because they stick together)
We must be open to all (regardless of their loyalties)
Application:
We need to strive to be safe from the enemy outside, but we also must be concerned about the enemy within.
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.[3]
Exhortation: We must be tough, resilient, vulnerable, just like our Lord.
Conclusions: Lessons for Christians
Conclusions: Lessons for Christians
Privileged and blessed to call God our Father, not everyone can do that. We are not all God’s children.
When we are feeling self-righteous, we need to remember what our sin has cost us and cost the Lord.
Gospel appeal
This is the Gospel that was preached to you. It can be good news or bad news.
Bad news – eternity under God’s wrath
Good news – eternity in heaven with God/each other.
Let today be your day of salvation and assurance in Christ.
9. Pray
[1] Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 2424). Peabody: Hendrickson.
[2] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Jas 4:8). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[3] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Mt 10:16). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.