The Worthy Gospel
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Sermon – The Worthy Gospel.
Sermon – The Worthy Gospel.
Text:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Opening illustration:
Sermon by Charles Spurgeon Title: A Voice from Heaven. The text was a passage from . Jesus has given John this great revelation of heaven and the future and John has witnessed the great tribulation and he has seen the martyred saints. There is much despair and then a voice from heaven thunders, “Blessed are the dead who die in Christ.”
Spurgeon preaches:
The […] mark of the blessed dead is, that they kept “the faith of Jesus.” This is [a] point upon which I would speak thunderbolts, if I could, for to keep the faith of Jesus is an undertaking much ridiculed new-a-days. “Doctrines!” says one, “we are tired of doctrines.”
[…]
He can’t be wrong whose life is in the right.”
The opinion is current that to be fluent and original is the main thing in preaching, and provided a man is a clever orator it is a proper thing to hear him. The Lord will wither with the breath of his nostrils that cleverness in any man which departs from the simplicity of the truth. There is a gospel, and “there is also another gospel which is not another, but there be some that trouble you.” There is a yea yea, and there is a nay nay; and woe unto those whose preaching is yea and nay, for it shall not stand in the great day when the Lord shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. Search ye, my brethren, and know what the gospel is, and when you do know it, hold it: hold it as with a hand of iron, and never relax your grasp.
How can I give up that which has redeemed my soul, and given me joy and peace and a hope hereafter? I beseech you, do not waver in your belief, but keep the faith [...]. Final perseverance is the crown of the Christian life.
Introduction
Introduction
Keep the faith- Faith in what?
Let’s read verse 3 again.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Essentially Peter is talking about faith in God the Father and in His Son Jesus Christ. More specifically, Peter is talking about faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The message in a nutshell tonight is this:
The more we appreciate the surpassing worthiness of the gospel, the more we find ourselves increasingly compelled to give our lives completely to Christ; and as a result, our lives hold greater purpose, peace and joy.
This is a message about keeping the faith! I dont know about you but there are times in my life when I need a reminder of how simply incredible our God really is.
Five truths that describe the surpassing worthiness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
1. Keep the faith- it gives new life ( )!
1. Keep the faith- it gives new life ( )!
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Or Lively: This is a hope that is alive. A hope that grows, lives, and matures. It has the idea of having an action upon your life.
Give the Gospel message here.
· - Known before foundation of the world
20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you
· ; – Christ paid the price.
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
· Resurrection guarantees victory.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
The Pharisees had a dead hope, not based on a fact. The resurrection of Jesus in a fact from history. Some don’t believe it but when you look at the evidence, it is difficult to find a way to deny it.
· The cults these days have a certain kind of faith and hope, but they are based on myth and human ideas and concocted stories. Some may look at Christianity and say its just a myth and human created non-sense, but ours is based on a fact from history, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Salvation:
Salvation:
• Justification-Past event. “I was saved (justified) when I was 8 years old.” Declared innocent by God. Guaranteed Heaven.
• Justification-Past event. “I was saved (justified) when I was 8 years old.” Declared innocent by God. Guaranteed Heaven.
• Sanctification- Present activity. “I am being continually saved (sanctified) right now.” I am working out what God works in. Becoming innocent. Experiencing a little heaven NOW and earning rewards for LATER in heaven.
• Sanctification- Present activity. “I am being continually saved (sanctified) right now.” I am working out what God works in. Becoming innocent. Experiencing a little heaven NOW and earning rewards for LATER in heaven.
• Glorification- Future event. “I will finally be saved (glorified) at the resurrection when Christ returns.” I will finally actually be innocent. Finally, be in heaven.
• Glorification- Future event. “I will finally be saved (glorified) at the resurrection when Christ returns.” I will finally actually be innocent. Finally, be in heaven.
2. Keep the faith: It is eternally rewarding ().
2. Keep the faith: It is eternally rewarding ().
4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
A. Inheritance:
A. Inheritance:
What does 1 Peter mean by our “inheritance?”
What does 1 Peter mean by our “inheritance?”
NT usage: believer’s share in the heavenly kingdom and future heavenly rewards ( ; , ; ; ; ; ).
NT usage: believer’s share in the heavenly kingdom and future heavenly rewards ( ; , ; ; ; ; ).
18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
The author of Hebrews conveys a similar idea, saying that the patriarchs ultimately hoped for a heavenly country and city (). We also see in the New Testament that the language of inheriting the kingdom is another way of saying that believers will receive eternal life (cf. ; ; ; ; ; ; ).
The author of Hebrews conveys a similar idea, saying that the patriarchs ultimately hoped for a heavenly country and city (). We also see in the New Testament that the language of inheriting the kingdom is another way of saying that believers will receive eternal life (cf. ; ; ; ; ; ; ).
13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
b. Kept: the inheritance is kept in heaven for you. The form of the verb ‘kept’ (perfect passive participle) indicates a completed past activity (by God) with results that are still continuing in the present: God himself has ‘stored up’ or ‘reserved’ this inheritance in heaven for believers and it continues to be there, ‘still reserved’ for them. (Contrast the use of the same verb ‘kept’ in ; cf. .)
b. Kept: the inheritance is kept in heaven for you. The form of the verb ‘kept’ (perfect passive participle) indicates a completed past activity (by God) with results that are still continuing in the present: God himself has ‘stored up’ or ‘reserved’ this inheritance in heaven for believers and it continues to be there, ‘still reserved’ for them. (Contrast the use of the same verb ‘kept’ in ; cf. .)
17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.
13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
Scholars suggest that the word choice is the strongest possible term Peter could have used to convey the security of our future inheritance.
Illustration: Kept: Our future inheritance is being kept by God. It is like one of those safes you see in the movies with the door that requires a hand and eye scan, then a room full of lasers with a pressure sensitive floor to be navigated and then finally a complicated safe door. And the whole time, GOD HIMSELF is on 24 hour surveillance!
C. --Imperishable (aphtharton) –
C. --Imperishable (aphtharton) –
· Elsewhere – God, God’s word and our resurrection bodies (; ; ; ).
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
· not subject to decay, unable to be worn out with the passage of time. All earthly possessions will ultimately decay and be destroyed (; ; ; ; ), for the creation now is in ‘bondage to decay’ ().
33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings?
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
D. --Undefiled (amianton) –
D. --Undefiled (amianton) –
· unstained by sin same word to denote Jesus’ sinlessness – ( ) and purity of marriage ( )and genuine religion ().
26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
· Not lose its luster and beauty.
· Never become stained or filthy
E. --unfading (amaranton)
E. --unfading (amaranton)
· Will last forever
· Unlike earthly wealth ( )
11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
· It will never wither, grow dim, lose it beauty, or glory
3. Keep the faith: It is fully living ( ).
3. Keep the faith: It is fully living ( ).
4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
NOTE: The word “TO” eis often takes on the meaning INTO which hints of the fact that at the moment of salvation we are immediately born into this inheritance and begin enjoying some of the benefits now. Sanctification is enjoying a little bit of heaven here on earth right now.
RENEWED SPIRITS now; NEW BODIES later.
Jesus said “I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly.”
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
This sanctification or the completed work of our salvation will be completed. He guarantees it. It is being Guarded by through faith by Gods power!
He stresses that this is by God’s power. Yet God’s power does not work apart from the personal faith of those being guarded, but through their faith
Faith: Our faith lays hold of this power and the power strengthens our faith.
The present participle, which Peter uses, gives the sense ‘you are continually being guarded’.
Guarded:
Illustration: guarded-garrison. Body Guards.
Me vs Donald Trump
Hand Illustration:
- .
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
John 10:28–29 ESV
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
The same power that spoke the entire universe into existence, is protecting and guaranteeing your salvation.
We are guarded until the last time. Glorification!
When Christ returns.
Ultimately their attainment of final salvation depends on God’s power.[1]
4. Keep the faith: It is perfectly purifying.
4. Keep the faith: It is perfectly purifying.
;
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
a. We are tested by fire/trials ( ).
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
b. We are refined by fire/trials to God’s glory ().
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
More precious than GOLD.
See
James 1:2–4 ESV
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Is. 45.22
Isaiah 45:22 ESV
“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.
Oswald Chambers: January 22 MUFH- “The great difficulty spiritually is to concentrate on God, and it is His blessings that make it difficult. Troubles nearly always make us look to God; His blessings are apt to make us look elsewhere.”
Has there been a fiery trial in your life that looking back you can see how it was used by God to test and refine you for His glory?
5. Keep the faith: It is ultimately glorifying.
5. Keep the faith: It is ultimately glorifying.
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
a. God is glorified in our lives now.
When people see the change, God is glorified, and they are attracted to the gospel of Christ.
b. God is glorified at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Keep the Faith
Invitation
Invitation
There is an infinite amount of things we could say about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is an inexhaustible subject. But in this short passage of Scripture we see enough to excite us, humble us, and motivate us. We are going to have just a brief time of response. What is God saying to you right now. Is there something you need to get settled with God in your heart and mind? Perhaps there is some area of your life that doesn’t quite square up with the worthiness of this great gospel. It is so easy to take it for granted. May it never be.
Keep the faith
[1] Wayne A. Grudem, 1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 17, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 63–64.