The Pilgrim's Journey: Centered On The Word (Part 3B)
1 Peter: A Message Of Hope For Pilgrims • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Text -
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away,
But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,
as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1 Peter 1.22
Title - The Pilgrim’s Journey: Centered On The Word
Series - 1 Peter: A Message Of Hope For Pilgrims, Part 3B
Review
Part 3A - Focused On The Goal
The Christian Pilgrim must focus on the goal of his/her spiritual journey. Otherwise, there is the risk of becoming distracted by the things of this world and missing the promise entirely.
Introductory Words
Introductory Words
2 action words - Peter focused his admonition, in this part of his letter, on 2 actions words:
love another fervently
desire the pure Word for your growth
3rd action word - but by God, not man
having been born again…
Love
Growth
this is the primary action word, which the 2 above must follow
Before you can LOVE, before you can have the DESIRE to grow, there must be the WORD of God.
Peter was saying to his audience: THE PILGRIM’S LIFE IS CENTERED ON THE WORD OF GOD.
In fact: IF THERE IS NO WORD OF GOD, THEN THERE IS NO HOPE FOR MAN.
Main Points
Main Points
The Question is: How do you live a life that is centered on the Word?
Recognize the Seed/Word that birthed you
Recognize the Seed/Word that birthed you
having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
You have been born again through the Word of God
You have been born again through the Word of God
1 Peter 1.23
You have been born again through the Word of God
You have been born again through the Word of God
“incorruptible” - actually means imperishable, undying
the incorruptible seed “lives and abides/endures forever
NOTE:
popular doctrine - the soul is immortal, and the sinner will suffer continuously forever
BUT, without the Word of God there is NO living and abiding forever.
Your New Birth is an act of God!
Your New Birth is an act of God!
“I have begotten you” - ; ;
THE POINT IS:
YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN LIFE THAT IS BEYOND ALL OTHER FORMS OF LIFE - DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME IN EARTH-BOUND THINGS!
EVERY FORM OF LIFE RECOGNIZES ITS OWN LEVEL OF EXISTENCE
THE FISH ENJOYS THE WATER
THE EAGLE ENJOYS EAGLE FOOD
THE PIG ENJOYS THE MUD AND THE DIRTH
THE NATURAL MAN ENJOYS THE NATURAL WORLD
THE SPIRITUAL, WORD-BORN MAN ENJOYS THE WORLD OF THE SPIRIT!
Realize the natural manifestation of the Word is Love
Realize the natural manifestation of the Word is Love
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
1 Peter 1.
Note the following:
obeying the Truth/Word helps PURIFY the soul (from guilt of sin)
a purified soul naturally results in brotherly love (grk. philadelphia)
but divine love (grk. agapao) is the natural fruit of New Birth
A born-again person naturally manifests the fruit of "love”
A born-again person naturally manifests the fruit of "love”
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5.
the Holy Spirit is the LIFE that that the Word of God gives to us
First, a born-again person naturally loves and enjoys the Word of God!
an infant is naturally attached to its progenitor
Second, a born-again person naturally loves people (philadelphia)
a purified soul emanates love for people
but the natural love has its limitations
Third, a born-again person MUST work on “divinely loving” people
agapao is “divine love”, it is NOT a feeling, but a DIVINE NATURE (God is love)
agapao is “fervent” (continuously, without ceasing; constant)
THE POINT IS:
A LIFE THAT IS CENTERED ON THE WORD IS LIFE THAT EMANATES DIVINE LOVE - FOR GOD AND HIS WORD AND FOR PEOPLE
Reach out for Spiritual Growth
Reach out for Spiritual Growth
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,
as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
desire - grk. epipotheo, implies a strong need for satisfaction
laying aside (put away; get rid of) implies an ongoing action or event
Spiritual growth must be desired
Spiritual growth must be desired
the born-again person naturally desires to grow
does not grow automatically
he/she does not grow automatically.
“laying aside” all sin and things does not make one grow
OUR DESIRE FOR THE WORD OF GOD MUST BE LIKE THAT OF AN INFANT’S DESIRE FOR THE MOTHER’S MILK!
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.
More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psalm 19.10
Jeremiah 15.16Spiritual growth happens when you desire - and feed on - the pure Word
Spiritual growth happens when you desire - and feed on - the pure Word
Spiritual growth happens when you desire - and feed on - the pure Word
Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.
Spiritual growth happens when you desire - and feed on - the pure Word
Spiritual growth happens when you desire - and feed on - the pure Word
pure - grk.adolos, unadulterated, not mixed with impurities
Job 23
mother’s milk is considered “complete” food - no man-made formula can replicate God’s design!
ONLY THE PURE WORD CAN SATISFY A WORD-BORN PERSON!
mother’s milk is “complete” food
NOTE:
THE POINT IS:
A LIFE THAT IS CENTERED ON THE WORD IS NOURISHED BY THE UNADULTERATED WORD OF GOD.
As you grow in the Word of God, your response moves from DESIRE (NEED) to DELIGHT (WANT, indicating pleasure)
How do you know you delight in God’s Word?
See how David did -
Conclusion
Conclusion
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
Is my life today centered on God’s Word?
Do I recognize the Word that gave birth to me?
Am I driven by the agapao kind of love in my dealings in life?
Do I hunger for the Word of God like a baby does for her mother’s milk?
IF YOU CANNOT HONESTLY AND SINCERELY SAY “YES” TO THESE QUESTIONS -
YOU ARE DRIFTING AWAY FROM GOD!
YOU ARE IN DANGER OF MISSING THE GOAL!
IT IS TIME TO PUT GOD’S WORD BACK INTO THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE! NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
IT IS TIME TO PUT GOD’S WORD BACK INTO THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE! NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
How can put God’s Word back to the center of my life?
Repent of your sin - the sin of neglect of the Word
repentance cleanses the soul from sin
repentance paves the way for the soul to love God and His word
Desire God’s word like a baby!
DESIRE THEN YOU WILL DELIGHT!
SONGS
The Center of My Life
Point of No Return (chorus only)