5.2.33 7.14.2019 1 Peter 1.3-9 Deep

Start:

Entice: Today I get to preach from my favorite passage in the NT Epistles. It is a favorite because it combines:

Biblical breadth

Theological depth

Practical application

Does theology scare you? I hope not. Sound Biblical theology tries to fuse the variety of Biblical texts into the single story of redemption.

Engage: If you don't think of your salvation theologically, or biblically; how do you think of it? What drives it?

Feelings?

Peer pressure?

Popularity?

Convenience?

Then what do you do when you don't feel it? What do you do when peer pressure becomes spite or persecution? What about when faith is not convenient or popular?

Expand: That is why Peter's invocation is so powerful. The power of our faith to live as rogue immigrants in our culture is possible because the empowering truths of our faith transcend emotion, social location, or any opposition.

transcend emotion, social location, or any opposition.

Excite: Our Gospel is profound and simple. It embraces the hard and the easy at the same time. It can be abstract and concrete. Don't look for a faith that is so simple that it is not capable of navigating the currents of our complex culture.

capable of navigating the currents of our complex culture.

1 Peter 1:3–9 ESV

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. 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.

Explore:

Our Faith is strong because it is so deep

Explain: Peter makes 4 remarkable pronouncements about the transforming power of our shared faith.

Explain: Peter makes 4 remarkable pronouncements about the transforming power of our shared faith.

Body of Sermon:

1 Our hope is alive. 3

1 Our hope is alive. 3

1.1 According to God's Active Mercy.

1.2 By our New Birth.

1.3 Through The Resurrection of Jesus.

1.3 Through The Resurrection of Jesus.

2 Our inheritance is assured 4-5

2.1 It's nature.

2.2 It's location

3 Our faith is approved 6-7

3.1 Through our joyful engagement with difficulties.

3.2 Through the refined testing of our genuine faith.

4 Our joy is active 8,9

Joy is not something we get

but something we develop through

active, devoted faith.

4.1 Our engagement with Jesus is not visible or tangible its reality comes through love, and faith.

4.2 The outcome of that faith is not only joy that carries us through the complexities of life ultimate outcome for which we long the salvation of our souls.

We need

Joy for the Journey…

… But joy is not happiness. Joy is trans-circumstantial. Peter wrote these words as the Empire was becoming increasingly unfriendly to the Church. He specifically writes to those who are experiencing trials and testing. Faith gives substance when the world is shaky and uncertain. You need that kind of a sure foundation. I know I do.

who are experiencing trials and testing. Faith gives substance when the world is shaky and uncertain. You need that kind of a sure foundation. I know I do.

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Because He is alive we are, and ever more shall be! But until the day we are evacuated we have a role to fulfill and a job to do. Hope. Inheritance. Faith. Joy. These are reminders that this exile we share is worth it.

are reminders that this exile we share is worth it.