Blessed Assurance

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Benediction

Chosen to be Exiles

Being “exiles” is part of God’s plan

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for my sake”

Guarded by God

Exiles, but exiles with an inheritance

Inheritance: greater than any earthly good

Inheritance guarded by God

WE are Guarded by God as well

Imagery of military camp

Even if we die, God still protects

Our bold faith is evidence of God’s protection

Perpetua and Felicitas

“Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine!”

Saved but Suffering

Nevertheless, Peter writes this to a suffering Church

How can we be saved but still suffer?

“If it is necessary”: Not God’s desire, but also not outside of his power to redeem.

We have recieved a new birth through Christ

We also look forward to the coming revelation of Christ, when all things will be made new.

Therefore, Christian existence is defined by the past actions of Jesus Christ, but directed and guided by our hope for the future coming of Jesus.

v. 7: Suffering comes before glory. No crown of glory without the crown of thorns.

Yet, our present suffering does not lead to mourning, fear, or bitterness, but rejoicing, because we know who sits on the throne, and we know the future that is to come.

Christ endured the cross because he knew the resurrection was coming. Likewise, we endure all trials because we too know that the resurrection is coming

Called to be Holy

Our salvation is a gift from God. We cannot raise ourselves, only God can do that.

Salvation is by God’s grace, but grace does come with obligations. We are not passive, God expects us to participate in this salvation.

Peter has painted the picture of a new covenant between us and God. We are “sprinkled by Jesus’s blood” (i.e. Exodus 24:7-8). We have been “ransomed” from our futile ways (i.e. bought)

We are now children of God. That means we’re part of a family, but it also means we must be obedient to the Father of our family.

Holy = set apart = exile

Holiness is simply living out the faith we have. Living out our hope in the resurrection, and our confidence in the word of God

Is 40 (1 Peter 1:24-25)

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine O what a foretaste of glory divine Heir of salvation, purchase of God Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood

A- Chosen to be Exiles

and

B- Guarded by God

but

C- Tension: Saved but Suffering

therefore

D- Called to be Holy