LATITUDE - SCATTERED SEEDS TO EXPRESS OUR INHERITANCE

Introduction

LOGOS - We have been given latitude, like scattered seeds to express our inheritance which is imperishable, unfading, reserved for us in heaven. This inheritance is being protected by God through faith for an unnfolding in the last days.

BIG IDEA - LATITUDE - SCATTERED SEEDS, SPACE TO EXPRESS OUR INHERITANCE

GOD HAS GIVEN US HIS MIND, YOU ARE ABLE TO DISCERN WHAT’S HAPPENNING AROUND YOU

ARE YOU DOING WHAT YOUR MIND TELLS YOU TO DO?

GOD HAS GIVEN US HIS BODY, A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME DNA, THE SAME HEARTBEAT FOR HIM AND HIS DESIRES

HOW ARE WE RELATING WITH GOD’S COMMUNITY?

SUB-POINTS:

1. GOD HAS GIVEN US HIS SPIRIT, IN THIS NEW BIRTH A LIVING HOPE, A GOAL FOR OUR LIVES TO HEAD TOWARDS

WHAT DOES GOD WANT YOU TO DO?

GOD CHOSE US, HE REMINDS US THAT WE ARE PILGRIMS ON THIS EARTH. (v1)

1Pet 1:1 - From Peter, an apostle of Jesus the Anointed One, to the chosen ones who have been scattered abroad like “seed” into the nations living as refugees, to those living in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, and throughout the Roman provinces of Asia and Bithynia.

GOD ASSURES US THAT HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN US, THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS SET US APART FOR WE ARE DESTINED FOR ETERNAL GLORY.

1 Pet 1:2 - You are not forgotten, for you have been chosen and destined by Father God. The Holy Spirit has set you apart to be God’s holy ones, obedient followers of Jesus Christ who have been gloriously sprinkled with his blood. May God’s delightful grace and peace cascade over you many times over! (passion NT)

GOD IN HIS MERCY GIVES US A LIVING HOPE THROUGH JESUS

1Pet 1:3-4 - “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (Holman CSB)

GOD REVEALS HIS PROMISE BEFORE ANNOUNCING THE TRIALS

1Pet 1: 5 -6 (CEV) - “ who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, 6 in which you rejoice greatly, although* now for a short time, if necessary, you are distressed by various trials ”

WHAT IS THE LORD’S PROMISE?

GOD WILL PROTECT US WITH HIS POWER (V5)

( John 10:28 - “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish —ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand.” - Holman CSB)

GOD PUTS JOY IN OUR HEARTS AS WE BELIEVE IN HIM (V6)

( Phil 4:7 - “And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” - CEV)

GOD USES THE STORMS OF LIFE TO REFINE AND SHAPE OUR FAITH SO WE WILL BRING HONOR TO JESUS AT HIS APPEARING (V7)

1 Pet1:7 - so that the genuineness of your faith —more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire —may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (Holman CSB)

( James 1:2-4 - Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing (Holman CSB)

GOD KNOWS THAT BY FAITH WE LOVE JESUS - WE BELIEVE IN HIS COMING AGAIN, AND WE REJOICE GREATLY BECAUSE WE WILL RECEIVE THE SALVATION OF OUR SOUL (V8-9)

1Pet 1:8-9 - whom, although you* have not seen, you love; in whom now you believe, although you* do not see him, and you rejoice greatly with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining the goal of your faith, the salvation of your* souls. (Lexham)

PATHOS (WHAT DOES THE TEXT DO TO ME?) -

# BLESSED TO KNOW THAT I AM CHOSEN BY GOD WHO HAVE MY DESTINY ALL PLANNED OUT FOR ME

# BLESSED THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS WORKING IN ME TO BE OBEDIENT FOLLOWES OF JESUS

# BLESSED WITH GOD’S MERCY, GRACE AND PEACE OVER MY LIFE

# BLESSED THAT MY INHERITANCE FROM GOD WILL NOT PERISH, CORRUPTED OR DIMISH, IT’S PERFECT AND ETERNAL

# BLESSED TO FULLY BELIEVE (FAITH) THAT ALL MY CHALLENGES ARE NOTHING COMPARED WITH THE JOY OF SALVATION

ETHOS - (HOW WILL THIS TEXT CHANGE OUR ATTITUDE, AND HOW WILL WE EXPRESS THIS NEW ATTITUDE?)

# OUR WHOLE OUTLOOK OF LIFE HAVE CHANGED - WE NOW KNOW WHO WE REALLY ARE; GOD’S WORD HAS MORE MEANINGFUL AND CONFRONTATIONAL; WE FIND OURSELVES HAVING TO MAKE TRUTHFUL DECISIONS OF OUR CALLING, OUR BASIC ASSIGNMENTS AS DICIPLES OF JESUS; GOD IS WORKING IN US TO INCREASE OUR SPIRITUAL CAPACITY, SO WE CAN EXPLORE THE LATITUDE OF HIS MINISTRY THROUGH US, INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY.