The completed work of Salvation
Scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:3-5
Title: 1 Peter 1:3-5 The completed work of Salvation
Introduction: One of the things that strike me about those that suffer terrible persecution is the peace that they have. Steven the first Christian martyr looked his murderers in the eye and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” The pain of the stone was terrible, but there was no fighting no arguing, no blaming God. Steven died violently, but peacefully. His faith was rock solid and held firm. He is not alone, millions of Christians have been martyred, yet they don’t recant they stand firm. What a contrast to the world’s religions take Islam who’s followers fight to their deaths, hoping to take a few out with them. There is something extra special about the genuine followers of Christ and Peter is about to used of the Lord to tell us what it is.
Central Idea: Our faith rest on nothing less than the power of an Omnipotent God.
Main Transition: This morning we continue were we left off last week. Peter is in the middle of a deeply important truth to those who are suffering persecution. The message is one we need to understand as well, as it directly reflects on the way that we live our lives. So Peter continues his message by adding that genuine faith begins with new birth, genuine faith then looks ahead to a future inheritance, and finally genuine faith is protected by the power of God.
I. Genuine faith begins with a new birth (3)
A. Believers receive a new beginning
1. The completion of God’s grace causes Peter to burst out in praise to God, the Author of salvation and our true Source of hope.
2. It is through God’s great mercy that we do receive this new birth
a. the word mercy indicates that what God does is unmerited
b. We were not only sinners, but indeed enemies of God, before our salvation. We were hopeless and helpless to do anything about our condition.
c. It is because of this mercy that God caused us to be born again
3. The term that Peter uses for born again is only used one other time in Scripture that is found in this same chapter verse 23. With both verses the context reveals that this new birth leads to lasting eternal results.
a. Peter was likely thinking back to Jesus and Nicodemus
b. In order for us to be saved we have to start a new, born not of flesh and blood but if the Spirit of God.
c. This is what Peter is praising the Lord for at the beginning of the verse it is by God grace and mercy that we are able to be born again.
B. The believers new beginning brings living hope
1. To be born again means that are then brought into a living hope
2. This means that the hope that we have as believers is real and cannot be extinguished, it is sure and certain.
Application: Our world offers all kinds of empty and false hope. Our unbelieving friends and family members are driven to find hope in all kinds of empty promises. Our very society is driven by the believe that if I could just get enough money, I will be happy and satisfied. The results are a cynical, depressed people. To the believer Peter says we have a living hope, it cannot be extinguished. Your joy and peace do find a completion, but it will in heaven.
C. A new beginning and the living hope are results of the resurrection
1. This living hope rest upon nothing less than the truth that Christ is no longer in the grave, He rose again.
2. No doubt Peter is running to the tomb all over again. He is following John, but John stops and Peter goes right in and finds an empty tomb.
a. He is likely remembering the Sea of Galilee and the opportunity that the Lord gave him to be restored.
b. He likely is thinking of the events of the Ascension as he watched as the Lord returned to heaven, Alive a victor over sin and death.
3. The hope that we have is not based on a dead prophet, or a stone god, but on the risen Jesus Christ. Our faith is just as alive as He is and it is not hollow, nor empty.
4. To those that have been scattered by persecution, Peter’s declaration of faith is exactly what they need to continue in the faith.
Transition: Peter has just spelled out the reason why we can have confidence in our Salvation. Unlike any other belief system in the world we have living hope that is back up by the power of an almighty God. Last week I asked the question that we can know answer, “what would cause someone to be willing to suffer as a martyr for their faith in Christ.” This would, the security of a living hope guaranteed by the resurrection of Christ. Just as sure as the tomb is empty, believers will receive eternal life. Satan wishes to deceive but we are able to remain strong because of the power of God.
II. Genuine faith look ahead to a future inheritance (4)
A. Believers receive an inheritance
1. All that was accomplished for you is in order that you may have eternal life in heaven.
a. The word for inheritance is the same word that is used in the Old Testament in reference to Israel’s inheritance of the Land of Israel. The land is Israel’s possession granted to her as a gift from God.
b. Our inheritance is a heavenly land for all of eternity.
2. This inheritance is given to us because through the new birth we are now children of God and joint heir was Christ.
B. This inheritance is untouchable
1. A wonder truth about our inheritance is given special attention by Peter, there are three words that he uses each beginning with the same Greek letter and ending with the same syllable
a. First our inheritance is imperishable – its not going to pass away, it’s root is a place protected from the ravaging of a hostile army.
b. Second our inheritance is undefiled – this means that it is unstained by evil
c. third our inheritance will not fade away – this word was used of the beauty of flowers that time did not diminish.
2. What Peter is saying is that our inheritance is untouched by death, unstained by evil and sin, and impaired by time, It is composed of immortality, purity, and beauty.
C. The inheritance awaits us in heaven
1. While we may be able to see some of the benefits of our faith today the completion of its effects will not be felt until we reach heaven.
2. Peter is saying that our inheritance already exists and is being preserved until we arrive.
Application: To those that have been scattered by persecution, can you imagine the sense of joy they must have felt when they read Peter’s letter to them. These people likely have nothing of material possession with which to pass on to their kids. Yet, the truth of their salvation reveals to them that they are not home in this world, their truly are residents of heaven.
Transition: Not only are you and heir, but you are an heir with rights and privileges. You have an inheritance that is protect by God Himself. You have a new birth and a living hope that is protected by the resurrection of Jesus Christ and now Peter is about to add to the work that God is doing in your life as a believer.
III. Genuine believers are protected by the power of God (5)
A. As an heir you are protected
1. Just as the inheritance is protected, so too are its heirs guarded.
a. Peter again uses a word that takes us back to the military.
b. the word for guarded emphasis the continual need that we have to be guarded or shielded like a garrison of soldiers inside a city.
2. Only the one who guards the believer is the Omnipotent – supremely powerful God.
B. Your Salvation is being preserved for you
1. Now that we understand that we are being protect and will indeed inherit eternal life, Peter reveals that the salvation that we have today is not the full picture.
2. He uses a term for salvation that presents it in its broadest sense, This is salvation from the wrath of God that we deserve, but will not have to face because of our new birth that has given us a living hope all guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
C. Hope for persecuted
1. Can you imagine the hope that the believers scattered in what is now Northern turkey felt as they opened this letter.
2. Peter is not basing his encouragement to stay strong in the faith on empty promises but rather the eternal power and protection of Almighty God.
3. The rest of the letter can now serve as a call to obedience because of what God has accomplished for us.
Conclusion: There is no doubt that the passage we have studied this morning are filled with doctrine that is vital to our spiritual condition. Not only are you a joint heir with Christ, your inheritance is waiting in heaven to be given to you, but you are protected no matter what the circumstances are around you. You will never lose the inheritance of eternal life once you have trusted in Christ as Savior.
However, if you have never trusted in Christ as Savior do not be fooled, God knows who is a genuine heir and who is not. If you have never trusted in Christ, you are an enemy of God helpless to remedy your own sinful condition. But all you have to do is trust in Christ for Salvation and you will born again, given a living hope that is not empty, and it is all guaranteed because of Christ’s victory over sin and death.
As heirs, this is wonderful music to our ears. Now we can face persecution, slander, abuse, and one and on because we are not at home here, our outlook is beyond this earth and settles on our inheritance in heaven for the rest of eternity.