06AM March 5 1 Peter 1 3_5
March 5, 2006—Morning Worship
Kept by God
Reasons to Rejoice in the Lord Always
1 Peter 1:3-5
We’re going to use 1 Peter 1:3-5 as introductory vv. to today’s message titled “Kept by God.” We’ll use those vv. in 1 Peter 1, as well as others, as we find “Reasons to Rejoice in the Lord Always.”
Intro: People are insecure. Many people protect themselves w/elaborate alarm systems or sophisticated locks. You find them on homes, businesses, cars, boats & utility buildings. You can even find alarm systems in churches & sophisticated locks on home computers! People are so worried about keeping their stuff.
But what do they do when it comes to salvation? What about our salvation – are we really secure? How can we know? Where is the sense of safety we long for – especially when it comes to our salvation?
The Bible says we are "kept by the power of God." Let’s read about that from our introductory vv. in 1 Peter 1:3-5.
1 Peter 1 3 Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible & undefiled & that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
We are "kept" by . . .
1. Christ's Promises. (various verses)
- The word translated “kept” in v. 5 is an old military term meaning “to guard or garrison about.”
- It comes from 2 different root words, 1 meaning “before” & the other meaning “to see.”
- IOW, what Peter is telling us here is that, you are kept; even before you see any problem coming, you are kept by the power of God!
- He knows your situation, your circumstances, your problems, your pain. & He knows it long before you do. He knows it long before you even see it coming.
- So what does it mean to be kept by God? What are His promises to keep us?
John 3 15 “that whoever believes in Him [in Jesus] should not perish but have eternal life.”
- This is…
A. His promise of Longevity. (John 3:15)
- Notice the phrase translated "not perish" in that verse.
- In the original language, Jesus is saying that, “The person who exhibits faith in Me, b/c of that faith will not be eternally destroyed, but, b/c of that faith will continue to possess life eternal.”
- Hear this carefully—eternal life is not something you gain upon your death!
- It’s not something that you inherit upon your demise!
- Eternal life is the quality and character of life that you now possess in Christ, which can never be taken away!
- IOW Jesus is saying that everyone who puts their faith in Me already has life w/o end!
- That’s the beauty & joy of the personal relationship you have w/Jesus!
- It’s His promise that you will live FOREVER!
- But someone may ask, “Pastor Dennis, how can we know that for sure?”
- It’s b/c, not only did Jesus promise us longevity or life w/o end, but also b/c of…
B. His promise of Security. (John 6:39; 10:28-30)
John 6 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
- Did you notice the words "lose nothing" in that v.?
- IOW Jesus said, My Father has given Me a people as an inheritance, & of that inheritance, not 1 thing, not 1 soul, not 1 person shall be lost.
- Friends, THAT IS SECURITY!
- But even more than that – our security is found again in…
John 10 28 & I give them eternal life, & they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; & no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 I & My Father are one."
- That’s the seven-stranded rope of security.
- Ecclesiastes 4 12b …a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
- & in John 10 28-30 Jesus gives us a 7-stranded rope that can never be broken!
- Let’s look briefly at each strand.
1- I give them eternal life It is the free, unmerited gift of God!
2- they shall never perish Destruction is not an option for the child of God!
3- neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand No 1 can steal you away!
4- My Father…has given them to Me You are a gift of God to Himself (Son)!
5- My Father…is greater than all No 1 overrides the will of God!
6- no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand No 1 can steal you!
7- I & My Father are one You are safe in Us & w/Us!
- If a 3fold cord is not quickly broken, Jesus is saying that this 7stranded rope cannot be broken!
- That is His promise of security to all who believe! He gives you eternal life & you shall never perish! Period!
- But even more than that; even more than His promise of longevity & security, we find…
C. His promise of Unity. (Romans 8:35-39)
Romans 8 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall [1]tribulation, or [2]distress, or [3]persecution, or [4]famine, or [5]nakedness, or [6]peril, or [7]sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither [8]death nor [9]life, nor [10]angels nor [11]principalities nor [12]powers, nor [13]things present nor [14]things to come, 39 nor [15]height nor [16]depth, nor [17]any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- That passage contains a list of 17 things that cannot separate the believer from Christ! That passage contains some of the most beloved words in all the Bible!
- Let me recount those things to you. [Recount them from above passage]
- There is absolutely nothing, nothing, NOTHING that can separate you from God’s love found in Jesus Christ! NOTHING!
- & that is your eternal security through unity w/Christ!
- Not only are we “kept” by Christ’s promises, we are also “kept” by…
2. Christ's Prayers. (various verses)
- According to John 17:9, 11 & 15…
A. His prayers enable our Perseverance. (John 17:9, 11, 15)
John 17 9 "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours…. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, & I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are….15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
- Jesus' effectual prayers enable believers to persevere.
- He prayed for you on His way to the garden. He prays for you now at the right hand of the throne of God.
- His intercession empowers you, it enables you, it propels you, it persuades you to go on!
- Did you notice in v. 15 that Jesus prayed that God would keep you?
- When I use the word “you” I’m talking about all of you as a group, all of you as believers, all of you as children of God.
- You are kept by the power of God through faith!
- But not only than, notice in Luke 22:31-32 that…
B. His prayers enable our Protection. (Luke 22:31-32)
Luke 22 31 & the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; & when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
- Believers, individually, are kept by Christ's prayers.
- That’s you! Jesus is praying for you! Jesus is protecting you!
- Satan wants to go through us w/a fine tooth comb; to tare us apart bit by bit; to thoroughly examine us & determine how to make us fall.
- But Jesus prays for us. & notice what He said to Peter in v. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; & when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.
- Jesus saw Peter’s need; He prayed for that need; He encouraged Peter’s faith; & then He said “& when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
- He already knew Peter would blow it & He already knew Peter would return & so He gave Peter instructions on what to do!
- Jesus’ prayers enable our protection so that when we return to Him w/whole hearted devotion & complete surrender, He uses us for His glory!
- Hallelujah! What a Savior!
- His promises & His prayers are reasons to rejoice in the Lord always! But also notice, we are “kept” by…
3. Christ's Priesthood. (Heb. 7:23-25) 23 Also there were many priests, b/c they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, b/c He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
- Our Savior continues to support & sustain the saved through His priesthood ministry. - As our High Priest, Jesus continues forever & makes intercession for us.
- He is our only High Priest b/c He lives forever! There’s no need for any other!
- Notice in v. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
- The word translated “uttermost” literally means, “perfectly or all complete.”
- IOW once Jesus has saved you – there is nothing you lack to be completely saved!
[In the words of an old Southern Gospel song: “I’m saved to the uttermost; I know that I am! I’ve been washed in the blood of the precious Lamb. Through the Father, through the Son, through the Holy Ghost, I’m saved to the uttermost!]
- We have direct access to the Father through His Spirit that dwells in us & through His Son who intercedes for us!
- When you don’t know how to pray – Jesus does!
- When you are not sure which direction you should go – Jesus does!
- When you have sinned think that no one cares for you – Jesus does!
- He is your High Priest, your intercessor, your advocate w/the Father!
- & that in itself should make you rejoice in the Lord always!
- But we are “kept” by something even more precious than His promises, even more precious than His prayers, even more precious than His priesthood. We are “kept” by…
4. Christ's Presence. (various verses)
- & notice in Hebrews 13:5 that…
A. His presence is Eternal. (Heb. 13:5) 5 Let your conduct be w/o covetousness; be content w/such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
- Jesus will never leave or forsake us.
- & that word translated “never” literally means, “never, certainly not, not at all, by no means.”
- To put that in the modern vernacular it means, “No way man!”
- Jesus will never leave you! He will never forsake you! He is w/you & will be w/you forever!
- His presence is eternal! That means now & forevermore!
- Everywhere you go & everything you do; you go & do in the presence of the Lord!
- There is no place you could go to escape His ever present gaze; His all seeing eyes; His constant presence.
- Think of it this way: God Himself has taken up residence in you! He will never move! He will never sell! He will never take a vacation to His summer home! He is w/you eternally!
- The God of the universe; the Creator of all things ever made, is in you for good!
- You can’t flush Him out; you can’t sin Him out; you can’t evict Him out; He’s in you; w/you; for you; by you; near you; part of you forever & ever Amen!
- But He is not an impersonal God! On the contrary…
B. His presence is Personal. (Eph. 1:13; 4:30; John 14:15-17)
- The believer is sealed w/the Holy Spirit at salvation.
Ephesians 1 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed w/the Holy Spirit of promise.
- & that is until the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4 30 & do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
John 14 15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 & I will pray the Father, & He will give you another Helper, that He may abide w/you forever- 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, b/c it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells w/you & will be in you.
- B/c God, is a personal God, we have the privilege of walking w/Him; of knowing His will; of following His plan; of learning from Him; of speaking to Him; of doing His will!
- We have the inner guide to life; we have the vital leadership of the Spirit; we are able, by His grace, to be what He desires us to be!
- & then to do what He desires us to do!
- Don’t get hung up on rules – your relationship w/Christ is so much more than rules!
- Don’t get hung up on other people’s ways – your relationship w/Christ is personal!
- He would rather you be what He desires; to be seeking His face; to be seeking His character; to be seeking His mind.
- He would rather you obey than to sacrifice. He would rather you walk closely w/Him than to try to run ahead or fall behind.
- In the words of John Piper: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him!
- In the words of Jesus: John 15 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, & I in him, bears much fruit; for w/o Me you can do nothing….8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
- IOW abide, continue, remain in Him & seek Him as your all in all or else you will not accomplish anything of any eternal significance, & you will not be fully pleasing Him!
- God is a personal God so walk w/Him personally! Daily! & rejoice in the Lord always!
Conclusion: Nothing is safe from loss except that which is kept by the power of God. Every believer is kept by the power of God through faith for salvation & that’s the ultimate, future, complete salvation when we’re taken to heaven. But even until then, we are safe in the Father’s hand; safe in the hand of Jesus; sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption! We have many reasons to rejoice in the Lord always.
Jesus is my King & the Bible says my King is a 7 way King. He’s the King of the Jews; the King of Israel; the King of Righteousness; the King of the ages; the King of Heaven; He’s the King of Glory; the King of kings & He’s the Lord of lords!
He’s my King! I wonder – do you know Him?
David said the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love; no far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply; no barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings.
He’s enduringly strong; He’s entirely sincere; He’s eternally steadfast;
He’s immortally graceful; He’s imperially powerful; He’s impartially merciful.
Do you know Him?
He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world! He’s God’s Son; He’s the sinners Savior; He’s the centerpiece of civilization; He stands in the solitude of Himself & He’s unique! He’s unparalleled, He’s unprecedented, He’s the loftiest idea in literature; He’s the highest personality in philosophy; He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism; He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology; He’s the miracle of the age; He is the ONLY one qualified to be an all sufficient Savior!
I wonder – do you know Him today?
He supplies strength for the weak; He’s available for the tempted & tried; He sympathizes & He saves! He strengthens & sustains; He guards & He guides; He heals the sick; He cleansed the lepers; He forgives sinners; He discharges debtors; He delivers the captives; He defends the feeble; He blesses the young; He serves the unfortunate; He regards the aged; He rewards the diligent & He beautifies the meek.
I wonder – if you know Him?
Well, my King is the King of knowledge; He’s the well spring of wisdom; He’s the doorway of deliverance; He’s the pathway of peace; He’s the roadway of righteousness; He’s the highway of holiness; He’s the gateway to glory!
Do you know Him?
His office is manifold, His promise is sure, His life is matchless, His goodness is limitless, His mercy is everlasting, His love never changes, His word is enough, His grace is sufficient, His reign is righteousness & His yoke is easy & His burden is light!
I wish I could describe Him to you!
But He’s indescribable! Yes He is! He’s incomprehensible, He’s invincible, He’s irresistible; you can’t get Him out of your mind, you can’t get Him off your hands, you can’t outlive Him & you can’t live w/o Him!
Well the Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him! Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him, the witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree; Herod couldn’t kill Him, death couldn’t handle Him & the grave couldn’t hold Him!
That’s my Jesus! That’s my King!
I wonder – do you know Him?
Invitation: If you don’t know Jesus today as your personal Lord & Savior, would you come in repentance of sin & place your faith in Him alone to save you?
& if you do know Jesus today, you have many reasons to rejoice in the Lord always! But I wonder, are you really rejoicing in Jesus?
God is calling you today; He is drawing you to a close relationship w/Him. Will you respond to God’s grace now – as we stand & sing …
Hymn 336 I Am His, and He Is Mine