The Believers Benefit_1
The Believer’s Benefit Package
Part One- Access
I Peter 2:4-5
Some people when looking for employment have the luxury of comparing benefit packages. Some are looking for the most vacation, others want the best insurance, and still others are looking for those job specific discounts and deals. I imagine that most of the people in this room tonight realize the beauty and blessing of our salvation in Christ, but I doubt that we really understand all of the benefits that come with it.
Psalms 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. One preacher has published a list of 210 things that are true for every saved person. I have the intention of focusing in on some of the benefits mentioned in this second chapter of 1 Peter, but tonight I am only going to preach on one of the benefits we are given when we come to Christ. Those of you who have been around for a while know that one of my favorite topics to preach on is access.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Have ever been somewhere and seen a locked gate, or some closed doors that say, “Authorized Personnel Only”? Do you ever winder who those people were? Think about this—We are as God’s redeemed children are authorized personnel to enter into His presence all of the time.
1. It all starts by coming to Jesus. This is a spiritual move that cannot be experienced in the flesh. The invitation of salvation is made by the words come.
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. Again, that is just the beginning.
Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. This divine access provides an invitation to rest—Casting all your cares upon Him.
And there is an invitation to learn. I like the idea of studying Christ’s benefits. I think it is important that we study God’s word. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The day we do not need to learn anymore is the day we die.
Come to the throne.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
2. This access is given through a living stone. Stones remind me of strength, firmness, without ability to change, and reliability. That is what we have in Jesus. The same yesterday, today, and forever. On Christ the solid Rock I stand.
We are introduced to the Lord our Rock in
Deuteronomy 32:3-4 Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Deuteronomy 32:31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.
Deuteronomy 32:37 And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,
Who was that Rock in the wilderness? It is answered for us in the NT.
1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. We think about being hidden in the rock, but it is just important to be builded on the rock.
Rock of Ages Christ in me; I must build my faith on thee.
From the Cross to the grave, thou arose with power to save.
Teach me now to trust in thee, for thou alone has set me free. Doesn’t it sadden your heart when you consider all of those who have rejected Christ throughout the ages?
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
3. This access allows us to bring spiritual sacrifices. Remember the day that Christ was crucified the Bible says that veil was torn in two?
Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; If there is a doubt that the physical priesthood was no longer needed, this sealed the deal. It is kind of silly that there are those that teach the need for a present day priesthood when we know that Christ entered into the Holy of Holies and offered Himself a sacrifice for all that will stand for all eternity. Christ being our High Priest gives us continual access to the Father. We do not need to go to another man to offer up our prayers, or ask, or seek forgiveness.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; We are all on equal footing in Christ.
Galatians 3:26-28 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
But I want you to see that as priests, we can offer up spiritual sacrifices.
You may be asking yourself why should I ? Because you can. Because it is a way to thank Him for what He has given you.
Psalms 116:12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?
Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
This is where it has to start. If you are not willing to give of yourself, the other things we are going to mention will not be sacrifices, you will only be going through the motions.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
We praise Him for His attributes.
Psalms 86:10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Seeing souls saved is a spiritual sacrifice.
Romans 15:15-165 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Isn’t that a much better mentality than keeping track of our converts? Give god the glory that He gave you an opportunity, and utterance, and the presence of His Holy Spirit! God can keep better track than you anyway.
Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
I am convinced we are fooling ourselves and just playing church, if we will not first give ourselves to the Lord. You think you are offering up praise? You think you are fervently praying? You are going to set the world on fire with your ability to win souls? Not if you don’t give yourself to Him. He has offered you access tonight. Will you walk through the door?