The Life of God's Elect Pilgrims
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Intro
Intro
Text - 1 Peter 1.1-3
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
Title - The Life of God’s Pilgrims
What is a “pilgrim”
one who journeys in foreign lands
one who travels to a shrine or holy place as a devotee
KJV - strangers
Greek - PARAPIDEMOS, a foreigner; one who takes temporary residence in a land not his own
Christians are “pilgrims” and “sojourners”
pilgrim - grk PARAPIDEMOS, a temporary resident in a different land
sojourner - grk. PAROIKOUS, a resident in a land without the right of citizenship; stranger, foreigner, alien
because - we are not of this world
John 17.16 “16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
because - our citizenship is in heaven
Philippians 3.19 “19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.”
Christian pilgrims are not “vagabonds”
vagabond - a person who wanders from place to place without a fixed home
Cain was the first vagabond and fugitive of the earth
we have a home in heaven, and we are on our journey home
Christians pilgrims are not “nomads”
nomad - a member of a people who have no fixed residence but move from place to place usually seasonally and within a well-defined territory; a person who continually moves from place to place
Cain’s family was the first nomadic tribe of the earth
Israel in the wilderness - lived a nomadic life, by God’s appointment, as punishment against those who did not believe in His promise.
Pilgrims “of the dispersion”
1 Peter 1.1 “1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,”
dispersion - grk. diaspora; the Jews that were scattered during the Exile and chose to make permanent residence in foreign lands and nations
Peter says now that are Christians, you are no longer permanent residents of these lands - you pilgrims on your way to God’s kingdom.
Pilgrims are “homesick”
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
Abraham and his family became pilgrims after seeing a heaven country
15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
WHAT’S THE POINT?
One cannot become a true Christian and be “at home” in this world! TO BE A TRUE CHRISTIAN IS TO BE A PILGRIM IN THIS WORLD!
Charateristics of Christian pilgrims
Charateristics of Christian pilgrims
They are “begotten again” (born again)
They are “begotten again” (born again)
they are begotten again to a living hope
3 Blessed be the God and 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,
They are begotten again to an inheritance
4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and 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.
They are Focused on the goal
They are Focused on the goal
Pilgrims have a goal, and they are focused on attaining that goal.
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
rest your hope fully…
The Goal: the grace that is to be broguth to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ
the inheritance - Peter; Paul
the glory (glorification) - Paul
becoming like Him - John
How to be focused
be sober - to be free from the influence of intoxicating drinks
1 Thes 5.5-6 “5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”
1 Peter 5.8 “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
be holy in all your conduct
14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
do not be driven by lust
live dedicated to God
be in fear (of God)
17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;
Conclusion
Conclusion
Song - There is a Land