What is Salvation All About?
I Peter 1:1-12
I. v1-2 - It’s About Being Different from the World
A. v1 - As strangers in the world’s ways.
1. This world is Satan’s territory.
2. Jn 3:19 - those who are comfortable in this world are in the darkness.
3. If you feel uncomfortable with our society it’s because you are becoming different than it is.
a. I Pet 2:11 - Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
b. Rom 12:2 (Phillips version) - Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold.
c. ILL: Song: “This World is Not My Home”.
B. v2 - As chosen - set apart for a specific purpose.
1. God has elected you! (v1).
a. ILL: The Doctrine of Election: God chooses you as a manifestation of His sovereign will.
b. The biblical doctrine: when you choose God, God chooses you!
2. When God chooses you, He sanctifies you - the Holy Spirit sets you apart & makes you holy.
3. The Lord’s part in sanctifying you is to sprinkle you with His blood. Ex 24:8 - Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
a. To the Jew this meant cleansing - lepers were officially cleansed this way (Lev 14:1-7).
b. To the Jew this meant setting apart for service to God - priests were set apart for Temple service this way (Ex 29:20-22).
4. Your part in the sanctifying process is obedience. Ex 24:7 - Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.”
II. v3-5 - It’s About Starting Over in Life
A. v3-4 - The New Birth - a new relationship with God which includes:
1. v3 - a resurrection into eternal life. Since Lord Jesus did it we now have this hope that He will also do it for us!
2. v4 - an inheritance - a home in heaven with God forever.
a. Jn 14:1-3 - Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
b. God is keeping it secure for us in heaven!
B. v5 - The Powerful Shield.
1. ILL: The Doctrine of Eternal Security: its impossible to be lost once you have been saved.
2. The biblical doctrine - absolutely nothing can take your salvation away from you as long as you remain faithful to Him!
3. The theological problem - is salvation a state, a process or a result? Answer: It’s all three!
a. It’s a state: you are saved as soon as you’re born again.
b. v9 - It’s a process: your growth in Christ is a goal of your faith.
c. v5 - It’s a result: when Lord Jesus comes again He will take you with Him to live forever.
III. v6-9 - It’s About Enduring the Trials in Life
A. v6 - One purpose is to give us grief!
1. It seems logical that if God gave us an emotion He would give us the opportunity to experience it.
2. People who have suffered tend to have developed strong character as a result.
B. v7 - Another purpose is to prove our faith genuine.
1. ILL: Gold purified by fire.
2. ILL: The Story of Job.
C. v7 - Another purpose is to bring praise, honor & glory to Lord Jesus.
1. At the Second Coming the Lord Jesus is going to be revealed.
2. Apparently the genuine faith of His children is what will praise, honor & glorify Him.
D. v8 - Another purpose is to give you joy.
1. It is hard to put your trust in someone you have never met personally.
2. So when you finally meet Jesus in person at His revealing party (the Second Coming) you will realize your trust in Him was not in vain. That’s joy!
IV. v10-12 - It’s About Making Your Salvation a Priority in Your Life
A. Your relationship with God should be the absolute priority of your life!
1. It’s the only relationship that will last forever.
2. The more important your salvation becomes to you, the more money, time & effort you will joyfully give back to Him in appreciation.
B. Your relationship to God is extremely important to others.
1. v11 - It is important to God - He became a man & went to the cross for that relationship.
2. v10 - It is important to the prophets of old - they longed to understand what they prophesied.
3. v12 - It is important to the heavenly hosts - they rejoice when you repent & are born again (Lk 15:10).
What is salvation all about?
Its about being different from the world!
Its about starting over in life!
Its about enduring the trials in life!
Its about making your salvation a priority in your life!
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