“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” – 1 Peter 1:3
Six Blessings of the Resurrection
Margaret Sangster-Phippin was the daughter of the late great preacher W. E. Sangster of Methodism.
She wrote that in the mid-1950s of her father’s life he began to notice some uneasiness in his throat and a dragging in his leg. When he went to the doctor he found that he had an incurable disease that caused progressive muscular atrophy in his body. It was debilitating, and his muscles, he was told by the doctor, would gradually waste away. His voice would fail, his throat would soon become unable to swallow. From that day Sangster threw himself into the work of God in the British Home Mission, thinking that he could write and he could use up the time that he was no longer able to preach and go about doing meetings with prayer and with other things that he had wanted to do all of his life. He said this to the Lord: ‘Lord, let me stay in the struggle. I don’t mind if I can no longer be a General, but give me just a Regiment to lead’. And he did it, he wrote articles and he wrote books, and he helped organize prayer cells throughout England.
He said to people whenever they commented upon his suffering: ‘I’m only in the kindergarten of suffering’. Gradually Sangster’s legs became useless, his voice went completely, but he could still hold a pen shakily.
On Easter morning just a few weeks before he died he wrote a letter to his daughter, and in it he said these words, listen carefully: ‘It’s terrible to wake up on Easter morning and have no voice with which to shout ‘He is risen!’, but it would still be more terrible to have a voice and not want to shout it’. Did you get that? It is terrible to a wake up Easter morning and have no voice with which to shout ‘He is risen!, but it would still be more terrible to have a voice and not want to shout it.
It is one thing to say “He is Risen” it is quite another to Know and Prove He is Risen!”
Luke 24 we read of several accounts beginning in verse 1
Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them. But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? “He is not here, but He has risen Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” And they remembered His words.
You would think the world would celebrate but no… and years later we turn now to a group of people who were suffering grately and Peter writes to remind them in the midst of intense pain and suffering of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and we want to look at 6 Blessings of the Resurrection from 1 Peter chapter 1 We turn to the Book of I Peter – a book that deals with the themes of suffering but also Glory. The Believers were scattered and called aliens- For this world was not their home. They were under great pressure and persecution.
“WE READ IN 1 PETER 1:3 – ““Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” And Peter under the Divine influence of the Holy Spirit writes to these dear saints of God ..scattered …hundreds of miles from home under severe trails and testing’s which include
Verse 6 …which reads “In this you Greatly Rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been DISTRESSED By VARIOUS TRIALS.” Verse 7 reads CONCERNING THE SEVERITY OF THE trials THEIR FAITH WAS FACING
V7 – “THOUGH TESTED BY FIRE…”
“SUFFER GRIEF” – Gives a Word Picture which is DERIVED FROM A MILITARY Expression …For … BEING HARASSED. IT INCLUDES the MENTAL DISTRESS OR SADNESS that Comes BECAUSE OF… PAINFUL CIRCUMSTANCES.
In that persecutions- Christians were
WRAPPED IN FRESHLY SLAUGHTERED ANIMAL SKINS AND FED TO DOGS AND ANIMALS.
ALSO…
- – THEY WERE DIPPED IN PITCH OR TAR AND SET ON FIRE AS TORCHES TO LIGHT NERO’S GARDENS AT NIGHT.
PRESENTLY those whom Peter writes to were writing to a people whom we read in
V6- THAT THEY WERE “DISTRESSED by Various trials” Trials are part and parcel of the follower of the Lord Jesus life- And God knows there are times we need to go through them. Trials according to James 1 are used to develop us spiritually; Some times they are used for spiritual growth- or prevent us from sinning as 2 Cor 12:1-9 teaches….and sometimes when we have disobeyed God He uses them according to Psalm 119:67 discipline us
TRIALS COME in various colors shapes and sizes…Trials can be tough. Peter writes about them causing “grief or pain”- a heaviness. It is the word used of the Lord Jesus in Gethsemene in Matt 26:37. and the sorrow believers experience at the death of a loved one according to 1 Thess 4:13
THE GOOD NEWS IN TRIALS – ALL trials are under the control of God.. Peter uses this truth by referring to the gold smith- who keeps his eye on the thermostat. It IS SAID OF THE EASTERN GOLDSMITH THAT HE KEPT THE METAL IN THE FURNACE UNTIL HE COULD SEE HIS FACE REFLECTED in it. So the Lord dips us in the furnace of affliction and develops us that we might display Him through reflecting His character- attitude and responses. When we see the Lord Jesus we will bring Him “praise and honor and glory” if we have been faithful in the trials and sufferings of this life. Peter associates suffering with rejoicing. While you and I may not be able to rejoice it seems during the suffering we can look around and wonder why…but we can rejoice in the future- as we look ahead….Its not easy is it but we can endure because we know in the end there will be GLORY…. Like a person who undergoes painful rehabilitation they can undergo it because of the future outcome that will take place- They will be strong again- The person has HOPE- Things will improve though there be discomfort… so too in this life- there will be trials but we look forward with a blessed Hope that Jesus Christ is our destination.
Someone has well said “In this world trials are not meant to take the strength out of us but to put the strength into usTrials of all sizes and variety .Again Warren Wiersbe gives us a good word into this passage when he writes” Nobody yet knows all that God has in store for us in Heaven; But this we do know; LIFE TODAY IS A SCHOOL in which GOD TRIANS US FOR OUR FUTURE MINISTRY IN HEAVEN.” God trains us for our future ministry in eternity. This explains the presence of trials in our lives; They are some of Gods tools and textbooks in the school of Christian experience.”
WE READ IN V7- Their faith was “TESTED BY FIRE”…FIERY TRIALS… Tremendous Intensity
INDEED Peter gives us some insight into their condition when he writes in PETER uses a Picture of a GOLDSMITH.
1:7 -THE GOLDSMITH in order to form an OBJECT would have to take the raw gold and mould it. He did so by taking and melting the ore of gold through the intensity of the fire. It required a temperature of 1,900 degrees Fahrenheit to melt the Gold DIPPED INTO THE REFINERS FIRE. WHEN the Gold was melted….the impurities would rise to the top of the surface and the GOLDSMITH would skim them off or BURN THEM OFF. He would know the Gold was ready to be cast when the liquid gold becomes mirror-like and he could see his face REFLECTED in the surface.
It is through the REFINING FIRE OF Trials and suffering as the Believer responds correctly he or she is Developed more and more Reflecting the Character of the Lord Jesus in their lives!
Also we see the picture of the POTTER…in the first century, POTTERS BAKED THEIR CLAY POTS in order to Give them Strength. Sometimes the process…cracked the pots…that had Flaws…BUT the Ones that SURVIVED THE process were then MARKED with the same Greek Word Peter uses for… “GENUINE” THE WORD –“GENUINE” as is used in 1:7 reveals what is true of that person. It is Authentic. It has been through the Fire and has withstood the fiery test and has proven to be the genuine article. They are the real thing!
Warren Wiesrbe reminds us “The Trials of life test our faith to prove its sincerity. A faith that CANNOT be Tested cannot be Trusted. A Person who abandons his or her faith when the going gets tough is only Proving that he or she had no faith at all.”
They were in the Crucible of Suffering… IN the FURNACE OF AFFLICTION…and their faith was being developed and would be displayed as verse 7 tells us “at the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST.”
And though “GOLD” was Precious and a Valuable Commodity and the faith of the Believers was not in this time- God will reveal the Preciousness and true value of such saints when He is revealed from heaven. Guess what He will be looking for? “ Will He find FAITH? Gold is what people strive for. Faith is what God Values…and Gold, Peter says is not as Valuable as our Faith…Gold is temporary, Faith has ETERNAL value…
PS The Streets of Heaven are paved with Gold. SO COMMON THE SAINTS OF God will walk upon it! You dearly beloved follower of the Lord Jesus who have experienced His forgiveness through repentance and faith will walk on that which men lusted after, so common is it in Heaven!
Peter Moves from the Greatness of God to the Greatness of their Salvation- Inter twines them as a result of the Will of the Father and the Work of the Lord Jesus as a result of the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead as Victorious conquering King. Be encouraged as you find yourself in the midst of your own trials as you meditate on the results of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.
Consider 6 Blessings as a Result of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ whose victory over Satan, sin and death are to be celebrated, but first consider the background to 1 Peter. The early church were undergoing persecution and suffering.
He has them consider 6 Blessings as a result otf the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
So these people whom Peter is writing to are suffering for their faith-in the Resurrected Lord Jesus… and in the midst they can Look to Jesus and PRAISE THE FATHER FOR 6 BLESSINGS as a Result of the Resurrection ….Lets Look and Praise Him- despite the pain you may be in or going through
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– PRAISE HIM- WE HAVE A LIVING HOPE v 2.
“ Caused us to be born again to A LIVING HOPE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD.” V2
We read in 1:3 of – a Living Christ. We read in 1:23 of the Living Word and here in 1:2 we read of a Living Hope. The resurrection is all about the Living Christ, GROUNDED ON His Living Word and RESULTING IN A Living Hope as a result of His resurrection from the dead . this hope will not Dissapoint because it is LIVING!- Time cannot destroy it, or distort or overcome it.. A believers Hope grows and grows more confident with time as the person fixes their eyes on the Lord Jesus. PRAISE the FATHER who has made it possible for you to have a LIVING HOPE .
A LIVING HOPE that will Not Disappoint…through the Acceptance of the SINLESS sacrifice of His Son –Jesus Christ and Proved it was Sufficient to satisfy His Perfect Holyness and Standard of Perfection by Three days later RAISING HIM FROM THE DEAD- HES ALIVE! His Sacrifice on your behalf is accepted and so can you to be through turning to Him from sin to the Risen Savior and Conquering Lord Jesus.
God is the God of HOPE. God is the One who Imparts Hope. God Himself imparts Hope and through His Word we have Hope- Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might HAVE HOPE.” “In the New Testament the words for “HOPE” never indicate a vague or fearful anticipation when it speaks of Gods HOPE…BUT ALWAYS THE EXPECTATION OF SOMETHING GOOD.”
THE BASIS FOR HOPE IN THE New Testament is not resting on our good works- But on the Gracious Work of God in Christ Jesus- 1 Tim 1:1- “…God our Savior and Christ Jesus our HOPE,” Colossians 1:27- says “Christ in you THE HOPE OF GLORY”
THE NATURE OF HOPE
HOPE IS A GIFT of the Fathers’ Grace:
2 THES 2:16 – “May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His Grace GAVE us eternal encouragement and GOOD HOPE, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”
Hope, like faith is aroused through the MESSAGE OF SALVATION – Colossians 1:23 – “… the HOPE HELD out in the GOSPEL.”
THE CHRISTIAN HAS
1. A LIVING HOPE
1 Peter 1:3 -“BLESSED BE THE God and Father of our Lord Jesus who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a LIVING HOPE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF Jesus Christ from the dead.
We Have…
2. A BLESSED HOPE
Titus 2:13 -“Looking for the Blessed Hope, and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior.”
We have…
3. A SECURE HOPE
Heb 6:19- “This Hope we have as an Anchor of the Soul, a hope both Sure and Steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us…As a ship is safe when it is anchored our hope is secure when it is binds us to Christ, our Great High priest who has entered the sanctuary…
We have…
4. A PURIFYING HOPE
1 Jn 3:3 – “And everyone who has this Hope IN them Purifies themselves even as He is Pure.” – Hope becomes the motive for personal purity.
We have an…
5. ETERNAL HOPE
Titus 3 :7 – “…SO THAT being Justified by His Grace we should be made heirs according to the HOPE OF ETERNALLIFE.”
We have…
6. A VISIBLE HOPE
1 Peter 3:15 – ” be ready to give an account of THE HOPE that is within you to everyone who asks.”
We have…
7. A HOPE THAT DOES NOT DISAPPOINT
Romans 5:5 – “And HOPE does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”
We have…
8. A HOPE THAT GIVES PROTECTION AND COURAGE
1 Thessalonians 5:8 – “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the HOPE OF SALVATION as a HELMET.”
We have…
9. REASON TO BE JOYFUL
Romans 12:12 – “Be Joyful in Hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
We have…
10. REASON TO BE HOPEFUL
Hebrews 10:23 – “Let us hold unswervingly to the HOPE WE PROFESS, FOR HE WHO promised is faithful.”
To Hope in God is to have CONFIDENT EXPECTATION in Him- His Person, His Promises, His Power to exercise those Promises, His Character and on the Faithfulness of His Son our Lord Jesus who is our Savior.
There is no disappointment in Jesus Christ…”In Scripture HOPE USUALLY LOOKS TOWARDS THE LAST THINGS OR TO THE COMPLETION OF WHAT HAS ALREADY BEGUN…
As a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ you have HOPE !!
2. PRAISE God THE FATHER – for...
1. A Living Hope
2. A Blessed Hope
3. A Sure Hope
4. A Secure Hope
5. A Purifying Hope
6. An Eternal Hope
7. A Hope that Does not Disappoint
8. A Hope that Gives Protection and Courage
9. A Hope that can be Joyful
10. The Character of God – who is our reason for such great HOPE The God of Hope as the Object for our Hope
2 –PRAISE HIM – WE HAVE A PERMANENT INHERITANCE 1:4
-“To obtain an Inheritance…imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for YOU,”- 1:4
What a wonderful thing to be included in someone’s will. To be given an inheritance, but there is no inheritance like that which God gives through His Son. This inheritance it has to be noted; The Government cannot tax it…Others cannot AFFECT or Squander it…OR WITHDRAW IT…it cannot be revoked, It is safe and secure as God Himself is as He holds it for you. It is not of this world but the World to Come.
INHERITANCE is speaking of the Believers Home for Eternity in heaven…where all that is valuable to the believer is. .Our Heavenly FATHER is there, OUR citizenship and our Savior and fellow Believers are there. It’s a Place of Perfection, Celebration, Love and Perfect rest…a Place without need of Sun or moon to shine because the Light of the Lamb of God- Jesus Christ will illumine the place…No Sorrows are allowed to stay… a place of perfect kindness, a place where sin and sorrow have no place. A place where the joy of the Lord Jesus will gladden every heart. A Place where the worship of Jesus Christ will be the highlight and the delight of every redeemed soul. It is an Inheritance that God has given as a result of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider some thoughts which the Bible says considering this inheritance
IT IS A GREAT INHERITANCE – DIVINE INHERITANCE
“TO OBTAIN AN INHERITANCE”…. This inheritance is EXCELLENT… AND A CERTAINTY
Peter uses Three Adjectives – a TRIPLE WORD PICTURE to Describe the Inheritance AND THE PROGRESSIVE DEGREES OF THIS INHERITANCE
- – “IMPERISHABLE”– It Cannot be touched by death. It is unstained by death… it is death proof. Death cannot master it, overcome it. It can never perish….it can never lessen or decrease….it is imperishable and also this inheritance is
- – “UNDEFILED”-All possessions are stained by mnay defects and flaws. Indeeed even Jesus tells us to store our riches in Heaven where moth and rust will not eat or corrode. UNDEFILED INHERITANCE . It is untouched by sin Cannot be Tarnished by sin. Can never spoil it. It is untouched by evil. It will not be stained by the smallest spot.. Our sin defiles… nations are defiled. But not the inheritance by the Father through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. ALSO this inheritance
C.- “AND WILL NOT FADE AWAY.”- untouched by the boundaries of time. It is unimpaired by time. Time has no deteriorating factor on it. It is Immutable, It will never change. There is no sin or sorrow in our inheritance, all tears will be wiped away, joy and pleasure, and kindness in His presence will be yours for all eternity and part of your great inheritance which is eternal. Its Joys will NEVER FADE!
This inheritance is often called a kingdom and a crown of glory. OUR INHERITANCE IS SAFE….
This INHERITANCE is pure, rich and lasting for all eternity- and ts all because of the great mercy of God your father and the love of jesus Christ in sacrificially giving himself to the father as your representative….
The Inheritance is
- – “RESERVED IN HEAVEN ..FOR YOU!”– THIS GOD GIVEN INHERITANCE IS KEPT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU. This inheritance is for us to enjoy and indeed MEDITATE UPON….. have you ever thought of wherePEOPLE Place their Treasures- they place them in the safest place possible.. but there is no safer place than in God.
HAPPY IS THE PERSON WHO KNOWS THEIR INHERITANCE AS A RESULT OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
God Himself has made the…RESERVATION for you …and IT IS STILL RESERVED AND CONTINUES TO BE RESERVED FOR YOU until you come into His presence. What Hope the Resurrection of Jesus Brings-a PERMANENT INHERITANCE for us. Kept safely until the moment of your entrance. There will be no need for anyone to look and see if there is a reservation- if there is room for you. There will be no standing in line. No dear friend, as a result of the resurrection of Jesus Christ
WHAT little of understanding as a child in a crib of the great inheritance he may be born into…it is only as he grows in knowledge will he grow in understanding…and APPRECIATION…WHERE IS OUR INHERITANCE? HEAVEN IS OUR INHERITANCE…YES-
WHO IS OUR INHERITANCE?- GOD HIMSELF IS OUR INHERITANCE
NUM 18:20- In the LAW OF THE Jewish priesthood the Lord told AARON that they would have no inheritance in the LAND…”I am your inheritance among Israel”
PSALM16:5-6 “The Lord is the Portion of my Inheritance and my cup”
God himself…not streets of gold….not escape form pain or sorrow though that is true but GOD HIMSELF THE PORTION INHERITANCE of the Believers…”Whom have I in Heaven but You and besides You there is none else I desire– The Psalmist wrote ….to Know Him, Explore Him…to SEE HIS Glory fro all eternity to revel in the wonder of God…EPH 1:14 The Spirit of God is our Pledge of the Inheritance…Secure and Sure by His Indwelling the Believer
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PRAISE HIM FOR – DIVINE PROTECTION.
“Who are protected by the power of God through faith, for a salvation to be revealed in the last time.”- 1:5
Think of Insurance COVERAGE A PERSON MAY HAVE? Do you have Flood coverage…fire coverage…health coverage…Is your home coverage sufficient? People are often consumed with the type of protection they have and in many cases when death comes the coverage they have labored to have cant help in eternity. The word translated “KEPT” is a military word that means “GUARDED, SHIELDED”. The tense of the VERB means we are constantly being guarded by God,. The same word is used in Jude 24-25- “Now to Him who is able to KEEP you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His Glory blameless with great joy….” He is on Guard and assuring us of His protection and provision for our safe arrival in Heavan – he is KEEPING us. And who can pluck us from His Hand- Who can erase our names form His Book, who can steal or deceive Him from our Inheritance and is stronger than Him to deliver us from His DIVINE PROTECTION?
Don’t doubt there soul- PRAISE HIM- for HIS DIVINE PROTECTION of your salvation “RESERVED in Heaven for you”
When it comes to insurance policy’s, some people have wonderful policies it appears, great protection for the possibilities of this world, though they cannot cover all things which may happen. But what about Eternal Coverage?
The follower of Christ has a plan that cannot be cancelled, there are no unforeseen catastrophes, no partial overages nothing but eternal bliss of Gods own Policy which He has committed Himself to…There is no protection absolutely nothing LIKE GODS- DIVINE PROTECTION – “PROTECTED BY THE POWER OF GOD.”
“PROTECTED”…SPEAKS OF BEING “SHIELDED”WHICH means “TO GUARD” or “TO WATCH OVER.” “Kept”- The tense of the VERB means the Inheritance Already Exists and is being Preserved. PRESENTLY IT IS BEING PRESERVED…It is a Military term Describing HOW SOLDIERS GUARD SOMEONE. It is written in The present Tense.
It Indicates the CONTINUAL NATURE OF THE GUARDING AND WATCHING OVER AND PROTECTING AND SHIELDING. It does not mean Believers are SHIELDED from Pain, Sorrow, Suffering, Injustice, or fierce pressures and hurts or hardships…for this letter that Peter writes is written to those who know about “fiery trials” and “suffering” for doing right. IT DOES MEAN GOD HIMSELF WATCHES OVER OUR SALVATION AND GUARDS IT. HEAVEN IS THEIR HOME- God’s Presence…no matter how severe the trial no matter where you are …this is not the final chapter in their lives…as it is not in yours or mine. PHIL chapter 1 says in chapter 1 verse…27-30….”by God himself…”
As a result of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, his followers according to the Bible are
- Protected by the Power of God…
- Rom 8:32-39 READ-; -“Who will bring a charge against Gods ELECT? GOD IS the One who Justifies; who is the one who condemns? CHRIST JESUS IS HE Who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, Who Also INTERCEDEDS FOR US. Who will separate us From the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? Just as it is written, ‘FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALLDAY LONG; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ BUT IN ALL THESE THINGS WE overwhelmingly CONQUER THROUGH HIM who LOVED US. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life , nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height , nor depth, nor ANY Created THING, will be ABLEto SEPARATE us from the LOVE of GOD, which is IN Christ Jesus our LORD.”
THE FOURTH BLESSING OF THE RESURRECTION IS-
4. PRAISE HIM FOR THE ABILITY TO GREATLY REJOICE
V- 6 “IN THIS YOU GREATLY REJOICE…”- The Future Inheritance that awaits them- causes great Joy to spring up in the hearts as they contemplate the FUTURE BLISS of their Heavenly home with the GOD OF GLORY…FOR ALL ETERNITY… GREATLY REJOICE IN THE FACTS . we can rejoice in the future- Christ our destination- grace our sphere, heaven outr home- god our father is there…we can rejoice in the return of the Lord Jeus and we can rejoice in spending eternity with the Lord Jesus…REJOICE in the ability you have to do so because of a Blessed Future with Him who Loves you supremely and sacrificially and everlastingly.
They can rejoice that
- – THEY ARE CHOSEN BY GOD THE FATHER -1:1
- – THEY ARE SPRINKLED WITH THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST 1:2
- – THEY HAVE BEEN SET APART BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD- FROM SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES TO GOD AND HIS AMAZING LOVE – 1:2
- -THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD GUARANTEES THE REALITY OF THEIR BLESSINGS 1:3
- – THEY HAVE A LIVING HOPE -1:3
- – THEY HAVE A PERMANENT INHERITANCE- 1:4 .WHERE GOD HIMSELF HAS MADE RESERVATIONS FOR THEM –THAT HE MADE FOR THEM IN THE PAST…AND HE IS PRESENTLY GUARDING IT TILL THEY COME TO BE WITH HIM- AND HE WILL PRESENT THEM BEFORE THE THRONE WITH EXCEEDING GREAT JOY AND THEY WERE GREATLY REJOICING- AS THEY CONTEMPLATED THE GREATNESS OF GOD AND THE GREATNESS OF THEIR SALVATION PROVIDED BY GOD
THEY CAN REJOICE THAT ONE DAY they will see JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF and be embraced by Him. They can rejoice they are BORN AGAIN. PRESENTLY those whom Peter writes to were writing to a people whom we read in
THE PURPOSE OF THEIR FIERY TRIALS IS REVEALED IN VERSE 7
V7 – “SO THAT the PROOF/ GENUINENESS of your Faith more precious than Gold which is Perishable even though tested by Fire.
CONTEMPLATING THE GREATNESS OF HIS SALVATION CAUSED THEM IN VERSE 6 TO “GREATLY REJOICE…”NOW IN VERSE 8 Faith in Him produces Great Joy…8
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– THE FIFTH BLESSING OF THE RESURRECTION -TO BE CONSIDERED. – PRAISE HIM THEY HAVE AN UNSEEN SAVIOR
We read in v-8 “and though you have not seen Him, you LOVE HIM, and though you do not see Him NOW, BUT BELIEVE IN HIM, YOU GREATLY REJOICE with JOY INEXPRESSIABLE ANDFULL OF GLORY
FIRSTLY – THEY HAVE AN UNSEEN SAVIOR.
- They have an unseen Savior whom they love – And He knows that you love Him It is based on a spiritual relationship with Him because God the FATHER initiated it. We have not seen Him, though we are never out of His sight or Prayers or thoughts.. the Holy Spirit has poured out His love into our hearts to assure us of His love for us and we return it as we choose to express obedience to Him not out of merit but appreciation and devotion. Worship Him , PRIASE HIM in the midst of your trial- Though He is unseen you- you are not to Him- HE NEVER TAKES HIS EYE OF YOU…HIS AFFECTION IS TOWARDS YOU.
- They have an unseen SAVIOR whom they BELIEVE in.Living by faith in Him and not by sight. Trusting Him and taking His promises in the trials as final not what we see or feel but what He says. Trusting and obeying. Love and faith go together- to Love someone is to trust them…
They have an Unseen SAVIOR whom they REJOICE in – 1:8
THEY GREATLY REJOICE WITH JOY AND INEXPRESSIABLE AND FULL OF GLORY
- They Rejoice and Glory in Him. Purpose; Praise ,Glory, Honor of Jesus Christ
Rejoicing in Christ who is Lord of your circumstances. Look to learn something new of Him in your trial
For example “Comfort” God comforts those who Mourn- Ish 61: God comforts the afflicted-2 Cor 1:3-6; God comforts the depressed- 2 Cor 7:6. In the fiery furnace the Hebrew three discovered something new about Him- in the midst of the storm seas the disciples discovered something about Him- No storm nor winds could keep Him from them nor overcome them as Long as He was there with them,. He produces “Joy unspeakable and full of glory”. So deep and wonderful it cannot be explained. It is experienced
Verse 7 reminds us – JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AGAIN
2 THESS 1:7- “…THE LORD JESUS WILL BE REVEALED FROM HEAVEN WITH HIS MIGHTY ANGELS IN FALMAING FIRE, DEALING OUT RETRIBUTION TO THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW GOD AND TO THOSE WHO OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS…V 10 WHEN HE COMES IN TO BE GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS ON THAT DAY, AND TO BE MARVELLED AT AMONG ALL WHO HAVE BELIEVED…”
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THE SIXTH BLESSING OF THE RESURRECTION TO BE CONSIDERED IS- PRAISE HIM FOR GUARANTEED DELIVERANCE – 1:9
1:9 – “OBTAINING AS THE OUTCOME OF YOUR FAITH THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS.”
THE SOURCE OF THEIR JOY? FINAL DELIVERANCE “soul” = PERSON
JESUS SAID IN JOHN 14:3 “IF I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, I WILL COME AGAIN AND RECEIVE YOU TO MYSELF. WHERE I AM THERE YOU MAY BE ALSO.”
in the Midst of their Trials PETER has them
- Focus on their Great God- Who initiated their salvation …
- Focus on their Greatness of Salvation…Present blessings in the midst of suffering and future deliverance and joy…
THE CHRISTIAN LIVES IN THE PRESENT REJOICING IN THE HOPE OF THE FUTURE …OF BEING WITH GOD…
In 1:10- we read of The Prophets who prophesied of the grace to come made careful searches and inquiries…they LONGED to see the Time of the Messiah…but it was not for them ….
V 12- “IT WAS REVEALED TO THEM THAT THEY WERE NOT SERVING THEMSELVES BUT YOU….
v12 – “…THINGS IN WHICH THE ANGELS “LONG” TO LOOK” -it means to “STOOP OVER TO LOOK” IT IMPLIES WILLINGNESS TO EXERT OR INCONVENIENCE ONESELF IN ORDER as V10 –11 says concerning THE PROPHETS – made careful search TO GET A BETTER PERSPECTIVE.”…TO GET A CLEARER GLIMPSE…”
THE PRESENT TENSE OF THE VERB…MEANS A CONTINUOUS REGARD ..RATHER THAN A QUICK LOOK”…
The angels were there to announce His Birth… and now long to look into this AMAZING SALVATION…At the GREATNESS of SALVATION…..THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD.
INITIALLY THE CROSS LOOKED LIKE JESUS WAS DEFEATED…. BUT THREE DAYS LATER WHEN THE FOG OF DESPAIE HAD LIFTED- JESUS DEFEATED THE ENEMY AND AS A RESULT A BLESSED RESULT- THOSE WHO HAVE TURNED TO GOD AND PLACED THIE LIVES IN SUBMISSION TO JESIS CHRIST HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH THESE 6 BLESSINGS
6 BLESSINGS OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD ; THIS NEW BIRTH ENTAILS
1.- A LIVING HOPE
2.- A PERMANENT INHERITANCE
- – DIVINE PROTECTION
- – The ABILITY TO Greatly Rejoice
5.- AN UNSEEN SAVIOR
6.- A GUARANTEED DELIVERANCE
It was in June the 18th 1815 at the BATTLE OF WATERLOO-
Napoleon commanding the French against the British, Dutch and Germans who were under the command of WELLINGTON. The English people depended on the system of SEMAPHORE SIGNALS to find out how the battle was going. One of the Signal stations was on the tower of WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL. LETTER BY LETTER…
“W-E-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N — D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D…JUST THEN A SUDDEN CLOUD MADE IT IMPOSSIABLE TO READ THE MESSAGE.
THE NEWS WAS SPREAD QUICKLY THROUGHOUT THE CITY- WELLINGTON HAD BEEN DEFEATED…THE GLOOM AND SADNESS PERMEATED THE WHOLE COUNTRYSIDE AT THE THOUGHT OF LOSING THE WAR. SUDDENLY THE FOG LIFTED AND THE REMAINDER OF THE MESSAGE COULD BE READ…THE MESSAGE CONTIANED 4 WORDS NOT 2 AS THEY HAD THOUGHT.
THE COMPLETE MESSAGE WAS
“W-E-L-L-L-I-N-G-T-O-N ….D-E-F-E-A-T-E-D…T-H-E… E-N-E-M-Y
It took a few minutes for it to sink in and then the sorrow turned to joy…the mourning into celebration and despair was displaced by great rejoicing. So it was with Jesus the cross looked if we were to stop ANDLOOK AT His bloody crucified body hanging on a cross , that we too would have to come to the conclusion if that is all we had known of Him, we would pass on to others….“JESUS DEFEATED…” but on the third day the REST AND BEST OF THE STORY IS FLASHED… “JESUS defeated DEATH”
On Easter morning just a few weeks before WE SANGSTER wrote a letter to his daughter, and in it he said these words, listen carefully: ‘It’s terrible to wake up on Easter morning and have no voice with which to shout ‘He is risen!’, but it would still be more terrible to have a voice and not want to shout it’. – :HE IS RISEN!
Did you get that? It is terrible to a wake up Easter morning and have no voice with which to shout ‘He is risen!, but it would still be more terrible to have a vo a few weeks before he died he wrote a letter to his daughter, and in it he said these words, listen carefully: ‘It’s terrible to wake up on Easter morning and have no voice with which to shout ‘He is risen!’, but it would still be more terrible to have a voice and not want to shout it’. – HE IS RISEN!!!! PRAISE HIM
“PRAISE THE FATHER WHO HAS CAUSED US TO BE BORN AGIAN TO A LIVING HOPE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD.”
How should we respond?
M- MEDITATE –
Meditate on verse 1-10. Read them over and over…Look carefully at each word as it is linked to the next and each sentence.
A- APPLY –
Praise God the Father for the Resurrection of His Son and Thank Him for His loving sacrifice. Praise and Thank the Son for laying down His life voluntarily
P- PRAY –
That God would open up your mind to the cost of the cross and to be able to comprehend these blessings and pray for opportunities to lovingly tell others of the Love of the Father through the Gift of the Son and the 6 Blessings as a result of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!