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Greatly Rejoice
- 1st – Our living Hope… vs. 3-5
- Blessed … vs. 3
- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
- BLESSED [Εὐλογητὸς] – means to be worthy of PRAISE…
- The epistle opens – by giving THREE reasons why our God is worthy of PRAISE…
- God has given us a living HOPE / an INHERITANCE / and our SALVATION!
- 1st – Living HOPE… vs. 3
- Abundant MERCY…
- Who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope…
- Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!
- Our HOPE is NOT a result of anything that WE have done…
- It is instead a result of the abundant MERCY that God has given to us…
- MERCY [ἔλεος] by definition means NOT getting what we DESERVE…
- All of us are sinners – Romans 3:23 – all of us DESERVE judgment – Romans 6:23
- But in His MERCY – and it took A LOT [πολύς] – God instead gave us HOPE!
- Born AGAIN…
- BEGOTTEN again [ἀναγεννάω] – 2x in the NT [both in I Peter]
- Literally means to be born a SECOND time – BORN AGAIN!
- Nicodemus came to speak with Jesus at night looking for HOPE – John 3
- But Nicodemus was looking for a PHYSICAL answer to a SPIRITUAL problem…
- Jesus told him to be BORN AGAIN – an amazing description of salvation!
- How much effort did it take for us to be BORN – it was NOT a lot of work for the baby…
- But it was a LOT of effort for the MOM – hours of intense labor and suffering!
- In the same way – we do NOTHING to be saved – it was NO effort on our part…
- God was the one who went through hours LABOR – years for some of us!
- He suffered – on the cross – so that we might receive new life!
- TWO births…
- John 3:5 – “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit – cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
- Born of the WATER – referring to physical birth – the day we were born…
- Those who are ONLY born WATER – are children of satan – Matthew 12:30
- Since they were ONLY born once – they will die TWICE – physical death / spiritual death!
- Born of the SPIRIT – speaking of our SALVATION!
- When we received Jesus by faith – we were BORN AGAIN – born of the Spirit…
- We used to be children of satan – but we were BORN AGAIN as children of God…
- Because we were born TWICE – the water then the Spirit – we only die ONCE [physical]
- We get to go to heaven and live forever with the Lord!
- To a living HOPE…
- HOPE [ἐλπίς] – 54x in NT – what we expect will happen in the FUTURE…
- HOPE is the fulfillment of FAITH – in FAITH we HOPE something will one day happen…
- But HOPE can be devastating – depending on what we put our FAITH in…
- Too often people put their HOPE in pieces of colorful paper…
- HOPE in an election – fill in the BLANK can save us…
- HOPE in a religion – that someone told us can get us to God!
- But Money has no LIFE / people DIE / and religions are the ideas of DEAD men!
- The resurrection of the dead…
- What separates Jesus from ANY other HOPE…
- Jesus is NOT dead – the grave could NOT hold him – DETH was defeated…
- When we put our FAITH in Jesus – we place our HOPE – in a LIVING God!
- He has shown us that DEATH is not the end – there is HOPE of LIFE through Him!
- The greatest fear of all men is the fear of death – because it is an unknown…
- Because some fear it is an end / but most of all because it means we will be judged…
- But we have no need to fear DEATH – it has not sting for us – I Corinthians 15:55
- We know DEATH is not the end – far from it – it is the beginning of eternal life!
- Abundant MERCY…
- 2nd – Our INHERITANCE… vs. 4
- INCORUPTABLE…
- To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away…
- Reserved in heaven for you!
- INHERITANCE – money – possessions – or position given to others!
- Parents save up for their children and INHERITANCE to bless them with when they die…
- But the INHERITANCE that they give is CORRUPTIBLE – it does not last!
- In contrast the INHERITANCE God desires to give us lasts FOREVER!
- UNDEFILED…
- Any INHERITANCE that we may receive here on EARTH comes with a warning!
- How often have we heard about kids being ruined by an INHERITANCE …
- They spend it foolishly – lavishly – it leads them into an immoral lifestyle!
- In contrast the INHERITANCE we received from God is UNDEFILED…
- Because we are not living for this world – it reminds us to be dedicated for the Lord!
- RESERVED…
- Will NOT fade away – only here NT – of a flame that never goes out…
- RESERVED [passive] – God HOLDS our INHERITANCE for us – till we get to HEAVEN!
- We have become heirs to all that God has – joint heirs with Jesus Christ!
- That means God desires to give us EVERYTHING – His KINGDOM – Luke 12:32
- To the extent we will even sit on Jesus throne with Him – Revelation 3:21
- Often times we are left to wonder if God can- will take care of our needs…
- God does not just want to provide for our needs – our INHERITANCE is His Kingdom!
- INCORUPTABLE…
- 3rd – Our SALVATION… vs. 5
- KEPT…
- Who are kept by the power of God…
- We have a LIVNG HOPE – we have an incredible INHERITANCE…
- But until that HOPE is fulfilled – and that INHERITANCE is received – we are KEPT safe!
- KEPT [φρουρέω] – 4x in NT – to be protected ALWAYS [present] by a military guard!
- How secure is our SALVATION – KEPT by the POWER [δύναμις] of God…
- But we do have a PART – we have FAITH – TRUSTING in Jesus!
- Philippians 4:7 – “The peace of God – which surpasses all understanding – will guard [φρουρέω] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
- We tend to spend much of our time worrying about our PROBLMES…
- WORRY is the opposite of FAITH – we are worried because we are NOT trusting Jesus!
- When put our FAITH in God – we no longer are WORRIED …
- Our perspective changes – we see our circumstances in a new light…
- We no longer see PROBLEMS – instead we see the POWER of God that KEEPS us safe!
- REVEALED…
- Through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time!
- REVEALED [ἀποκαλύπτω] – to uncover something that has been hidden…
- The challenge with our FAITH – is it does not bring us to HEAVEN today…
- Our SALVATION will not be REVEALED – until we come to the end of our JOURNEY!
- But as we put trust in our living HOPE – and are BORN again…
- We are guaranteed an INHERITANCE – kept by the POWER of God…
- Giving us the guarantee of our SALVATION – that we will one day be with Jesus!
- Romans 8:38 – “I am persuaded, that neither death – nor life – nor angels – nor principalities – nor powers – nor things present – nor things to come. No height – no depth – not any other creature – shall be able to separate us from the love of God – which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- KEPT…
- Blessed … vs. 3
- 2nd – Various trials… vs. 6-9
- 1st – Grieved… vs. 6
- Greatly rejoice…
- In this you greatly rejoice!
- Greatly REJOICE [ἀγαλλιάω] – to overflow with JOY…
- As a result of phenomenal promises – LIVING HOPE / INHERITANCE / and SALVATION!
- We always [present] REJOICE – how could we not considering what God has done…
- Which sounds like a great future – but what about TODAY!
- Various Trials…
- Though now for a little while – if need be – you have been grieved by various trials!
- LITTLE while – in this SHORT time we have here on earth…
- SINCE [first class] it is NEEDED – we will be GREIVED [to be sad]
- Various TRIALS [πειρασμός] – more on this in a MOMENT…
- But we still greatly REJOICE because we know the TRIALS are SHORT…
- And we have a HOPE / INTERITANCE / and SALVATION waiting at the end!
- Example of Paul – II Corinthians 11:24-28
- FIVE times he was beaten with 39 lashes – THREE times beaten with rods…
- ONCE he was stoned – Acts 14 – THREE times he was shipwrecked – a night in the ocean…
- Traveled on countless LONG journeys – in FEAR of robbers – FEAR of the Jews…
- He had many SLEEPLESS nights – was often HUNGRY – COLD from lack of clothing…
- And besides all of these things are the daily needs of the churches!
- Yet Paul calls these LITTLE problems – II Corinthians 4:17-18
- It is very hard for us to look beyond our PROBLMES – like HUGE wall…
- We cannot see past them – because we do not know what will happen next…
- But it turns out – they are just LITTLE problems – in the light of eternity!
- By keeping our eyes on the Lord we see beyond the moment – we see our HOPE!
- Greatly rejoice…
- 2nd – The PURPOSE… vs. 7
- TESTING…
- That the [testing] of your faith – being much more precious than gold that perishes…
- TRIALS [πειρασμός] – maybe something that comes from – is allowed by – the LORD…
- TEMPTAIONS [πειρασμός] – alternative translation – something from the world – satan…
- Are TESTS – [δοκίμιον] – 2x in NT – to PROVE what is INSIDE…
- James 1:3 – “Knowing that the testing [δοκίμιον] of your faith produces patience…”
- Silver is refined by putting it into the heat of an intense fire…
- The fire draws out the impurities of the silver so they can be removed…
- The smith knows the silver is pure when he can see his reflection!
- Jesus put us in the fiery TRIAL to TEST our FAITH – draw out the SIN from our life…
- He knows when we are done – because He sees His reflection in our lives!
- We want God to use us – we want to draw closer to the Lord…
- But often we will find before God a work THROUGH us – He first does one IN us…
- Do not be surprised if we ask God to use us- only to find we are in a trial…
- God uses it to PREPARE us – mold us – shape us – into Godly men and women!
- FOUND…
- Though it is tested by fire – may be found to praise – honor…
- And glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ!
- FOUND [subjunctive] – the desire is our FAITH – brings PRAISE – HONOR – GLORY to Jesus!
- One of Jens favorite dishes to cook – is banana bread…
- She has to keep it in the oven for just the right amount of time…
- When it is done right – there is a lot of PRAISE – HONOR – GLORY – it is GOOD bread!
- But as hot as it is inside – if she removes it to soon – it is just a sloppy mess!
- No one LIKES to be in the fire – the FURNACE is a very unpleasant place…
- While we have the guarantee that God will deliver us – Psalm 34:19
- That does NOT mean He will take us out of the FIRE now…
- Because as much trouble as we might be in – as hot as things might get…
- If He takes us out to soon – we will end up still being a sloppy mess…
- It takes TIME in the fire to make us complete – teach us to depend on Jesus!
- TESTING…
- 3rd – Loving the unseen… vs. 8-9
- The LOVE…
- Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him – yet believing…
- You rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory – receiving the end of your faith…
- The salvation of your souls!
- We have NOT seen [εἴδω] Jesus – will NOT see [perfect] Him till the day we come HOME…
- Yet we LOVE [ἀγαπάω] Him – BELIEVING and REJOICING – in spite of our TRIALS…
- INEXPRESSABLE – only here NT – a JOY so overwhelming – we cannot put it into WORDS…
- Why do we have so much JOY – how can we LOVE someone we have never SEEN…
- Because we are RECEIVING [present] the end of our FAITH – the SALVATION of our souls!
- The EVIDENCE…
- We might NOT see Jesus – but we can SEE what God is doing in our lives…
- We are NOT the same person we were yesterday – or a month ago – a year ago…
- As we are REFINED by TRIALS – we are TRANSFORMED…
- That change is the EVIDENCE of our SALVATION – becoming more like Jesus…
- The PROOF we need to SEE – to become overwhelmed by JOY and LOVE for Him!
- II Corinthians 3:18 – “All of us… can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord… makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.” [NLT]
- The LOVE…
- 1st – Grieved… vs. 6
I Peter 3:15 – “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.”
3rd – Great Salvation… vs. 10-12
1st – The PROPHETS… vs. 10-11
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully…
Who prophesied of the grace that would come to you searching what…
Or what manner of time – the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating…
When He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow!
The prophets were CONSTANTLY talking about the coming of the Messiah…
It is estimated there are over THREE hundred PROPHECIES concerning the Christ…
They predicted His BIRTH – LIFE – and DEATH – yet it was still a MYSTERY to them!
Colossian 1:26 – “The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations – but now has been revealed to His saints.”
MYSTERY – from the beginning Jesus planned to die for the sins of men…
The Lamb of God was slain before the foundations of the World – Revelation 13:8
What the prophets of God did NOT fully understand – though they WANTED to know…
We UNDERSTAND – we have the whole picture – the PLAN of God for SALVATION!
2nd – The Holy Spirit… vs. 12
REVEALED…
To them it was revealed that – not to themselves – but to us they were ministering…
The things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached…
The gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven!
REVEALED [ἀποκαλύπτω] – to uncover something that has been HIDDEN…
The PRPOPHETS wrote about the CHRIST – not for their benefit – but for OURS…
So that we would be able to KNOW the GOSPEL – the PLAN of God for SALVATION!
The GOSPEL…
The PROPHETS wrote about TWO things – SUFFERING of Christ / and the GLORY of Christ!
The SUFFERING Servant – who would take away the sin of the world…
Isaiah 53:5 – “[My Servant] was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities… and by His stripes we are healed!”
The CONQUERING King – who will establish the Kingdom of God on earth…
Psalm 2:6 – “I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.”
Jesus is BOTH – He came the FIRST time as the SUFFERING servant to SAVE us…
He will come a SECOND time – to CONQUER the world and set up His kingdom!
The HOLY SPIRIT…
Matthew 16:21 – “Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem – and suffer many things… and be killed – and be raised the third day.”
Jesus told His disciples EXACTLY what the GOSPEL was…
But NO one could understand it – Peter even rebuked Jesus for saying it – Matthew 16:23
I Corinthians 2:14 – “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God – for they are foolishness to him.”
Do you ever wonder why people seem to miss the TRUTH…
It seems so OBVIOUS to us Jesus is the answer – how could anyone miss the GOSPEL…
We do NOT understand because we are so smart – it is the SPIRIT inside of us!
He reveals to us the mysteries – truths about the PLAN of God for SALVATION!
3rd – The ANGELS… vs. 12
DESIRE…
Things which angels desire to look into!
DESIRE [ἐπιθυμέω] – to be PASSIONATLY interested in something…
God always intended to use the church to teach angels…
God uses us to display the rich VARIETY of His WISDOM to the heavenly places!
Angels that stand in the very presence of the Almighty…
Angels that have been with the LORD – almost from the very beginning…
LEARN by watching how God interacts with you and me!
LOOKING…
I Corinthians 11:10 – “The angels are watching.” [NLT]
LOOK [παρακύπτω] – to bend over to inspect more carefully…
When God judged Satan – He revealed that He was a RIGHTEOUS…
When God did not condemn Adam and Eve – He revealed He was a MERCIFUL…
When God was patience with the Children of Israel – He revealed He was LONGSUFFERING…
But the complete revelation of God – did not come until Jesus Christ…
God died in our place – for our sins – and revealed He was LOVING!
If angels are still LEARNING about the rich VARIETY of the WISDOM of God…
How much more should we DESIRE to LEARN and grow!
If we are unsure ourselves about the WORD – our HOPE in Jesus…
We are not going to be very effective in sharing that HOPE with others…
But as we grow in our FAITH – are strengthened by reading His WORD…
We will have the ANSWERS when others question us – about our SALVATION!
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