1 Peter 1:1-9
September 23rd, 2018
Main Idea: God has caused us through Christ to be born again to an inheritance that provides unshakeable hope and joy.
I. A TRIUNE INTRODUCTION (1:1-2)
Redemption is ultimately a Triune activity.
1. The Source: The foreknowledge of God the Father
2. The Seal: The sanctification of the Holy Spirit
3. The Purpose: Obedience to Christ, because he has shed his blood for us.
Living as elect exiles (or as citizens who are strangers) should produce a hopeful realism in the life of a Christian.
A Christianity that is without friction in the culture is a Christianity that dies… a Christianity that is walled off from the culture around it is a Christianity that dies… Our call is to an engaged alienation, a Christianity that preserves the distinctness of our gospel while not retreating from our calling as neighbors, friends, and citizens - Russell Moore
II. A HOPEFUL INHERITANCE (1:3-5)
What does it mean to have a “living hope”? It is a conviction that something will happen in the future. But there has to be some kind of basis to assume that something will come true.
The inheritance of our salvation is “imperishable” (durability), “undefiled” (purity), and “unfading” (quality), because it is kept in heaven for us and is being guarded by God’s power.
Not only is our inheritance kept for us; we are kept for our inheritance.
III. UNSHAKEABLE JOY IN SUFFERING (1:6-9)
Peter notes three ways that we can have an unshakeable joy in the face of suffering and trials:
1. Suffering strengthens our faith
2. Suffering gives us a proper perspective
3. Suffering leads us to joy and glory.
God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world - C.S Lewis
