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WHAT WE CAN PRAISE GOD FOR
1 PETER 1:3–5 September 25, 2022 – SUN a.m. – MBC baesa Introduction:
Notice the phrase in verse 3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The word “blessed” can be translated “praise.” So, we could read the statement like this “Blessed or Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Peter’s objective in his letter is that these Christians were experiencing great trials, so they needed to be encouraged. One way of encouraging yourself is to think positive. Yes, negatively they were hurting, but Peter wanted them to think positive, which would enable them not to give up.
These Christian were hurting, but Peter was going to write them to share with them about the “hope” and the “home” of the Christian. First, we can praise God...
I – THE HOPE OF A CHRISTIAN – v.3
I Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope”
This words “lively hope” is not speculation, but confidence.
A. Description of Hope
I Peter 1:3c “hath begotten us again unto a lively hope”
Our Christian hope is not a dead hope, not vain hope, but a living hope.
B. Discernment of Hope
Two Questions to help us understand the Christian Hope.
1. How was our Christian Hope initiated?
I Peter 3b “which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again”
Mercy is withholding what we deserve. God not only had mercy, but God had abundant mercy
Thank God for the Mercy of God.
2. How was our Christian Hope activated?
a.) Resurrection was the Resource
I Peter 3d “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
Not only do we see Mercy, but a Miracle, yes Jesus died, but thank God, He got up on the third day. Out of the grave He arose, praise God.
Some passages teach the importance of the resurrection in the fundamental faith of Christianity.
I Corinthians 15:13-21 “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.”
Ephesians 2:12-13 “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” B.) Rebirth was the Result
(1) Term for New Birth
I Peter 3b “which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again”
The Lord told Nicodemus that Nicodemus needed to be born again (John 3:1-7).
John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
A man can be born again with the word of truth.
I Peter 1:18 “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth,”
To be born again with the word of truth, the word of truth refers to the gospel of salvation.
Ephesians 1:13 “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:”
To be born again by the gospel means believing that Christ died for our sins, buried, and resurrected from the dead according to the Scriptures.
I Corinthians 15:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
God did not rebuild me or overhaul my old nature, but God made me new.
II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
(2) Trust for the New Birth
I Peter 1:5a “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.”
Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
John 3:16 “whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
C. Dependence of that Hope
I Peter 1:5a "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation"
The word “kept” here is a military term.
The word “kept” means to guard or keep. We are depending to God’s keeping.
Two things we need to think about the word kept: - John 10:28-29
1. Protection by the Guard
I Peter 1:5a “Who are kept”
John 10:28 “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
God Guards Our Soul Constantly
You don’t have to worry, because of the never-ending guard who constantly guards your soul.
2. Power of our God
I Peter 1:5b “by the power of God ”
John 10:28b, 29 “they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
II Timothy 1:12b “for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
First, we can praise God for the Hope of a Christian, secondly, we can praise God for…
II – THE HOME OF A CHRISTIAN – v.4
Not only when you get saved, you receive that blessed hope, but a beautiful home.
1. Revelation of that Home
A. A Place which will not Deteriorate
I Peter 1:4a “To an inheritance incorruptible,”
We don’t have any problems if termites have eaten though the floor, because the foundations are still stable and strong ever. We don’t have to worry about our inheritance corrupting. Our home will not deteriorate
Unlike with our natural homes on this earth, our mansion will be there prepared for us when we get there and we won’t have to work on them when we get there, it will be a perfect home. Christian have a good reason to praise the Lord!
B. A Place which will not be Defiled
In this world sin has defiled our society!!! Sin damaged the people of the world, destroyed families.
I Peter 4b “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,”
A true born-again Christian does not feel comfortable in this sin cursed world. This world is continuously defiling, and this will be destroyed by fire in coming God’s appointed judgment day.
Revelation 21:7a-8 “He that overcometh shall inherit all things;…8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:”
There are those who will enter the perfect heavenly home but there are those who will not enter into it.
C. A Place which will not Disappear
I Peter 1:4c “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,”
To those genuine believers in Christ, you won’t have to worry about your inheritance vanishing, or disappearing.
Notice again verse 4c “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved”,
That Christian home is reserved for you Christian.
Oh, my beloved brethren, that is something to praise God for, our home will not fade away or disappear.
2. Recipient of that Home
I Peter 1:4d “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
The word “you” refers to all saved people. So, if you are born-again, saved, a true Christian, repented from your sins and believed Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, therefore the “YOU” is you.
Conclusion: Do you have a home reserved in Heaven for you?
Someone might ask. What must I do to get a home reserved for me in Heaven?
Answer: Trust in Jesus Christ as Your Savior!! (John. 3:16)
Do you understand now why Peter said in verse 3a “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” It is because we have many reasons to praise God! Amen!
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