Sermon Title: Self-Made Outsiders
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 1:1-9
Bethel Christian Church
Date: October 8, 2000
Scripture Introduction:
Once again, this morning we are going to be looking at one of the books which wasn’t quite easily accepted by everyone. Last week we looked at a section of the book of James, which Martin Luther referred to as the Epistle of straw. This morning we are going to begin a walk through the first letter of the apostle Peter. This walk through the entire text will probably take us a good couple of months, however when we are through I hope we have all grown to appreciate a better understanding of the Words that God chose to communicate through Peter. If you have your Bibles this morning and care to follow along, we will be reading from the book of First Peter, chapter one and the first nine verses.
Now remember the difficulties in acceptance that I talked about earlier? One of the arguments against this particular book of the Bible is that Peter was a fisherman, an uneducated and untrained fisherman. For those of us that have had our lives changed by Christ, how hard is it to believe that someone who was in the company of the Master Communicator for an extended period of time could transcend their beginnings and circumstances and have their abilities amplified through the empowering of the Holy Spirit. I find no difficulty believing that Peter was intellectually transformed by our Lord and Savior.
Please join me in the reading of God’s Holy Word!
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:1-9
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 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, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 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 inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
Introduction:
Now I know the style of letter writing back in the days of the early church was quite a bit different then our style of today. In fact with the invention of the telephone and the ever increasing use of e-mail, letter writing is almost becoming a lost art. What a shame and I so much enjoyed the taste of the adhesive from licking a stamp and licking and sealing an envelope. In the first verse Peter identifies himself and then gets right down to business. There are no pleasantries, no time for fancy flowery words, Roman Emperor Nero was persecuting the Christians and this was just the beginning of the torture and torment to come. In this section of the Scripture, Peter brings to our attention the following, and in our consideration of these points we need to realize just how valid they are for our society today as well.
Ø As Christians, we reside as aliens in our very own neighborhoods and circles of friends. When I hear the different stories of being Christians that fit in with the world around us in an effort to win them to Christ, I have difficulty accepting that particular premise. If someone tells me that the more they look like and act like those of the world the greater a chance of evangelistic success they have, my response is BOLOGNA! And I don’t care how you slice it, it remains BOLOGNA. If we look like and act like the world then, surprise – surprise, you have just become the world. Our home is heaven.
Ø As Christians, although we may not have the easiest time in the society in which we live, we can look forward to our possibilities of obtaining an inheritance unlike anything the world that persecutes us can imagine. I look at the phrase “GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT” and see that our hope lies in the future. I look at the world and their hope in instant gratification and at times wonder what more can I say to them to tell them and show them that they are lost.
Ø And finally we need to be aware and expectant of the fact that we will be distressed by various trials. It is not going to be an easy row to hoe, and for many, it has already become quite evident to them. What we can take heart in however is the fact that although we will face tough times as we try to share the love of our Savior with others, there will be a reward that awaits that is greater than anything imaginable and will be more than compensation for any hardship and persecution that we may face.
Let us go to the Lord in prayer!
POINT 1: reside as aliens
We read in the first two verses, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. The people that Peter is addressing this letter to are the gentile population. These are the people who have lived the lives filed with every imaginable sin of the flesh, heard the glorious saving Gospel of Jesus Christ and are now strangers among those they had once called friends and family. These people are scattered everywhere. They have more in common with some that live miles and miles from them then the people who live next to them and in many cases their own families as well. They are aliens in their own homes.
Now the next section of Scripture could fuel many a theological argument. We have all of the elements and terms for theological battle. There are the words chosen and foreknowledge. Now I’m going to attempt to render what I feel this is telling us. These people were chosen by God because the Jews had refused to accept the message that Jesus was delivering. Now I don’t want to go off on a tangent here, but these people whom Peter is addressing responded with a resounding YES to the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives and chose to follow Jesus. This choice made them strangers in their own backyards and God knew that this was going to happen. He is Omniscient and therefore knows the possibilities. This is still going on today. We have the opportunity to respond to the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, we are so fortunate to have been allowed to hear and respond to Jesus’ call and when we choose Jesus over the world, our experiences may not always be favorable. Take heart, God will not give us more than we can handle with His equipping us to endure. We may decide to live for Jesus and have a relatively normal life. Although from those that I’ve talked to, it is quite unlikely. There is a greater possibility that there will be trials. There is a strong possibility that there will be persecutions, and those to whom this letter was written were being persecuted and even killed. Many of our brothers and sisters on foreign shores are paying that price now. We have even seen this type of persecution on our own native soil, Columbine High School in Littleton Colorado is a prime example. We may have to pay an earthly reward, however the reward for remaining steadfast for Jesus is an eternal heavenly reward.
POINT 2: obtain an inheritance
To take a look at what awaits those that are faithful in the meantime despite conditions and circumstances, we read on in verses 3 through 5 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, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Let’s take this Scripture apart and look at it bit by bit.
Ø according to His great mercy – God is granting us this opportunity, there is nothing of our own that we can do except to have that faith that this is within His power.
Ø has caused us to be born again to a living hope – we are in a hopeless mess of our own devices. When left to our own initiatives we find ourselves going from bad to worse with no hope outside the divine assistance. Through Christ we are given the opportunity to live free from the burden of sin and have hope even in our earthly existence.
Ø through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead – What can I say to this, we look to what we read in the Gospel of John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Ø to obtain an inheritance – God never created us to perish, He created us with the intent that we fellowship with Him and worship Him eternally. He also tells us that what we receive in eternity is:
ü imperishable – it will not rot, it will not rust, it will not tarnish. Everything that exists in this world has a time when it no longer has the value that it originally began with. Our reward will not diminish.
ü Undefiled – there is nothing dirty, sinful, shameful or forbidden. Our reward will be pure and holy because we will find ourselves in the presence of God.
ü will not fade away – heaven will be just as great then as now and there is nothing that can diminish the work of God.
ü reserved in heaven for you – I look at the Scripture in John 14:2 "In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
Ø who are protected by the power of God through faith once again I turn to the Scriptures where we read in Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Ø for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. At the time that this was written many had the idea that the return of Jesus was immanent. Now even now no man can say that tomorrow isn’t the day of His return. Whenever the time comes and we have been found faithful in the meantime, the rewards of our salvation will be revealed to us as we enter in the glorious presence of our Savior.
POINT 3: distressed by various trials
Peter concludes this section of Scripture verses 6-9, In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 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 inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
I like to compare the Christian walk to that of the marathon runner which Paul used so effectively at times. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials. There is a sacrifice that runners must make for the sake of the win. They must train and that training hurts. The phrase RUN TIL IT HURTS AND WHEN IT HURTS KEEP RUNNING sums things up quite well. The pain of training is all compensated for in the aftermath of the win. There is however small glimpses of that future victory that keeps the runner going in the meantime. In this we greatly rejoice, even if at the moment that feeling of rejoicing is just a glimpse of that final celebration. So that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire. Even gold, the standard of human wealth can tarnish. The gold is purified through a process of heating separates the ore from the dross, through this process the resulting metal is pure and more valuable. Even more so valuable and strong is our faith after a session of fire-testing. Oh this is such a small consolation when we find ourselves amidst the flames. And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him. The death rattle of many in our society is the phrase that I have got to see it to believe it. For Peter who saw and witnessed the many spectacular wonders of Jesus, these Gentile believers were an inspiration to Him. To Peter this was faith in its truest and purist form. We can however look and listen to what others have shared and we can draw off of that and use the experiences to increase in our own faith. You greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
The words of a Hymn written by B.E. Warren entitled “Joy Unspeakable”
I have found His grace in all complete; He supplieth every need.
While I sit and learn at Jesus feet, I am free, yes, free indeed.
I have found the pleasure I once craved; It is joy and peace within.
What a wondrous blessing! I am saved from the awful gulf of sin.
I have found the hope so bright and clear. Living in the realm of grace.
Oh the Savior’s presence is so near, I can see His smiling face.
I have found the joy no tongue can tell. How its waves of glory roll.
It is like a great overflowing well springing up within my soul.
And the words of the chorus:
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, full of glory, full of glory.
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory oh the half has never yet been told.
Are these your words today? Do you have that joy unspeakable?
Conclusion:
Are we willing to reside as aliens? We are living at a time where being a Christian is far from fashionable and we see more and more frequently in our own country that Christianity is no longer the popular way of life. We have watched as the Gospel has gone from the basis of much of our nation’s foundation to what has been labeled a set of superstitions which infringe on the rights of the common man. When society has shifted from a do-right foundation of good verses and triumphs over evil to a society that bases what is right on the opinions and wants of the majority, we see the Christian faith becoming a stranger in its own land. Do we wish to conform and prosper or are we willing to assume alien status in our earthly homeland as we pursue God’s work.
Are we striving to obtain an inheritance? I look at the words in this Scripture that describe our inheritance, imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away? I get a chuckle out of these words as I try to compare what the world around us sees as its rewards and notice that none of these words applies to the earthly reward.
Are we ready willing and able to be distressed by various trials? There are days when I look at the things that I have endured and I wonder how much more? Then I consider the book of Job and my selfishness brings tears to my eyes. There are times when I look at my hardships and sufferings and then consider the price that Jesus paid on the cross. That absolutely perfect and spotless Lamb of God, led to the sacrificial slaughter and oh so willingly. Can you just imagine, if Jesus had stopped to consider the price that He was about to pay, and looked at the way He would be shunned, scoffed at, ridiculed, ignored, explained away, and forgotten – and simply decided that the price wasn’t worth the souls that His death might save? How much are you willing to endure? Are you wanting to be found faithful in the meantime? Are you willing to assume the title of self-made Outsider?
Let’s pray!
