Glorious Joy (1 Peter 1:3-9, 18-25)

Blessings of the New Birth
1 Peter 1:3-9, 18-25

INTRODUCTION:
Peter wrote his letter about A. D. 65 to Christians who were living in Asia Minor, having been scattered under Jewish persecution. Peter wants to remind them of their salvation and of the blessings they enjoy as Christians. Consequently, they need to continue submitting to Jesus Christ and His Gospel. Jesus suffered for them and left them an example to follow.

THE CHRISTIAN’S HOPE IN TRIALS - 1:3-9:
God showed mercy when He caused our new birth which was empowered by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (John 3:3-5). That is why we have hope.

Hope is essential to a life that continues to move forward. “Hope springs eternal.” We must live by hope. The hope of Scripture, however, is rooted in the promises of God and grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:1.

1 Cor. 15:20 - Christ is the “first fruits” of those who have died.

John 5:28-29 - All will be raised, because Christ rose from the dead.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - We will arise, we will meet the Lord in the air, we will be reunited with others who have been faithful and obedient to the gospel of Christ.

In 1 Peter 1:4, Peter writes that we anticipate our great spiritual inheritance. See also Acts 20:32; Romans 8:17; Ephesians 1:14.

This reward is “reserved in heaven” for us. This personal reward is waiting for each one of us if we will but remain faithful (Rev. 2:10).

We are, Peter says, “kept by the power of God.” We have access to this power by our faith (Eph. 2:8) and the reward will be final salvation (2 Tim. 2:10). This salvation is “ready to be revealed.” Christ wants us to have it and He is preparing that reward for us (John 14:2-3).

In verse 6, Peter reminds the Christians that they “greatly rejoice” in these promises, even though they face “various trials.” Matthew 5:12; 2 Cor. 4:17; James 1:2. These trials are only for a “little while.” Romans 8:18.

Faith tested by trials proves to be genuine. That genuine faith will bring praise, honor, and glory at Christ’s coming.

So, Christians need to live a life of faith. Then we can have an “inexpressible joy, full of glory.” John 20:29.

The culmination of our faith is the salvation of our souls.

CHRIST: THE SOURCE OF OUR SALVATION - 1:18-25:
“Redemption” denotes freedom from slavery: Exodus 21:30; Matt. 20:28. Jesus shed His blood for us because blood is the source, the essence, of life. He was God but then became flesh (John 1:1, 14) who died in our place. His blood was innocent and sinless. He was the “lamb without blemish and without spot” (Isa. 53:7).

Peter says this plan was set into motion before the world came into being. God knew that man would sin and through His love, He planned for man’s salvation (John 3:16). And God’s plan was consummated at the right time (Gal. 4:4).

It is through Christ that we believe in God (ver. 8). The resurrection of Christ is the basis of our faith (Rom. 1:4). God raised Him; God vindicated Him; God glorified Him in the resurrection (Acts 2:33-36). So, we believe in God, in Christ, and we hope for ourselves in Him.

The means by which Christ has saved us is His word, His message, His Gospel. Our souls have been purified, which is a necessary process in order to enter the Kingdom. This purification comes from obeying the Gospel (John 17:17; 2 Thess. 2:12).

A result of this purification process is that we “love the brethren,” with “sincere” love. “Sincere” love is love that is not hypocritical. We should love fervently and we should love with pure hearts. We do so because we have been born from a pure seed, an incorruptible seed.

Because the seed is incorruptible, it lasts forever, as Peter shows by quoting Isaiah 40:6-8 (1:24-25). This eternal word is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16).

SO WHAT?
Christians ought to be able to talk about death with calmness and optimism, confident in our own resurrection because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:21.

You have visited large homes, mansions, which belonged to the wealthy or powerful or well connected. But those places are “fading away” because they are material and physical. Heaven will see no deterioration (Rev. 21:1, 4).

We can take hope in our salvation, even in the midst of trials, when those trials come because of our connection to Jesus Christ. This suffering is for “a little while” (1:6).

Finally, salvation does not come through some mystical experience. It comes from obeying the truth, that is, being “born again… through the word of God” which is preached “by the gospel” (1:23, 25).

Take home message: Let hope and optimism guide you, knowing that our obedience to the Gospel leads us to our forever home in heaven!