Dec. 24, 2023

“CHRIST WAS BORN FOR OUR SALVATION”

1 PETER 1:3-12

Praise the Lord, Christ was born for our salvation. Notice what kind of salvation we have in the Lord Jesus Christ?

1.  IT IS A SECURE SALVATION (vv. 3-5)

1 Peter 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

• REGENERATED (vs.3)

The word "begotten" in verse 3 means "to be regenerated" or "to be born again.”

John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9

1 Peter 1:21 “Who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

The Christian's assurance in Christ is as certain and sure as the fact that Christ is alive!

Peter used the word "living" 6 times (1:3, 2:4-5, 4:5-6).

• RESERVED (vs. 4)

1 Peter 1:23 “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”

Galatians 5:5 “For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.”

No burglars or bandits can break through where this inheritance is kept (Matthew 6:19-2; John 17:11-20).

• READIED (vs. 5)

Not only is the inheritance guarded, but heirs who have been born into that inheritance (by faith) are "kept" vs.5 or "shielded" by God's power. the word "kept" is a military term, used to refer to a garrison within a city.

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

• REVEALED (vs. 5)

This is the outcome of our faith (1:9) Christ was born for our

salvation.

1 Peter 1:9 “Receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”

2.  IT IS A SATISFYING SALVATION (vs. 6-9)

Someone said that a living hope results in a present joy.

•  JOY (vs. 6-7)

1 Peter 1:6-7 “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

* MORE JOY (vs.6-7)

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

• IT IS A SUBSTANTIAL SALVATION (vs. 10-12)

• IT IS SCRIPTURE-WROUGHT (vs. 10-11)

1 Peter 1:10 “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you.”

• IT IS SERVANT-SOUGHT (vs. 10-11)

1 Peter 1:10-11 “Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11searching 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.”

• IT IS SAVIOR-BROUGHT (vs. 11)

1 Peter 1:11 “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.”

1 Peter 5:10 “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

• IT IS SPIRIT-TAUGHT (vs. 12)

1 Peter 1:12 “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—things which angels desire to look into.”

Peter gave more encouragement when he stated he that the prophets realized they were not writing for themselves but for those who would live later, those who would hear the gospel proclaimed by the Holy Spirit and follow Christ. Christ was born for our salvation.

What a marvelous salvation we have. Christ was born for our salvation.