Transcription downloaded from https://yetanothersermon.host/_/kingdomlife/sermons/77534/chosen-for-an-inheritance/. Disclaimer: this is an automatically generated machine transcription - there may be small errors or mistranscriptions. Please refer to the original audio if you are in any doubt. [0:00] Children's Church this morning? Oh, we don't. Oh, that's right, that's right, that's right. [0:17] ! I understand that at this very moment, the pastor is preaching at the Buntings Church. [0:39] I don't recall the name of it. I think most of you would remember the Buntings. Okay, well, perhaps you know someone who felt confident that upon the passing of a loved one, he or she would inherit something specific. [1:07] You know, we've all had someone die who was close to us, and maybe you found yourself in that category. [1:18] You thought that you would receive X, Y, or Z. Or maybe you heard about a cousin or a friend or a co-worker. Or maybe something was promised to you or to them, but they never got it. [1:39] Perhaps it was that way because the person who made the will changed their mind. [1:54] Perhaps the thing that they were going to give to the individual no longer existed. Or there were perhaps competing interests. [2:07] Or maybe it was just not worth the effort. Maybe it was just useless. You know, somebody gives, there's some things that people give away. [2:18] You say, I would rather not have that. But the uncertainties surrounded being chosen for an inheritance in this world are real. [2:36] Not so when God chooses someone for an inheritance. Let us pray. Father, we thank you for the privilege we have to share your word, to hear your word preached to us today. [2:54] We pray, Lord, that you would bring clarity to your word. That you would enable us to speak as we ought and to hear as we ought. [3:09] In Jesus' name, amen. Amen. Amen. Actually, you'll forgive me. [3:21] But I think something is missing here. I think we were supposed to, I think Rose was supposed to read. I just realized that. I just realized that. [3:32] So many things change around here. But if she is coming out, I'd be delighted to have her read this for us. But otherwise, I'll go ahead and read it now. [3:47] I know we are being recorded. So perhaps I'll just go ahead and read. The scripture that will form the text for our message this morning is found in 1 Peter. [4:12] 1 Peter. 1 Peter. 1 Peter. I'm going to ask you to turn your Bibles to 1 Peter. Chapter 1. And we're going to read verses 1 through 5. [4:25] 1 through 5. We're going to see some very familiar words in this message, in this passage. 1 Peter, chapter 1, beginning at verse 1. [4:37] 1 Peter. of Jesus Christ, to those who are exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galactia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ, and for sprinkling with his blood. May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Verse 3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [5:23] According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [5:55] I believe that this scripture that we've just read is telling us something that's really very straightforward. [6:10] It's telling us that chosen by God, believers will receive an eternal inheritance. I think that's the essence of these verses. [6:22] Chosen by God, believers will receive an eternal inheritance. Can I, I want to say something to you before we proceed with this message. You know, I got to tell you, years ago, I couldn't preach this message because I didn't understand the clear words that are found in this passage and elsewhere in scripture. [6:46] I debated against this strongly. And so perhaps some of you today will hear these words and you will wonder, is that true? [6:59] Is the Bible really saying this? Well, I'm going to ask you just to listen to the, to the words, just to listen to what the Holy Spirit said to the men who wrote the words in scripture. [7:13] The words are playing. And we're going to do a lot of reading today. So yes, I think that these words are telling us, these words that we have read, chosen by God, believers will receive an eternal inheritance. [7:32] There are two points, two main points that I wish to draw out from these verses. [7:45] The first will be under the topic, the source of the believer's salvation. And the second, the nature of the believer's inheritance. [8:03] Now, not only are Peter's doctrines true, the words that we have just read, not only are they true, they are universally and permanently relevant as a source of encouragement. [8:21] Peter writes this letter to churches in modern-day Turkey. Church members were being maltreated because of their belief. [8:38] No doubt they were being ridiculed and were being socially ostracized and perhaps even financially impacted. They were not well-received or well-thought-of in society. [8:55] In the modern Western world, the truth is we've had a fairly good run, if you think about it. It hasn't really been that bad for believers. [9:07] Unlike the churches that were the original recipients of Peter's letter, until recently, we were largely respected as Christians and even left alone by those who did not share our views about God or the place of religion in society. [9:32] Of course, it has been true for centuries and continues to be true that we have fellow Christians who bear emotional, social, and even physical scars for their faith. [9:47] Some have even been put to death. For sure, this message of encouragement would be for them. One might think that Peter would offer a political or even an economic or social solution to their problems. [10:06] But no such subjective, temporary, elusive, and illusionary solution was offered. Instead, Peter said to them, as he says to us, hold your head hard. [10:21] You must remember who you are, chosen, and by whom you have achieved that status, the Trinity. Yes, when the culture turns on you, and when life throws you a curveball, perhaps a health condition, you've got to put things into perspective. [10:45] We tend to measure things from a biopic, narrow perspective. But Peter reminds us today that there is a better way. [10:55] Let's dig deeply into what Peter says. Peter says, believer, you need to be mindful of the source of your salvation. [11:12] Peter helps us to see this in verses 1 to 3. In these short verses, Peter makes plain that believers are chosen. [11:26] Believers are chosen. If you're a believer today, Peter says, you've been chosen. Chosen by who? Chosen by God. Peter says in verse 1, take a look at it. [11:40] He says, he writes the letter to those who are elect. You see that? To those who are elect. He didn't say anything otherwise. [11:52] He says, to those who are elect. Elect by who? Elect by God. And then in verse 2, Peter says, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. [12:06] Elected according. Chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. And then in verse 3, Peter goes on to say that God has caused us to be born again. [12:23] When you read those three verses. Can there be any doubt whatsoever? That believers, that if you are a believer, you didn't choose God, but he chose you. [12:36] You didn't elect him, but he elected you. You didn't foreknow him. He foreknew you. The NIV uses the word chosen in verse 2. [12:50] And this is what the NIV says. Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God. [13:02] Chosen. Today, the doctrine that Peter writes about here is often debated. Today, it's often debated. [13:12] This doctrine that Peter clearly writes about is often debated. Yet, it is plain to see that Peter meant what Peter meant. And that he undoubtedly had taught these things to his readers before. [13:29] I'm sure that Peter wasn't just dropping this on them. That's my point. He must have taught this to them before. This doctrine, the doctrine of election, aligns squarely with God's sovereignty to display his glory and his purposes. [13:48] Peter tells believers, you have been chosen by God for salvation, not because of what you have done, not because of who you are, but because God's mercy. [14:02] Because of his foreknowledge before the foundation of the earth. The foreknowledge that Peter writes about here is not just simply knowing God, knowing who will be saved. [14:23] Some people try to tell you that. They try to tell you that that means that God just knows because he knows everything. But that's not what the Bible tells us. [14:35] Consider what Paul writes in Romans chapter 8, verses 29 and 30. Paul writes, Let's go up to 29. [14:58] Paul writes, Paul writes, Paul uses this same word about God foreknowing. [15:25] God says, And he says that those whom he foreknew, he predestined to be conformed to the image of his son. Our salvation is not anything that we did. [15:42] It is something that God did, that he chose to do. Scripture supports the doctrine of election. Indeed, the scriptures are so plain in this respect. [15:56] I think it's better, really, to read, just to explore. I want to explore a few passages with you. I think this is so important for us to grasp. [16:09] Just so important for us to understand. Because when we understand that God chose us, And we didn't choose him. [16:22] It gives us a certainty of our salvation. It removes pride from us. And it gives us a sense of humility. [16:34] Listen to what Ephesians chapter 1, verses 3 through 6 says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. [16:58] Verse 4, Even as he chose us in him before, before, He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, That we should be holy and blameless before him. [17:15] In love, in love, He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, According to the purpose of his will, To the praise of his glorious grace. [17:27] With which he has blessed us in the beloved. Now perhaps you're hearing this today. You're saying, Well God chose me before the foundation of the... How did he do that? Why did he do that? [17:38] Let me tell you, There's lots of this stuff we don't understand. I'm not standing here telling you that I understand it. I certainly don't. But the Bible teaches us That this is what he did. [17:55] Chosen by God. But you see, If you ask the question, You wouldn't be the first to ask the question. Consider this account in Romans chapter 9. [18:10] This is what it says, Speaking about Jacob and Esau. The Bible says, Though they were yet, They were not yet born, And had done nothing, Either good or bad. [18:29] Did you hear that? They were yet unborn. They were yet unborn. And had done nothing, Either good or bad. In order that God's purpose of election Might continue, Not because of works, But because of him who calls. [18:48] She was told, That's their mother, Was told, The older will serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob I loved, But Esau I hated. [19:02] And then Paul continues in verse 14. Paul says, What shall we say? Being practical. Paul says, What shall we say? [19:14] Paul anticipates that, We are going to hear that, And we are going to ask the question, What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? [19:27] To choose one and not the other? To prefer one over the other? And Paul answers the question, By no means. [19:38] For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, And I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. [19:50] So then, It depends not on human will or exertion, But on God who has mercy. [20:03] For the scripture says to Pharaoh, For this very purpose, I have raised you up, That I might show my power in you, And that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. [20:17] Verse 18, So then, He has mercy on whomever he wills, And he hardens whomever he wills. [20:29] You know, You know, If we were in a court of law, You might almost say, Listen, Case closed, Case made. [20:40] Verse 19, And verse 19, Paul continues, You will say then, Why does he still find fault? [20:51] Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will? But who are you, Paul responds, Oh man, To answer back to God. [21:01] Well, What is molded say to its molder? Why have you made me like this? Has the porter no right over the clay To make out of the same lump Dunn vessel for honorable use, And another for dishonorable use, Paul engages in a discourse, Which would be quite similar, To what you and I would do, If we found ourselves, In a similar situation. [21:38] But here's a final scripture, That I'd like to share with you, On this subject. 2 Timothy, Chapter 1 and verse 9, Paul writes, Who saved us, And called us to a holy calling, Not because of our works, But because of his own purpose and grace, Which he gave us in Christ Jesus, Before the ages began. [22:09] Brothers and sisters, I pray that today, That your hearts are gladden, And your hearts are leaping, Because he chose you, Before the foundation of the earth. [22:23] And he chose you, Not because of anything, That you would have done. Of course it is our nature to think, That we chose God, Or, A righteous God, Could not condemn, Others, To hell. [22:45] Peter, Peter, Sets out in, These three verses, Verses 1, 2, and 3, That not only, Are Christians chosen by, God the Father, The entire Trinity, Is involved in the work, Of our salvation. [23:10] Notice, What Peter writes about the Holy Spirit, In verse 2, Of, First Peter, According to the, For knowledge of God the Father, In the sanctification of the Spirit, For obedience to Jesus Christ, In the sprinkling, With his blood. [23:33] Often times, When we speak of sanctification, We are thinking about our own efforts, In pursuit of holiness. Here I believe that Peter is writing about, The walk of the Holy Spirit, In the process of salvation, To grant believers, Imputed sanctification. [23:53] That is to say, The act of the Holy Spirit, Sets the believer apart, So that he, Can serve God. That is why Peter, Can say, What he says in, First Peter, Chapter 2, Verse 9, Listen to what Peter says, In first Peter, Chapter 2, Verse 9, Peter says, You are a chosen race, A royal priesthood, A holy nation, A people for his own possession, That you may proclaim, The excellencies of him, Who called you out of darkness, Into his marvelous light. [24:46] Once you were not his people, But now you are God's people. Once you had not received mercy, But now you have received mercy, A chosen race, Having received mercy, Having had the love of God, Bestowed upon you. [25:11] Moreover, We see the role of the Son, In the process of our salvation. Peter makes, Let's take a look at that. [25:24] Peter says, In verse 2, According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, In the sanctification of the Spirit, For obedience to Jesus Christ, And for sprinkling with blood. [25:38] Peter makes two distinct points here. First, Believers are saved, So that we might be obedient to Jesus. Of course, Obedience is expected in an ongoing way. [25:53] But in the act of salvation, It is the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord. Indeed, Jesus himself said, No one comes to the Father, Except by me. [26:10] And that cannot happen unless one is drawn. The second aspect of Jesus' involvement, In the process of our salvation, Has to do with his death. [26:26] Notice what Peter says here again. I want us to take a look again at what Peter says here. Peter says, According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, In the sanctification of the Spirit, For obedience to Jesus Christ, And for sprinkling with his blood. [26:51] Angus, Markley, Writing on this clause, Opined that while Peter Could have had in view the sprinkling of blood For the forgiveness of sin, As found in Leviticus 4, Or Exodus 12, Where the sprinkling of blood On the doorposts, On the night of the Passover, Was a sign that the angel of death Would not, Would preserve God's people, It is likely a reference To Exodus 24, Verses 1 through 8, Where Moses confirms the covenant Between the Lord and his chosen people. [27:39] Here the people made a commitment to God While they were traveling From a foreign land. And they are sprinkled with blood. [27:51] We see later in the chapter That God's glory descends And stays with them Until they arrive In the promised land, The land of inheritance. [28:03] Angus, Maclay writes, Given this background, Peter warns his covenant Gentile audience To understand That they are in the same Sort of situation As God's people In Exodus chapter 24. [28:20] Like them, They have been taken out Of their old home. They have now been Constituted as God's chosen, Covenanted people Through the blood sacrifice Of Jesus. [28:37] And their obedient response, They must now commence Their pilgrimage Through the wilderness To the promised land. As they travel, They will know God's glory Resting on them, Even amidst difficulties. [28:56] Even amidst difficulties. And this is Peter's message To the churches. Peter is saying To this church, Peter is saying To these people Who have been abused, Who have, Peter, Describe them. [29:13] He says, You are elect exiles Away from home. Not enjoying The niceties of life. [29:26] Peter is saying You can hold your head up high Because you are chosen By God. Yes, believers Must see themselves, You and I As believers Must see ourselves As exiles. [29:41] In normal everyday language When we use the word Exile, We refer to someone Who is in a country Where he or she Has limited status. [29:53] It's not a citizen. It must be understood That Peter Was not here Referring To believers As non-citizens In the traditional Sense of the word. [30:07] He was speaking More broadly. If Peter were here today And speaking to us He might say, Though you have A bohemian passport Which entitles you To all the rights And privileges Of a bohemian citizen. [30:22] You need to be Ever mindful That you have A more Enduring Citizenship That is not Of this world. Peter will say To you That you ought to Live as A bohemian exile Knowing that You have An inheritance. [30:42] Sometimes you need To be reminded yourself. We all need To be reminded That we are Just passing through. That this world Is not our home. [30:54] And when things Get difficult As they often do We ought to Remind ourselves That we are But exiles Passing through. [31:06] Remember that we Have been chosen Known by God Before the foundation Of the earth. And he For whatever reason Decided To shower us With his Mercy To cause us To know him In verse 3 Peter Makes clear That it was God's mercy That has caused Us to be born again. [31:36] It was not God's justice That caused us To be born again. Aren't you glad About that? It was not Our holiness That caused us To be born again. It was not even Our good works That caused us To be born again. [31:52] Peter In verse 3 Says Plainly It was God's mercy. It was his mercy If you are a believer. [32:02] Aren't you glad Today that you are A chosen exile. You don't have to Look forward to The things That this world Has to offer. [32:18] Because this place Is not your home. You are just Traveling Through. There is nothing The world Can throw At an exile That can match The description Of what awaits You and me. [32:40] When you are Persecuted for Christ's sake You can declare Yourself a chosen exile. When you are wrongly Talked about When things are not going As you expect. [32:54] You can declare That you are a chosen Exile. What a perspective To have. What a way To view Life's Challenges Life's Obstacles. [33:12] To view The The things Of life. Move now To my second And final Point. [33:26] The nature Of the Believers Inherited. Bible Scholars Tell us That the Main recipients Of This letter Were Jews Who were Away from Home Their home Country And poor Gentiles Perhaps Both groups Both groups Poor And Mistreated So that they Did not Have an Inheritance On earth But Peter Is about To tell Them Verse 4 You know The verse Well We We Studied it Just moments Ago Peter Is about To tell Them About this Glorious Inheritance That awaits Those who Have Been chosen [34:27] What do we Know About this Inheritance Peter tells Us four Things about This Inheritance You remember What they Are Peter says About this Inheritance He says Number one It is Then he Says it Is Undefiled And then And then Finally Kept in Heaven For us That's Right Peter says That this Inheritance That awaits You And me First it's Imperishable By that Peter is Telling us That It's not Good Change It's Going to It's Going to Last forever You know There is Something in Physics That they Call the Second law Of thermodynamics And basically [35:27] What it's all About it Tells us That You know No matter What exists Anything Is going To Is going To fade It's going To lose Its value It's going To eventually Move to A state Of Chaos Doesn't matter What it is Doesn't Doesn't matter What it is This chair The trees Everything That Peter Tells us Not so With This Inheritance It is Imperishable And then He says That it Is Undefiled There is No sin There is No Contamination There is No Defect Whatsoever That about This inheritance Peter Peter Writes That it Is [36:27] Unfading It Never Wears Out Now This This This is Just Amazing Peter Says This Inheritance Is Unfading It Never Wears Out It Never Gets Down And Peter Is Saying To You And Me That What You And I Can Look Forward To When We Get There When We Get To Heaven He Says After A thousand Years We'll Be As Excited As We Were On Day One Because It Is Unfading It Never Gets Dough How Amazing Is That And Then Peter Says Of This Inheritance That It Is Kept In Heaven It's Kept In Heaven Because Peter Perhaps Has In View That Maybe Some People Might Think You Know I Wonder If That's Going To Be There How Long That's Going To Be There For Me But Peter Says Listen [37:27] You Can Be Assured Of One Thing This Inheritance It's Kept In Heaven You Know Who The Great Keeper Is It's Kept By The One Whose Power Is Without End As We Conclude Today Perhaps You're Wondering At a Thought In The Past Whether The Salvation You Now Have Will Last Yes I Get I Get It I Get It I Get It Chosen By God Before The Foundation Of You I See It Clearly In Scripture You've Read All Of Those Passages Chosen By God But Will It Last Will It Last Given [38:30] Given Our Tendency To Commit Sin That Would Seem Like A Reasonable Question To To Ask But Take A Look At Verse Five Of Of This Passage Verse Five Says Who By God's Power Are Being Guarded Through Faith For A Salvation Ready To Be Revealed In The Last Time Peter Tells Us In Verse Five That Our Salvation Is Being Guarded Not By Our Pastor Not By Our Church Community Not By Our Brothers And Sisters Not By [39:30] Our Good Works Not By Our Holiness Rather Peter Says Who By God's Power It Is God's Power That Guards Our Salvation We Are Being Guarded By God Himself So Through What Lenses Do You View The Circumstances Of Life Whether Pleasant Or Unpleasant! [40:13] Peter Says We Must View Life Through The Prism That We Have Been Chosen For An Inheritance That Is Imperishable And Fading And Undefiled And Kept In Heaven For Us And That Our Salvation Is Guarded By God I Know That It's Easier Said Than Done I Know I Can Stand Here And And Say This But We Should Look At Life Circumstances That Way I Know That I Know That Sometimes We Get Hit With Blows And And The Farthest Thing From Our Minds Is In That Moment Is [41:14] The Reality That We Have Been Chosen By God And That We Have This Inheritance To Look Forward To And If I Know That I Know That The Lord Knows That One Of The Things That He Has Done For Us Is That He Causes Us To Come Together In Places And At Times Like These So That We Can Be Reminded And Perhaps There Is Something Right Now That You Going Through And You Needed To Hear These Words You Needed To Know That You Know Whatever It Is I'm Dealing With In My Life I'm Going Exile Wear It Loosely Wear The Things Of This World Loosely Because There Is Not Permanency To This But There Is Permanency [42:14] To Our Inheritance There Is Not Certainty To This But There Is Certainty To Our Inheritance That's What Peter Tells Us It's Unfading What A What A Delight It's Going To Be But All Of This My Brothers And Sisters Is Only True Because Of The Work That Jesus Christ Did For Us On Calvary It's Only True Because Of That And I Pray For Those Of Us Who Are Present And Those Of Us Who Are Watching Via Live Stream If You Don't Know Christ It's My Prayer That God Would Be Pleased To Open Your Eyes So That You Too Would Know The Joy [43:15] Of Being Chosen By God Let Us Pray Father We Thank You For Your Word We Thank You For The Gift Of Salvation God We Thank You We Bow Our Heads In Humility Lord We Acknowledge Father That We Do Not Understand All That We Have Considered This Morning But We Know That You Are A Sovereign God And We Put Our Faith In You We Put Our Faith In You Lord We Also Must Confess That Often Times When Life's Challenges Confront Us We Don't Put It Within The Scope Of The Words That We Have Considered Lord [44:17] We Pray That You Would Help Us Lord To Do Just That To Wear The Things Of This Life Loosely And Lord To Consider The End And Not Just The Thing That We Are Going Through Oh Lord We Pray For Our Brothers And Our Sisters We Know Lord That You Are Not Far Away From Us We Know Lord That You Are A Powerful And You Are A Sovereign God You Are Almighty You Are You Concerned About Us Lord Lord It Is So Amazing To Us That The God Of The Universe Before The Foundation Of The Earth Would Stoop Down And Consider To Save Us To Rescue Us To Grant Salvation To Us Before We Were Formed In Our Mother's [45:17] Worms You Saved Us You Chose Us How Amazing Lord How Amazing Lord Cause Our Hearts To Be Gladdened To Be Encouraged And To Be Bowed Low Because We Understand And We Know This Truth In Jesus Name We Pray Amen Please Ask You To Join As We Sing Our Closing Song Here's Wherever Please Stand And Sing Along Here's Forever Jesus Friend Of Sinners [46:19] Loved Me And I Knew Him Drew Me With His Cards Above Tightly Bound Me To Him Round My Heart Still Closely Twine The Tides That None Can Sever For I Am His And He Is Mine Forever And Forever Jesus Friend Of Sinners A Crown Of Thorns You Wore For Me Rules For My Transgressions Pears For My Iniquity The Wrath Of God That I Deserved Was Pour Out On The [47:19] Innocent He Took My Place My Soul To Save!! Is For Jesus Friend Jesus Friend Of Sinners I Love I Love To Tell The Story Redeeming Love Has Been My Thing And Will Be Win In Glory! [47:54] Death For Life For Anything Can Ever Separate Me Love That Will Not Let Me Go Yes I Am His Forever! [48:09] Death Death Or Life Nor Anything Can Ever Separate Me Love That Will Not Let Me Go Yes I Am His Forever Let us pray Now unto Him Who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy through the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord the glory majesty dominion and authority before all time and now and forever and all God's people say [49:11] Amen Amen If you need prayer it would be a delight to pray with you otherwise you will dismiss God bless you God bless you God bless you God bless you God bless you God bless you Thank you. [50:01] Thank you. [50:31] Thank you. [51:01] Thank you.