So Great A Salvation Series

Title: "So Great A Salvation"

Big Idea: (I) Salvation Promised, (II) Salvation Realized, (III) Salvation Received

Text: 1 Peter 1:10-12 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 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. 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. NKJV

Introduction: Hebrews 2:1 states that we "must give more attention"; attention to the salvation message. The message of the Good News of Jesus Christ. This salvation is prophetic in the sense that the Old Testament prophets foretold of its coming in of the incarnate Jesus Christ. Just as God promised to deliver the Children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt,(Ex 3:8) God foretold through the prophets of old of the coming of not only a Deliver, a Redeemer, a King who was to free His people from the bondage of sin and death. Not only to deliver us but take us to a city whose builder and maker is God (Heb11:10).

Heb 2:1-4 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? NKJV

Ex 3:8 So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. NKJV

Heb 11:10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. NKJV

I. Salvation Promised

a. As we consider Peters statement concerning the prophets and the realization of our "great inheritance" 1 Peter 1:10-12 the living hope of the new birth springs not only from believers' future inheritance but, also from their faith in God's written Word (v. 11). Peter stress that faith is not based on the mere writings of men but, on the Word of God. Concerning this salvation (cf. "salvation" in vv. 5,9) the prophets...searched intently and with the greatest care their own Spirit-guided writings. They longed to participate in this salvation and coming period of grace and tried to discover the appointed time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing. They pondered how the glorious Messiah could be involved in suffering. Again Peter echoed the teachings of Christ (from Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries; Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries. All rights reserved.)

b. The Old Testament prophet's revealed through the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit of the coming of the salvation, the greatest gift man that has ever been known "Jesus Christ". Yet it was their faith in God that pointed them to the future coming of Jesus. It is much easier for us to look back and see that the revelation of the Christ that was spoken by the Old Testament prophets. for we have God's Word to reinforce our faith.

Luke 10:24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it." NKJV

c. 2 Peter 1:21 states that the prophetic proclamation of scripture was not the words of men but, the coming of promise (Jesus) was foretold as a result of Holy men of God "as they were moved" (2 Pet 2:21). The Greek word used for "as they were moved" is (en-eng'-ko) is defined as "to bear" or "to carry". The Message by Eugene Peterson put it this way "Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God's Word". Genesis 49:10 points out that our King will stem from the tribe of Judah and His reign will always be. The Old Testament Prophets face death and persecution for their prophecies, to deliver the announcements concerning the coming of our Redeemer.