What's So Great About God?-3 Series

WHAT’s So GREAT About GOD?-III—1Peter 1:3-12(:3-9; 10-12)

Attention:

What’s so great about a Washing machine?-an Automobile?-a Boat?- Hunting?- the Beach?——Ask anyone who uses &/or loves these!

We can sometimes miss the power of God preferring rather to enjoy the social aspects of ‘our church.’ And when confronted with our fears in such situations, we come to a standstill, not realizing ‘What’s So Great About God!’

Need:

Peter recalled basic justifications for glorifying God.

Blood-bought believers are justified in their glorifying/pointing to God.

Why are believers justified in glorifying/blessing/pointing to God?

Why is God considered Worthy?

10 governors for blessing God.

WHAT’s So GREAT About GOD?

Previously, we found that,

God is Great because He offers...

1. GOD(:3a)

2. His MEANS OF SALVATION(:3a)

3. MERCY(:3b)

4. REGENERATION(:3b)

5—God is Great because He offers...

VIBRANT HOPE(:3b-c)

Explanation:(:3b-c)

:3—“Blessed be the God & 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,”

This 2nd birth was a birth into a “living hope.” This hope is not centered on something ‘dead’ such as human ability &/or wisdom.

?What gives Christian hope its life?

This “living hope” was secured by means of the “resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”(Rom. 10:9-10; Rom. 4:25).

Rom. 10:9-10—“...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus & believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, & with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Rom. 4:25—“...Jesus our Lord”.....“who was delivered up because of our offenses, & was raised because of our justification.”

“Living”—zaw—1) To live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead); 2) To enjoy real life—2a) To have true life & worthy of the name, 2b) Active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God; 3) To live i.e. Pass life, in the manner of the living & acting—3a) Of mortals or character; 4) Living water, having vital power in itself & exerting the same upon the soul; 5) metaph.--To be in full vigor—5a) To be fresh, strong, efficient,, 5b) as adj.--Active, powerful, efficacious. Strong—a primary verb; To live (literally or figuratively).

“Hope”—elpiv—1) Expectation of evil, fear; 2) Expectation of good, hope—2a) in the Christian sense—2a1) Joyful & confident expectation of eternal salvation; 3) On hope, in hope, having hope—3a) The author of hope, or he who is its foundation, 3b) The thing hoped for. Strong—Expectation(abstractly or concretely) or confidence.

“Through”—dia—Preposition—

“Resurrection”—anastasiv—1) A raising up, rising (e.g. from a seat); 2) A rising from the dead. Strong—A standing up again, i.e. literally--A resurrection from death(individual, genitive case or by implication [its author]), or figuratively--A (moral)recovery (of spiritual truth).

Argumentation:

Rom. 5:1-6(See below)—“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, & rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; & perseverance, character; & character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Rom. 8:22-25—“For we know that the whole creation groans & labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.”

Rom. 12:9-21—“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless & do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, & weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”