A Salvation That Is Precious

A SALVATION THAT IS PRECIOUS

Text: 1 Peter 1: 8-2:3 W. Max Alderman

Introduction: The Lord chose to use the prophets of old to communicate the truths pertaining to the salvation that was to be later revealed. The prophets could only give a shadow; the substance would come in God’s time. It would be interesting to observe how many times the prophets were used in this manner. We will look at several of them. Then we will consider the practical aspects of being saved. Some believe that salvation is entirely for the eternal, but not so. Salvation very much pertains to the “here and now” as well. This study will also show the purifying purpose of one being saved.

May we look at these three things:

1. Salvation Viewed Prophetically. (Vv. 8-12)

2. Salvation Viewed Protectively. (13-21}

3. Salvation Viewed in Purity. (Vv. 22. -25)

I. SALVATION VIEWED PROPHETICALLY (Vv. 8-12).

Verses eight and nine shows how we are able to love the Lord Jesus Christ because of the great work of grace that He did upon the cross. We love Him as we exercise faith in a past event. The prophets exercised faith and belief in the coming Savior. They rejoiced in the prospects of the Lord’s coming; we rejoice and love Him for coming!

A. Prophesy Shows How Satan’s Deathblow Was Delivered. (cf. Genesis 3:15)

An individual from among the woman’s seed, namely, Christ, will deal a deathblow to Satan’s head at the cross, while Satan (thou) will bruise Christ’s heel (cause Him to suffer). From Ryrie’s footnotes; page 8.

1. The Savior was Crucified. (1 Peter 2:24).

The crucifixion may have seemed to be a defeat, but it was instead a deathblow to Satan. The song says it well, “Thanks to Calvary, I’m not the man that I used to be”.

2. Satan will be Chained. (Revelations 20:1-3; 10).

The chaining of Satan is only a preview of the things to come. He is to be chained as a preview to the final blow that will be dealt him when he is cast into the lake of fire.

3. Satan will be Condemned. (Revelation 20:10).

The condemnation that will fall on Satan is in addition to the condemnation that he is already under. He will face everything in the lake of fire that the unbeliever will face. To be lost and to be abandoned by God means to spend eternity with Satan!

B. Prophesy Shows How Satan’s Darkness Was Dispelled. (cf. Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16,17)

So many live in darkness, with all of the

misery associated with it, having no desire to

come to the light.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. John 3:20

1. Consider the Darkness.

a. There is a social or secular darkness. (The world).

Romans 1:18-32 records the social or the secular darkness that grips the land. Verse 21 says, Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as

God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

b. There is a soul or spiritual

darkness.

2. Consider the Deliverance.

a There Was the Light To Overcome Darkness.

b. There Was the Light To Overcome Death.

C. Prophesy Shows How Satan’s Dominion Was Destroyed. (Isaiah 9:6,7).

1. God Used a Supernatural Birth.

2. God Used a * Supernal Beginning.

*supernal: 1. heavenly; divine 2. lofty; exalted.

II. SALVATION VIEWED PROTECTIVELY. (Vv. 13-21).

A. Some Things To Guard For Your Protection. (Vv 13-17).

1. Guard Your Mind. (V. 13).

The following is from: Jamieson- Fausset-Brown commentary

gird up ... loins--referring to Christ’s own words, Lu 12:35; an image taken from the way in which the Israelites ate the Passover with the loose outer robe girded up about the waist with a girdle, as ready for a journey. Workmen, pilgrims, runners, wrestlers, and warriors (all of whom are types of the Christians), so gird themselves up, both to shorten the garment so as not to impede motion, and to gird up the body itself so as to be braced for action. The believer is to have his mind (mental powers) collected and always ready for Christ’s coming. "Gather in the strength of your spirit" [HENSLER]. Sobriety, that is, spiritual self-restraint, lest one be overcome by the allurements of the world and of sense, and patient hopeful waiting for Christ’s revelation, is the true ways of "girding up the loins of the mind."

The Best way to guard your mind is by watching for the return of the Lord. For in doing so, you do not have your mind fixed on so many other things that may either impede, distract, or in some way hinder your service to the Lord.

This same Truth is given in the second Epistle of Peter as follows: