Home Is Where The Soul Is

A. Opening illustration: A real Christian is an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen. Talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see. He expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another, empties himself in order that he might be full, admits he is wrong to he can be declared right, and goes down in order to get up. He is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest, and is happiest when he feels worst. He dies to he can live, forsakes in order to have, and gives away so he can keep. He sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows that which passes knowledge. - A.W. Tozer

B. Background to passage: One of the most theologically rich greetings in the NT. It is written to churches located in the northern region of what is now Turkey on a courier route. There is debate as to whether or not this letter is primary toward their suffering for their faith or just suffering in general. I have found personally that this book is so practical in its help toward the heartbreak and hardship of life that it has helped me get through the most difficult times in my life. That’s my prayer for this series. Peter begins his encouragement for their endurance by reminding them who they are in this life. He describes in detail their salvation as the ground for their hope.

C. Main thought: Focusing on what God has done for us in salvation will help us get through the truth that the world is not our home and we will not find satisfaction, rest, or peace except in Him.

1) Chosen and Favored by the Father (v. 1-2)

a. Peter calls them exiles of the dispersion. The term references the exile to Babylon of the Jews in the 5th century BC. His point is that these Christians are now scattered away from their homeland. He is trying to communicate that this world is not their home.

b. Now, he says that they were also the “elect” or chosen or according to the foreknowledge of God. The word has covenantal overtones; that’s probably why it includes “the Father.” His choice of you as a believer is based on his love and goodness toward you, just as his covenant with Abraham, Moses, and David. The bible teaches that he knew us before the foundation of the world and chose us to be his children and it brings him joy.

c.

d. Illustration: find a good story of adoption that demonstrates the loving choice of parents on a child.

e. The fact that we look to a homeland not made with human hands, a homeland that is not physical, helps us not to look for ultimate satisfaction, rest, and peace in the things of this world. All the toys, possessions, power, position, recognition, trophies, relationships, jobs, friends, food, health, wealth, self-improvement, or self-confidence will never bring what you need. Look to Christ. Long for your home! If you consider yourself a believer, do you live with an other-worldly perspective? Do you evaluate how the thing that you are doing, saying, saving, living for, dying for, longing for effects eternity. Jason’s dad, Randall, gave me his corvette to go to prom one year.

f. Mary is called the highly favored one when we get to Christmas each year, but in election and adoption by a loving Heavenly Father all believers are highly favored. We seek favor in this world from the aforementioned things, but genuine favor flows from God. If you are not a believer today, know that God’s blessing and favor is available to you today. Peace will come from Him. Satisfaction will come from Him. You may not be delivered from your situation. You may not be healed. You may not have money or a good job. There may be tragedy in your life, but you will have the favor of God to help you endure. Christ is the sufficient one, and the Father wants you.

g. The reason that this was comforting thought was three-fold. 1) It shows the absolute sovereignty of God in all things, especially salvation. This is crucial in crisis. 2) It directs the glory and boasting of salvation away from man and to God. 3) And it grounds the security of the believer into the character of God. You don’t have to worry about losing your salvation. Don’t let this doctrine bother you. Embrace truth because it is there. This doesn’t create an unfair, unloving, nor ungood God. Nor does it teach coercion of the will, nor absence of real meaningful choice. It champions the sovereignty of God and does not cause Him to be dependent on mankind for His actions, and give Him all the credit for salvation