Text: 1 Peter 1:1-2, Title: The Definition of a Christian, Date/Place: LSCC, 4/24/05, AM
A. Opening illustration: They have a personal relationship with God, say their faith is very important in their life today; believe they have a personal responsibility to share their religious beliefs about Christ with non-Christians; believe that Satan exists; believe that the eternal salvation is possible only through grace, not works; believe that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; and describe God as the all-knowing , all-powerful, perfect deity who created the universe and still rules it today.
B. Background to passage: This is one of the greatest and most theologically rich greetings of any NT letter. We have no record of Peter or anyone else going to these areas. But if he did, He did it before 64 AD when he was martyred in Rome. Interestingly, this order of places would have been a travel route in the ancient world. Talk about the word “Dispersion” with no definite article. This letter is written mainly to gentiles in these northern reaches of Galatia who were suffering severely for their faith. Peter gives them great truths about how they should deal and live within this persecution.
C. Main thought: In our text we will see four aspects of the definition of a Christian
II. BODY
A. A sojourner in a strange land (v. 1)
1. This word is only used twice more in the NT, but the concept is prevalent. It can be translated stranger, pilgrim, foreigner, or sojourner. Word for “elect” actually in v. 1 following Peter’s calling for emphasis. Also translated “select transients.” Peter is reminding Christians that this world is not our home. We are bound for the Promised Land. That is our real home.
2. Eph 2:19, Heb 10:34, 11:13, Phil 3:20, 2 Cor 4:18, Col 3:1-2
3. Illustration: the Prime Minister of England and the bright young interviewer, “Christians are the elect of God and thus only temporarily resident in the present world…This makes their status as “resident aliens” so long as they remain in the world. Their existence receives its definition and direction from the future, not from the present, from God and not from the world. Yet for a time they are in the world and beset by its claims and contingencies, transitory as those are.” Letter: What is a Christian—illustration file.
4. Live life with an eternal perspective. Don’t be too concerned about temporary, worldly, material things. Don’t be too attached to them. People should be able to look at our life, and our priorities, and listen to our speech and know that we are heading somewhere beyond the grave, and our life is lived with that perspective. What we do here counts for all eternity.
B. A vessel chosen by the Father (v. 2)
1. The world here is eklektos, meaning chosen beforehand. It is interesting that Peter begins his letter to suffering gentile Christians by bringing up this doctrine. Peter says that is election was based in part on the foreknowledge of God. But this is not simply the fact that God selected those whom He knew would believe, but that He prearranged it, foreordained it, and brought it to pass, and knew them personally. This is at the center of a great debate. But Peter unashamedly throws it out first. God selected people from before the foundation of the world to be saved. He chose them as a special people to Himself, trophies of grace.
2. 1 Pet 1:20, John 15:6, Col 3:12, 2 Tim 1:9, Eph 1:4-5, 11-12, 1 Cor 1:29
3. Illustration: The elect are the whosoever wills, the non-elect are the whosoever won’ts. – Moody, adoption shows the grace involved in choice of individuals, “You have to celebrate your chosenness constantly. This means saying "thank you" to God for having chosen you, and "thank you" to all who remind you of your chosenness. Gratitude is the most fruitful way of deepening your consciousness that you are not an "accident," but a divine choice.”
4. 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.
C. A saint separated by the Spirit (v. 2)
1. Your translations probably say “in,” but a better translation is “by means of.” The word “hagiodzo” means to set apart. Peter says that a Christian is one who has been set apart, made holy, consecrated for God’s use. Peter is referring here to the initial separation from sin, but normally sanctification is the lifelong process of becoming like Jesus. This separation initially comes with the Holy Spirit as the down payment of salvation, and so that is included too. And the work of setting apart, making us holy continues as the Spirit convicts, strengthens, and lead us toward Christ-likeness.
2. 2 Thess 2:13, 1 Cor 6:11, 2 Cor 3:18, 2 Pet 1:5,
3. Illustration: selecting a shirt for my use this morning, separating it from others. Brian Doyle of vision New England asked the question of pastors, “Is the average man in your church growing in his walk with God.” Like a sculptor, chipping away to bring forth a masterpiece from a block of stone that was taken from a mountainside to be displayed at the most prestigious art museum.
4. Christians are the ones doing the work of God in the world, because they have been separated for that purpose. You have been separated for God. He has given you the Spirit inside of you to aid you in this process. You are free from the bondage of sin. Does your life reflect this separation? Do you have a hatred of sin? Does the Spirit of God convict you when you fall into it? Are you growing in your relationship with God? This applies not only to external and visible deeds, but internal motivations, attitudes, and desires.
D. A servant obedient to Jesus (v. 2)
1. The word for obey is hupakoe meaning compliance, or submission. This brings in the idea of covenant, because of the OT references to sprinkling. This was the seal of the covenant. Where two parties had promised things in agreement, and it was made permanent. So this has to do with the new covenant; where God promises to save those who believe, and they promise to live for Him. This is part of Lordship, when we acknowledge Him as the Sovereign One in life. This is not forced, but willing. The NT idea of bondslave is found in this, being one who willingly indentures himself to a life of servitude.
2. 1 John 2:3-6, Josh 24:15,
3. Illustration: Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deserve: to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do thy will. Tired of struggling with my strong-willed 3-year-old son, Thomas, I looked him in the eye and asked a question I felt sure would bring him in line: "Thomas, who is in charge here?" Not missing a beat, our Sunday-school-born-and-bred toddler replied, "Jesus is." I heard a story the other day of two boys going to school, and they were talking about their families. One boy said he had figured out a system for getting along with mom. He said, "It’s very simple. She tells me what to do, and I do it." What a thought! Greatness in the kingdom of God is measured in terms of obedience. –John Stott.
4. This description, much like the previous one, is progressive. “Into” obedience. You should be growing in your obedience. When we are disobedient, we thumbing our noses at God who bought us. We are saying that we can run our life better. And that we love self more than God. A disobedient Christian is Satan’s delight, for with him, he can dishonor God’s name among others, harden the heart of the believer, stifle complete joy, forfeit usefulness, and accomplish his purposes in the world. For those of you searching for the will of God for your life, you cannot expect to find it, when you are being disobedient at present. As a mark of genuine salvation, w/o you may not be saved.
III. CONCLUSION
A. Closing 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. Invitation to commitment
