The Common Made Holy Series
“The Identity of Saint Who”
1 Peter 1:1-9
Today I am beginning a series on the book of First Peter. If you would I want to ask you to turn in your Bibles to 1 Peter chapter 1. The series is entitled The Common Made Holy, Discovering “The Life of Saint Who.”
We will not finish the book, nor will we glean even a small portion of the incredible riches that are embedded in this powerful little book. But I pray that God will use the power of His Word to bring us all to a deeper understanding of Him and His glory.
PRAYER
INTRODUCTION
I have here three items, a piece of clay, a piece of ore, and a silver coin. I am going to pass these items around the room today and I ask you to touch and examine each one personally. I will not refer back to them until the end of the message, but I want to give every one a chance to look at them, to touch them and to ask the question, which one of these three things; clay, ore or the coin best represents my life today?
Now what I mean by that will become clear as we proceed through today’s message but for now ask the Holy Spirit of God to help you reflect on which one of these symbolizes your spiritual life today.
(PASS THE SAMPLES)
How many of you in this room today are holy? Many of us are naturally reluctant to identify ourselves as holy, because holy is word we reserve for God.
How many of you in this room today are a saint?
More of us are willing to acknowledge that we are saint not because of what we have done but because of our faith in Christ.
A person is saved only by his or her faith in the merit of Christ’s Jesus Sacrifice. We are saved by Faith alone in Christ Alone through faith alone.
We recognize that once we are saved we are a saint.
But do you think of yourself as a Saint?
But understanding who God says we are is radically important. When we truly understand who we are in Christ, then we can live the accordingly.
Knowing who you are in Christ will dispel the fear that robs you of life and fill you with a faith that will empower your life.
So are you a Saint?
Something about that title seems to just not fit. Why is it that the scriptures time and again are addressed to the saints who gather in a specific place, but we feel so uncomfortable with that title individually?
Shortly before the Reformation of the church in the 15th and 16th centuries, several false teachings crept into church. Among them were…
- The Veneration of Saints
- The Veneration of Relics
- The Rise of Magisterial Authority (Priests & Bishops)
- The Elevation of Papal Authority (Pope)
- The Selling of Indulgences
Dictionary.com
Veneration
\Ven`er*a"tion\, n. [L. veneratio: cf. F. v['e]n['e]ration.] The act of venerating, or the state of being venerated; the highest degree of respect and reverence; respect mingled with awe; a feeling or sentimental excited by the dignity, wisdom, or superiority of a person, by sacredness of character, by consecration to sacred services, or by hallowed associations.
Syn: Awe; reverence; respect
Because of this teaching Sainthood became something that had to be earned, it was not something given to us by the grace of God. It took on an elevated status that eventually led to prayer to and mediation of saints on behalf of common sinners. But that has nothing to do with what the Scriptures teach.
The Protestant Reformation resulted in 5 specific reforms that are called the
5 Solas of the Reformation.
1. Sola Scriptura – The Holy Scriptures alone are our final authority for all matters of Faith and Doctrine.
2. Solus Christus – Jesus Christ alone is our mediator and savior.
3. Sola Gratia – We are saved by Grace alone. Salvation is a gift of God’s unmerited favor
4. Sola Fide – We are save through Faith alone in the merit of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf.
5. Soli Deo Gloria – God alone receives all the glory and credit.
This is where the statement “We are saved by Grace alone, through Faith alone in Christ alone,” comes from.
As a result all credit, honor and glory goes to God Himself.
As a result of the Reformation, protestant believers do not practice the Veneration of the saints, for we understand on the authority of the scriptures that;
I Timothy 2:
5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
But the one thing that has lingered in our hearts and minds is that we do not identify ourselves as saints nor as holy and the same scripture that emphasizes there is only 1 mediator also addresses the saints time and time again.
A misunderstanding of what a saint is can lead to an identity crises in our spiritual lives. As long as in our minds, being a saint, being holy is something out there reserved for a precious few we will never identify ourselves and saints and therefore we tend to live in accordance with the identity we assume.
Lets briefly examine 1 Peter in a verse by verse exposition and then we are going to glean some application on the identity of Saint Who from the text.
1Peter 1:1 (NASB) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
This letter is written by Peter the Apostle of Jesus Christ.
Now it is important to understand something of who Peter was. Peter was often brash, and outspoken. But Peter was dear to Jesus heart, I believe because Peter, had passion. He wasn’t the cautious, lets plan out every detail, person. He was the proverbial bull in a china shop.
He also was a man who was deeply humbled by his failure and denial of Jesus Christ.
Take some time this week to get to know Peter it will help you to understand what God communicated through him in this letter.
I Peter 1:
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
This letter is written to those who are aliens, or your translation may say pilgrims, strangers of exiles who are scattered across what is now modern Turkey.
• Why are they exiles, aliens, or strangers? Because they are Saints.
Because they have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and have been sanctified by the work of the Holy Spirit.
The Word sanctified is the Greek word 40 [38] hagiasmos, n. [41]. Holiness. It refers to the process of being sanctified or holy. It comes from the word Hagio – Holy.
The book of 1 Peter deals at length with Sanctification.
Sanctification is both a positional identity and a process.
It is both where we stand before God in His eyes and what we are becoming in this life.
When we come to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we positionally Sanctified – Our identity is that of a Saint. But we also begin a process of being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ our Savior.
Please understand what Sanctify, Holy and saint all mean.
1. A Saint is someone who is “Set Apart” by God.
When we say that something is sanctified we mean that it has been set apart.
The scriptures reveal that God Himself is Holy, Holy, Holy. He is set apart, and set apart again and set apart a third time. He is not like everything else. God is not common in any way. He is holy. The English word Holy also incorporates the idea of wholeness to the definition. When something is sanctified it is set apart for a purpose, when something is holy all of it, every aspect is set apart.
To be sanctified by God is to be set apart for His purpose. That is what this means when Peter addresses the aliens who have been sanctified. The title exiles, aliens or strangers that Peter uses if very important.
Peter wants them to remember who they are. He wants to emphasize their identity, because they are in great danger of becoming settled and comfortable in this foreign land. Understand that they are not aliens because they come from a different earthly culture or race. They are aliens because this world is not their home. Peter uses the same reminder in chapter 2 verse 11.
I Peter 2:
9 But you are (notice the present tense) a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Now understanding who you are should result in a transformed behavior as well. Now the order is very important. We do not change our behavior to become saints, Because we are saints our transformed identity empowers us to live a holy life.
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
Hebrews chapter 11 is often called the Hall of Faith. It lists men and women who brought great glory to God through their lives.
The exact same word is used in describing them. Listen to this summary.
Hebrews 11:
13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
As you reflect on the people listed in Hebrews 11’s Hall of Faith, you will discover that being an alien or an exile is part of God’s plan in setting men and women apart for Himself. He brought up Abraham out of the Ur of the Chaldese and sent him to a foreign land to sojourn there. God always sets His people apart.
2. The Identity of Saint begins with understanding that He/She is Set Apart and lives as an Alien in a foreign land.
Peter is addressing people who are living a strangers in a foreign land because they have been set apart by God for His purposes.
Now it is interesting to note that this letter which is written to those who are set apart was written by perhaps the most common of the Lord’s disciples, Peter.
Peter was a fisherman. He had little formal education. He was brash. He was outspoken. He denied the Lord. He was not one we would think of as set apart, as HOLY, he was ordinary. But God set him apart and took a common man and transformed him into a holy vessel for God’s use.
The reason I believe God so often chooses the most unlikely people is “Soli Deo Gloria” – so that He alone receives the glory.
So Peter the unlikely choice is writing to people who have been set apart, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. He writes to a people who were chosen by God to be set apart and who are in the process – (sanctifying) of being made holy by God’s Spirit.
Also I want you to recognize that scripture tells us that all 3 members of the Trinity participate in our salvation.
I Peter 1:
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
• We are chosen according to the Foreknowledge of God the Father. God the Father elects the saints.
• We are Sanctified (Set apart) by God the Holy Spirit. God the Spirit Sets the saints apart and applies salvation to our souls.
• We are set apart to obey Christ the Son who purchased our salvation with His blood. Jesus cleanses us and forgives us, and we are set apart in allegiance to His will and purpose.
Now what were they set apart for?
3. What is a Saint set apart for? Obedience to Christ.
Look at the next part of verse 2…
I Peter 1:
2 for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:
The are set apart live in obedience to Christ Jesus. They have been cleansed by His blood, and then the blessing comes may grace and peace be yours in fullest measure.
When we live a life that is set apart in complete obedience to Jesus Christ we will be full of grace and peace. That is the blessing.
These people that Peter is writing to are Set Apart by God to Obey Christ and when they do they have a life full of Grace and Peace.
Now note it does not in anyway say they have a life of Comfort!
• Comfort is the desire of the Common Person.
Are you common or are you set apart?
We need to realize that if we are truly aliens or pilgrims in a foreign land, if we seek to become comfortable, we will conform to world in which we live and cease to live as Aliens.
God does not call us to be comfortable or to conform.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
If you are seeking to be comfortable you are conforming to this world.
(possible reference to clay) – see how in conforms to what is around it.
Peter goes on later to emphasize this in verses 14-16.
I Peter 1:
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Don’t let the world and its messages nor your own sin nature which is your enemy squeeze you into its mold. You can live a life that brings glory to God and that is radically revolutionary. A life set apart for God makes an eternal difference. It is connected through the power of prayer to God.
Saints are to live a life that is set apart. They are to remember that they are aliens and not seek to be conformed to the comforts of this life but to be holy for God is Holy.
Now I want you to notice it does not say be holy as God is Holy. That would be a demand beyond our capacity. He calls us to be set apart because He (God) is Set apart. And we are His, our identity is rooted in His Holiness.
3. The Reward of a Saint is the blessing of Grace and Peace.
Look at it again –
I Peter 1:
2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
Peter pronounces a blessing on all who live set apart unto obedience to Christ – that our lives will be filled to the fullest measure with Grace and Peace.
He does not say we will be pain free, or even happy. Peter pronounces a blessing that is far greater; We will be filled to the fullest measure with grace and peace.
Grace = Charis
5485 χάρις [charis /khar·ece/] n f. From 5463; TDNT 9:372; TDNTA 1298; GK 5921 Grace, the state of kindness and favor toward someone, often with a focus on a benefit given to the object; by extension: gift, benefit; credit; words of kindness and benefit: thanks, blessing
Peace = Eirene
1515 εἰρήνη [eirene /i·ray·nay/] n f. Probably from a primary verb eiro (to join); TDNT 2:400; TDNTA 207; GK 1645; 92 peace, harmony, tranquility; safety, welfare, health; often with an emphasis on lack of strife or reconciliation in a relation, as when one has “peace with God.” Often used as a verbal and written greeting.
Living a life set apart unto obedience to Christ offers us the greatest blessing in life – peace with God and His favor and kindness.
Peter proclaims
A. You are Set Apart by God to Obey Christ.
B. You are Saved by Christ’s Mercy.
4. Saints will Obtain an Everlasting Inheritance.
I Peter 1:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Peter tells the saints that they have a lasting inheritance which cannot fade or be destroyed. And that inheritance is protected by the power of God Himself.
If you have an investment fund or a retirement fund, you are concerned with how it is protected. You want to know can you trust that the money you invested will be there when you need it?
We recently went through a crises in the stock market that caused millions to loose a considerable portion of their investments. But this investment is protected by God Himself. He has set it aside on our behalf and holds it in reserve for us in heaven. What a promise. This promise should compel us to live for what lasts.
A. Live for What Lasts.
The saints have been set apart by God to obey Christ. We are called to not be conformed to the world but to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. When we live for Christ we store up treasures in Heaven. We make an investment that lasts for all eternity. Our earthly investments that we work so hard for are temporal and they can be destroyed in the blink of an eye.
What difference does their portfolio make to them now? Nothing. The only investment with a real guarantee is this eternal investment procured by the saints obedience to Christ.
Lets look at the next few verses in 1 Peter.
I Peter 1:
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
5. Trials PROVE the Faith of a Saint.
Chapters 3 & 4 of 1 Peter deal extensively with trials and suffering. Here Peter sets the stage for understanding that trials are a part of the life of a saint.
We are set apart and called to live as aliens in a foreign land, in obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Trials will come, unless we are so comfortable and so conformed to this world that we no longer live as aliens.
I have done missions projects in 17 different countries. I was never at home in any of them. There were things I enjoyed but they were never home. And in every foreign country I experienced trials and difficulties, some small and some large. They were a natural part of the journey of a foreigner.
For the Saints of Christ Jesus, trials are part of life, but they also serve a Divine purpose. They present the proof of our faith.
6. The Faith of a Saint is More Precious than Gold.
Precious to who?
Our Faith is precious to God. Why is it precious to God? Because it will result in praise and glory when Jesus is revealed. The day is soon approaching when Jesus Christ will be revealed as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. At that day the praise faith that we have placed in Him, will result in triumphant praise to the Lord.
The faith of millions of believers with come together and proclaim with a mighty voice – Jesus is Lord. This is the climax of all history. God’s story will be revealed in its entirety and we will see God for who He is.
Our faith is precious to God because it is a precursor to the great day when every knee will bow and tongue confess that He is Lord.
It should be precious to us. We should treasure our faith more than any earthly possession or relationship.
When we persevere through a trial of faith it demonstrates our faith and did you see what else it demonstrates?
7. The Trials of a Saint Demonstrate their LOVE of Christ Jesus.
Peter makes a bold statement to the Alien Saints. He talks about their love for Christ Jesus whom they have never seen.
I Peter 1:
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
This is why we worship. Musical expression is our spirit seeking to express that which is larger than words and transcends the notes and rhythms of music. It is saying to Jesus “We love You!” That is why we as a people need to fight for worship and not let styles or preferences divide us.
How much do you love Jesus? What does He really mean to you? Does He mean enough for you to live a life of obedience to Him? Does He mean enough for you to be set apart to Him alone and to live a life that honors Him? Does He mean enough for you to desire to worship and praise Him continually?
Do you love Him enough to abandoned the comforts of this life?
Do you love Him enough to not be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what the perfect will of God is?
Do you love Jesus even though you have never seen Him?
Are you full of inexpressible joy when you focus your thoughts and heart on Jesus Christ?
I want you to reflect upon how significant this testimony that Peter makes on behalf of these saints is.
Peter denied the Lord. He flat out lied 3 times saying he didn’t even know Jesus.
(Possible Skip to Ending Illustration)
When God reinstated Peter, He asked three questions.
John 21:
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
Jesus asks Peter 3 questions. In English they seem very similar, but there are some differences.
He first asked Peter – do you love me with a selfless love more than other people and things?
Secondly Jesus asks Peter – Do you love me with a selfless love?
In the first two Jesus uses the Greek word Agape – Unconditional or selfless love. It is the kind of love that God expresses towards us.
The third question Jesus uses a different Greek word for love – he uses the word Phileo – Affection.
Jesus asks Peter – Do I have the affection of your heart?
He then instructs Peter to “Follow Him” – To be obedient to Christ, in spite of all the trials that will come, in spite of the fact that you will die a martyrs death – if you love me follow me.
Peter here proclaims that these saints have what he was lacking when he denied Christ.
He says to these aliens who have never seen Jesus, that they love him with a selfless love and you have been set apart to follow (obey) Him.
Do you see the contrast? Peter the denier, praises the love of these Alien saints.
The questions we must ask are…
• Do we love God selflessly with all our hearts?
• Is our love demonstrated by following Him, and obeying Him?
• Are we living a life that is set apart for His glory and purpose?
• Or are we conforming to the comforts of this life?
• What is the Identity of Saint Who? Is it You?__________
(Ending Illustration)
Ending Illustration
Clay, Ore or Refined Silver?
At the beginning of the message I passed out three items.
1. A piece of clay.
2. A piece of Silver Ore
3. A Silver Coin.
One of those three items represent your spiritual identity right now!
CLAY - God created humans out of the dust or clay of the earth. Every man woman and child born is born with an identity of clay. Common dirt.
We came from nothing and were nothing until God breathed life into us. Everyone of us also has and identity of clay that represents our sin nature. We are dirty with sin. Both the sin nature we inherited and the sins we have and continue to commit.
So the Clay represents all of us. Clay is common and has little to no value in and of itself.
The second Item is Silver ore. A precious metal. Un refined but precious. It has value. When we place our trust in Christ Jesus as our only means of salvation we become precious. And in fact spiritually we look a lot like this ore. Not overly attractive because there are so many impurities along side the precious metal. But this ore has great value.
For centuries Alchemist have tried to find a chemical or magical way to transform common materials into precious metal. Today Alchemy is closely attached to the Occult and you need to stay as far away from it as possible, but it is nothing new.
The ancient Greeks practiced alchemy. We have legends about the Midas touch and the Goose that laid the Golden Egg. But legend is all that it is. No one has every transformed common materials into precious metal.
God did something so much more incredible. He took common clay, sinful mankind and through the sprinkling of the blood of His sinless son has transformed those who place their faith in Christ into something more precious than gold, silver or platinum.
When we ask Jesus into our hearts He transforms us into something precious.
Then when we understand that God has Set us apart, made us saints for His purpose and to obey Jesus Christ, something incredible begins. God begins to refine us, He removes the impurities that surround the precious likeness of His Son. And He begins to imprint upon us the character (Likeness) of Jesus Christ.
THE COIN - Through the process of Sanctification, we become like this coin. Purified, and resembling the image that made it.
Now this process which the bible call sanctification isn’t without pain and trial. In fact as we will examine in the upcoming weeks it requires it.
With the coin its value is already determined. Christ purchased you on the cross with the highest possible price. Believers are priceless.
Secondly the use or purpose of the coin is already reserved. It has been set apart for a designed purpose. It can be used for other things but it will never fulfill its full value and design. Likewise we find our full value in living out our purpose and becoming more and more configured to the image of Christ.
Just as refining silver requires the heat of over 1900 degrees to begin the process of removing the dross and contaminants.
And the coin requires the strike of the hammer to imprint the image (likeness) upon its face, so we through trials and difficulty and transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
But the process begins by us recognizing that we are no longer common clay, but we have been set apart for obedience to Christ.
You see the clay conforms easily. It is easy to pursue a life that is comfortable. We tend to be pliable. But God calls us to be set apart.
So my question is this…
Are you clay – has there never been a time when you embraced Jesus Christ as Lord and savior?
Or are you like this silver ore. You know that you are saved, but you are in need of God’s refining fire.
Or are you in the process of sanctification like this coin has been through, where in God sight your eternal worth shines through because the image of Jesus Christ is so evident in your life.
If you are clay – come to Christ, be born again by His sacrifice that you life may be precious in Christ’s sight.
If you are the ore, recognize that God calls you to be set apart to be a saint, then ask the Lord to begin the process of purifying your life. Come to Him and pray, God this year as we begin afresh would you enable me to live a life that is set apart to you in obedience. Immerse yourself in God’s Word, for in it you have life.
God desires us to be a precious reflection of His Son.
Which one of these are you?
PYRITE-
There is one other possibility – there are some in this room who look in every way like you are precious but it is only a façade.
This piece of rock is Pyrite. It is beautiful to look at. To every appearance it has great value. But when you place it in the fire to refine it you discover that it is only dross there is nothing of value in it. It is fools gold.
Some in this room have been in church for years, to every outward appearance they have a relationship with Christ, but it is just fools gold. You have never been born again. You have never humbled yourself and come to Jesus Christ, you are content to look the part at church, and live for yourself. You are fools gold.
One day when Christ comes He will test us with fire. All that is not precious in His sight will be burned away.
Those who are clay, there is judgment.
Those who are fools gold – there awaits eternal punishment as well.
Come to Christ today. Whatever the need, He is the answer.
