True Faith = Salvation
1 Peter 1:1–12
Introduction: Faith is powerful and it is what we are required to have in our Christian walk with Christ with the guidance of the Holy Ghost. We have faith in the fact that Christ was/is God Himself. This Scripture today shows us there are a few things we must have real faith in for our Christianity to be real and lasting. Let’s delve into these Scriptures and concentrate on three things this Scripture tells us we must have faith in as Christians…
I – Faith in God’s Power and Providence (Providence - the protective
care of God or of nature as a spiritual power.) (v.1-4)
A. God knew us and chose us long ago.
B. He makes us holy. (We obey Him and are cleansed by the blood
of Jesus. Peter says for being obedient may God give us more
and more grace and peace. It is through our obedience that we
prove to be followers of Christ and gain more grace and peace.
Belief and obedience are faith provers.)
C. God has given us a priceless inheritance. (God is to receive all of
our praise because oh his great mercy that we have been born
again. God raised Jesus from the dead. Peter says, now we live
with great expectation! I am expecting the coming of Christ and
I am expecting to inherit the Kingdom of God!)
II – Faith in God’s Protection (v.5-9)
A. Through our faith God is protecting us. (God protects by his
power until we receive salvation, which is ready to be revealed
on the last day for all to see!)
B. There is wonderful joy ahead. (Joy comes in the morning! It is
our promise!)
C. Genuine faith is like fire. (Trials show our faith is genuine. Our
faith is being tested in our trials just like fire tests and purifies
gold. Our faith is way more precious than gold. When our faith
is tested and we remain strong in our faith, we will receive glory
and honor on the day when Jesus is revealed to the whole
world!)
D. Trust in the unseen and the reward is great. (We love him even
though we haven’t seen him. Even though we don’t see him, we
trust him. We rejoice with inexpressible joy and the reward for
trusting him will be salvation for our souls!)
III – Faith in God’s Salvation (v.10-12)
A. Even the prophets wanted to know more about salvation. (They
realized that His salvation was so graciously prepared for us
because we did nothing to deserve it. They couldn’t quite grasp
it.)
B. They wondered about the time and situation. (They couldn’t
understand how God told them in advance about Christ’s
suffering and his great glory afterward. They couldn’t fathom
how His beginning and ending would be so different. Coming to
suffer and die, but reigning in Glory forever and taking us there
with Him.)
C. The prophets messages and the good news preaching is for us!
(The Good News has been announced to us by those who
preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.
Even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen
because these things are SO wonderful!!!)
So have…
Slide: Faith in God’s Power and Providence
Slide: Faith in God’s Protection (and…)
Slide: Faith in God’s Salvation
Because…
Last Slide: True Faith = Salvation!!!
