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:
2 Peter 3:12-14 “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
2. Guard Your Ministry. (V.14-16).
a. Notice the Metaphor of a Child That Is Used. (V. 14).
Any of us should be able to identify with what is meant when the expression, “As obedient children” is being used. This is what he wants of us. Verse 17 says, “if ye call on the Father” with the context suggesting that it should be done so without any element of hypocrisy.
b. Notice the Method of Challenge That Is Used. (Vv. 15, 16). (Be like Christ…)
Since we profess to be His children, then we should conduct ourselves as such. Our
conversation and our conduct should be exercised in a most Holy manner.
3. Guard Your Mission. (V.17).
1. For There Will Be A Judgment.
2. For There Can Be Joy.
. B. Some Things Are Guaranteed For Your Protection. (Vv.17-21).
1. Salvation is Guaranteed by the Blood. (Vv. 18-20).
a. Notice the Price Paid For the Redemption. (V 18,19)
b. Notice the Plan Made for the Redemption. (V.20).
2. Salvation Guaranteed As You Believe. (Vv.21).
III. SALVATION VIEWED IN PURITY. (Vv. 22 – 2:2).
A. The Means Of The Pure. (Vv. 22-25).
1. The Means Of Their Sanctification. (V. 22).
Beginning with salvation there is a purity that comes only through Truth. A person can not be made pure nor recognize purity apart from the Bible, God’s Word.
Once a person is saved then he is sanctified by the Word of God. This means that he is constantly being made pure, as he submits himself to the Word of God.
2. The Means Of Their Salvation. (V.25)
Those who are born from above must have His seed in them. His seed is incorruptible. Notice the absolute requirement for being born again as shown in these verses in 1 John chapter 3:7-10.
1Jo 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1Jo 3:8 He that committeth sin is of /the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1Jo 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1Jo 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
B. The Manner Of The Pure. (C.2:1).
1. As Noted In Their Conduct. (C. 2:1a).
Make no mistake, conduct does indicate conversion! Some would have you to believe, including the devil, that your conduct is not to be considered relative to your salvation. But what does God’s Word have to say about it.
Notice these words from our text:
1 .Malice: wickedness that is not ashamed to break laws.
2. Guile: craftiness, subtlety, or deceit.
3. Hypocrisies: the acting of a stage player.
4. Envies: wanting what or as much as someone else.
Tts 1:15
Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Tts 1:16
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
2. As Noted In Their Conversation. (V. 1b.)
Likewise, ones conversation says much about your conversion. James
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. James 1:26.
D. The Maturing Of The Pure. (Vv. 2-3).
1. As Recognized By Their Desire. (V. 2a).
2. As Recognized By Their Development. (V. 2b.).
3. As Recognized By Their Delight. (V.3).
