Praising God
1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Introduction
Previously we have talked about the Elect of God and how the Trinity was involved in our salvation. The central theme of this Epistle is about suffering. However, Peter did not immediately conveyed his message about suffering instead he praised the Lord first. Our verses today were expressions of praise and honour to the Trinity. Peter is praising the Lord for the great blessings He has given to us believers. Here are some:
I. We Praise the Lord for the Abundant Mercy He has given us.
A. Mercy is defined as compassionate treatment, especially of those under one’s power. A disposition to be kind and forgiving. (American Heritage Talking Dictionary).
B. Mercy is God’s action towards us while we are in hopeless and desperate condition.
C. God’s mercy is the cause of His salvation. Titus 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:3.
D. Mercy is through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Titus 3:5-7.
E. Mercy is constantly available to the believer. Heb. 4:15-16.
F. Mercy motivates us to serve God. Rom. 12:1-2.
G. God is merciful to all who fear Him. Lk. 1:50
Illustration:
A mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offense twice and justice demanded death.
“But I don’t ask for justice,” the mother explained. “I plead for mercy.”
“But your son does not deserve mercy,” Napoleon replied.
“Sir,” the woman cried, “it would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for.”
“Well, then,” the emperor said, “I will have mercy.” And he spared the woman’s son.
II. We Praise the Lord because He has begotten us again
A. The word means literally “beget again” or “cause to be born again.”
B. Peter may have remember here the’ story of Nicodemus (John 3:1-21). Jesus said that we “must” be born again.
C. The only other time the New Testament uses this term is in verse 23. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
D. Christians are born twice. Physical birth first, and then Spiritual birth, second.
E. By being born again we become member of the family of God. Jn. 1: 11-14.
III. We Praise the Lord because He has given us a lively hope.
A. Our hope is a lively hope because Christ not only died for our sins but rose from the grave so that we too are assured of rising with Him.
B. By His resurrection from the dead, Jesus proved His complete victory over sin, death, hell, and Satan. His resurrection proved that He is God.
C. The Word of God lists what is the Christian hope.
1. Eternal life is the Christian’s hope (Titus 1:2).
2. Christ’s coming is the Christian’s hope (Titus 2:13).
3. Resurrection is the Christian’s hope (Rom. 8:23-24).
4. The glory of God is the Christian’s hope (Rom. 5:2; Col. 1:27). This is a reference to the splendor and wealth of Christ’s kingdom (Col. 3:4) and also to the moral perfection which we will share at resurrection (1 Jn. 3:1-3).
5. Perfect righteousness is the Christian’s hope (Gal. 5:5).
6. Rich inheritance is the Christian’s hope (Eph. 1:18).
7. To be like Jesus is the Christian’s hope (1 Jn. 3:2-3). All of these things are the certain possession of every true Christian. This is our hope. It is not God’s will for the believer to be unsure about whether or not he possesses these things; rather it is His express will that we “abound in hope” (Rom. 15:13). Praise God for such a salvation!
Illustration:
No other group of people on earth have a hope beyond the grave except Christians. All of the founders of religion are dead except the Lord Jesus. He is the only one alive today. Mohammed, Buddha, or any other religious leader are dead and gone! Christ is alive and He is coming again. That is what makes Christianity unique. We have a living hope.
IV. We praise the Lord because He has given us inheritance
A. The Word of God tells us that we Christians are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. (Rom. 8:17, Gal. 3:29, Titus 3:7)
B. The inheritance mentioned here I suppose will be, eternal life, joy, peace, righteousness, rewards, heaven, and everything that God has in store for us in eternity.
C. The most and the best beyond compare is the Lord Himself, the Blesser or the source of blessings not the blessings.
D. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of the inheritance Eph. 1:14.
E. These inheritance is described as:
1. Incorruptible – do not decay
2. Undefiled – pure
3. Fadeth not away – will last forever.
V. We praise the Lord because we are kept by the power of God until the end.
A. The word “kept” here means “being guarded”
B. The Lord God not only keep our inheritance but also keeps believers secure.
C. We can never lose our salvation. Once saved, we are saved forever.
D. This is what we call Eternal Security or Preservation of the Saints (Jn. 10:27-29, Phil. 1:6, 2 Tim. 4:18)
E. We are protected by the power of God. God is our refuge and strength. He is our strong tower. His power protects us. Because He is all-powerful, nothing can cause us to lose that which God has provided, promised, and preserved.
VI. Conclusion:
Do you praise the Lord for everything He has done for you? Do you thank Him even if you are in the midst of hardships and difficulties? Can you confidently say that when you die, you are sure you will go to heaven where Christ waits for you to give you everything he promised?
