Blessings Of Being Born Again

Blessings Of Being Born Again

Introduction:

The apostle Peter is sometimes called “The apostle of hope.”  He often uses the word “hope” in 1 Peter, a letter written to those who had been born again (Christians) and had experienced the new birth. Notice his description of them in his introduction (1 Peter 1: 1- 2).

Peter described Christians as pilgrims—sojourners—temporary residents on earth. This is a reminder that their citizenship was in heaven. Peter also described Christians as the elect—or chosen ones. They had become the chosen ones when they answered the gospel's call as the Thessalonian Christians had ( 2 Thessalonians 2: 13, 14 ). Their sanctification began when they were born of water and the spirit in obedience to the spirit's teaching.

Lesson text: 1 Peter 1: 3-9. Peter now describes the many blessings that those who have been born again enjoy.

Body:

1.      A living hope (verse 3)

“begotten” – born.  Born of water and the Spirit (John 3: 5, one Peter 1: 22-23). Those who are thus born become part of God's family, the church. (1 Timothy 3: 15 ).  Christians are given the blessing of a living hope - a confident expectation. Crucial to all of us.  notice the words in Hebrews 11:1.  This living hope is based upon a historically reliable event, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus is alive, those born again can have a living hope. Therefore, when I bury a loved one and when I face death myself, if I have been born again in Christ, I can be confident of the words and one Thessalonians 4: 13-18. This is a Christian’s living hope.

2.      An eternal inheritance (verse 4)

a very special blessing! “Incorruptible” means imperishable, underlying, and unaffected by the passing of time. Earthly, physical inheritances decay, but not the Christians’ inheritance. This inheritance is undefiled, unstained, and uncontaminated. Our inheritance can never become defiled or unclean. It “does not fade away”.  This is from the Greek word amarantos.  The amaranth was a fabled flower whose perpetual bloom and beauty never faded. Our inheritance will not become less desirable or attractive over time.

“Reserved in heaven for you.” We know how comforting it is on a long journey to know you have a place of rest waiting for you. Be born again ones have a reservation waiting for them in heaven (John 14: 2,3)

3.      A protection by God (verse 5)

“kept” Means to be protected with a military guard. Picture a band of soldiers thrown around the faithful to protect and guarantee their spiritual safety as long as they remain in the faith. The access to this power of God is faith. Call Romans 1: 16. Those whose faith endures are guarded against the assaults of Satan and can look forward to that final salvation. (John 10: 27, 28).

4.      A brief period of suffering (verses 6- 7)

those who are born again, though guarded by the power of God, this does not mean He will eliminate all suffering from their lives.

“A little while” could possibly be one's entire life (2 Corinthians 4: 17- 18). The benefit of this suffering is to test the strength of their faith (James 1: 2- 4). The faith that is shown to be genuine is more valuable than gold. The result is a faith that produces praise, honor, and glory when Jesus comes again. Recall 1 Peter 4: 12-14.

5.      The end of one's faith (verses 8, 9)

the people to whom Peter wrote had never seen Christ with their own eyes, yet they believed and loved Him anyway. This was a source of great joy! They walk by faith, not by sight.

But faith has a goal. The culmination or fulfillment of faith is the salvation of one soul in heaven. This is why Christ came into the world was to offer salvation. He will come again one day and bring salvation to those who eagerly wait for him parentheses Hebrews 9: 27- 28 ).

Invitation:

There are so many blessings for those born again, born of the water and the spirit. These blessings are available to no one else.

Sermon prepared by Bobby Stafford

Prepared by Bobby Stafford

The church of Christ at Granby, MO

Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109

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