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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
For more lessons
and Sermons please visit
https://granbychurchofchrist.org/
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