Message Notes

MARCH-APRIL 2020

Theme: “A Living Stone” 1 Peter 2:4

MORNING WORSHIP 1 March 2020
Text: 1 Peter 1
Title: “The sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:2

INTRODUCTION

1. Easter

a) Good and necessary to prepare to celebrate Easter meaningfully

b) It is good to seek to deepen our appreciation of Easter and its significance

c) We will prepare for Easter in the hope we can worship together once again

2. The focus of this series of messages for March-April 2020

a) The series will be drawn from 1 Peter

b) The theme would be on the subject of “Suffering”

c) In particular, the suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ

3. A common problem

a) We try and avoid/prevent suffering

b) We do not know how to cope with suffering

4. Reality of life

a) Suffering is a part of life

b) It is vital that we learn how to cope with suffering

5. Learning to more deeply identify with Christ our Saviour

a) Understanding His sacrifice

b) Learning to be unafraid of suffering

A. DEEPENING OUR APPRECIATION OF SALVATION:
THE IDEA OF ELECTION

“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
In sanctification of the Spirit,
For obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:2

1. The concept of election

a) The word “elect” involves the idea of God “choosing”

i) In the English text, two different words are used

ii) In the Greek text, they share the same root

iii) To be “elect” is to be “chosen” by the Lord

b) It is out of God’s divine will that He chooses

i) God chooses not because of our personal goodness

ii) Nor because of our “potential”

iii) But out of His divine foreknowledge and will

2. Teaching of this doctrine of “election” (“Chosen”)

a) It is taught in the Old Testament
I have Chosen you (Isaiah 41:9)

b) It is taught in the New Testament
I chose you (John 15:16)

c) It was taught by the Apostles Peter and Paul

i) Elect (1 Peter 1:2)

ii) Chose us in Him (Christ) (Ephesians 1:4)

B. APPRECIATING THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION

1. There is profound involvement

a) The involvement of God the Father
“According to the foreknowledge of God the Father” 1 Peter 1:2a

b) The involvement of the Spirit of God
“In sanctification of the Spirit” 1 Peter 1:2b

c) The involvement of the Lord Jesus Christ
“For obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:2c

2. There is powerful activity

a) The foreknowledge of God

i) Thinking

ii) Planning

b) The work of the Spirit

i) In sanctifying

ii) In protecting

c) The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus

i) The shedding of His blood

ii) The sprinkling of His blood

C. NOTING THE SACRIFICE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. The sprinkling of His blood (Cf. Exodus 24; Hebrews 9:16-22)

2. The shedding of Christ’s blood

3. The sprinkling of His blood

4. Vital and wonderful effects:

a) Atonement

i) Our sins are dealt with

ii) Forgiveness has been given

iii) The penalty of our sins has been paid

b) Cleansing

i) Cleansing from Sins

ii) Our sins are buried in the deepest sea

c) Sealing of a relationship with God

i) This is a key goal

ii) This is made possible by what the Lord called “A New Covenant”

d) Access to God

i) We may speak of God as Father

ii) We are given sonship

iii) We have fullness of access to God (Romans 5:1-2)

D. TREASURING THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE SHEDDING OF CHRIST’S BLOOD

1. Becoming the people of God

a) Israel (Exodus 24)

b) The Church (Ephesians 2)

2. Becoming obedient to the Lord

a) Understanding our salvation

b) Appreciating the Lord God

c) Determining to respond with obedience to the Lord

CONCLUSION

1. Celebrating Easter

a) Greater understanding

b) Deeper appreciation

2. Relating better to the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Saviour/Redeemer

b) Teacher/Master

d) Lord/Friend