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Biblical
references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational sermon
outlines are linked directly to text of the King James version of the Bible.
Bible quotes you hear in the streaming audio may be from the New King James
version of the Bible.
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Ministering Not To
Themselves, But To Us -
I Peter 1:1-12
Introduction.
1. Already in Peter's epistle we have seen several blessings enjoyed by the
"elect" of God
a. Born again to a "living" hope -
I Peter 1:3
b. Having a joy "inexpressible and full of glory" -
I Peter 1:8
2. As one continues in verses 10-12, he finds that Peter expands upon the topic
of the salvation Christians enjoy as a result of their faith
3. If one takes the time to contemplate upon what is found in this passage, he
should not fail to be impressed with how privileged we are in God's sight
a. For there we learn that we are the recipients of a gospel that was prophesied
and has come to us only through the efforts of a very distinguished company of
individuals!
b. And in their efforts, they were ministering not to themselves, but to us who
are now Christians!
Body.
I. WE HAVE BEEN SERVED BY "THE PROPHETS"!
A. WHICH IS THE MAIN THOUGHT OF THIS PASSAGE
1. When the prophets prophesied, they were often intrigued by what they revealed
- I Peter 1:10-11
a. This is because they were inspired or moved by the Holy Spirit, and not by
their own will -
II Peter 1:21
b. Therefore, they often expressed perplexity concerning those things they
prophesied -
Daniel 7:28;
8:26-27
2. But as pointed out in our text, it was revealed to them that they were not
serving themselves, but us! -
Daniel 12:8-9
B. CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS POINT
1. We who are Christians have been served by such people as:
a. Moses, Samuel, and David
b. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel
2. These men (and many others) spent their lives, and in many cases even gave
their lives, in service to you and me!
3. Yes, these great "heroes of faith" suffered much in their service to God and
to us who are now in Christ -
Hebrews 11:36-38
II. WE HAVE BEEN SERVED BY "THE HOLY SPIRIT"!
A. THIS THOUGHT IS ALSO EXPRESSED IN OUR TEXT
1. For it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the prophets to proclaim things to
come - I Peter 1:11
a. It was He who inspired David and Isaiah to foretell the sufferings of Christ
- Psalms 22;
Isaiah 53
b. It was He who likewise moved the prophets to proclaim the glories to follow
1) the resurrection of Jesus -
Psalms 16: 9-11
2) His ascension and coronation -
Daniel 7:13-14
2. And it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the apostles to reveal the gospel -
I
Peter 1:12
a. As Jesus promised He would -
John 16:13
b. As Paul said He did, in writing to the Ephesians -
Ephesians 3:5
B. AGAIN, CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS TRUTH
1. Through His ministry of inspiration and revelation in the lives of the
prophets and apostles, we have been served by the Holy Spirit
2. Because of His work, we have today the completed revelation of God's Word in
our hands!
3. This is in addition to the "sanctifying work" of the Holy Spirit to which
Peter referred in
I Peter 1:2
III. WE HAVE BEEN SERVED BY "THE APOSTLES"!
A. THIS WE CAN GLEAN FROM
VERSE 12
1. Those who preached the gospel to you
a. This is a likely reference to the apostles of Jesus Christ
b. Who were commissioned to preach the gospel, as recorded in
Mark 16:15-16
2. As they carried out this "Great Commission", they considered themselves but
servants for those to whom they preached
a. As Paul said, they were but "seed-throwers" and water-boys" -
I Corinthians
3:5-7
B. THEREFORE, WE HAVE BEEN SERVED BY MEN
1. Such as Peter, James, John, and Paul
2. Who gave their lives for our sake, to convince the world that our faith in
their testimony is not unfounded, but that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead!
- II Corinthians 11:24-29
IV. WE HAVE BEEN SERVED BY "ANGELS"!
A. VERSE 12 TELLS US THAT ANGELS HAD A KEEN INTEREST
1. In things prophesied by the prophets
2. In things proclaimed by the apostles through the gospel
B. WHY SUCH A KEEN INTEREST?
1. They too were involved in the process of foretelling and revealing the
salvation in Christ!
a. Gabriel's appearances to Daniel -
Daniel 8, 9
b. Gabriel's appearances to Zacharias and Mary -
Luke 1:11-19,
26-38
2. But like the prophets, angels were also in the dark concerning the details of
coming salvation
3. And so, the angels were serving not themselves but us! -
Hebrews 1:13-14
Conclusion.
1. Our Father in heaven must hold His "elect" (the church) in high regard to
have them served by such a distinguished company!
2. To be so privileged should motivate us to praise God for His grace and to
devote our lives in grateful service to Him and His people
3. But the grace God bestowed toward us reached its peak when addition to all
these (prophets, the Holy Spirit, apostles, angels) He sent His only Son to
serve us as well!
4. just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give
His life a ransom for many. -
Matthew 20:28
5. Shall we not respond with grateful service through faithful obedience to His
Will?
Don Treadway,
August
2003 |
