Tom Leonard - April 5, 2020
Chosen for Obedience
Chosen for Obedience I Peter 1:1-9 Main Point: God has called and chosen us to be His sanctified people, to obey Jesus Christ so that we represent God to others. 1. The Apostle Peter. (v.1) Peter an Apostle of JX = ‘One called and given a mission.’ Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16. Jesus gives them a mission, and He also gave them authority, in those passages, and in Matthew 18:19. Writing to God’s ‘elect.’ (Greek.‘Elektos’) What does this mean? = God’s ‘chosen ones’ - come back to that more in v.2. a. God’s calling/drawing (v.1 to God’s chosen) – this happens before we come to Christ – John 6:44 & 65 b. Justification (past) = ‘declared righteous’ – happens at the moment I am saved. Romans 5:1 c. Sanctification (present) I am being saved from the power or influence of sin. Being made holy or conformed to the image of Jesus, for God’s use. d. Glorification (future)– I will be glorified – I will be saved from even the presence of sin. I John 3:2 2. ‘Strangers’ in the world. (v.1) What does this mean? (Greek. parepidamois = resident foreigners/aliens) *Philippians 3:20 “Our citizenship is in Heaven…” 3. Chosen by God (v.1 & 2) How is it that they are God’s elect – Grk. ‘Elektos’ = chosen ones? They and we were chosen (Grk – prognosin) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. Foreknowledge = Grk ‘Prognosis’ = ‘before knowledge, before arrangement’ God chose us according to His foreknowledge of our response of faith to Jesus Christ. 4. Sanctified by the Holy Spirit (v.2) – (Greek hagiosmos – set apart, made holy) So, we have been called, chosen and ‘made holy’ and ‘set apart’ for God’s holy use. And we are to sanctify ourselves… Jesus said in John 16:8 “For when He (Holy Spirit) comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness and judgment…” Hebrews 10:14 “For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” 5. For obedience to Jesus Christ (v.2) We have been saved to serve, called to obedience of JX. He details what that looks like in vv 13 ff. -And sprinkled with His blood speaks of Christ’s atonement, the ongoing covering and cleansing of our sin. So, in our walk of obedience we have ongoing cleansing, and covering for our sins – we live in His grace and His forgiveness! And this is what communion symbolizes!
Scripture References: 1 Peter 1:1-9
