October 27, 2024

Encouragement to Run the Race

Preacher:
Passage: 1 Peter 1:1-2:12; Psalm 118
Service Type:

Introduction

  • The Christian life is likened to running a race
    • The key is to persevere and keep going
      • Often encouragement is needed
  • Peter is encouraging Christians to run well
    • Even when we face various trials
    • 1 Peter 5:12 – to encourage you
  • Peter is reminding Christians of the blessings we have in Christ Jesus
    • Our response should be lives lived in obedience
    • Peter is remiding Christians to feed on God’s word (2)
  • Concentrating on 2:4-12
    • v11-12 is a good summary
    • The wonder and privilege of being part of Christ’s Church
  • Overview:
    • Don’t underestimate the wonder of Christ’s Church
    • Don’t miss the centrality of Christ
    • Don’t forget our privilege is for Christ’s glory through His Church

Don’t underestimate the wonder of Christ’s Church

  • Peter is reminding the Church in case they do forget
    • They might fall small, ostracised and of little significance
      • We might feel like this
  • We come to the living stone
    • Remember Peter’s name change to Cephas – the rock (John 1:42)
      • Peter is now speaking of a better Rock
      • A Rock that was spoken of in the Old Testament
    • The pattern:
      • Suffering and then glory
      • A living stone
  • God’s people met with God in the Temple
    • We are the living stones being built into a spiritual house
      • We are not individual Christians
      • We are called to be part of a body/building
    • We are the priesthood
      • We are the ones who serve – offering spiritual sacrifices
      • Romans 12:1
      • We are to give ourselves completely to God
  • We may feel that the world has left us behind and speaking up brings hostility
    • Yet we see the wonder of Christ’s Church and God’s people
    • It is amazing that Christ’s glory is in us
    • God is with us as we serve Him
    • Our spiritual sacrifices are not missed by God

Don’t miss the centrality of Christ

  • This may be obvious but we often need reminding of this
    • Not to put ourselves first
    • Jesus is at the centre
  • Old Testament scriptures
    • Isaiah – 3 passages
    • Ps 118
    • Ex 19
  • Isa 28:16
    • A passage about Jerusalem
    • It is about trust in the stone laid in Zion, not in themselves
    • Jesus is a cornerstone for a straight foundation
  • Ps 118:22
    • A prophecy that Christ will be rejected
    • Peter now sees Christ’s suffering
  • Isa 8:14
    • Warning for Israel not to stray, otherwise the stone will make them stumble
    • A reminder of the prophecy in Daniel
    • Jesus is the stone that will break all other stones
    • There is no promise of hope outside Christ
    • It will be a stone of stumbling
  • Do not make Church about us – Christ is the cornerstone
    • We have nothing to offer, other than Christ
    • We must trust on the Word
    • We must lean on Christ

Don’t forget our privilege is for Christ’s glory through His Church

  • v9-10
  • We are chosen people
    • By God’s grace
    • Because of God’s favour
    • Ex 19:3-6
    • All of our privilege is in Christ
  • So that we may proclaim the praises of Christ
    • It was God’s hand that led the people of Egypt
    • God hold’s out His hand of grace to us
    • Hosea 2:21-23 – A picture of the Gospel through Jesus Christ
  • We preach Christ
    • We declare His praises
    • We tell of God’s love
    • We abstain from fleshly lusts
    • We are to have honourable conduct
  • Be encouraged as God’s people
    • Point people to Christ