Pastor Tim Moore shares his personal testimony of coming to faith at Iowa Regular Baptist camp in 1982, emphasizing how his life was completely revolutionized by salvation. He uses this foundation to explore 1 Peter 1, where Peter reminds persecuted believers to maintain perspective on what they have in Christ and never take their salvation for granted.
Scripture Text
1 Peter 1:3-4, 10-12
Main Points or Ideas
A believer should display gratitude and wonder at the greatness of God's salvation.
- The greatness of our salvation is seen in the prophet's response.
- The Old Testament prophets searched and inquired carefully about the salvation they were prophesying
- They were inspired by the Spirit of Christ but didn't understand the full picture of who, when, or how salvation would come
- They were serving not themselves but future believers like us
- We have the blessing of knowing "the rest of the story" that the prophets longed to understand
- The greatness of our salvation is seen in the angel's longing.
- Angels long to look into the things of salvation
- They have witnessed the fall of angels and mankind, and now eagerly watch God's program for human redemption
- They were actively involved in announcing Christ's birth and resurrection
- If angels get excited about our salvation, how much more should we who are the beneficiaries
Conclusion
Moore challenges believers to never take their salvation for granted, reminding them that God's love for us is the defining aspect of salvation, not our love for God. He calls for this gratitude to compel believers to share the gospel with others, just as others faithfully shared it with them.
