Description

1 Peter 1:10-12  |  Lance Hartman   
<
Series: 1 Peter

Introduction

02:36 | Verses 10 to 12 are an aside that Peter interjects into the flow of thought between verse 9 and verse 13.
03:28 | Peter inserted these verses to emphasize the unequaled place of honor that is ours in Christ, causing even angels to marvel. 

I. 05:34 | What the Prophets Did

• 05:38 | Peter has in mind the Old Testament prophets, those who had not yet received the final revelation of Jesus Christ. 
• 06:19 | They made careful searches and inquiries into things, seeking to understand the scriptures. 
• 06:34 | Their inspiration by the Spirit did not exclude prayer and meditation. 
• 06:42 | They were both God's mouthpieces and students of his word. 
• 06:50 | They were straining to understand the extraordinary things being opened to them for a future generation.

II. 07:15 | What the Prophets Learned

• 07:53 | They were shown glimpses of a surpassing grace for a latter time—a time of fulfillment when grace would be mediated through the God-man, Christ. 
• 08:17 | They could not know clearly what would be revealed only by Jesus' coming, death, resurrection, and ascension, and the giving of his Spirit. 
• 09:04 | God's grace is more than unmerited favor. It is favor to those who have a full account of demerit.

Seven brief points on grace: 

1. 09:45 | All is of grace. 
2. 10:10 | Grace indicates a relationship of creature with Creator and at his initiative. 
3. 10:32 | Grace suggests we are under obligation to God for every aspect of our lives. 
4. 10:42 | Grace means we are not left to ourselves; it does what we cannot do. 
5. 11:08 | This grace is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
6. 11:54 | Grace is an irresistible, intoxicating gift that liberates us. 
7. 12:13 | Grace loves the unlovely and chooses those who are not choice.

• 13:16 | The prophets sought to understand the promise of soul salvation (salvation of the whole person). 
• 15:34 | They saw that sin in the soul, not foreign bondage (like Babylonian captivity), was the great problem. 
• 17:08 | They were inspired by the Spirit of Christ (the Holy Spirit) in their searches. 
• 18:21 | They saw the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow (e.g., Isaiah 53). The time and exact circumstances were unclear to them.

Three points of theology are highlighted: 

1. 21:44 | Preexistence of Christ: Christ, by his spirit, was the agent of revelation to the prophets. 
2. 23:10 | Unity of the Gospel: The gospel of Jesus Christ is one with the message of the Old Testament, focusing on Christ as the center of God's purpose. 
3. 26:51 | Destined to (εις): The prophets saw that grace was destined to us through sufferings that were destined to Christ. Christ must suffer if believers are to be graced.

• 28:05 | The prophets learned that they were not serving themselves, but a future generation ("you"). 
• 29:32 | Their messages had meaning and application far beyond the Israelites' immediate situation, embracing the consummation of God's grand plan of salvation. 
• 32:51 | The message of the prophets was announced to the New Testament believers through those who preach the gospel by the Holy Spirit. 
• 33:00 | This shows a Spirit-inspired unity in the testimony of the Old Testament prophets (foretelling) and the New Testament apostles (preaching fulfillment).

III. 34:24 | What the Angels Are Doing

• 34:39 | The angels long to look into these things. 
• 34:54 | Their interest emphasizes the believers' unparalleled status in God's plan of redemption. 
• 35:18 | The angels do not fully understand what God is doing with Christians. 
• 36:22 | Salvation is unique because angels never experienced salvation. 
• 36:42 | They know nothing about the sufferings of Christ, the new birth, or the blood-bought inheritance. 
• 37:28 | Angels are ministering spirits sent out to render service for those who inherit salvation, but they only know in part. 
• 38:18 | This interest and limitation also apply to Satan and the demons (fallen angels). 
• 38:44 | They are creatures and are not omniscient or omnipotent.

39:16 | Conclusion: Peter interjected these verses to encourage believers during persecution. Believers have what the prophets could only inquire into and what the angels can only watch unfold.

< · ──── ·𖥸· ──── · >