PHBC February 16 1997

Series: First Peter, Sermon #10

SCRIPTURE: I Pet. 1:1-9

TEXT: I Pet. 1:5, 9

INTRO: In this message we are going to be considering the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. We have already considered the fact that we have an inheritance reserved in heaven for us. We also noted that this inheritance involves all that Christ secured for us by his sufferings. Peter here refers to the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

In order for me to deal with this aspect of our salvation I feel that we should consider the various time-relationships of our salvation. Therefore, I will show that, as it relates to time, our salvation may be considered from five standpoints. First, there is a sense in which we were saved before the foundation of the world. Second, there is a sense in which we were saved at the cross. Third, there is a sense in which we were saved when we first trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ. Fourth, there is a sense in which we are now being saved. Fifth, and finally, there is a sense in which we are yet to be saved.

This last, the sense in which we are yet to be saved is the theme of our text. But, as I said a moment ago, I want to deal with these others so that we may see the manifold sense of our salvation.

THERE IS A SENSE IN WHICH WE WERE SAVED BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD

We were the objects of his saving grace from the foundation of the world. 2 Timothy 1:8-9 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

In the mind and purpose of God we were called, justified and glorified before the foundation of the world. Romans 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

There is a sense in which we were God’s children before the foundation of the world. Hebrews 2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

We were promised eternal life before the foundation of the world. Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.

We were given to him as his sheep before the foundation of the world. John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

In the sense that Christ was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world we were redeemed from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

THERE IS A SENSE IN WHICH WE WERE SAVED AT THE CROSS

We were redeemed at the cross. 1 Peter 1:18-20 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.

We were ransomed at the cross by the taking of his life in the place or ours. Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

There is a sense in which we were justified at the cross for it was there that he justified us by bearing our iniquities. Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

There is also a sense in which we were reconciled at the cross. 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

From the moment that he paid our sin debt and God was satisfied, our account was settled. Isaiah 53:10-11 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

He put away the sin of all his people by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

When he was offered that one time he bore the sins of all his elect to that cross and fully paid for every one of them. Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

He obtained eternal redemption for us at Calvary. Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

At the cross Christ delivered all his people from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Christ redeemed us from the law when he was made a curse in our stead. Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.

He sanctified us through the offering of his body. Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

He purged our sins at Calvary. Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

What was purposed in eternity was purchased at Calvary and was fully secured for us.

THERE IS A SENSE IN WHICH WE WERE SAVED WHEN WE FIRST TRUSTED IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Jesus placed the salvation of a sinner woman at the time of faith. Luke 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Paul taught that we are saved in one sense when we believe. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

It is obvious from the words of John the Baptist that one is saved when he believes on Christ. John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

According to Jesus Christ there is a sense in which we are under condemnation until we believe. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

THERE IS ALSO A SENSE IN WHICH WE ARE BEING SAVED AS WE GROW IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE

Sanctification is an aspect of salvation that is going on now. John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

It is in this sense that we are working out our salvation. Philippians 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

THERE IS A SENSE IN WHICH WE ARE YET TO BE SAVED

It was to this sense of our salvation that Paul was referring when he said it is nearer now than when we believed. Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

This is the sense in which our salvation is ready to be revealed at the last time. 1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

This is the sense to which Peter had reference when he spoke of our receiving the end of our faith. 1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

John was speaking of this future aspect of our salvation when he said that it does yet appear what we will be. 1 John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

It is to this aspect of salvation that Jesus was referring when he spoke of our redemption drawing near. Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

It is in this sense that we have the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

When we receive this aspect of our salvation our vile bodies will be fashioned like unto Christ’s glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

CONC: I was saved in the mind and purpose of God before the foundation of the world. I was saved at the cross when Jesus bore my sins in his body on the tree. I was saved on August 27, 1951 when I first trusted Christ. I am being saved as I grow in grace and knowledge. I shall be saved when Christ comes and changes my vile body and fashions it like unto his glorious body.

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