1 In His Mercy 1 Peter 1:1-5

IN HIS MERCY1 PETER 1:1-5

Steve Shepherdhttp://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=130594&Sermon

%20In%20His%20Mercy%20by%20Steve%20Shepherd

1 Peter 1:1 NET From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those temporarily residing

abroad (in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia) who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the

Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ's

blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure!

The book can be satisfactorily dated in the early 60s. It cannot be placed earlier than 60 since it shows familiarity with Paul’s Prison Letters. It cannot be dated later than 67/68, since Peter

was martyred during Nero’s reign. (NIV Study Bible)From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ...There

was no need for Peter to defend his apostleship, for it was never questioned, as was sometimes

true with Paul. (Coffman)

to those temporarily residing Or "to those living as resident aliens," "to the exiles." This term is used metaphorically of Christians who live in

this world as foreigners, since their homeland is heaven. abroad "in the Diaspora." The Greek

term διασπορά (diaspora, "dispersion") refers to Jews not living in Palestine but "dispersed" or

scattered among the Gentiles. But here it is probably metaphorical, used of Gentile

Christians spread out as God's people in the midst of a godless world. (NET notes)

who are chosen...The Greek word thus rendered literally means "picked out, chosen," and was used of ancient Israel because, as Moses said

to Israel, Moreover, because he loved your ancestors, he chose their descendants who

followed them and personally brought you out of Egypt with his great power

Deuteronomy 4:37 NET

However, Jesus Christ said to his followers, You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and

bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my

name he will give you. John 15:16 NET

Therefore, Christians are the new chosen people.

These people are said to be chosen out of the world, in the world,

but not of it.John 15:19 NET If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the

world hates you.

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father...That God did indeed foreknow the

calling of the Gentiles to be among the chosen people is proved by the dozens of prophetic

references to this very event in the Old Testament. Paul, in the ninth and tenth chapters

of Romans, quoted no less than nine Old Testament prophecies predicting the calling of

the Gentiles

The original promise to Abraham had been specific as to God's purpose, namely, that in

Abraham I will bless those who bless you, but the one who treats you lightly I must curse, and

all the families of the earth will bless one another by your name." Genesis 12:3 NET

The unfortunate pride, self-righteousness and vanity of Israel caused that nation either to ignore this or to forget all about it. (Coffman)

being set apart by the Spirit. They were separated from the world by the

gospel, the word of the Spirit, a sanctification which signifies "a setting apart to holy uses."

(PNT)

They were thus separated for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ's blood...The "obedience" in view here is the continuing

fidelity of the Christian, not his primary obedience, because that must precede the

Christian's endowment with the Spirit.

The Spirit's being the agent of this continuing obedience unto sanctification "wholly," proves that the initial steps of accepting and obeying

the gospel are not meant, because no one ever made it any clearer than did Peter that people must believe, repent and be baptized "in order

to receive" and before they can ever receive, the promise of the Spirit. (Acts 2:38) (Coffman)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us

new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4

that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven

for you, 5 who by God's power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed

in the last time.

The story is told of a politician who, after receiving the proofs of a portrait, was very angry with the photographer. He stormed back to the

photographer and said these angry words: "This picture does not do me justice!" The

photographer replied, "Sir, with a face like yours, you don’t need justice, you need mercy!"

Let me say that with a HEART like ours, we all need mercy! Why would I say this? Because of

this scripture.Isaiah 29:13 NIV The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules

taught by men.

Sometimes our hearts betray us. We are not as faithful and committed to the Lord as we say we are. And this is why I say we all need mercy! We

need the Lord’s mercy!

And some days more than others. It depends on how much we blow it. But we all

do need God’s mercy.

One night in 1935, Fiorello H. La Guardia, mayor of New York, showed up at a night court in the poorest ward of the city. He dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench. One case involved an elderly woman who was

caught stealing bread to feed her grandchildren. La Guardia said, "I’ve got to punish you.

Ten dollars or ten days in jail."

As he spoke, he threw $10 into his hat. He then fined everyone in the courtroom 50 cents for living in a city "where a person has to steal

bread so that her grandchildren can eat." The hat was passed around, and the woman left the courtroom with her fine paid and an additional

$47.50.

I don’t know if this story is true but if it is, then praise the Lord for that mayor who had the good

hearted sense to demonstrate mercy on that poor lady. He did even more than demonstrate

mercy. HE DEMONSTRATED KINDNESS BY GIVING

TO HER AND ASKING OTHERS TO GIVE.

Wouldn’t it be great if we saw more of this demonstrated in our world?

And in America where greed is so prevalent?

We all need mercy and we all need to demonstrate mercy. But here’s a modern

example of no mercy.

Dec. 19, 2008. A 49-year-old Florida woman says her former church is threatening to reveal her sins to its congregation after learning that

she is in a "sexually immoral relationship."Rebecca Hancock told FOXNews.com that

Grace Community Church, a non-denominational church in Jacksonville, Fla., was

against her relationship with boyfriend Frank Young because the two were sexually active but

not married.

When she wasn’t willing to obey the church’s orders to leave him, she decided to leave the church instead, allowing her two children to

remain active members.Now, she says, church elders have given her

the worst ultimatum yet: In a Dec. 8 letter, they told her she either has to meet with them and end her "immoral" relationship or she will face

public humiliation.

“Bottom line, on January 4th they are going to the church publicly with my sins, and my

children will be sitting in church at the time,” Hancock told FOXNews.com.

While we don’t condone her actions, nor do we condone the actions of her former church. I

know what the church is trying to do but I’m not sure that’s what Jesus would have done.

What did Jesus do when the Pharisees brought the woman to Him who had been caught in the

act of adultery? What did Jesus say to the Pharisees? And what did He say to the woman? John 8:10 NET Jesus stood up straight and said

to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" 11 She replied, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more."

Mercy or no mercy? What rules in our world?

I would like to say that mercy rules but I don’t believe it’s true.

John R. Stott said, "The Gospel is good news of mercy to the

undeserving. The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross,

not the scales."

Let’s consider what our text has to say about the mercy of God demonstrated to us.

1- In His mercy He has given us new birth2- In His mercy He has given us an inheritance3- In His mercy He has given us protection

IN HIS MERCY HE HAS GIVEN US NEW BIRTH

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus

Christ from the dead,

Deep In the back woods of Tennessee, a hillbilly’s wife went into labor in the middle of the night, and the doctor was called out to assist in the delivery. Since there was no electricity, the doctor handed the father-to-be a lantern and

said, "Here. You hold this high so I can see what I am doing." Soon, a baby boy was brought into

the world.

“Whoa there,” said the doctor, “Don’t be in such a rush to put that lantern down. I think there’s

another one coming.” Sure enough, within minutes he had delivered a baby girl. “Hold that

lantern up, don’t set it down there’s another one!” said the doctor.

Within a few minutes he had delivered a third baby. "No, don’t be in a hurry to put down that

lantern, it seems there’s yet another one coming!" cried the doctor. The redneck

scratched his head in bewilderment, and asked the doctor, "You reckon it might be the light

that’s attractin’ ’em?

In His mercy he has given us new birth. What’s wrong with our first birth? In my case, plenty

says Steve Shepherd, the writer of this lesson.He was born as a twin and his sister got most of the attention. She was born weighing over 5 lbs.

but he was born first and weighed just a little over 4 lbs. He didn’t get to go home until he

weighed at least 5 lbs. so he was in the hospital for a month.

Nobody paid any attention to him. When his mom was in the nursing home in 2001 and 2002 he reminded her that she left him in that hospital to die! He said, "You didn’t want me, did you?’

She said, "Oh, Steven, I did too want you. I went down to the telephone booth on the corner

every day to call the hospital to check on you."

Also, his sister got all the brains and where did that leave him? It left him sleeping through the first grade and barely making the grade from then on. His sister graduated in the top 10 of

their class and he was below 50. That’s something else that was wrong with his first

birth. He got left out on many things.

Also, his sister now weighs 115 lbs., which is what she weighed when they graduated from

high school in 1962 and he probably weighs 40 lbs. more than what he weighed at their

graduation. THAT’S NOT FAIR!

His first birth has caused him nothing but heartache and trouble in life!!! Oh come on now,

it’s not that bad! No, it’s not that bad but he’s trying to make a point.

It is true that by our first birth we are born into a world of sin and suffering and many things do go wrong. But by our second birth we are born into a world of grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, and

blessing! By means of our second birth, we come into the kingdom of God, which eventually will lead us to eternal life. By our first birth, we are destined to die! By our second birth we are destined to live

forever!

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us

new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

In mercy, God has given us the ability to be born again, to experience a new birth, a new life and

one that offers hope through the resurrection of Jesus.

God didn’t have to do this. He could have just allowed us all to go to hell, but IN HIS MERCY (that’s the key) He opened the door to a new

and better life. An eternal life.

IN HIS MERCY HE HAS GIVEN US AN INHERITANCE

4 that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven

for you,

Two friends meet in the street. One looked forlorn and almost on the verge of tears. The

other man said, "Hey, how come you look like the whole world

caved in?"

The sad fellow said, "Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me forty

thousand dollars." "That’s not bad."

"Hold on, I’m just getting started. Two weeks ago, a cousin I never knew kicked the bucket

and left me eighty-five thousand free and clear." "I’d like that."

"Last week my grandfather passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million." "Then

how come you look so glum?" "This week I got nothing!"

What inheritance? That’s what most people would say. Most people have no inheritance or will receive no inheritance because their family members (mom and dad, etc.) have nothing or had nothing. That’s the way the ball bounces

with most people. But I admit I am blessed in many ways. I am

blessed materially.

Steve Shepherd’s Mom passed away on June 30, 2002 and bless her sweet soul, she left him her house in Webb City, MO, which he sold in a

matter of months and without the use of a realtor. And he sold it for a bit more than it

appraised for. What a nice inheritance!

And God bless you if you ever received any kind of inheritance at all!

But there’s a greater inheritance that we all have received!

4 that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

It is reserved in heaven for you,

Sounds pretty incredible, doesn’t it?

A man said: I belong to a black church in Philadelphia and there was a funeral service for

a friend of mine. I’ll never forget the service.

Black funerals are great. They’re the only funerals you come away from

feeling good.

The old preacher got up and first addressed the congregation for half an hour. Then he turned to

the corpse. Opening the lid of the coffin, he started talking to my deceased friend! In that

soft soulful tone, he said: “Clarence, there’s a lot of things I should have told you that I never told

you. I’m gonna tell you now.” That man preached so eloquently to that corpse.

Finally, he grabbed the lid of the coffin, looked down into the motionless face and said,

“Clarence, goodnight!” Then he slammed down the coffin lid.

He gave us a few seconds to recover and then turned toward us.

At first he looked really mean. Then he smiled a deep joyful smile and said

with great conviction, “And I know that the Lord’s gonna give him a

good-morning!”

Just Think

Of stepping on shore,And finding it heaven;

Of taking hold of a hand.And finding it God’s hand;

Of breathing new air,And finding it heavenly air;

Of feeling invigorated,And finding it immortality;

Of passing from storm andTempest to an unbroken calm;

Of waking up—And finding it HOME!

IN HIS MERCY HE HAS GIVEN US PROTECTION

5 who by God's power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the

last time.

“protected by God's power through faith” That sounds like protection to me. In His mercy He

has protected us in this life “for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

A woman, worried about crime, started to carry a hand-gun. Five months after she’d begun

carrying her gun she came out to her car in a dark parking lot and found it occupied by four men. She ordered them out. They refused to

move; she pulled her gun.

Instantly four doors popped open and her car’s occupants fled into the night. Then, as she

started to load her groceries into the car, she noticed her car (same make and model) parked

three spots away.

Some people don’t feel safe in this world without some kind of protection; a gun, a bodyguard,

etc.

Steve’s sister-in-law said that when her boy was 3 years old (and that was 47 years ago - 1963) that she could let him run loose in the mall in Joplin, MO. A person sure couldn’t do

that today. I’m not sure that was the best thing to do back then but she didn’t fear that some

person would kidnap him.

When I was a little tyke I never feared much because I had a mom and dad who loved me and were there to protect me in life. I didn’t

always help them in that department but they did the best they could to protect me.

Thank God for loving parents who are/were protective, helpful, soothing, caring, loving. And

thank God that we have a loving Heavenly Father who often protects us even without our

knowledge.

Remember that near accident you almost had? Remember those times when perhaps a dozen

bad things could have happened to you but didn’t? Who do you think protected you or

shielded you from harm during those times? YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE TO THINK TOO HARD

TO FIGURE OUT WHO!

And then as adults and as Christians there were times that perhaps when temptation was very

strong but somehow, strangely enough you did not yield or maybe you didn’t yield as badly as

you could have. WHO WAS YOUR PROTECTOR DURING

THOSE TIMES?

In His mercy He has shielded us with His power until the coming, grand finale of salvation. In His

mercy He often protects us from things that could hurt us spiritually.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 NET But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from

the evil one.

Long ago, a poor woman from the slums of London was invited to go with a group of people for a holiday at the ocean. She had never seen

the ocean before, and when she saw it, she burst into tears. Those around her thought it was strange that she should cry when such a lovely holiday had been given her. "Why in the world are you crying?" they asked. Pointing to the ocean she answered, "This is the only thing I have ever seen that there was enough of."

When we think of the ocean how can we not think of the ocean of God’s love and mercy?

HE IS RICH IN MERCY! Ephesians 2:4 NET But God, being rich in

mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us,

He has oceans of mercy for us! And He demonstrates His mercy in many ways: a new birth, heaven, protection and many other

ways.

In His mercy He has given us new birth

In His mercy He has given us an inheritance

In His mercy He has given us protection

Because He is rich in mercy we must PRAISE HIM &

PRAISE HIM ALWAYS!