Peter describes our great and awesome salvation in various ways: he describes it as the subject of the Old Testament prophet’s message, the subject of the apostles’ preaching, and the subject of the angels’ interest.

Teaching Notes:

Our Great Salvation

1 Peter 1:10-12

Intro:
As to this salvation: Peter has already spoken of our salvation in 1:3-5. He has mentioned God’s great mercy, our regeneration, our perfect inheritance in heaven which God is bringing us to. But someone might object, “Peter, what authority do you have for what you have been teaching about salvation?” Many of his readers were Jews, steeped in the authority of OT Scripture. So, Peter now tells them that his authority comes directly from the OT prophecies.

This is 3rd time Peter has used this glorious word. 1:5 – refers to it as a salvation for which believers are being protected and is to be revealed at the last time. 1:9 – that which believers experience now as the outcome of their faith. Peter teaches in 1:10-12 that this salvation that we experience now was prophesied many hundreds of years ago by God’s holy prophets.

Central Idea of 1:10-12 “Our Great Salvation.” In order to encourage them to endure the sufferings they are experiencing Peter teaches them about the Greatness of their Salvation. He does so in 3 ways:

1. Our Salvation is the Subject of the OT Prophet’s Message
2. Our Salvation is the Subject of the Apostle’s Preaching
3. Our Salvation is the Subject of the Angel’s Interest

1. Our Salvation is the Subject of the Prophet’s Message

A. The Theme of the Prophet’s Message:

1) Grace: refers to God’s kindness and favor to hell-deserving sinners. This is not saying God bestowed no grace in the OT. Some see God as a God of law in the OT and a God of grace in the NT. As if there were no grace in the OT and no law in the NT. No! He is the same God in both testaments – He does not change. If He revealed Himself as a God of inflexible justice in the OT, He is the same in the NT. If He revealed Himself as a God of grace and mercy in the NT, He is the same in the OT. But God’s grace more clearly revealed & understood since Christ came.

2) Christ: Christ is the gospel! There is no good news apart from Him! OT prophets continually spoke of Him. Is.53; Ps.22; Ps.16. He is the sacrifices, Passover Lamb, Scapegoat, High Priest, Isaac being offered up by Abraham, the Ark of Noah, the Smitten Rock, the Bronze Serpent on the Pole, the Manna. Christ is the subject of the Bible. If boil down message of Bible, from beginning to end it is Jesus Christ. Lu.24:25-27. When you read the OT, look for Jesus!

a. The sufferings of Christ: Here’s a sampling: Is.53:3,5-10a; Ps.22:6-8; 14-18; Ps.69:20-21; Ps.41:9.

b. The glories to follow: Is.53:10-12; Ps.16:10; Ps.110:1; Job 19:23-27; Daniel 7:13-14
Not only did OT prophets see Jesus despised, forsaken, betrayed, crucified. Also saw Him resurrected, ascended, enthroned, coming again, judging world. Theme of OT Prophets: Christ & grace. Theme of OT and theme of NT! Will be theme of eternity!

B. The Heirs of Their Message:

“they were not serving themselves but you”. God revealed to them, that their prophecies would not be fulfilled in their own generation, but awaited a future generation. We are extremely blessed. We are the heirs of the OT Prophets’ messages. We have such massive revelation compared to men in OT.

C. The Investigation of Their Message: “made careful searches and inquiries”. Didn’t understand exactly what Spirit told them. Knew pertained to Messiah. Didn’t know exactly what Messiah would be like, or exactly when He would come. Wanted to understand own prophecies. Studied other Scripture, prayed diligently, meditated.
Application: Are we like them? Do we make careful searches and inquiries seeking to know…? They put us to shame! Need to be like Bereans – Acts 17:11. We need to dig into Word like digging for precious gold!

2. Our Salvation is the Subject of the Apostle’s Preaching:

apostles, evangelists, pastors of NT preached same glorious salvation prophesied in OT. Same H.S. who inspired OT prophecies, now anointed preachers to proclaim it to sinners. Sinners have always been saved same way – by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Application: they preached gospel by the H.S. Do we? 1Thess.1:4-7. Do we know this power? Must seek God in prayer for it! Before open mouth to speak, pray for power of Spirit.

3. Our Salvation is the Subject of the Angel’s Interest:

A. Long To Look Into: “to gaze w/ outstretched necks”. Same word used of disciples stooping to look into open tomb. Ark of Covenant: 2 cherubim standing on top of ark looking down continually. What did see? Broken law, covered w/ mercy seat sprinkled with blood. Angels take vivid interest in salvation of sinners. Very curious. Wonder at it. Have never experienced it, and never will. Holy angels don’t need salv. and fallen angels can not have it. It is a curious wonder to them, just as living in a sinless world is wonder to us. They rejoice when 1 sinner repents. Heb.1:14. Ps.34:7. Must be dumbfounded as watch God’s eternal plan of redemption unfold before their very eyes. How can He take guilty, vile wretches, and turn them into trophies of His grace? How can He remain just and yet still show mercy to guilty? “I wonder what it must be like to be a sinner, separated from God, receive forgiveness, experience His grace and love, be born again, have H.S. living within, and be sanctified.

Application: Are we going to let angels put us to shame? No wonder they admire salv. & long to look into it. But strange we don’t! Won’t affect them, but will eternally affect us. How can we be so negligent? Trifle away time on vain and empty things while letting rich mysteries of redemption pass by? May think of them in church, but seldom meditate on them.

How great is our salvation! We know more than prophets, are recipients of apostles’ message, experienced more than angels. Let us treasure it, praise God for it, live to display it and glorify God in it!

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