[ ] 5/5/2013 #1027GOD OF ALL GRACE

THE PROPHECIES OF SALVATION1 Peter 1:10-12 part 4

INTRODUCTION: Salvation by grace is the theme of chapter one. In the preceding verses, Peter

declared the greatness of our salvation. We are chosen by God and have a living hope by the

resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. As the children of God, we have an imperishable

inheritance reserved in heaven. We rejoice in having the assurance of the keeping power of God

through faith unto salvation. We love the One who gave Himself for us. Although we have never

seen Him, we believe in Him.

I. MYSTERY TO THE PROPHETS

A. PURSUIT OF THE PROPHETS. (v. 10) "inquired and searched"

The Holy Spirit guided the prophets to write the things they received. They did not understand everything that they wrote so they inquired and searched into those revelations.

The word "inquired" means to seek out, search for, investigate, scrutinize.

The word "searched" means to look diligently, examine, thoroughly investigate

It was first used to tell of a dog sniffing out something with his nose.

It was in this way that the prophets searched to find out the time of Messiah's appearance.

B. PROPHESY OF THE PROPHETS. (v. 10) "grace that should come unto you"

Peter stated that the prophets "prophesied of the grace that should come unto you."

Grace is personified in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the grace that brings salvation.

“And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:16-17

C. PROBLEM FOR THE PROPHETS.The prophets believed in the coming of the promised Messiah.

They could not understand fully how the Messiah could both suffer and reign at the same time.

This was a mystery to them. They did not understand that Jesus would come to earth twice.

The Lord would first come to be offered as the "Lamb of God." The Lord Jesus will return the second time as "King of kings."

II. MINISTRY THE SPIRIT

A. SPIRIT'S RELATIONSHIP TO THE PROPHETS.The Holy Spirit was the source of prophecy. He spoke through the prophets.

The Holy Spirit wrote the Old Testament using human authors.

In 2 Peter 1:2,1 Peter wrote that "prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." The prophets were God's chosen men to proclaim His message to man.

B. SPIRIT'S REVELATION TO THE PROPHETS. (V. 11)The Holy Spirit "testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow."

He revealed these truths to the Prophets in the Old Testament time.

The Spirit did not reveal to the prophets who and when concerning the Messiah.

The prophets searched their own writings wanting to know the person and the time or seasons of the coming Messiah.

III. MESSAGE OF THE APOSTLESThe word "revealed" means unveiled. The invisible God has made Himself known by revelation.

The Holy Spirit empowered and equipped the apostles as His agents in getting the gospel out to a lost world. He used the apostles to write the New Testament we use today.

A. PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL. (v. 12) "them that have preached the gospel"The apostles preached the gospel of grace that was first given to the Old Testament prophets.

Every person saved in the Old or New Testament was saved by God's grace.

The prophets understood that the things God revealed to them was meant for another generation.

"Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spokenOught not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:25-27

"It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." (1 Cor. 1:21)

The Apostle Paul stated "I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Rom. 1:15-16)

Jesus said: “‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen,” (Matthew 28:19, 20).

B. PRESENCE OF THE SPIRIT. Before Jesus' death and resurrection, He had promised the Holy Spirit would be given to those who believe. (John 7:37-39)

On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended and indwelt the apostles and other disciples. Peter stood and preached the gospel boldly to the people. (Acts 2:1-42) The Bible states about 3,000 souls were saved.

Jesus said in Acts 1:8: "But ye shall receive power, after the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea , and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

IV. MARVEL OF THE ANGELS A. PASSIONATE DESIRE.Angels were created by God. They are messengers of the Lord.

The holy angels do not need to be saved, and the fallen angels cannot be saved.

Therefore, angels cannot know the experience of salvation. It is a mystery to them. They have a passionate desire to understand the whole area of salvation.

B. PERSISTENT DESIRE. The words “to look into” mean to stoop and look into, to look carefully into, inspect curiously.

It means to make considerable effort in order to try to find out something–”to try to learn, to desire to learn.” Angels stoop to see what our salvation is all about.

LESSONS FOR LIFE:Peter wanted those suffering persecution to know the greatness of their salvation. When we

have a better understanding of what it means to be saved by grace, it gives us boldness and

strength to face our trials. Our passion should be to know Christ and the salvation He has

provided for us. Salvation is the requirement for a person to go to heaven. Do you know Jesus as

your Savior and Lord?

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