February 23, 2019 - Preparing for the Lord's Day
February 27, 2019Preparing for the Lord's Day
EXILES IN A FOREIGN LAND
1 Peter Sermon Series
English Puritan William Gurnall once wrote, “Say not that you have royal blood in your veins and are born of God, except you can prove your pedigree by daring to be holy.” Holiness is the true mark of divine sonship.
In the first twelve verses of 1 Peter, a foundation has been laid upon which Christians may rest their hope and confidence of their salvation. Peter explains that we have been born again according to God’s mercy and not our own works (v. 3a). He has explained that this future blessing has been secured by the work of Christ and not our own (v. 3b). He has shown that Christians are being guarded by God’s hand of providence so that they will surely come to their full salvation (v. 5). And he has rooted this salvation in the eternal word of God spoken throughout the ages (v. 10). Salvation is truly of God’s grace. And all who are born of God will be brought safely to their eternal home.
Nevertheless, those who are born into the family of God by the grace of God will grow into the likeness of God. Holiness is the family resemblance into which all Christians must be conformed (vv. 15,16). As we continue in our study of 1 Peter, we will see that Gurnall was correct. We cannot claim to be born of God if our new heritage has not given us a desire to be holy. The root of salvation is the grace of God alone, but the fruit of salvation is holiness of life. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon 1 Peter 1:14-17, Leviticus 18:1-5; 19:2, Matthew 5:20, Romans 6:11-14, 1 John 3:9, and Westminster Confession of Faith 12-13.
As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Rejoice, the Lord Is King,”the Acclamation of Praise “And Can It Be That I Should Gain,” and the Hymn of Response “Take My Life, and Let It Be.” Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!
If you’re going to be out of town this Sunday, let me encourage you to listen to the sermon online (usually posted by Monday afternoon) or you can download the REPC podcast, which will be delivered to your mobile device.
ATTENTION COLLEGE STUDENTS
College students, please join the Weber family from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm this Sunday at their home for a simple lunch and then a walk on the Blackwater Creek Trail! RSVP by text to April at (864) 804-8421 so that we can make sure to have plenty of food on hand. And don’t forget to wear good walking shoes!
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Online volunteer registrations can be found at this link.