The Believer’s Prize (Part B)

Satan can never undo your salvation. The world can never undo it and then again you long as you want. Jude verse 21 keep yourselves in the love of God keep yourselves there, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. No not only my salvation is secure. But if I want. Who would not. So is my testimony. This is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher Rick Gaston. Ricky is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville.

Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of first Peter, please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching, and now here's Pastor Rick is he begins in Genesis chapter 32 with a continuing study called the believers prize Genesis 32 one. This is when Jacob, the recipient of so many undeserved blessings, Jacob was heading back to what was the promised land but not yet in the possession of that Hebrews. Genesis 32, when we read so Jacob went on his way and the angels of God met him. The spiritual forces around him were from God, protecting him from the spiritual forces that are not from God that are against God better oppose God and if they can do it for Jacob. They do it for us. And then of course there is the power just the power. The sheer power of God over it all. Jesus did not die on the cross so that we could ruin it because of our sins. That's the purpose of his death on the cross to overrule and overcome the sins we love to do sometimes you ever had pleasure in disliking somebody except me. I mean you nobody is ever done that to me. Everybody loves me, but have you ever had that I don't know why but I've had it quite often. On the way in this morning. I had a few times.

No I did not I did not, but I could've designed the center and I have the potential to send in the guarantee that I will mess up from time to time, but I have greater guarantees. There are other rules. There are other laws. There are other promises.

They are good ones. Jesus understood going into this whole salvation thing for sinners. He understood what he was getting into. You could say it that way. Look at verse two first Peter chapter 1 elect. That means to save one's elect according to the foreknowledge of God. He knew it all going in and sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Christ. Secant did you cannot detach the blood of Christ from his foreknowledge. He knew when he was dying on the cross that sinners would remain sinners in this life was saved by grace, and so he says in the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace be multiplied. That is a blessing in the 121st song.

The Hebrew word for kept appears six times just within a verse that is 10 verses in the entire Psalm, but it was distant in within a verses is that repetition that we are kept by God, recurrent grace is not a license to sin does not give us allow us to to cloak our evil because we are forgiven it excites us to obey the fact that we are filled with the Holy Spirit leads us to want to always please God. Otherwise our salvation is perpetually on the verge of ruin and extinction, but it is not. Again, John chapter 17 Jesus praying to the father in behalf of us. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world and I come to you. Holy father keep through your name those whom you have given me, that they may be one as we are. While I was with them in the world.

I kept them in your name those whom you gave me. I have kept none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled through faith for salvation, not good deeds, not wishful thinking, not well you know somehow I'll survive know you won't. The wicked will not be able to stand in the judgment, it's best to change sides. Everything that is opposite Christ or opposed to Christ without Christ or just a little bit of Christ. It's best to leave that team and come over to him through faith for salvation, we must balance this with responsibility.

Yes we do have responsibilities that a sham is not what you save.

You have no responsibilities you you kept by me, but you can live like a devil. If you want. That's nonsense, who would even want to think that way. I've never really met anybody that thinks that way, but I've met people who think that way for people who don't exist to think that way. I hope you can follow. I had a hard time but I did. I made never against our will.

Love is something that is voluntary, as long as you want. You've got it as much salvation as you can hold and more. In fact, is much salvation is God good old it's there for you.

Satan can never undo your salvation. The world can never undo it and neither can you. So long as you want. Jude verse 21 keep yourselves in the love of God keep yourselves there, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. No not only my salvation is secure.

But if I want, and who would not. So is my testimony. So is my life in Christ.

I don't walk around ringing my fingers were so overall method of the day.

Look forward keep your eyes on Christ. You know what I would've done if you know that they wouldn't Peter want to walk on the water to Jesus, Peter, the bravest one in the boat. It is you let me, walk over all the other disciples what dumb idea, but they were impressed when they see him start to walk on the water and of course the storm distracted him.

He looked for the storm, he began to sink in the Lord grabbed hold of them, as he wasn't going to let him go.

You know what I would've done if I were walking on the water next storm was moving around me like that I would've began to sink to. I guarantee you do the same thing and I also guarantee that the Lord would grab hold of you grab hold of me. John 637 all that the father who gives me will come to me and one who comes to me I will by no means cast out.

I let you go seek. If you don't have this fundamental understanding of your salvation.

Again, your strength in Christ will be diminished when we are confused we are weakened, ready to be revealed. He says it's Privette it's prepared revealed in the sense that it's not experienced by us yet. It will be when he gives the command first John chapter 3 verse two beloved, now we are children of God, and it is not yet been revealed what we shall be. We know that when he is revealed, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. There is more there is more glory awaiting us. And that's what John is talking about John who walked with Christ to live with Christ who saw him in the flesh knew that there was a lot more to Jesus Christ and what he could ever see in this lifetime. The great unveiling it can happen at any moment. That's the idea, ready to be revealed. It's ready that the hammer is cocked. When the Lord says this time it's done nothing else remains to be fulfilled before we can see the Lord Jesus Christ. He says in the last time the future belongs to Jesus Christ. Tomorrow is his twice is a word about tomorrow too much. I know that's hard right. But what would happen if Jesus said you need to panic over tomorrow as much as you can one of you.

We had Commandments to be weak. I command you to fall apart in the face of the enemy. I command you not to pray not to love not to like the truth seek the truth. What would what what a mess. What what what of Jesus I command you to kill your enemies, but none of his beer that I think accentuates the sobriety that belongs to our faith. Unlike anything else in this world. And so in verse six he says in this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while if need be. You have been grieved by various trials and persecution is not supposed to take away the joy about salvation. In fact, failure is not supposed to take away the joy of observation. David, after he had made committed a horrible sin with another man's wife. He prayed to the Lord after he was forgiven. Take not your salvation from me take not the joy of restore unto me the joy of your salvation. That's out, restore it to me the joy of your salvation, and so when would remember we went to the book of Chronicles we saw David contributing to the building of Solomon's Temple as David wasn't going to be able to build the temple, but it will himself into this. He wrote Psalms for it.

The joy of his salvation was given back to him. Peter is saying in this you greatly rejoice in the prize of the believer of all that Jesus has. That's solid salvation that belongs to you if you wanted. Who wouldn't want I want that I have and I'm not letting go is not an cocky attitude that's faith.

I trust I trust him to be kept by him under the very cloud of crucifixion there in the upper room just moments away from heading out across the brook Kidron to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he would be betrayed, mistreated and crucified right before that departure from the upper room Jesus again. John 17 said this. These things I speak in the world that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves facing the cross, he still spoke of joy. This is not natural. This is spiritual and the writers have been doing it down through the ages and if they can do it we can do it and I know many of you have done it, and are doing. It continues in verse six, though now for a little while if need be. You have been grieved by various trials.

Now he's back to Nero's persecution is not you know Bible students. The debate not like opposing each other but to discuss at what point was Peter's letter written under Nero's reign was it after the fire started in Rome was enough of those things you just swallow you up what we do know is this is that there was a persecution under Nero on the Christians and that Peter and Paul will perish in this persecution. They knew that they know they knew that that was possible, and likely even so he doesn't write his own hollow words. These are words when he encourages them on the persecution is now for a little while if need be. You have been grieved by various trials relative to eternity.

It's a just a little while though now for a little while relative again to eternity. First Thessalonians chapter 4 Paul tells us, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

We have hope.

We have understanding that is supposed to create strength. What is hope for. It is supposed to strengthen us.

It is a brace is a support piece like on a bridge to the stiffener keeps the phalange from bending in. You know that okay I'm sorry some of you might not know what a phalange is and rather than take time on it will just move right on like I never said, though now for a little while if need be. You been grieved by various trials if need be, well, that's in God's hand. Paul writes this in second Corinthians. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceedingly and eternal weight of glory. While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. When I first became a Christian I would read words like that. I said yeah that's going to be me.

I'm going to live like Paul and Peter and the apostles that I will follow that pattern. I think I did so well but without those words without that ambition. Without that effort I would be worse off. It has contributed greatly to whatever Christianity I've succeeded at living in my life. It's because of these high words is gallant encouragement from those who are living the faith. When I get to that right now.

Verse seven. One of the best verses in all the Bible again that in about 2000 other ones that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ real deal Christianity. That's what he's talking about that the faith is real. Should we honor less. Should he have said that you could have a face-to-face to the honor of a holy and pure God know that doesn't match not an experience to see but a reality to live a genuine faith a real faith will how do you know if you have a real fate when pressure comes real real bogeyman real monsters.

Here's what Paul wrote to Titus, concerning the people in the congregation tightest pastor. He wanted the women to be encouraged to be discreet.

Chase homemakers good, obedient to their own husbands, but the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Unfortunately, there are husbands that have abuse that severely just want grace just want to go a handful brace all upside their noggin know you can do that because I wouldn't want God to treat me that way when one of two things.

I mess up.

Likewise, exhort. He continues the young men to be sober minded and all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good words and doctrine showing integrity reverence in corrupt ability to sound speech that cannot be condemned. One who is an opponent, may be ashamed. Having nothing evil to say to you, since a high standard of Christianity vested genuineness of the faith. Peter and Paul saying the same thing that the genuineness of your faith under pressure may shine forth your problems in your life. All right, face and husband as a Christian in the power of God.

I do that better but I go this land around so the rest of us keep phasing it get back in there. What are you doing on the canvas get up there is no victory any other way and you can do it be more precious than gold that perishes this is valuable stuff. Christ is greater to me than any possession. Anything that man is place value on what Christ was, what he places value on his blood has dissolved my corruption. My condemnation, he says, though it is tested by fire, there's that Hurt Locker referred to earlier, John Bunyan, I don't know if you know the story of John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim's progress. Wonderful illustration of what Christians face in life and of course he gets to that part in his vision. Bunyan's vision and that he talks about Satan confronting Christian the main character in the story and Satan is badmouthing the Lord saying that God really not taking care of Christians look at the suffering that they go through Bunyan in 12 years in prison for his faith incidentally suffered quite a bit. He says this of this section is this is Christians answer to Apollyon who Satan in the story he says about the suffering we go through his forbearing God holding off relief.

His forbearing at present to deliver them is on purpose to try their love whether they will cleave to him to the end CVT is getting this from Scripture is what Peter is talking about the genuineness of your faith is determined by what you go through how you face it, so he says may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Hurt Locker, you may be that iron maiden of sin make me clamp down on you for a while.

That's not the whole story.

Peter knew how to praise the Lord he knew how to suffer. He loved them so much because of the just mercy and all the things he experienced verse eight.

Now we look at whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy. Ask inexpressible and full of glory is using that higher word for love a copy in the Greek. He says whom having not seen you love. So his Peter he goes in the congregation like ours and assembly of the saints this singing praises to the Lord.

Then as we do now. Maybe not with the same instruments but of course handle electrical guitars for sure, but there they are praising the Lord and he has got to notice that while he is praising with them. These people never saw Christ like I did. They did not walk with Jesus touched him here.

His sermon see his face get so many lessons around campfires and no one else has what they love him as much as I do some bizarre is the power of God through the Holy Spirit. So he says having not seen you love. That's us this morning. You've not seen Christ, eyeball to eyeball, but you love him. Jesus said to Thomas, Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen me yet have believed. There those coming Thomas that all have this benefit they going to love me as much as you so Peter stood shoulder to shoulder with those never saw him love them as much worship him as God in the spirit just as much, as any other apostle second Peter chapter 1 Peter reminds his audience that he walk with Christ.

We did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ were were eyewitnesses again. He says in first Peter five I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and also a partaker partaker of the glory that will be revealed. He never lost sight of these powerful things, and neither should you. Things that God has done in your life that you know is God that you know is is power. We should never lose sight of them. We should recall those moments in times of difficulty and struggle rejoice with exceeding these visas, I'm back in verse eight. Rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory. I don't do this enough amine. I wish I wept more over sinful people. My first reaction is just usually strike back, fight them, I mimed over the years of gotten better, but still a lot to go. A lot of work to go but I want some of you in a few better about myself not to. We were sis singing the song that the song we wanted our hearts to be broken by the things it breaks the heart of the Savior is right that is sharing his love rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory. This joy deepened by the Holy Spirit. The spirit filled life. Verse nine receiving the end of your faith, your salvation of your souls heaven. It is man says you gotta do this to get saved. God's it is done, we would either do believe man says you gotta try this out and try that out before you can take the next step. God says you trust a given you enough reason to trust make your move. Salvation is received when the gospel is believed, that's when salvation is received. Ephesians 29 not of works, lest anyone should boast. No one is going to stand for God.

They ironed it. I belong here. I deserve it. This is my reward for doing right. Our reward is sort of like a child that buys their parents a Father's Day or a Mother's Day gift with the parents money.

I bought you something. Don't know really you didn't. I bought me something with your taste something to boast, and that's how it will be in heaven. We won't be able to set I bought my salvation, I earned it. The believers prize is home in heaven and until then it is love that moves us forward. It is faith that is hope. The hope that is born of anticipation not doubt not. Well I hope he does. In that sense. What is more like nonowner on looking towards what he what he's going to do that smile is going to do it. I'm just waiting for that seeing is not believing what believing is seeing and that's what Peter is saying that having not seen you love. By faith we are so glad you tuned in today to study the book of first Peter on cross reference radio cross reference radio is the daily radio ministry of Pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel in Mechanicsville, Virginia, and we are blessed to bring you God's word with each broadcast. If you'd like more information about this program or want to listen to additional teachings from Pastor Rick please visit our website cross reference radio.com.

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