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April 30, 2021 12:00 am
I also want for the words of Charles Spurgeon's the pastor believes you have decrease the 6000 people at a time and not the stair was little platform with each heat under his breath. I believe in the Holy Spirit when you take the truth of God's word and you evangelize or maybe you teach a Bible study. It doesn't come back to how clever you were gifted were how together your outline once it is the holy spirit, we can committed to serving God the things that we do are not for us there for the benefit of others and even the future generations. Of course, the reverse is also true because we sometimes reap the benefits secured by those who went before us. One example of this is the profits who recorded God's word for all of us who came after them to learn about this and more today on wisdom for the heart with steam and dating stay with us for this message. Called better off than we thought identity theft. As you know is often in the news today more than 12 million people are impacted by this fraudulent use of their private information every year. Credit card information accounts little disturbing to read have one major banking institution is now as a CEO as step down the bank always were actually creating fraudulent accounts and charging interest to the customers of their banking system identity theft occurs when someone steals your name and personal information and then uses your identity for their own benefit.
Is it your identity.
You don't want to videos that have it and you want to protect it. You certainly don't want anybody using it for their purposes.
When you think about it.
However, the Christian is by definition someone who has taken someone else's identity. They've taken the name of someone else and they call themselves by that name Christian.
They call themselves by that name because they have taken the identity of Jesus Christ. Not only do you have an identity that you were not born with you to earn the right to use it as a Christian you actually use his identity to get into his checking account so to speak, as it were to use all the benefits in his name and fact you have tapped into his own inheritance zero.
In reality, though, was an identity theft. It was an identity gift by grace you have been saved through faith, not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Jurors enjoyed believers to the believers scattered throughout client is going to Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia. They've lost their identity in the community.
They lost their status.
They have lost their fortunes. They have lost their properties, their sense of significance along with it.
If anybody would have been considered the most unfortunate and underprivileged person on the planet. During these days it would have been these but Peter feels differently. He talks to them about this exceeding joy he talks to them with a different perspective entirely in mind as he refers to their privileges that they have as believers and so if you go back to his A chapter 1. What does we find ourselves at this point in our study.
Is it we find Peter effectively causing as if to say, I mentioned your salvation and I will pause and talk about the privileges that you have that you might be overlooking the does that by bringing several key issues to our thoughts that are easily overlooked and I give you three of them want to give you the first one of them a look at the taxes. This first are privileges have been the fixation of profit. The fixation of profit.
Verse 10 as to this salvation you just mentioned that is to this obviously just pause and talk about the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you know that's a long way of saying that the New Testament Christians even though they were dispersed and rejected. They were better off than the Old Testament prophets better off. That would Peter on this point is reviewing for these scattered believers is how much greater are there advantages that the Old Testament prophet. So let me kind of unpack that statement I just read and break it down into three observation.
The first observation is this the prophets examined Scriptures which were not completed. Notice first 10 all I can do is make careful searches and inquiries to make careful searches is from a verb that means to mount an intensive investigation to study diligently and with painstaking effort. Try to try to put the clues together that I was some answers to some rentals. The second word to make inquiries is is used in classical Greek for a lie.
On the sentence of its prey, so to relate that back the prophets with all diligence are spending their lives hunting down the implications of what they perceive what we we have this incredible privilege of having been given all the pieces to we have got sufficient complete revelation you go all the way to the end of the book and find a with Peter tells us first to cross examine the Scriptures which were completed. Secondly, the prophets pointed to a Savior whose name they didn't know what it is Vantage. We have, we can study his life.
His words and his words verse 11 against her seeking to know what person or time spirit of Christ within them predicted about his sufferings in his glory is another thing to the Messiah was coming. They look forward by faith to the coming of the Messiah would die pay that full and final payment for their sin.
This belief gave them salvation just like you gives us although were looking back in faith at that coming or the Messiah who did, in fact, there there trying to put together the clues to find out when he would come in and who he was with the times were they foresaw the Christ. That is the anointed Messiah, but they couldn't foresee Jesus's name. No one until the angel and now to Joseph named him Jesus.
Yes, you are in the old testament Joshua named him that because he is the deliverer with the name mean he will save his people from their sins.
Matthew chapter 1 verse 21 of the final pieces begin to fall into place. You notice how Peter ties these two issues together.
The prophets wanted to know the times they wanted to know the distinctives they wanted to know who this person would be to become a Savior judge profit. Recent and King and they search the Scriptures to find all that they could they could not unravel the differences by the way between Christ's to Cummings is coming to suffer, and is coming to reign in fact Jewish commentators often talk of two messiahs. The figure once you know what you suffered clear. Isaiah is talking about that but common and reign there there today. They didn't understand that to Cummings one. This happened than the one that will come in fact that Cummings twofold one for the church and one with the church were so often times in the Old Testament, the prophets to speak about his together. Both Cummings together meld them together. We now know they been separated, some 1900 years and we know what can happen when he comes for the church is suffering occurred in his glory is now see how we put together verse 11, he connects the same Christ the same Messiah, with both suffering and glories to silence one and the glorious refer to the resurrection and 28.
His ascension acts chapter 1 is resumption to the throne of his father's glory. John 17 of his return.
Still, yet future for the church. First Thessalonians 4 of his re-creation of the heavens and the earth. Second Peter four of his final and eternal glorious reign as judge and King over all, which is another way safe even though we live in this dispensation we see lots we have seen anything yet. I mean, this is getting a better Peter wanted to think about. You can look around. Oh man, it could be worse. Peter saying you won't believe how good it's going to get what a privilege we have have received the information pieces of the puzzle so the prophets examined the Scriptures which were not completed and that the advantage the prophets pointed to a Savior's name.
They didn't know what advantage we have. Thirdly, the prophets understood their service was for someone else.
Verse 12 it was revealed to them.
The Old Testament prophets that they were not serving themselves but you know was the fulfillment of the prophecies were not for them to witness that verb surging refers it it sort of paints a picture of someone spreads the table but doesn't get the they think they put out the tablecloth and they put up plates and bowls in the glasses and the forks and knives and spoons and all that you already but they will sit on the weed. When the meal comes and the amazing thing here is this this these prophets knew it. Notice verse 12 it was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, it was revealed to them that they would they would meet at the banquet personally. They would live long enough to see the table, fill with food. The rich banquet of the words and works of Jesus Christ. They wouldn't see the bread of heaven that we would come later. So Peter is reminding these believers was what advantage you have living in these these matter how difficult, no matter how trouble you get to pull up a chair to the table that was spread by the prophets, but you're able to cease all the revelation of who he is. You can clearly see what he has prophets dedicated their lives to setting the table by the way, before we race from this I want to tip my hat to these prophets.
They didn't willing to do that for you. For me, I mean imagine as I thought about an analogy, imagine never tasted fruit heard about it. You've been given some descriptions of it even told what it tastes like it's crisp, it's flavorful… It's luscious it's it's it's delicious is just bursting with flavor juice but you don't get the taste all who are asked to do is take these seeds and go plant torture plan orchards for generation because they get to eat it but just just go plant and they did. What a testimony to us. We have according to this text a privilege to walk in the completed light of revelation privileges that have been the fixation of prophets. Their entire life. Another thing that Peter adds here is that our privileges are the focal point of preachers. We were starving in the middle part of these things which have announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven that what Peter does. He sort of brings our benefits into this dispensation of grace or what we call the church age. He writes here that the Holy Spirit is come from heaven. We know for next to that is the set occurred on the day of Pentecost. It happened when a prank the spirit, the spirit to fall he he's here, he's here, but we know that is coming, was a fulfillment of Christ's promise is that what I'm sending set on said the spirit who will descend and become your companion will become part of the creation of this mystery, call the church's living organism growing and breathing serving is the dynamic behind. Now let me just stopped it to mention that just as the prophets message didn't originate from him. He makes very clear that the preacher's message, from and through the Holy Spirit revelation came from heaven. It's not the preacher's message either prophets nor preachers are original.
You hear preacher said I got something really new for you, Ron turn the channel preacher has to be like the prophet in that he studies the Scriptures. He ransacked the revelation for clues truths.
He's like a minor is mining the jammers from the deep caverns of biblical truth which takes time to study and to learn. Now, as we have hosted and have been involved in the seminary of teaching men were preparing the pastor and I tell every semesters, students, and that in that class of minded of God is calling you to be a pastor teacher. He is calling you to a life of obscurity you spend many more hours alone and you'll ever spend in public. Are you willing to do that if you don't you will be much of worse to the body in public and I think the clue here for the preacher is to put together the pieces that studying and learning isn't really enough either, it depends upon the Holy Spirit who enables and empowers the message so that he goes forth with transforming power so there is fruit in in life that's entirely dependent upon the Holy Spirit when you take the truth of God's word and you evangelize or maybe you teach a Bible study. It isn't it is it doesn't come back to how clever you were, how gifted you were how eloquent you were. How together. Your outline was.
It is the holy spirit. Without him we can do nothing.
I often repeat the same words as I sit back there on my favorite chair where you can see me but I'm surrounded by violence is just the best place on the planet. I often repeat as I walk for the words of Charles Spurgeon's that pastor of the 1800 decrease the 6000 people at a time and now the stairs to his little platform and little desk in a railing with each day he would repeat under his breath.
I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe in the Holy Spirit. I believe in the Holy Spirit.
Even though he was eloquent and capable reasonable and skillful. He and every creature every teacher without the Holy Spirit is doing nothing more than blowing hot air on dusty ground, no life privileges with the fixation of the prophets who privileges are the focal point of preaching. Finally, your privileges are the fascination of angels and this is the first want of -70 minutes notice universe 12 things into which angels long to look things go back to to salvation to the privileged position of the believer. They, the Angels law to look into that. They love it.
It is there fascination seen Angel never experience salvation. Christ did not die.
The Angels, but it is there fascination. By the way the expression he uses for them a longing to look is this inner yearning to comprehend that by the way, don't misunderstand the doesn't mean they can't understand the plan of redemption.
That doesn't mean they can't comprehend it only refers to their holy curiosity that identify bring it back to these original readers and then apply to our own lives is possible as a scattered marginalized suffering believer to be tempted to think, and I wish I had. It is good as those godly Old Testament prophets.
I made a visit from God. The voice of God that is silent all know you have an advantage because it pieces missing in their puzzle you got well to you all preacher like Paul or or Timothy or Titus or or silence. You know they have an advantage they have it better then snow. They don't just clay pots they have to depend on the Holy Spirit just as much as you do well, then I know they love it if I were an angel, you know may not have it so much better then my life now. You are the recipient of grace.
The Angels never cease to want to learn more about the watch with holy curiosity. I think the hymn writer put it pretty well anywhere. The gospel song in the late 1800s. Maybe you've heard it. The refrain goes like this. Holy, holy is what the Angels say, and I expect to help them make the courts of heaven rain. But when I sing redemption story they will fold their wings for Angels never felt the joy that our salvation angels saw the fall of Lucifer.
They had that signature moment of deciding got it given them the ability to make that choice and they chose forever settling their destiny and how both of plaintiff's redemptive history of God's perfect purposes is a marvel is a 14 some of them were assigned to guard the gates of Eden so I can get back, and thereafter they'd send live forever in their sin by eating from the tree line. Angels visited Abraham and announced the coming of a baby boy to him Sarah.
They were well beyond child birthing years. Angel was sent by the Lions miles and protect Daniel in the lives Daniel six, Zachariah saw the Angels involved in an end time events. Zachariah wanted Angel to go in the New Testament began to announced both the birth of John the Baptist and of Jesus. Chapter 1, and an angel was assigned by the Lord to tell Joseph that his wedding plans "out of the side. Go ahead and marry her. Matthew chapter 1. Angels minister to Jesus after his temptation and let them know what that was like that before they ministered to him after he prayed in the garden.
Luke chapter 22 Jesus announced and I garden the 12 legions of angels are standing ready and I'll have to do is say I just see if we can just pull back the veil there.
There 12 legions that's about 75,000 Angels surrounding the company they can't see them in the ready Angels are active in Christ's resurrection. 24 and Angel rescues Peter miraculously from prison without a word without moving his hand as he leads Peter out all the doors open like your going into the department store doors slide open acceptor 12 you fast-forward the tape nearly every chapter in the book of Revelation has an angel involving Revelation is a convention of angels urges all over the place they hold back the wind. Chapter 7 the seal of the Jewish evangelists against death.
Chapter 7.
They blow the trumpet judgments chapter 8. They preach the gospel around the globe. Chapter 14 they announced the fall of Babylon, chapter 14, they warned the human race not to follow him to Christ. Chapter 14 they pour out the vials of God's wrath. Chapter 51 of them gets and I'm sure they were vying for this one of them gets to imprison Satan in the this just took one Angel by the way just one Angel and the power of God's assignment to bind Satan for thousand years. Chapter 21 Angel shows John the apostle, the celestial city gives him a tour. Chapter 21 and 22 exactly only refuses Johnson misplaced worship because when John sees them. He is so glorious dangerous is so splendid so awesome in his in his glorious appearance of John falls down, thinking he's gotta be God doesn't give an angel. Angels are amazing creatures, and they have seen so much, but Peter informs us inspired by the Holy Spirit that the Angels greatest captivation and their deepest joyful fascination and curiosity about what God is doing has to do with what God is doing. Peter is saying to them, the world considers you unworthy of the world considers human significant world considers you worthy of pity you are the honor disciplines greatest drama unfolding history. You have been given the identity of Christ preacher experience, but the no matter what you're facing today. The reminder from God's word is that we are greatly privileged. I hope that truth is an encouragement to you today this is wisdom for the heart with Stephen Devi with this lesson we close our current series called profiling Christians. If you missed any of the lessons in this series, you can go online and listen to them.
There.
That address is wisdom online.org. These messages along with the complete archive of Stephen's teaching are posted there for you to listen to download or read free of charge.
We also have this series bound into a set of CDs and we can give you information about that if you call us. Our phone number is 86 648 Bible or 866-482-4253. In addition to being our daily Bible teacher Stephen Devi pastors the shepherd's church in Cary, North Carolina, and he's the president of shepherd's theological seminary. The trains pastors and church leaders for a lifetime of servant leadership. If you or someone you know is interested in seminary training, I encourage you to consider coming here and studying with us. There's a link to both the school and the church on our website which is wisdom online.org next time were with you, Stephen will be jumping over to Titus two in a series called family talk join us for that here on wisdom