The angels, who are not direct recipients of salvation, marvel at its extraordinary nature. This should prompt us to appreciate it even more deeply. Salvation is a divine mystery that even celestial beings long to understand. If they, who are not in need of salvation, find it so fascinating, how much more should we, who are saved by grace, treasure it? The angels' awe serves as a reminder of the profound gift we have received and the grace that has been extended to us. [00:09]
1 Peter 1:12 (ESV): "It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of wonder and gratitude for your salvation today, knowing that even angels are in awe of it?
Day 2: The Prophets' Yearning
The prophets of old, like Isaiah, longed to understand the salvation they prophesied about. Their yearning should inspire us to appreciate the fulfillment of those prophecies in our lives today. These prophets were given glimpses of a future hope, a salvation that was not for their time but for ours. Their dedication and longing to comprehend God's plan should deepen our gratitude for living in the time of its fulfillment. We are the beneficiaries of their prophecies, and this should inspire us to live in a way that honors the gift we have received. [01:20]
Hebrews 11:39-40 (ESV): "And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."
Reflection: What steps can you take to better appreciate the fulfillment of the prophecies in your life today, and how can you honor the legacy of the prophets in your daily walk with God?
Day 3: The Reality of Sin
Sin is a terminal disease, and Christ's sacrifice is the cure. Recognizing our need for salvation is crucial, not based on feelings but on the reality of our condition. Sin alienates us from God, but through Christ's death, we are healed and brought back to Him. This salvation is not just a religious concept but a crucial reality that addresses our deepest needs. Understanding the gravity of sin and the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice should lead us to a deeper appreciation of our salvation and a commitment to live in accordance with God's will. [06:24]
Isaiah 53:5 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."
Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge the reality of sin in your life today, and how can you actively embrace Christ's healing and transformative power?
Day 4: Saved for Glory
Salvation is not just about being saved from sin but being saved for a relationship with God, receiving the unfading crown of glory, and experiencing eternal joy. We are saved to return to the Shepherd of our souls and to live in the fullness of His presence. This salvation is a call to a higher purpose, to live a life that reflects God's glory and to partake in the eternal joy that comes from being in His presence. Understanding this aspect of salvation should inspire us to live with purpose and to seek a deeper relationship with God. [09:49]
1 Peter 5:4 (ESV): "And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."
Reflection: How can you actively pursue a deeper relationship with God today, and what steps can you take to live a life that reflects His glory?
Day 5: The Divine Message
The gospel is preached to us by the Holy Spirit, ensuring that it is not just human words but a divine message. This highlights the importance and authenticity of the salvation message. The Holy Spirit's role in delivering the gospel underscores its divine origin and the power it holds to transform lives. Recognizing the divine nature of the message we have received should lead us to approach it with reverence and a willingness to be transformed by it. The gospel is not just a message to be heard but a truth to be lived. [21:08]
1 Thessalonians 1:5 (ESV): "Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake."
Reflection: How can you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in living out the gospel message today, and what changes can you make to ensure that your life reflects its transformative power?
Sermon Summary
In today's reflection, we delve into the profound mystery and worth of our salvation as depicted in 1 Peter 1:10-12. The angels, who are not direct beneficiaries of salvation, marvel at it, which should prompt us to appreciate it even more deeply. The prophets of old, like Isaiah, yearned to understand the salvation they prophesied about, knowing it was not for their time but for ours. This salvation is not just a religious concept but a crucial reality that addresses our deepest needs.
We explored the question, "Do I need to be saved?" It's not about whether we feel the need but recognizing the reality of our condition. Sin is a terminal disease, and Christ's sacrifice is the cure. Through His death, we are healed and brought back to God, overcoming the alienation caused by sin. Salvation is not just about being saved from something but also being saved for something. We are saved to return to the Shepherd of our souls, to receive the unfading crown of glory, and to experience eternal joy in God's presence.
The value of our salvation is highlighted in several ways. First, Christ's suffering was not a mere historical event but a divine plan pondered for centuries. Second, the prophets' longing to understand the salvation they spoke of should deepen our gratitude. Third, the revelation to the prophets that their words were for future generations, including us, underscores the timelessness and relevance of God's plan. Fourth, the angels' longing to look into these things emphasizes the extraordinary nature of our salvation. Finally, the gospel is preached to us by the Holy Spirit, ensuring that it is not just human words but a divine message.
Key Takeaways
1. The Marvel of Salvation: Angels, who are not direct recipients of salvation, marvel at it, highlighting its extraordinary nature. If they, who are not in need of salvation, find it so fascinating, how much more should we, who are saved by grace, treasure it? [00:09]
2. The Prophets' Yearning: The prophets of old, like Isaiah, longed to understand the salvation they prophesied about. Their yearning should inspire us to appreciate the fulfillment of those prophecies in our lives today. [01:20]
3. The Reality of Sin: Sin is a terminal disease, and Christ's sacrifice is the cure. Recognizing our need for salvation is crucial, not based on feelings but on the reality of our condition. [06:24]
4. Saved for Glory: Salvation is not just about being saved from sin but being saved for a relationship with God, receiving the unfading crown of glory, and experiencing eternal joy.[09:49]
5. The Divine Message: The gospel is preached to us by the Holy Spirit, ensuring that it is not just human words but a divine message. This highlights the importance and authenticity of the salvation message. [21:08] ** [21:08]
Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1:10-12 Isaiah 53:5-6 1 Peter 2:24-25 Observation Questions:
According to 1 Peter 1:10-12, what role did the prophets play in understanding salvation, and how did they respond to the revelations they received? [01:01]
How does 1 Peter 2:24 describe the impact of Christ's sacrifice on our condition of sin? [06:24]
What does Isaiah 53:5-6 reveal about the nature of Christ's suffering and its purpose for humanity? [16:03]
In the sermon, how are angels described in relation to salvation, and what does their perspective teach us about the value of salvation? [19:08]
Interpretation Questions:
Why might the prophets have yearned to understand the salvation they prophesied about, and how does this yearning enhance our appreciation of salvation today? [16:40]
How does the description of sin as a "terminal disease" in 1 Peter 2:24-25 affect our understanding of the necessity of salvation? [06:24]
What significance does the angels' longing to look into salvation have for believers, and how does it reflect the extraordinary nature of salvation? [19:08]
How does the sermon emphasize the importance of the Holy Spirit in the preaching of the gospel, and what does this imply about the nature of the message we receive? [21:08]
Application Questions:
Reflect on the idea that salvation is not just about being saved from sin but being saved for a relationship with God. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with God this week? [09:49]
The sermon describes sin as a terminal disease. What steps can you take to address areas of sin in your life and seek healing through Christ's sacrifice? [06:24]
Considering the prophets' yearning to understand salvation, how can you develop a greater appreciation for the fulfillment of God's promises in your life today? [16:40]
The angels marvel at our salvation. How can you incorporate a sense of wonder and gratitude for your salvation into your daily routine? [19:08]
The sermon highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in delivering the gospel message. How can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your life and interactions with others? [21:08]
Reflect on the idea of being saved for glory and eternal joy. What practical steps can you take to focus on the eternal perspective in your daily decisions and interactions? [09:49]
How can you share the message of salvation with someone in your life who may not yet understand its significance? What specific actions can you take to engage them in a meaningful conversation about faith? [22:08]
Sermon Clips
If the Angels Marvel over our Salvation, how much more should we? In this episode of light and Truth, John Piper rejoices over the worth of our Salvation from First Peter 1 10-12. This sermon was originally preached at Bethlehem Baptist Church on November 21st 1993. [00:14:35]
These prophets were searching, yearning, inquiring, "What is this, Lord? This is awesome. What are we saying?" Verse 12: It was revealed to them, however, that they were not serving themselves, that was a painful thing for Isaiah to hear, but you in these things they're serving you in these things which now have been announced to you. [00:65:24]
The prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful search and increase 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. [00:50:52]
Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the cross that we might die to sin and live to righteousness, for by his wounds you have been healed. So Peter's first answer is Christ died for our sins. Therefore, I conclude I need to be saved from my sins. [00:77:46]
Christ also died for sins once for all. I love that little phrase. He's not dying over and over. It took care of it one time. Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that he might bring us to God. [00:98:38]
You were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. I think that's probably the most precious thing that we are saved for. We come home from our wandering and our lostness to The Shepherd of our souls. [00:125:25]
When the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of Glory. The second thing we are saved for is the glory of God. God himself, the shepherd, will stand forth and take Justified Sinners who have believed in the gospel. [00:145:48]
To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing so that also at the revelation of his glory, you may Rejoice with exaltation. So he simply makes explicit now that when we come home to The Shepherd of our souls, when the shepherd puts a Crown of Glory on our head, we will rejoice with exaltation. [00:156:39]
The answer to the question do you and I need to be saved is yes, whether we feel like it or not. There is a witness. It is the witness of an apostle who knew the Lord Of Glory Jesus who was God incarnate and who speaks by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. [00:194:86]
The value of our Salvation comes by realizing that it is brought to us through preachers of the Gospel but not just preachers, but by the spirit of God sent from heaven himself. Let's read that. Verse 12. These things now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit. [00:250:16]
The point there is that angels are not part of it the way you are part of it because they never sinned. They do not have to be died for. They are watching as it were Outsiders a history of Glorious Redemption where God is doing unspeakable things in his self-humbling entering into that mess that they never entered into. [00:254:34]
The prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful search and increase seeking to know what person or time Christ was indicating. In other words, when Christ came to Isaiah and he said in whatever way it happened, we don't know, he said to Isaiah write this. [00:422:01]