The Gifts of Redemption
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Praising God for the gifts we don't have to ask for!
Text: 1Pet. 1:6-9
Date: 04/07/2019, the Evening service.
Series: "Peter's Epistles: The Sojourners Handbook" Part 3
Description:
The best gifts are those we don't ask for. Such are the gifts of redemption that Peter lists for his readers in our text. Some of these gifts are obvious, like faith and the redemption faith leads to. Others are perhaps not so obvious, like the love we have for Jesus and the inexpressible joy that comes from knowing Him. Others are totally unexpected like the trials of suffering that lead to a deeper and more genuine faith. But they all have several things in common-- they are all gifts from a loving God, they all originate in heaven, and they are all freely provided-- without asking, as the gifts of redemption!
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I. Introduction, Matt. 7:9-11.
II. Exposition of the text, 1Pet. 1:6-9.
A. Context
B. Redemptive gifts in the midst of trials.
1. The "gift" of trials, vs. 6.
a. Identifying "this".
b. Rejoicing in trials, Luke 1:46-47.
c. Joy that transcends trials, James 1:2.
i. The nature of "trials".
ii. The nature of "grieving".
iii. The temporariness of the trials.
2. Trials that create a genuine faith, vs. 7.
a. The gift of a tested, genuine faith, James 1:3.
i. Why are Christians tested?
ii. Magnificent Old Testament examples.
• The example of Job.
• The example of Abraham, Gen. 22:12.
b. A gift more valuable than gold.
i. The process of refinement.
ii. Gold is perishing.
iii. The heavenly origin of faith.
c. A purpose for faith.
d. An implied call for perseverance.
3. The gifts of love, belief and joy, vs. 8.
a. An inexplicable love.
b. Faith that has not "seen".
i. A binding faith.
ii. An unrealized faith, Heb. 11:1, John 20:29, Heb. 11:13.
iii. A greater faith?
c. Rejoicing with joy.
i. An "inexpressible" joy.
ii. A joy full of glory.
d. Summarizing the gifts.
4. The glorious outcome: salvation, vs. 9.
III. Application
IV. Conclusion