This is the eighth sermon in a series of messages designed to enlarge our concepts of what God has provided for us in and through Jesus Christ. He came to do something more than give us a ticket to heaven.
Salvation in the past tense—the new birth, or justification by God—is wonderful. Blessed indeed is the person who can look back and say, “I have been saved. I have committed my life to Jesus as Lord and Savior and experienced the joy of forgiveness and the privilege of becoming a member of God’s family.”
Salvation in the future tense, which includes the promise of victory over death and the grave and the privilege of fellowship with the Father and the saints for eternity, is certainly a great salvation that brings joy to each believer. The New Testament calls this glorification. The gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee to each believer of the final redemption from the consequences of sin.
Salvation in the present tense—called sanctification in the New Testament—is also part of God’s plan for each of his children. It is not God’s will that his children live under the dominion of evil. Jesus Christ came to save us from the power and practice of sin as soon as we experience the new birth; this protection continues until either death or Jesus’ glorious return.
God has provided at least four great ways to stimulate the growth of those who have experienced the new birth. If we put off making a proper response to God’s Word, we face the danger of spiritual illiteracy and an aimless, self-destructive life.
The first great way to stimulate growth is His Word, The second way to stimulate growth is prayer, the third way is the indwelling Holy Spirit, the fourth great way to stimulate spiritual growth in the present is to be involved with the church.
Click the YouTube link at the end of the manuscript to hear an audio recording of the sermon.
Salvation in the past tense—the new birth, or justification by God—is wonderful. Blessed indeed is the person who can look back and say, “I have been saved. I have committed my life to Jesus as Lord and Savior and experienced the joy of forgiveness and the privilege of becoming a member of God’s family.”
Salvation in the future tense, which includes the promise of victory over death and the grave and the privilege of fellowship with the Father and the saints for eternity, is certainly a great salvation that brings joy to each believer. The New Testament calls this glorification. The gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee to each believer of the final redemption from the consequences of sin.
Salvation in the present tense—called sanctification in the New Testament—is also part of God’s plan for each of his children. It is not God’s will that his children live under the dominion of evil. Jesus Christ came to save us from the power and practice of sin as soon as we experience the new birth; this protection continues until either death or Jesus’ glorious return.
God has provided at least four great ways to stimulate the growth of those who have experienced the new birth. If we put off making a proper response to God’s Word, we face the danger of spiritual illiteracy and an aimless, self-destructive life.
The first great way to stimulate growth is His Word, The second way to stimulate growth is prayer, the third way is the indwelling Holy Spirit, the fourth great way to stimulate spiritual growth in the present is to be involved with the church.
Click the YouTube link at the end of the manuscript to hear an audio recording of the sermon.
Scripture Reading:
1 Peter 2:1-10 NIV Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Text:
1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Introduction
The salvation that God offers to us through Jesus Christ is truly a great salvation. There are no disappointments for those who sincerely respond to God’s offer of full redemption from the penalty of sin, the practice of sin, and ultimately, the very presence of sin.
Salvation in the past tense—the new birth, or justification by God—is wonderful. Blessed indeed is the person who can look back and say, “I have been saved. I have committed my life to Jesus as Lord and Savior and experienced the joy of forgiveness and the privilege of becoming a member of God’s family.”
Salvation in the future tense, which includes the promise of victory over death and the grave and the privilege of fellowship with the Father and the saints for eternity, is certainly a great salvation that brings joy to each believer. The New Testament calls this glorification. The gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee to each believer of the final redemption from the consequences of sin.
Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
The Holy Spirit’s presence within the hearts of believers is divine assurance that they will be raised from the dead.
Romans 8:11 NIV And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Salvation in the present tense—called sanctification in the New Testament—is also part of God’s plan for each of his children. It is not God’s will that his children live under the dominion of evil. Jesus Christ came to save us from the power and practice of sin as soon as we experience the new birth; this protection continues until either death or Jesus’ glorious return.
To fully experience our great salvation in the present, we must be on guard against neglecting to work with God as he unfolds his complete plan for us.
Hebrews 2:1-4 NIV We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
God has provided at least four great ways to stimulate the growth of those who have experienced the new birth. If we put off making a proper response to God’s Word, we face the danger of spiritual illiteracy and an aimless, self-destructive life.
The First Great Way to Stimulate Growth is His Word, the Bible, or Scripture
Any believer who ignores the Bible will suffer from spiritual malnutrition.
As we’ve said before from;
1 Peter 2:2-3 NIV Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Psalms 119:9-11 NIV How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalms 119:105 NIV Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Or
Hebrews 2:1 NIV We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
The Second Way to Stimulate Growth is Prayer
When we neglect the privilege of prayer, we impoverish our spiritual lives and deprive ourselves of God’s loving counsel.
James 4:2 NIV You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
Through prayer God communicates to us his love and guidance.
The Third Way Is The Indwelling Holy Spirit
To neglect the Holy Spirit is to experience the agony and frustration of living only in the power of the flesh.
Romans 8:5 NIV Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Let's look at;
Galatians 5:16-26 NIV So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
When we make a proper response to the Holy Spirit, we can live victorious lives that are pleasing to the Father and that bring joy to us.
1 Peter 2:1-10 NIV Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Text:
1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Introduction
The salvation that God offers to us through Jesus Christ is truly a great salvation. There are no disappointments for those who sincerely respond to God’s offer of full redemption from the penalty of sin, the practice of sin, and ultimately, the very presence of sin.
Salvation in the past tense—the new birth, or justification by God—is wonderful. Blessed indeed is the person who can look back and say, “I have been saved. I have committed my life to Jesus as Lord and Savior and experienced the joy of forgiveness and the privilege of becoming a member of God’s family.”
Salvation in the future tense, which includes the promise of victory over death and the grave and the privilege of fellowship with the Father and the saints for eternity, is certainly a great salvation that brings joy to each believer. The New Testament calls this glorification. The gift of the Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee to each believer of the final redemption from the consequences of sin.
Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
The Holy Spirit’s presence within the hearts of believers is divine assurance that they will be raised from the dead.
Romans 8:11 NIV And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Salvation in the present tense—called sanctification in the New Testament—is also part of God’s plan for each of his children. It is not God’s will that his children live under the dominion of evil. Jesus Christ came to save us from the power and practice of sin as soon as we experience the new birth; this protection continues until either death or Jesus’ glorious return.
To fully experience our great salvation in the present, we must be on guard against neglecting to work with God as he unfolds his complete plan for us.
Hebrews 2:1-4 NIV We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
God has provided at least four great ways to stimulate the growth of those who have experienced the new birth. If we put off making a proper response to God’s Word, we face the danger of spiritual illiteracy and an aimless, self-destructive life.
The First Great Way to Stimulate Growth is His Word, the Bible, or Scripture
Any believer who ignores the Bible will suffer from spiritual malnutrition.
As we’ve said before from;
1 Peter 2:2-3 NIV Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Psalms 119:9-11 NIV How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalms 119:105 NIV Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Or
Hebrews 2:1 NIV We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.
The Second Way to Stimulate Growth is Prayer
When we neglect the privilege of prayer, we impoverish our spiritual lives and deprive ourselves of God’s loving counsel.
James 4:2 NIV You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
Through prayer God communicates to us his love and guidance.
The Third Way Is The Indwelling Holy Spirit
To neglect the Holy Spirit is to experience the agony and frustration of living only in the power of the flesh.
Romans 8:5 NIV Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
Let's look at;
Galatians 5:16-26 NIV So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
When we make a proper response to the Holy Spirit, we can live victorious lives that are pleasing to the Father and that bring joy to us.
The fourth great way to stimulate spiritual growth in the present is to be involved with the church.
I realize that during COVID-19 our involvement may be different but we still need that involvement. Whether it’s by phone or social media, or outdoors in parking lots or social distancing like we are doing here. We still need involvement if we are to experience our great salvation in the present right now.
1. Each believer is indebted to the church.
If it hadn't been for the church, we would not know about God’s love and the great salvation offered to us through Jesus Christ.
We owe much gratitude to the church for its role in helping us to know Jesus Christ.
A. The church has been commanded to be an evangelizing force everywhere until Christ returns.
Believers have a responsibility to communicate the message of God’s grace revealed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The last thing that He told His followers before the ascended back to the Father was;
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
B. The church has been commanded to baptize new believers.
It is not my intent to talk about how that baptism is done today. Whether by immersion or sprinkling of whatever. That’s another sermon for another day. What’s important is that baptism was to be a distinctive act of public identification with those who believed that Jesus Christ had died for their sins, conquered death, and risen from the dead. If believers in the past had refused to become members of local congregations, the church would have died.
C. The church has been commanded to be a school of Christian discipleship.
New believers need to be instructed and led toward spiritual maturity. It is God’s will that all believers become disciples or students of Jesus always learning of His love, mercy and grace.
Paul in writing to Timothy said;
2 Timothy 2:2 NIV And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
And to the church in Colossae he wrote;
Colossians 3:16 NIV Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
D. The church has been commanded to serve as witnesses for Jesus.
Jesus wants the church to be communicators of God’s wonderful works revealed through Jesus Christ and experienced in our own lives.
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Acts 1:7-8 NIV He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
2. We do have to admit that the church has never been flawless.
One of the devil’s strategies against unbelievers is to call attention to the imperfections of the church. The church has never been perfect, and it never will be perfect this side of heaven.
It is not perfect because
A. The church has always been composed of imperfect people.
1 Peter 2:1 NIV Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
Peter was writing to believers, to Christians, to those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. These believers still have many traits of the old life that must be put aside if they are to fully manifest their new relationship to God.
Peter described this new relationship as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people”
1 Peter 2:9 NIV But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
B. The church will always include immature disciples.
1 Peter 2:2 NIV Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
There are many things that only growth, self-discipline, and time can solve in human families. The same is true in God’s family. We must move out of childhood toward maturity.
C. The church has always been and will always be under satanic attack.
The fact that Jesus has called us to be God’s children doesn't immunize us against evil or build a wall over which Satan cannot come to tempt us.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
John 16:33 NIV “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
III. Each believer has the privilege and responsibility to make a positive response to the presence of the church in the world today.
A. Jesus saw the church as a spiritual temple with each believer a living stone.
1 Peter 2:5 NIV you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit seeks to help each of us be a beautiful and precious stone in the temple that Jesus Christ is building in the world today.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Ephesians 5:25-27 NIV Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
B. The church is the body of Christ through whom he continues to work in the world today (1 Cor. 12:27; Rom. 12:4–8).
To neglect the church is to diminish your spiritual progress, vitality, and worth. The church was created by God, and through the church he is carrying on his work today. He member is important to the body.
1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
Romans 12:4-8 NIV For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Conclusion
If you neglect the church, you hinder your chance of fully experiencing God’s great salvation. In fact, you will fail in your Christian life if you dismiss the spiritual growth that comes from being in fellowship with other believers.
By giving yourself to the Lord in loving service through his church, you will enrich your life and be a blessing to others.
Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Benediction
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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