Sunday Video Message 15th March 2020 : “Foreordained before the foundation of the world”

Text: 1 Peter 1
15 March 2020

MORNING WORSHIP 15 March 2020
Text: 1 Peter 1
Title: “Foreordained before the foundation of the world” 1 Peter 1:20

INTRODUCTION

1. Our Salvation is often not fully comprehended and thus not as well-appreciated

2. This doctrine is often “truncated”

a) Saved from sin
b) Hope of heaven given
c) Jesus is the Saviour
d) Believe in Jesus

These are important truths to know! But there is so much more to be appreciated!

3. The doctrine of God’s plan of Salvation

a) It is so Rich
b) It is deep and profound
c) It is to be carefully fathomed

A. THE WORDS “FOREKNOWLEDGE” AND “FOREORDINATION”

1. The essence of “foreknowledge”

a) It is a noun that describes full knowledge
b) It is Divine Omniscience
c) God’s omniscience is such that He knows
i) Things that would happen
ii) Nothing is outside His foreknowledge

2. The essence of “foreordination”

a) It involves a verbal idea
b) It is Divine Omnipotence
c) God’s omnipotence is such that He is involved
i) In influencing events
ii) In orchestrating all events
iii) Nothing is able to thwart His Divine Will

3. Both words share a common root

a) Foreknowledge (προγνωσις- prognosis)
b) Proginosko (προγινωςκω- proginosko)
c) The common root is (γινωσκω- ginosko)

4. Both words are to be understood jointly

a) Many have unwisely separated the two words
b) Some end up believing in foreknowledge but not foreordination

B. The Doctrine of Redemption
In God’s foreordination, He played an active role.

He planned “Redemption”

1. The meaning of “redemption” (1 Peter 1:18)

Important nuances to take note of:

2. The Means considered

a) Redemption is not paid for by material things (1 Peter 1:18)
b) Silver and gold cannot bring about redemption (1 Peter 1:18)

3. There was a High Cost that had to be paid
That Price was the very life of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) A Life has to be sacrificed so that lives may be saved
b) The Life of the Lord Jesus Christ is no small sacrifice
c) To have the Son of God lay down His life to bring about Redemption
is truly astounding

4. There are important Ramifications to take note of:
A number of things may be highlighted:

a) Liberty is given
b) The Redeemed have been set free
i) From the penalty of the Law
ii) From the penalty of sin
iii) From the penalty of divine judgment

C. The Redeemer that God had sent

1. Jesus was that Lamb of God
The Lamb without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:19)

a) The idea of a sacrifice was taught in the Old Testament
b) This was prophesied in Isaiah 53
c) It was fulfilled by the Lord Jesus when He died as the Passover Lamb

2. This was foreordained before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20)

a) This was foreknown to the Lord God
b) This was also foreordained by Him

3. He was made manifest to the world

Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29, 35)

a) The Disciples of Jesus understood this great truth
b) They followed Him as deeply committed Disciples
c) Not everyone comprehended
i) The multitudes who followed Jesus because they saw His miracles
ii) Many religious leaders who were spiritually blind and deaf

D. THE LIFE OF CHRIST

1. The significance of the work of the Redeemer was made manifest

a) There were some who became Disciples of Jesus (Gospels)
b) They went on to become apostles, sent out by the Lord
i) To proclaim
ii) To bear witness
iii) To establish churches

2. The resurrection of Jesus was undeniable proof of God’s Power (1 Peter 1:21)

a) It takes Divine Power to raise the dead
b) All that Jesus experienced
i) Life
ii) Suffering
iii) Death
iv) Resurrection

All were part of God’s plan of Redemption!

3. God gave the Lord Jesus glory (1 Peter 1:21)

a) A befitting glory
b) Great glory
c) He has a name above all names (Philippians 2:10-11)

CONCLUSION

1. Faith and joy in the LORD deepened

2. Hope in the LORD strengthened (1 Peter 1:21)

3. Purified your souls determined (1 Peter 1:22)

4. Obeying the truth confirmed (1 Peter 1:22)