Message Notes

MORNING WORSHIP 12 April 2020
EASTER SUNDAY

Text: 1 Peter 2
Title: “Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

INTRODUCTION

A. Easter Greetings

Easter Greetings to all who make up the Bethany Family, in Singapore, in Australia, in India and in Myanmar!

May the significance of Easter help us to live above the Covid-19 virus problem afflicting hundreds of thousands worldwide!

B. Our study of 1 Peter

1. Many descriptions of true believers in 1 Peter

2. Our standing before God # 1

a) Pilgrims (1 Peter 1:1)

b) Elect (1 Peter 1:2)

c) Begotten again (1 Peter 1:3)
New-born babes (1 Peter 2:2)

d) Heirs (1 Peter 1:4)

3. Our Ministry to God # 2

a) Living stones (1 Peter 2:5)

b) A spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5)

c) A holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5)

4. Another Level of Understanding and Challenge # 3

a) A chosen generation (1 Peter 2:9a)

b) To be a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9b)

c) A holy nation (1 Peter 2:9c)

d) His own special people (1 Peter 2:9d)

i) Once darkness, now light (1 Peter 2:10a)

ii) No mercy in the past, mercy now obtained (1 Peter 2:10b)

THREE DIFFERENT SETS OF DESCRIPTION

1. Entry Level understanding

a) Salvation

b) Sanctification

2. Extended Level understanding

a) Growth personal

b) Growth as a spiritual house

c) Growth in other aspects of life

3. Elevated Level

a) A chosen generation

b) A royal priesthood (elevated from “holy priesthood”)

c)Ministry highlighted:

i) To offer praise

ii) To fulfil calling

THE DIFFERENCE THE RISEN SAVIOUR WAS MEANT TO MAKE

1. Begotten us to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:3)

a) The resurrection of Jesus Christ and a living hope

b) Where is the connection?

c) The Connection explained

i) The resurrection infuses us with a living hope

ii) The resurrection enthuses us with a living hope

iii) The resurrection enables us to live at a higher plane of thought/ life

d) Life with a Living Hope

i) We are not afraid of death

ii) We no longer live for things of the world

iii) We find this Living Hope becoming the power of our life

2. The Resurrection of Jesus is to be appreciated and applied in at least at two levels:

a) The faith we have in the Lord

b) The quality of faith and life we have in Christ

c) The results of a strong faith that can withstand the fiery tests of life
They will redound to the glorification of God:

i) Praise

ii) Honour

iii) Glory

d) Let us be challenged to cultivate the quality of our faith

EASTER MESSAGE

1. Resurrection Joy

a) A joy that replaces sorrow

b) A joy that comes with salvation (1 Peter 1:8)

c) A joy that need not be lost

d) A joy that can and must be regained

2. Resurrection Power

a) The great power of God was employed to resurrect Jesus

b) That power was promised to us (Acts 1:8)

c) That power that was in the Apostles

d) That power that can pulsate in our life

3. Resurrection Life

a) A new Life in Christ

b) A new Life with a greater sense of purpose

c) A new Life that speaks of knowing the transforming power of God

d) A new and abundant life of fruitfulness

THE CHALLENGE TO ALL PILGRIMS WHO SUFFER FOR THEIR FAITH

1. To rest hope fully on the grace of God (1 Peter 1:13)

a) There is hope in the grace of God

b) Rest fully in the hope that God would us grace

2. To be obedient Children of God

a) Elect… to obedience (1 Peter 1:2)

b) As obedient children (1 Peter 1:14)

i) Obeying God as Father

ii) Obeying God’s call to be holy

c) Obeying the truth (1 Peter 1:22)

i) Through the Spirit

ii) In sincere love for the brethren

3. To believe fully in God

a) Who raised Jesus from the dead (1 Peter 1:21a)

b) So that faith and hope are in God fully (1 Peter 1:21b)

4. To grow spiritually

a) By laying aside all sins that hinder growth

i) Malice

ii) Deceit

iii) Envy

iv) All evil speaking

b) Plan to Grow up well

i) By the pure milk of the word of God

ii) By all spiritual means

THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST

The Resurrection from the dead was what Jesus taught;
But this was a level of knowledge that was not easily caught.
The Disciples could not comprehend how Jesus could face suffering;
The death of Jesus seemed to have ended all their wishing and hoping.

The Resurrection of Jesus did take place as He had said;
The tomb and Death had to yield to the power of God instead.
Darkness and despair that had filled the hearts of the Disciples;
These had given way to Joy that was glorious and inexpressible.

The significance of the Resurrection is not limited in any way;
The power of the Lord is available to all believers even today!
Victorious living is possible if we truly believe in the Resurrection;
This was the promise of the Lord to all who would heed His instruction.

Through the Resurrection of Jesus our salvation is confirmed;
We need not be shackled by fear if our faith in God is firm.
The challenge is to have a life that reflects the glory of Resurrection;
May our hearts be filled with hope and with joyous jubilation!

Charles Tan
Inspiration: 1 Peter 1-2