Do You Know You're Loved? 1Peter 1:1-2

Do You Know You're Loved? 1 Peter 1:1-2. 11-17-13 AM

Introduction

For the past two weeks we have been discussing the great Love that God has sent to us by way of the Gospel. One of the great adventures in Christianity is to try and comprehend the profound love that God has for us. Sometimes I wonder if God feels toward His children as I do toward my own? One of my fears as a father is that my children will not understand the great love that I have for them. This is especially important in the lives of my daughters. I want them to know what extravagant love looks like. My hope is that they will see my love for them and expect that type of love from the man that God is grooming for their future(a really distant future). Albeit, I think that it is fair to surmise that God wants his children to experience and fully comprehend His sacrificial love.  

Peter had this sentiment in mind when he wrote a letter to Christians who were scattered around Asia. This group had most likely fled from persecution or were currently enduring persecution. Some commentators think that the Christians that Peter was writing to were some who fled Rome due to Emperor Nero and his attempt to blame the burning of Rome in A.D. 64 on Christians. With this in mind we should investigate Peter's introduction in this letter and discover the timeless truths that apply to us today.

You Are Loved Despite Persecution

Text Reference: vs. 1 - To the temporary residents(the pilgrims, or elect exiles) of the dispersion...

Main Idea: Trials and hardships are not a sign of rejection but of refinement...

Many times in the midst of a trial I fail to see the good that God is accomplishing. Instead of enduring the season as a refinement process, I am quick to complain to God. However, I know that I have never had to experience the extreme cruelty that first-century Christians encountered at the hands of the Roman officials following the destruction of Rome. James 1:12 reads, "Blessed is the man who endures trials, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that He has promised to those who love him." I pray that God will reveal to you and I the usefulness of the trials we currently find ourselves occupied with. My hope is that our faith allows us to cling to God and await the revelation of how He is using these circumstances to refine us.

Your Love Was Preordained

Text Reference: vs. 1b-2 - chosen(elect) according to the foreknowledge of God the Father...

Main Idea: God chose you as a recipient of the Gospel according to His foreknowledge.

God's love for humanity is founded upon the attributes of His nature. God is all-knowing. He knew the plan of love that would need to be conducted in order to redeem creation(1Peter 1:20).Nothing was or is left to chance as God surveys the need of His children to see and know His love. Sincere love is intentional, conducted in purity, and inspires others to love(1Peter 1:22). My hope is that here in this text you see that God loved you prior to your persecution. God loved you while you and I were trying to be unlovable(Romans 5:8). Yet He sent the powerful message of the Gospel to confront the circumstances of your life. Having yielded to God in faith believing in Jesus Christ for salvation, we are made new creatures. This love never leaves us even though we must pass through deep valleys of despair, or the dry deserts of loneliness.    

Your Love Has Purpose

Text Reference: vs. 2 and set apart by the Spirit for obedience...

Main Idea:  Having been chosen as a vessel of God's love, we must persevere in obedience to the Captain of our Faith. 

As recipients of God's love we are to act in obedience to God's plan. We learn of this plan through studying the Scriptures and seeking replace our personal desires with the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We must decrease and He must increase. Many times we complicate our lives by trying to discern an infinite number of "what-ifs" in our future. Obedience to God can be summed up in couple of significant verses relating to this topic. Micah 6:8 "...And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And walk humbly with your God?" Also, Love God with all your might and love your neighbor as yourself.(Mark 12:29-30).  

Therefore, having been chosen by God to receive His love I am to act in obedience and thereby confirm the covenant that Jesus Christ established through His blood on the Cross. 

Summary

During the course of battle don't doubt that God loves you. He loved you before this battle and He will love you through this battle. As we engage(resist) the enemy never forget that God's love in your heart has purpose. Invest in those around you by intentionally sharing God's purpose for your life. May you walk in the presence of God this week despite the hardships. You are a child of the King my friend - and the King loves you infinitely.