What Are You Looking For? Sunday Morning Sermon...

What Are You Looking For?

1 Peter 1:8-9

8)You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9) because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls (HCSB). 

Introduction

The human race exhibits a great capacity to seek; we seek for answers to questions, we try to solve puzzles, and ultimately figure things out. From the Greek philosophers who sought the meaning of life to Copernicus and Galileo who searched out the heavens, we want to know why we're here and what purpose we serve. The Scientific Revolution gave way to the ideas of humanism(man can figure it out) and tremendous technological progress was the outcome. From Isaac Newton to Neil Armstrong the human race has sought to define and push the limits of our existence. What does this all mean?

     Man has a unique capacity to find what he is looking for(Columbus, Balboa, Magellan, Einstein, Von Braun...) How does this apply to faith and religion. I assert in this sermon that if man seeks God, he will find God. So, the real question is What Are You Looking For?

You Love Him

Text: vs. 8 You love Him, though you have not seen Him. 
Main Idea: Our love for God and His Son Jesus Christ is not based on what we see but rather on the historical narrative recorded during the lifetime of those who were eyewitnesses of the resurrection of Jesus. 
     Why would anyone who lived in the Roman Empire during the first century embrace Christianity? I contend that God is detectable in nature and in the moral code written upon the heart of every human(For more information on the evidence of God based morality see Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis). John conveys this in a foundational way in 1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us. God redeemed His creation back to Himself through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. This great display of love(John 3:16) shines as a light into the darkness of this world. The light bears witness to the message that Jesus Christ died for all who will call upon his name(Romans 10:13).  When this act of sacrificial love is fully comprehended - when grace stirs the heart to faith, we are left to repent and in humble obedience turn to God(Luke 9:23). Whether in Asia Minor during the first century or today, this message elicits a response.
    So, What are you looking for in this life? I assert that if you seek Him today, He will reveal Himself to you. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God - Romans 10:17. 

You Believe In Him

Text: vs. 8b And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him...

Main Idea: Salvation through faith. 

     Isaac Newton could not see gravity, however, the natural force was very real and very evident. Newton's genius availed itself in his ability to correctly describe this invisible force. The Gospel of Jesus Christ contained in the New Testament correctly describes the invisible(rather I should say intangible) God we serve. God is Love - I John 4:16 and Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends John 15:13. 

     Psychologist tell us that the reason peekaboo is so fun for infants is that they have not developed an understanding of object permanence. Then, as babies mature they begin to understand that an object exists even though it is out of sight. The disciples were called on to do this same thing during the infancy of their faith. Jesus ascended to the Father and the disciples were left to believe by faith that Jesus still exists. However, this was in fulfillment of the prophecy spoken by Jesus(John 2). Much like Thomas, we all desire tangible evidence that God is real and that Jesus rose from the grave. Jesus appeared to Thomas and that appearance confirmed Thomas' faith. However, Jesus said, ...Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed(John 20:29). 

     I don't think it a curious thing to believe in a Savior whom I have not seen. My faith is built on the testimony and the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This event recorded by eyewitnesses has stood the test of time as a true historical narrative.(1 Cor.15). A good resource for the defense of the resurrection is The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Habermas and Licona. 

You Rejoice 

Text: vs. 8c ...rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy. 

Main Idea: Peter encourages the Christians of Asia Minor to rejoice despite suffering because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

    Dr. Kevin Elko, a sports psychologist, speaks of living in vision and not in circumstances. This is exactly what Peter is advocating. As Christians we are to rejoice in the vision and promise of Jesus(John 14:1-6). If we live in this vision we can rejoice despite the hardships we may have to endure in this life. Peter uses two words to describe the joy with which we should rejoice - inexpressible and glorious. The word inexpressible is closely related to the term Paul uses in 2 Corinthians 9:15, to denote God's indescribable(unutterable) gift. The second word, glorious, is linked by A.T. Robertson to the glorified face of Moses when he comes down from Sinai(Exodus 34). We are to have glorified joy. Joy that comes from being in God's presence just like Moses.

Summary

It seems that what people search passionately for they find. History is full of examples. There is a very real reason why believers have sought for and found the love God. God has revealed his perfect love for humanity through the sacrifice of His Son. Having fulfilled specific prophecy and appearing again to His disciples after death, Jesus Christ has confirmed his complete victory over sin, death, and the grave. Embracing this news we have joy unspeakable and full of glory. 
I hope that something written here has encouraged you. If you do not have a church home please considered coming to worship with us at Fyffe First Baptist. We are trying our best to be a humble group of seekers who encourage others to seek our great God.