Introduction

I. Yogi Berra, a Baseball Hall of Fame catcher for the New York Yankees, is known for his "Yogi-isms,"  - "It ain't over until it's over."

A. This is so true when it comes to the Xian life.

B. And many times the going gets tough (2 Tim 3:12).

1. But the going gets tough for all people.

II. Brett Farve - "I would play football for nothing." - he is well rewarded!

A. We are going to have to live life - why not be well rewarded!

1. "There can be no rainbow without a cloud and a storm." - J. H. Vincent

III. In 1 Peter, Simon is encouraging the Xians not to give up.

A. These may have been earlier friends (Acts 2:9-11).

IV. In these few verses, we understand why we should hold on.

Discussion

I. PEOPLE (1-2).

A. Pilgrams (strangers, sojourners).

1. A man in a strange land with thoughts of home.

(Heb 11:13 NKJV) These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Heb 11:16 NKJV) But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

(1 Pet 2:11 NKJV) Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

(Phil 3:20 NKJV) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

2. Life should be a journey toward God (Mat 6:20).

B. Scattered (dispersed).

1. Geographically we are to be scattered (Mat 28; Ax 8:4).

C. Elect (chosen).

1. Elect - once described Israel.

(Deu 7:6 NKJV) "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.

2. Elect - now describes the New Israel - Church.

(Gal 6:16 NKJV) And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

(Mat 20:16 NKJV) "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."

(1 Pet 2:9 NKJV) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

D. Foreknown.

1. The church was in the mind of God before it was purchased.

(Eph 1:4 NKJV) just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

2. God foreknew a people that would obey him (Rom 8:29-30).

E. Sanctified.

1. Set apart from the world & consecrated to the Lord (Jn 17:17).

(2 Th 2:13-14 NKJV) But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, {14} to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Sanctification is a continuing process.

(1 Th 5:23 NKJV) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

F. Obedient.

1. God has chosen a people to obey Him.

a. We are to be obedient:

(1) To become Xians (Rom 6:17). (2) To live the Xian life (1 Pet 1:14). (3) To demonstrate love (Jn 14:15).

G. Sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ.

1. This is an allusion to the OT.

(Exo 24:8 NKJV) And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, "This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words."

a. Mat 26:28; Rev 1:5.

II. PROMISE (2b).

A. Grace to you.

1. Justified by grace (Rom 3:24) being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

2. Saved by grace (Eph 2:8).

B. Peace be multiplied.

1. Absence of strife & the presence of harmony.

(John 14:27 NKJV) "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

(John 16:33 NKJV) "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

a. Tranquility of soul & mind.

2. We will have peace only when we have received grace.

(Psa 4:8 NKJV) I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

(Psa 34:14 NKJV) Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

(Psa 37:37 NKJV) Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace.

(Psa 119:165 NKJV) Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.

III. PROVIDER (3-5).

A. God.

1. He is Jesus' Father.

2. He has begotten us (Jn 3:3-6).

a. It is according to His abundant mercy.

b. It is a living hope.

(Rom 8:24-25 NKJV) For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? {25} But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

(1) Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

3. He has an inheritance for us.

(Rom 8:17 NKJV) and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

a. Incorruptible (immortal, imperishable). b. Undefiled (unstained, unsoiled). c. Does not fade away (doesn't lose its beauty). d. Reserved in heaven (eternal life awaits us).

4. He keeps us (protected - with a garrison).

a. By the power of God.

(1) Through faith.

b. For salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

(1) Present salvation (Mk 16:16). (2) Future salvation.

IV. PURPOSE (6-9).

A. Life is difficult.

1. Grieved by various trials.

(2 Cor 4:17 NKJV) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

2. Trials can test the genuineness of our faith (Js 1:2-3).

a. Our faith is more precious than gold that perishes.

3. A genuine faith will praise, honor & glorify Jesus.

B. Jesus is to be loved.

1. We love Him (Jn 14:15, 23).

2. We do not see Him (Jn 20:29).

3. We believe in Him.

4. We rejoice in Him (Phil 4:4).

C. The soul is eternal.

1. There is an end (fulfillment) to our faith.

a. The salvation of our souls (2 Tim 4:6-8).

Conclusion

I. "It ain't over until it's over."

** If you have any questions or if you would like to become a Christian, please let us know.

Alan C. Cole
26th St. Church of Christ
101-26th Street Huntington, WV 25703
Phone - (304) 522-0717
E-Mail - Cole8@marshall.edu
Homepage - http://mupfc.marshall.edu/~cole8/