God's Ambassadors in the Devil's Domain

Scripture: I Peter 1:1-2

C.I.: The Lives of Christ's Ambassadors

I Peter was written for Xns facing trials from the world. – “Aliens” (v. 1) because this world is not our home, ( cf. Phil. 3:20; Col. 1:13 ). – So why not take us to heaven at the point of our salvation? – ( II Cor. 5:20 ), “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God!” – Today we will see how Christ's ambassadors face trials!

•  How Christ's Ambassadors Face Trials, (I Peter 1)

A. By Living in Hope, (vs. 3-12)

1. A resurrected hope, ( v. 3 ), “Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy….”
a. It would be asking too much of believers to live for Jesus if He died for us… and was still dead!!
1) ( I Cor. 15:17 ), “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.”
2) The world did its worst - but Christ was raised – what threat holds any power over us?!
3) ( Heb. 13:6 ), “We confidently say, ‘Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?'”

2. A heavenly hope, ( vs. 4-5 ), “…to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable… - who are protected by the power of faith
for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
a. The Christian's hope is in heaven. Notice four things about out hope…
1) Imperishable = eternal , Undefiled = No blemish or defect, Will not fade away = always awe-
inspiring, Reserved = ready for the prepared.
2) The Christian's protection is our faith! – ( Eph. 6:16 ), “Take up the shield of faith with which….”
3) As long as we maintain our HOPE in Jesus – our “reservation” will always be confirmed!

3. A trusted hope, ( vs. 6-7 ), “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been
distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though
tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
a. A faith that cannot be tested is a faith than cannot be trusted!!!
1) Far too often we “beat ourselves up” – believing that we aren't “good enough” for Jesus.
2) Yet, all of you have weathered trials; deaths of parents, spouses, children, - you have lived
through the loss of jobs, friends – you've been bankrupt, counted out times without number!
3) And yet, today you are still here; worshipping God, loving the Savior, and hanging in there!

b. So as Christ's ambassadors – we are living with a hope that is alive, heavenly, and tested!!!

B. By Living in Holiness, (vs. 13-21) – Peter gives us 3 motives for living lives characterized by “holiness”…

1. The Lord's Coming, ( v. 13 ), “Therefore, gird up your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on
the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
a. “Gird up your minds” = be prepared; the picture is of field laborers who tuck their robes in their sash.
1) We need to be ready for the trials which will come & for our Lord's 2 nd Coming!
a) ( I Pt. 4:12 ), “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon
you for your testing, as though some strange things were happening to you.”
b) ( Lk. 12:40 ), “You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is returning at an hour you do not expect
2) Therefore, as God's people, we need to live holy lives all the time – until Jesus comes for us!

2. The Lord's Word, ( vs. 14-16 ), “As obedient children, do not be conformed to your former lusts which were yours in your
ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior; because it is written , ‘You shall be
holy, for I am holy.'”
a. “Holy” does not mean sinlessly perfect. – That is impossible, ( Rom. 3:23 ).
1) Rather, it means to live lives that are set apart for the Lord!
2) It is entirely possible to have each part of our lives – set apart for the use of our Lord…
a) Marriage ( Eph. 5:25-27 ), “Husbands, love… that He might sanctify her, having cleansed…
that He might present to Himself the church … but that she should be holy & blameless….”
b) Non-married ( I Cor. 7:34 ), “The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned
about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy in both body and spirit.”
3) Therefore, the commandments of God motivates us to live “holy lives.”

3. The Lord's Cross, ( vs. 18-19 ), “…knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver and gold from
the futile way of life which you inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and
spotless, the blood of Christ.”
a. Before we were saved, our lives were futile and empty. – But because of the price He paid – full!!
1) There should be no higher motive for our personal “holiness” – than the price Jesus paid!
2) ( Heb. 10:28-29 ), “Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of 2
- 3 witnesses. – How much severer do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of
God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified (made holy) .”
3) As ambassadors for Christ – we have no higher motive & no greater message – than cross!!

C. By Living in Harmony, (vs. 22-25)

1. All of God's people are called to live together in harmony, ( v. 22 ), “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified
your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart.”
a. Two words for love; philadelphia/ filadefia ( love of the brethren ) & agape/ agaph used in this verse.
1) For those who say, “Bible says I have to love you, but it doesn't say I have to like you!” WRONG!!!
2) Jesus & His disciples all teach Xns to live in harmony, ( cf. Jn. 17:20-21; Phil. 2:3-4; here! )!

b. Harmony, however, is only possible with those who are “in obedience….”
1) ( Mt. 7:21 ), “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven….”
2) Thus, our “BFF” – if they are going to help us weather life's trials – must be God's people!!!

2. Loving each other is part of our spiritual DNA!
a. ( v. 23 ), “…for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is through the
living and abiding word of God.”
1) Our new life was founded upon God's word – so too is our new lifestyle (we've no choice)!
2) The best advertisement for what ambassadors have to offer, ( Jn. 13:35 ), “By this all men will
know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

CONCLUSIONS:

•  Even though we do not belong here – Jesus has given us as His ambassadors 3 things that should typify our lives (review).

•  If you are one of our guests today – have you reserved your place in heaven? Have you been “Born again”? a. We know it means we need to do something in “obedience to the word of truth … the abiding word of God.”
b. We also know that it involves “water and the Spirit,” – ( cf. Jn. 3:3, 5 ), “Truly… unless you are B.A. … water..”
c. We know the “Spirit” inspired God's word – wherein we read of the “water” that saves us, ( I Pt. 3:21 ). – So
today if you desire to confirm your reservation in heaven…!