R sbc
Subject: Why Were We Called
Text: I Peter 2: 21-25
INTRO: The Bible has so much to say about the Lord calling his people unto himself through Jesus Christ our Lord. We are called with an holy calling, we are called to be saints, we are called into the fellowship of his Son, we are called by the gospel, we are called to the knowledge of him...called out of darkness into his marvellous light...
But my subject this morning is not on our calling per say but rather why did the LORD call us? It is clear in our text...
I... BECAUSE CHRIST SUFFERED..
There are three particular verses that expound this subject:
(1.) Paul speaks of these suffering of Christ in us:
2Co 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. What is meant by that? I tend to agree with BARNES: “ They arose from opposition, contempt, persecution, trial, and want, and were the same as the Lord Jesus was himself subjected to during the whole of his public life.
(2.) Peter speaks of his sufferings in other passages:
1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 1Pe 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
If and when we suffer for Christ remember this: 1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
(2.) The Father spared not him the sufferings of his enemies:
Ro 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
A. No reception of him: John 1:11 He came unto his own but his own received him not. They were said to say these words:
b. No submission to him: Lu 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
C. No honoring him for who he was: Joh 10:20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Joh 10:21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
d. No recognition of him: Mt 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Ac 13:27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
e. No defending him:
matt 27-17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. 19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified. 23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
F. No compassion on him:
Mt 26:67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, May i remind you again what the Psalmist said of our saviour...
Psa 22:6-18
His humiliation...vs 6
His mockery...vs 7
His troubling soul..vs 11
His attackers..vs 12-13
His personal sufferings: vs 14-18
Oh that men would praise him for what he hath done for us...
II.. HE SUFFERED SO THAT HE WOULD LEAVE AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW TO THOSE WHOM HE CALLED: VS 21-24
(1.) The purity of a Christian walk: vs 22
a. Walk in the newness of life: Ro 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
B. Walk in the Spirit: Ga 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
c. walk in wisdom Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
d. Walk in truth: 3Jo 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
e. Walk in love: Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
(2.) We should walk as examples ourselves: vs 23-24
No one who follows Christ, will be one hundred percent at all times, but our goal because he has suffered for us, the just for the unjust, the holy for the unholy, the pure for the unclean, the willing for the unwilling. We should follow in his steps.
Conclude this morning:
1. The suffering was necessary..
2. The death of Christ was absolutely necessary:
3. The resurrection is his glory and for our benefits also...
Because he lives I can face tomorrow, Because he lives all fear is gone, because I know I know he holds future and life is worth the living just because he lives...