1 Peter 01:10-12 Ministering Not to Themselves, but to Us – audio

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Text: 1 Peter 1:10-12

Introduction

1. Already in Peter’s epistle we have seen several blessings enjoyed by the elect of God

a. Born again to a living hope – 1 Peter 1:3

b. Having a joy inexpressible and full of glory – 1 Peter 1:8

2. As we continue in 1 Peter 1:10-12, Peter expands upon the topic of the salvation Christians enjoy as a result of their faith

3. As we take the time to think about what is found in this passage, we cannot fail to be impressed with how privileged we are in God’s sight

a. For we will learn that we are the recipients of a gospel that was prophesied and has come to us only through the efforts of a very distinguished company of individuals!

b. And in their efforts, they were ministering not to themselves, but to us who are now Christians!

Body

I. WE HAVE BEEN MINISTERED TO BY THE PROPHETS!

A. WHICH IS THE MAIN THOUGHT OF THIS PASSAGE

1. When the prophets prophesied, they were often intrigued by what they revealed – 1 Peter 1:10-11

a. This is because they were inspired or moved by the Holy Spirit, and not by their own will -II Peter 1:21

b. Therefore, they often expressed perplexity concerning those things they prophesied – Daniel 7:28; 8:26-27

2. But as pointed out in our text, it was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but us! – Daniel 12:8-9

B. CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS POINT

1. We who are Christians have been served by such people as:

a. Moses, Samuel, and David

b. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel

2. These men (And many others) spent their lives, and in many cases even gave their lives, in service to you and me!

3. Yes, these great heroes of faith suffered much in their service to God and to us who are now in Christ – Hebrew 11:36-38

II. WE HAVE BEEN MINISTERED TO BY THE HOLY SPIRIT!

A. THIS THOUGHT IS ALSO EXPRESSED IN OUR TEXT

1. For it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the prophets to proclaim things to come – 1 Peter 1:11

a. It was He who inspired David and Isaiah to foretell the sufferings of Christ – Psalm 22; Isaiah 53

b. It was He who likewise moved the prophets to proclaim the glories to follow

1) The resurrection of Jesus – Psalms 16: 9-11

2) His ascension and coronation – Daniel 7:13-14

2. And it was the Holy Spirit who inspired the apostles to reveal the gospel – 1 Peter 1:12

a. As Jesus promised He would, in His discourse to His apostles – John 16:13

b. As Paul said He did, in writing to the Ephesians – Ephesians 3:5

B. AGAIN, CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS TRUTH

1. Through His ministry of inspiration and revelation in the lives of the prophets and apostles, we have been served by the Holy Spirit

2. Because of His work, we have today the completed revelation of God’s Word in our hands!

3. This is in addition to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to which Peter referred in – 1 Peter 1:2

4. Do we appreciate the service that the Holy Spirit has rendered for us throughout the ages? Is this not an indication of the great value God must place upon His people?

III. WE HAVE BEEN MINISTERED TO BY THE APOSTLES!

A. THIS WE CAN GLEAN FROM VERSE 12

1. …those who preached the gospel to you

a. This is a reference to the apostles of Jesus Christ

b. Who were commissioned to preach the gospel, as recorded in Mark 16:15-16

2. As they carried out this Great Commission, they considered themselves but servants for those to whom they preached

a. As Paul said, they were but seed-throwers and water-boys – 1 Corinthians 3:5-7

b. They were serving as your servants and of Christ – 1 Corinthians 3:21-4:1; 2 Corinthians 4:5

B. THEREFORE, WE HAVE BEEN SERVED BY MEN

1. Such as Peter, James, John, and Paul

2. Who gave their lives for our sake, to convince the world that our faith in their testimony is not unfounded, but that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead

Conclusion

1. Our Father in heaven must hold His elect (The church) in high regard to have them served by such a distinguished company!

2. To be so privileged should motivate us to praise God for His grace and to devote our lives in grateful service to Him and His people

3. But the grace God bestowed toward us reached its peak when addition to all these (Prophets, the Holy Spirit, apostles) He sent His only Son to serve us as well!

4. “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:28

5. Shall we not respond with grateful service through faithful obedience to His Will?