1 Peter 1:17-23

REWARDS – verse 17

v17 – you – born again believers

a. we have access to the Father through prayer

b. making God our Father, makes us children of God

-all humans are connected to God through creation

-only Christ followers are children of God

                 GOD’S CHILDREN WILL BE JUDGED BY THEIR FATHER

judge – means to make a decision

-God will make a decision about our works

-this is the Bema Seat of Christ – to receive rewards

-this does not deal with our sins -they were taken care of at the cross

-our earthly works determine our position to rule with Jesus when He returns

(1) EVERY BELIEVER HAS RECEIVED GIFTS FROM THE LORD

-the Lord deposited these gifts in us to help others

-He gives us strength to fulfill our assignment

-it glorifies and pleases the Lord

-discover your assignment

***The Lord is not a respecter of persons – He does not look at anyones face

REDEMPTION – verses 18-21

v18 – Redemption – means to deliver and purchase by the payment of a price

-this is a picture of being taken captive by the enemy spiritually and being placed in a slave market in chains to be sold for a certain price

-Jesus paid the price to free us from the slave market of sin through His blood…

PRECIOUS – speaks of being COSTLY

-what Jesus went through on the cross

                    -speaks of the supernatural

-the blood of Jesus forgives, changes us and reveals our purpose

***Redemption is only through the blood of Jesus – v19

a. we are not redeemed with $ – Eph 2:8-9

b. we are not redeemed through tradition

-go to church…my parents are saved…water baptism

c. V19 – we are only redeemed through the Lamb – It shows Jesus has never sinned

v21 – redemption was finalized when Jesus was exalted

REAL LOVE – v22

Lord, baptize us in your Love

*purified your souls – this is being born again and being clean

*through the Holy Spirit – The Spirit pointed us to Jesus, convicted us and lives within at the point we are saved

THE RESULT OF BEING SAVED IS THAT WE WILL LOVE PEOPLE…..

-Love one another fervently

***this is a command from Peter to every believer

***this is an all out love like a runner stretching for the finish line

a. when we get saved we receive the agape love of Jesus Christ

-an unconditional love

b. this love grows as we spend time with Jesus

c. we are nothing without love – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3