Salvation Angels Long to See

Salvation Angels Long to See
I Peter 1:4-12

HEARERS OF THE WORD

Theme: For the follower of Christ to choose to believe that the same God who provided hope for these early Christians will also strengthen us in our journey as we pilgrim through this temporary world. 

I. The Purpose of Trials in the Christian Life (vv. 6–7)

Statement of Truth:
Every moment of pain and suffering leaves us with a choice to make:  Will we become bitter or better?

II. The Believer's Joyful Response Amid Trials (vv. 8–9)

a. Love for unseen Christ 

b. Belief that produces inexpressible and glorious joy 

c. Present experience of future salvation ("receiving the end result")

III. Salvation in Three Tenses

a. Past: "You have been saved" (Eph 2:5; 1 Pet 1:3)

b. Present: "You are being saved" / refined (1 Cor 1:18; 1 Pet 1:6–7)

c. Future: "You will be saved" / full salvation of souls (Rom 5:10; 1 Pet 1:9)

IV. The Privilege We Have That Even Prophets & Angels Longed For (vv. 10–12)

a. Old Testament prophets searched and  prophesied Messiah's sufferings and glories—not just for their day, but for us 

b. The Holy Spirit testified through them to the gospel we now hear 

c. Angels "long to look into these things" — a holy curiosity, without  personal redemption 

DOERS OF THE WORD

1. Peter compares the testing of our faith to gold being refined by fire (v. 7) Think about a current (or recent) trial in your life that has grieved you or tested your faith.  How can we train ourselves to choose “better” instead of “bitter” when we’re in the middle of the fire?

2. Pastor Steven highlighted that the New Testament speaks of salvation in the past (“you have been saved”), present (“you are being saved”), and future (“you will be saved / the salvation of your souls”). How does remembering that salvation is settled. but also an ongoing process (present tense—refining, growing, persevering) and a future promise (full redemption in glory) change the way you face today’s struggles?