New Birth

Message Title: New Birth
Theme: Living the Resurrection
Season: Easter
Main Text: 1 Peter 1:17-23
Scripture Reading: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
RCL Scripture: *Acts 2:14a, 36-41; Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; 1 Peter 1:17-23; Luke 24:13-35
Focus: Peter calls his audience to live their New Life in Christ.
Function: To engage in a heart transformation not legalistic rule following.
Other Notes:

SCRIPTURE READING: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19
 I love the Lord because he hears
    my requests for mercy.
² I’ll call out to him as long as I live,
    because he listens closely to me.
³ Death’s ropes bound me;
    the distress of the grave^[a] found me—
    I came face-to-face with trouble and grief.
⁴ So I called on the Lord’s name:
    “Lord, please save me!”^[b]

^…12 What can I give back to the Lord
    for all the good things he has done for me?
¹³ I’ll lift up the cup of salvation.
    I’ll call on the Lord’s name.
¹⁴ I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord
    in the presence of all God’s people.
¹⁵ The death of the Lord’s faithful
    is a costly loss in his eyes.

¹⁶ Oh yes, Lord, I am definitely your servant!
    I am your servant and the son of your female servant—
    you’ve freed me from my chains.
¹⁷ So I’ll offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to you,
    and I’ll call on the Lord’s name.
¹⁸ I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord
    in the presence of all God’s people,
¹⁹     in the courtyards of the Lord’s house,
        which is in the center of Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord!

Viewer Discretion Advised

INTRO TO SERIES: The season of Easter lasts 50 days (up until Pentecost). Whooo hooo! Jesus has resurrected…. now what? What does the resurrection mean for us? We will investigate Peter’s words in 1 Peter and the instructions he gives believers in the diaspora (define) about living IN the resurrection.

You’re invited to read your way through 1 Peter as we go through this series.

INTRODUCTION:

1. AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT: Swear words
   1. What is a word you have used to substitute a “swear” word?
   1. Did your family deem any unconventional words “naughty”?
   1. What would your family do if you used “swear” words?
   1. Did an adult every tell you why you shouldn’t use “swear” words?
2. Much like popular slang, swear words have changed over the centuries. Even our English-speaking siblings across the world use different swear words.
   1. What makes a word a “swear” word?

TRANSITION: In our text today, we will see the Apostle Peter writing to Christians about not just their actions but their heart. We will be in 1 Peter 1:17-23. Let me provide some context.

CONTEXT: Info we’re skipping from the intro texts plus history

1. Author: assumed the Apostle Peter because of the text
2. Dating: around 60 AD(he is executed in 65 AD) – 70AD
3. Audience: Christians (Jews & Gentiles) in the diaspora
4. Goal: to emphasize the continuity of the God of Israel (OT) and Jesus.
   1. The expectations of God in the OT are same in the NT

MAIN TEXT: 1 Peter 1:17-23 ¹⁷ Since you call upon a Father who judges all people according to their actions without favoritism, you should conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your dwelling in a strange land. ¹⁸ Live in this way, knowing that you were not liberated by perishable things like silver or gold from the empty lifestyle you inherited from your ancestors. ¹⁹ Instead, you were liberated by the precious blood of Christ, like that of a flawless, spotless lamb. ²⁰ Christ was chosen before the creation of the world, but was only revealed at the end of time. This was done for you, ²¹ who through Christ are faithful to the God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory. So now, your faith and hope should rest in God. ²² As you set yourselves apart by your obedience to the truth so that you might have genuine affection for your fellow believers, love each other deeply and earnestly. ²³ Do this because you have been given new birth—not from the type of seed that decays but from seed that doesn’t. This seed is God’s life-giving and enduring word.

EXPLAINATION: Peter calls his audience to live their New Life in Christ.

1. you were not liberated by perishable things – not works or money or power
2. your faith and hope should rest in God. – not works or money or power
3. set yourselves apart by your obedience to the truth—Behavior changed
4. new birth…This seed is God’s life-giving and enduring word  — Sustenance
5. Connection to Psalm
   1. What to give God back for the gift of salvation?

INTERPRETATION:

1. God’s words give life—what are your words giving?
2. BACK TO INTRO: swear words don’t matter– darn, dang, or damn all have the same meaning in your heart.
   1. A good guideline: if you are using words to express your emotions, they are neutral. If you are using words to cause injury, they are words to avoid.
   1. Perhaps we will release words from the curse category OR perhaps new words will become curse words
3. As we work to change our heart and our language will transform. Perhaps you still use a conventional swear word in moments of heightened emotions but you speak with dignity to your neighbor.
   1. No guilt vs Cursing
   1. Responsibility to results

APPLICATION: To engage in a heart transformation not legalistic rule following.

1. why are Christians looking like the world? I’m not talking about drinking, swearing, and listening to rock music. I’m talking about anger, jealousy, exclusive gatherings, & greed
   1. Christians looking like the world:
      1. persecuting those who are different
      1. allegiances based on money, fame, or power
      1. judging the actions of others but giving allowances to the self
         1. Double standard – others can’t win
         1. (internet search history Convo with josh)
2. Following Christ is like swear words – the label Christian doesn’t mean anything if your heart isn’t in it.

CONCLUSION:  The next few weeks we will continue reading 1 Peter and engage our hearts in transformation. You are invited to join me in the New Birth of Living in the Resurrection.