As we arrive at the sixth installment in our on-going crusade through the book of first Peter, Pastor: Landis is teaching us about the absolutely awesome facts concerning things that were written in the Word by the prophets of old that we are blessed to now know, but were not fully understood by the very Prophets of old who actually penned the messages! Not even the angels fully understood the things that the LORD has made available to be understood by he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven!!
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 18:10 – 19 (NASB)
Deu 18:10 “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, Deu 18:11 or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. Deu 18:12 “For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you. Deu 18:13 “You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. Deu 18:14 “For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do so. Deu 18:15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him. Deu 18:16 “This is according to all that you asked of the LORD your God in Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, let me not see this great fire anymore, lest I die.’ Deu 18:17 “And the LORD said to me, ‘They have spoken well. Deu 18:18 ‘I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. Deu 18:19 ‘And it shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him.
New Testament Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:3 – 12 (NASB)
1 Pet 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Pet 1:4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Pet 1:5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Pet 1:4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Pet 1:5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Pet 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 1 Pet 1:7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1 Pet 1:8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 1 Pet 1:9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 1 Pet 1:10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful search and inquiry, 1 Pet 1:11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 1 Pet 1:12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven– things into which angels long to look.
Transforming Power Statements: #1) One of the basic effects of the Word is to impart saving knowledge that leads to conviction to it’s hearers that Jesus is the Messiah Who alone is able to provide all who believe in Him all things pertaining to life and godliness.
#2) The average New Testament believer possesses more understanding about the plan of God for the salvation of man, than the prophets of old, due to the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit.
# 3) As we deepen our knowledge of the Word, not only our “faith” is increased, but also our “Confidence” in the things that we have learned by the Spirit of prophecy.
