2 "according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, [a]to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace [b]be yours in the fullest measure." 1 Peter 1:2
Peter was talking to several churches in modern-day Turkey. They're scattered and lonely.
God the Father chose us. God the Spirit changes us. God the Son saved us.
4 "just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before [a]Him. In love"Ephesians 1:4
He knew!
He chose us!
He chose you -- the Creator of the Universe chosen me. God gave us free will. He's been waiting for you.
19 "Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” 2 Timothy 2:19
The Lord knows who His people are. If you've accepted Him, You're chosen.
We are saved and set free by His grace.
God could have wiped us all out.
He didn't need us. He wants us.
He celebrated because he was picked.
Remember, God picked you. It doesn't matter what your role is. You're on the team.
Being a Christian makes us a little bit different than others.
A Christian "admits wrong so he can be declared right." A.W. Tozer
14 "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them [a]from [b]the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." John 17:14-18
This is a prayer for us. Make this personal. Replace "them" in the above passage with "you."
Jesus was not celebrated while He was here. He wouldn't have been getting a lot of "likes" on Facebook.
God the Spirit changes you.
God is working out His plan in you.
It's not us who gets us there. Sanctification is a continual process.
Sanctification ends when we get to heaven.
16 "because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16
Sanctification is what God wants in our lives -- His plans, not ours.
The Counselor!
The Comforter!
When Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, Peter became bold.
Example of commitment. They allowed God to be in control. Are we allowing God to have full control of our lives? We aren't supposed to try and bargain with God. Just follow Him.
It is a pleasure to guide a well-trained horse.
God has nothing but best best intentions for us. He wants us to go with the flow of the Spirit.
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and [b]we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but [c]we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:1-5
God put His hand on me before I knew Him.
He called you.
He has a plan for you.
If you've accepted Him, the Spirit is living in you and changing you.
It's easy to forget the enormity of what we've received.
Choose to surrender.
If you allow the world back in, if you don't give up control, you're choosing not to grow.
He wants your all.