Redeemed by the Blood

1 Peter 1:17-23

INTRODUCTION: Various circumstances can exist to cause something to be considered “precious.” The “word of the LORD” was once identified as precious because there was no open vision (1 Samuel 3:1). In other words, it was precious because it was rare. On another occasion, the Lord’s thoughts toward David were identified as “precious,” though they were great in number (Psalm 139:17). These thoughts were great in value, not because they were rare, but because of whose thoughts they were. Concerning these two facets, both apply to the blood of Christ.

I. THE RECIPIENTS OF REDEMPTION

A. Descendants of the Fathers (1 Peter 1:1)

1. Those to whom Peter’s ministry appealed (Galatians 2:7-9)
2. Those scattered (1 Peter 1:1; James 1:1)
3. Those familiar with the prophets (1 Peter 1:10)
4. Those who received tradition from their fathers (1 Peter 1:18)

B. Those Previously Not a People (1 Peter 2:9-12)

1. Those called out of darkness into marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9)
2. Those previously not a people (1 Peter 2:10)
3. Those previously working the will of the Gentiles (1 Peter 4:3)

II. THE WORK OF REDEMPTION (1 Peter 1:18-23)

A. The Means of Redemption (1 Peter 1:18-20)

1. Not with corruptible things (1 Peter 1:18)
a. Exemplified as “silver and gold”
b. Historically identified as “precious things” (2 Kings 20:13; Ezra 8:27; Isaiah 13:12; Daniel 11:8)
c. Yet, in this chapter both our faith (1 Peter 1:7) and the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19) are more precious than gold.
2. Not from vain conversations (1 Peter 1:18)
a. A conversation includes more than words and is often associated with one’s way of life.
b. These conversations were labeled as vain and had been received by tradition from their fathers.
3. But with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19-20)
a. The preciousness of the blood (1 Peter 1:19)
1.) As of a lamb
2.) Without blemish and without spot; Note: Judas called the blood of Christ “the innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4)
b. The presentation of the blood (1 Peter 1:20)
1.) Foreordained before the foundation of the world
2.) Manifest in these last times
c. The redemptive work of the blood
1.) The Lord purchased the church “with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).
2.) Propitiation is offered “through faith in his blood” (Romans 3:25).
3.) Justification is found through “his blood” (Romans 5:9).
4.) Redemption and forgiveness of sins is found “through his blood” (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14).
5.) Those “far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).
6.) He made peace for us “through the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:20).
7.) “By his own blood” He entered the holy place to obtain eternal redemption for us (Hebrews 9:12-14).
8.) The blood of Christ “cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
9.) He “washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Revelation 1:5).

B. The Provisions of Redemption (1 Peter 1:21, 23)

1. The provision for faith (1 Peter 1:21)
2. The provision for the new birth (1 Peter 1:23)
a. Redeemed by incorruptible blood
b. Begotten again by incorruptible seed

III. THE OUTCOME OF REDEMPTION (1 Peter 1:17, 22)

A. A Proper Walk with God (1 Peter 1:17)

1. Forasmuch (1 Peter 1:18)
2. If ye call on the Father, who judgeth according to every man’s work
3. Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear

B. A Proper Walk with Man (1 Peter 1:22)

1. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth
2. Unto unfeigned love of the brethren
3. See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently

CONCLUSION: Have you put your faith in the finished work of Christ? If so, has that faith changed you? If God so loved us that He would shed that precious blood, then we ought to love Him enough to live for Him.