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rwcamp@gpp-5grace.comPHBC June 1, 1997
Series: First Peter, Sermon #19
JESUS CHRIST AND THE FAITH OF THE PILGRIM
Scripture: I Peter 1:18-21
TEXT: I Peter 1:21
INTRO: I don’t think that I will ever cease to wonder at all the benefits which are ours through the Lord Jesus Christ. In our text I particularly call your attention to the first part of this verse in which we are told that it is by Christ that we do believe in God who raised up Christ from the dead.
We usually tend to think of Christ as the object of faith, but not the source of it. This verse indicates he is also the source of our faith. It is by him that we do believe in God.
I want to speak to you this morning on the subject, Jesus Christ and the Faith of the Pilgrim.
I. JESUS CHRIST IS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF THE PILGRIM’S FAITH
A. Paul set’s him forth as the author and finisher of our faith in his epistle to the Hebrew Christians. Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1. The Greek word for author is archgos which means “the one leading, the first cause or occasion; one that takes the lead and thus affords an example.
2. The word is translated “captain” in Heb. 2:10. Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
3. The word is translated “prince” in Acts 3:15. Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
4. It is translated Prince in Acts 5:31 where Peter is speaking of the exaltation of Christ by God. Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
5. The root of the word is found in the word “archangel” which has the idea of a lead angel, a chief angel, the first angel in rank. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Jude 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
6. The root of the word is also used in the word that is translated “beginning.” John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
B. This fact that Christ is the author of our faith is set forth in our text. 1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
C. Jesus seems to infer this same truth in John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
D. It appears the apostles were aware of this great truth, that Jesus is the source of our faith. Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
E. The father of a sick child also considered Jesus to be the source of faith. Mark 9:24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
F. It is in behalf of Christ that we are given faith. Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.
II. JESUS CHRIST IS MEDIATOR IN THE FAITH OF PILGRIMS
A. It is by him that we believe in God that raised him up from the dead. 1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
B. He alone is the one mediator between God and man. 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
C. It is he who has manifested the name of the Father to us who are his children. John 17:6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
D. It is he who is the daysman between us and God. Job 9:32-33 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. 33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
E. It is he who stands in the breach between guilty sinners and an offended God. Psalm 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
F. Absolutely no one comes to God except by Jesus Christ. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
G. There is no salvation in any but Jesus. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
H. The only way could ever have known the Father was for the Son to reveal him to us. Matthew 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
I. It is only through Jesus Christ that we are able to see the Father. John 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
J. One cannot honor the Father unless he also honors the Son. John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.
III. THE FATHER RAISED HIM UP AND EXALTED HIM TO THIS PREEMINENT POSITION SO THAT OUR FAITH AND HOPE MIGHT EVER BE IN HIM
A. God has been pleased to place Christ in this position of mediator in the faith of his people. 1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
B. God has determined that Christ will stand between himself and the world so that all who would honor God must honor the Son. John 5:22-27 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
C. It is God who has determined that in all things Christ shall have the preeminence. Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
D. It pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell in the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.
E. It is the Father that determined that all spiritual blessings, including the faith of God’s elect, should be ours through Christ. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
F. It pleased God that in Christ should be all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, including knowledge of himself, so that our faith and hope would be in God. Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
CONC: We cannot overly magnify Christ in the great scheme of salvation. It is the pleasure of the Father that he have preeminence. It is not the preacher, not the church, not anyone but the Lord Jesus Christ who is our one and only mediator and through whom we receive the faith to believe the things of God and in God himself. There is no true faith in God that does not center in the Lord Jesus Christ.
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