Matthew 16:21 - From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.
Matthew 16:22 - Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.”
Matthew 16:23 - But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”
1 Peter 1:1-2 - Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
1 Peter 1:6-7 - In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so 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…
3 reasons to be thankful for Christ’s death
I. Because of the Cost of Our Redemption
A. You had to be freed from the power of sin and death
lutroo - “to purchase release by paying a ransom” or “to deliver by the payment of a price”
Matthew 26:27-28 - And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.”
Romans 6:6-7 - …knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.
B. Our enslavement was not simply behavioral, but existed at the level of our souls
1 Peter 1:14 - As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance…
C. This enslavement results in futility
1 Peter 1:18 - …you were not redeemed…from your futile way of life…
Matthew 16:26 - For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
D. Perishable things cannot pay the price
1 Peter 1:18 - …knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers…
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
“Great was the work of creation, but greater the work of redemption; it cost more to redeem us than to make us; in the one there was but the speaking of a Word, in the other the shedding of blood. Luke 1:51. The creation was but the work of God’s fingers. Psalm 8:3. Redemption is the work of His arm” (Body of Divinity [reprint; Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979], 146)
II. Because of the Purity of Christ’s Blood
Romans 5:20 - The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more…
A. The consistent theme of Scripture is that sin always demands a sacrifice
Exodus 29:10-12 - Then you shall bring the bull before the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull. You shall slaughter the bull before the Lord at the doorway of the tent of meeting. You shall take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; and you shall pour out all the blood at the base of the altar.
Exodus 29:15-16 - You shall also take the one ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram; and you shall slaughter the ram and shall take its blood and sprinkle it around on the altar.
B. Christ’s blood is precious
1 Peter 1:19 – …but with precious blood…
C. Jesus was our spotless lamb
1 Peter 1:19 - …but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
D. Jesus was our eternal lamb
1 Peter 1:20 - For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world…
Matthew 27:54 - Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Hebrews 9:11-12 - But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
2 Corinthians 5:21 - He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
“You stand before God as if you were Christ, because Christ stood before God as if He were you.” (CH Spurgeon)
III. Because of the Hope We Have in God
1 Peter 1:20 - …for the sake of you…
1 Peter 1:21 - …who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Peter 1:14-16 - As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
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