Incorruptible Things

I. The incorruptible Word of God, 1 Peter 1:22-25.

A. The Word of God endures forever.

B. The incorruptible Word stands in contrast to man and his glory which is like the grass which withers and fades away. God is eternal and His word endures forever. Evil men have attacked the Word of God throughout the centuries yet it has stood against opposition.

C. The Word of God is an eternal message.

D. God has not changed, He is eternal in the heavens.

E. Man, though he has made many advances, has not changed.

F. Man still needs the message of salvation. Romans 1:23 – All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

G. Those who complain that the Bible doesn’t speak to man’s common needs are ignorant of two things:

H. They are ignorant of the fact that “there is nothing new is under the sun.” Technological advances do not change man’s basic needs.

I. They are ignorant of the true power of God’s word.

J. Often when people speak of the Bible not being relevant to man today, they are frustrated because the Bible does not comfort the modern self-centered and self-sufficient man.

K. Of course it does not, but it didn’t fill the need of the self-seeking of Jesus’ time either. The Bible is meant to transform man, not leave him alone. Man, for all of his advances, needs God’s care and guidance.

L. If the world continues for 2,000 more years, the Bible will still be relevant.

M. The Word of God is the gospel, v.25.

N. Though there are many things that we can see and know about God through nature, we need God to reveal to us what we must do to please Him.

O. 2 Thessalonians 2:14-15 – The gospel call invites us to obtain glory.

P. They were taught the gospel by the preaching of the apostles and their epistles and they were to hold fast to it. Acts 11:14: “who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.” In Hebrews 11:6 we are told that “without faith it is impossible to please Him” and in Romans 10:17 that “faith comes by hearing the word of God,” so if we want to please God, we must first turn to His Word.

Q. The Word will establish one in the work he is to do, v.17.

R. Some will try to use human reasoning to determine what is a “good work” and will introduce all manner of practices in the worship and work of the church. A “good work” is only that which has been commanded by God, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (it prepares us for every good work).

S. The incorruptible word of God, leads us to the incorruptible blood of Christ.

II. The incorruptible blood of Christ, 1 Peter 1:15-19.

A. When we sinned we became part of the kingdom of darkness and we could not pay for our sins so that we might be saved.

B. Jesus died so that we could be redeemed (“bought back”).

C. Gold and silver would not buy us back. It will perish with the world.

D. He bought us with His blood so we belong to Him.

E. We were bought from our aimless conduct. Titus 2:14 – We were redeemed from lawless deeds. Revelation 5:9-10 – We were bought to be kings and priests.

F. We access the blood of Christ through baptism.

G. 1 John 1:7 – The blood of Christ cleanses sin. Acts 22:16 – “Arise and be baptized and wash away sins.” Colossians 2:12-13 – Trespasses removed in baptism.

H. Since we have been bought with the blood of Christ, we are to be holy.

I. We sojourn here in fear knowing that even though we have been bought by Christ, we will still be judged impartially. We are not to lead corruptible lives, 2 Peter 2:18-22 If we turn back to the world, we treat the blood of Christ as a common thing, Hebrews 10:26-29.

J. If we obey the incorruptible Word of God and are redeemed with the incorruptible blood of Christ, we will be raised with an incorruptible body.

III. The incorruptible raised body, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

A. We will be given an incorruptible body when Christ comes again.

B. We do not know the exact nature of the body.1 Corinthians 15:35-44 (Summarize)

C. We will be free of the pain of mortal flesh, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.

D. Our body of flesh is growing old and will one day be useless. The pain of this world is helping us to glory (we gain perseverance).

E. We must strive daily to renew and build that eternal inner man, 2 Corinthians 15:58.

F. The wicked also have an eternal body, but it will be punished eternally, Matthew 25:46.

G. If we obey the incorruptible Word of God and are redeemed with the incorruptible blood of Christ, we will be raised with an incorruptible body to gain an incorruptible inheritance.

IV. The incorruptible inheritance.

A. We strive for an incorruptible crown, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

B. Athletes compete for a temporary crown, that fades in time. We strive for an eternal reward and so must live carefully.

C. We have an incorruptible inheritance reserved for us, 1 Peter 1:3-5.

D. It is undefiled by the evil of the world and the sorrows and pain of our earthly existence. We were born again to gain this inheritance and it waits for us.

E. The inheritance is contingent on our faithfulness, Colossians 3:23-25.

F. We must put off all unrighteousness, Ephesians 5:5. The word will lead us to the inheritance, Acts 20:32.

V. Summary: Read V.E.; Colossians 1:9-14.