The People of the Way

Q: What does the Bible say about being chosen by God?

The Bible teaches that believers are the elect of God, chosen according to His foreknowledge. The Apostle Peter describes believers as the elect of God in 1 Peter 1:2, indicating that they were chosen according to the foreknowledge of God. This election is not based on any foreseen merit or holiness in the individuals but is rooted in God's sovereign will. The concept highlights that God exercises His grace by choosing people to be His own, demonstrating His mercy and love. In Ephesians 1:4-5, it is stated that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, affirming that His choice is an act of grace rather than human effort.

Q: Why is being born again important for Christians?

Being born again is essential as it signifies a spiritual rebirth, granting believers a living hope. In 1 Peter 1:3, the Apostle Peter emphasizes that God has 'begotten us again' to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This new birth is crucial for Christians as it transforms them from being spiritually dead in sin to living in the hope of eternal life. The necessity of this rebirth is underlined in John 3:3, where Jesus states that one must be born again to see the kingdom of God. It is through this spiritual renewal that believers can partake in God's grace and experience the fullness of life in Christ, illustrating the profound change that occurs in the life of a true believer.

Q: How are Christians kept secure in their faith?

Christians are kept secure in their faith by the power of God, ensuring they will persevere. Peter assures believers in 1 Peter 1:5 that they are 'kept by the power of God through faith.' This means that their security does not rely on their strength but on God's power to preserve them. Jesus affirmed this in John 10:28-29, stating that no one can snatch them out of His hand. This divine preservation is also reflected in Philippians 1:6, where it is noted that He who began a good work in believers will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. This understanding provides comfort to Christians, reminding them that their faith will endure because it is undergirded by God's unwavering commitment to protect and sustain them.

Q: Why are trials important for Christians?

Trials are significant for Christians as they strengthen faith and produce spiritual growth. In 1 Peter 1:6-7, Peter explains that believers may experience heaviness through various trials, which serve to test and refine their faith. Much like gold is purified in fire, trials are instrumental in demonstrating the authenticity and value of a believer's faith. God permits these challenges as part of His sovereign plan to shape and mature His people, often drawing them closer to Him. James 1:2-4 further encourages believers to consider it pure joy when facing trials, for the testing of faith produces perseverance, leading to spiritual maturity. Therefore, trials play a vital role in the Christian life, fostering growth and reliance on God.

Q: What does it mean to be a 'people of the way'?

The 'people of the way' refers to believers in Christ who follow His teachings and represent the gospel. The term 'people of the way' originates from the early church, as seen in Acts, where believers were identified by their faith in Jesus Christ and adherence to His teachings. This designation signifies their distinctiveness and commitment to living according to the truth of the gospel. In 1 Peter, the Apostle Peter affirms their identity as a 'chosen generation,' 'holy nation,' and 'peculiar people', underscoring their calling to reflect God's glory. Being a part of the way implies living out one’s faith amidst a world that often opposes the message of Christ, embodying His love and grace while sharing the hope they have received.

There is a phrase that's used
over and over again in the book of Acts to describe people who
believe the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord. And this phrase, which
is used over and over again throughout the book of Acts, is the people
of the way. The people of the way. Let me
read you a few passages. First of all, in the 19th chapter
of Acts, verse 9, it says they spake evil of that way. And then in verse 23 of that
same chapter, it says there arose no small stir about that way,
that way. And Paul wrote in Acts 22, 4,
or he said in Acts 22, 4, I persecuted that way unto death. They spake evil of that way. And Paul said, I persecuted that
way. And then again, when Paul met
God on the road to Damascus, the scripture says that he was
on a mission to arrest the people of that way. Everybody he could
find of that way, he was to arrest them. In other words, it says,
And Saul, breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples
of the Lord, went to the high priest and secured letters that
if he found any of that way, men or women, he was to bring
them bound to prison, the people of that way. Now, my intention
today is to describe these people. these people of that peculiar
and strange way. And the Apostle Peter deals with
it as best of anyone that I can find in the Scripture just describing
the people of that way. He says in chapter 2, he says
they're a chosen generation, he says they're a holy nation,
he says they are peculiar special people, He says there are people
who've been called out of darkness into light. He says they're the
people of God. He says there are people who
have obtained mercy of the Lord. But it seems like in chapter
1, now he says all this in chapter 2, they're chosen generation,
they're a holy nation, they're peculiar people, they're called
out of darkness into God's light. But in chapter 1 of 1 Peter,
I want us to look at several verses here in chapter 1 that
are so plain in describing the people of that way, the people
of God, the people who believe on Christ. Now, why don't you
get your Bible? I'm going to go right down the
line, verse 1, 2, 3, 4, right on down through verse 8 or 9,
and show you this description that Peter gives of the people
of that way, the people that were so despised back in the
days of the apostles, the people who were persecuted, and how
Peter describes them. Now, this, while you're finding
the Scripture, the book of I Peter, it's called a general epistle. Now, the reason it's called a
general epistle is because it's not addressed to any particular
church or it's not addressed to any particular person. is
just addressed to all believers in general. And it's written
by the apostle Simon Peter, and it's said to be the oldest epistle
in the New Testament. I don't know that for a fact,
but they say it's the oldest epistle in the New Testament.
Well, let's begin with verse 1. And the apostle Peter, the
title of this message now is The People of the Way. And the apostle Peter here describes
the people of that way, the people of God, believers who love Christ,
who look to Christ. Now, verse 1, Peter calls them,
he says in verse 1, they're strangers, strangers. Here's what he says,
look at it, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ to the strangers,
to the strangers. scattered throughout Pontus,
Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia. Why does he call them strangers,
the people of God, strangers? Well, they're not strangers to
the Lord Jesus Christ, are they? Our Lord said, I know my sheep,
am known of mine, I call them by name. Other sheep I have which
are not of this fold, them I must bring. and they shall be one
fold and one shepherd. Christ knows his people. They're
not strangers to him. And then they're not strangers
to the angels because our Lord talking about his little ones,
and that's what he calls believers, little ones. He said, except
you be converted and become as a little child, you shall in
no way wise enter the kingdom of heaven. So he calls us little
ones. And he says the angels, of these little ones always appear
in heaven before the Father on their behalf. These angels are
guardian angels and these angels, Hebrews 1.14 says, are ministering
spirits sent to minister to those who are the heirs of salvation.
So they're not strangers to the angels and they're not strangers
to the heavenly host. They're not strangers to the
heavenly Father. They're not strangers to one another because
they're one body one family. He's the vine, we're the branch.
He's the head, we're the body. Christ said, who is my mother?
Who are my brothers and sisters? These who do the will of God,
the same as my mother, brothers and sisters. So they're not strangers
to one another for they're one family and the Lord and one body.
Well, why does Peter call them strangers? Well, I'll tell you
why. They're strangers in this world. People who love Christ, who believe
Christ, people who love the gospel of God's grace, who give God
the glory and the honor and the praise, they're strangers to
this world. They're strangers in the world
and to the world. Listen to what the Lord says.
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. It hated me before
it hated you. He said, if you were of the world,
the world would love its own. You see, but you're not of this
world. I've chosen you out of this world, therefore the world
hateth you. In fact, our Lord said that a
man's enemies and foes may be those of his own household. He
may be despised in his own house, in his own community, in his
own neighborhood, place where he works. This is just a fact,
true believers. need not expect the friendship
of this world because this world is not the friend of God. True
believers need not expect the love of this world because this
world does not love God, does not love Christ. So that's the
first way that the apostle describes the people of this way. He says
they're strangers, strangers, strangers in the world and to
the world. They're despised and hated for
the world. And then look at verse 2. Chapter 1, verse 2. In verse 2, Peter calls the people
of the way the elect. He says they are the elect of
God. Peter, to the strangers scattered throughout these various
places, elect. According to the foreknowledge
of God, through sanctification of the Spirit, belief of the
truth. You know, our Lord said to his
disciples, you didn't choose me, I chose you. We love him
because he first loved us. We choose Christ, but only because
he chose us. David, writing in the Psalms,
chapter 65, said, Blessed, happy is that man whom the Lord chooseth,
and causeth to approach unto him. Yes, he chose us. God chose us in Christ. He chose
us before the foundation of the world. He chose us not because
we're holy, but that we should be holy. He chose us according
to the good pleasure of His own will. Like Noah of old, every
believer has found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Like Abraham
of old, whom God called out of his father's house, out of the
land of idolatry, out of Ur of the Chaldees, God has called
us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Like Jacob of old, Of
whom God said, Jacob, have a love, but he shall have a hated. God
has loved us. He set his love upon us. Herein
is love. Not that we love God. He loved
us and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins. Like David, anointed
of God, we have been anointed, chosen, ordained, elected by
God Almighty to salvation. They are the elect of God. The
people of this way, they're strangers. Strangers to the world in an
unfriendly hostile world, but they're God's elect He knows
them. He set his love upon them from
eternity. He said I've drawn you with an
everlasting love and Then thirdly look at verse 3 Peter says these
people of the way are born again Now look at look at verse 3.
Let's read it blessed be the God and father and of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy hath begotten
us again." According to His abundant mercy, hath begotten us again
to a living hope. What does this mean, begotten
us again? Well, begotten is to be born. Begotten us, born. That's we're
born of God. We're born the first time now
of our natural parents. And that which is born of the
flesh is flesh. And from our natural parents,
we are born the first time and we receive fleshly life. And like all the sons of Adam,
we're born in sin, shapen in iniquity, conceived in sin, brought
forth speaking lies under the curse and condemnation of the
law. That's the way Every human being
is born into this world. The scripture says they are strained
from the womb. They go astray as soon as they're
born, speaking lies. That which is born of the flesh
is flesh. That's how we're born the first time. We're born without
God, without hope, without help, without Christ in this world.
Aliens from the commonwealth, the visceral, and the kingdom
of God. Now the people of the way have been born again. the
second time. They're born this time of the
Spirit of God, born the first time of natural parents, born
the second time of God, born the first time fleshly, born
the second time spiritual. We have received spiritual life.
Now look at that verse 3 again. It says, He hath begotten us.
Who? He, God. God hath begotten us. We're born of God, not of the
will of the flesh, not of the will of man, born of God. He
hath begotten us. He hath begotten us again. Again. That is, we're born a second
time. We're born spiritually. We're born from above. We're
born of the Word of God and of the Spirit of God again. It's
a new birth. He hath begotten us again to
a living hope. Now, when we're born of our parents
the first time, What's the average age now? Seventy-two? Death? The flesh is going to die. The
flesh will go back to the dust from whence it came. Dust thou
art, to dust thou shalt return. When our parents give us birth,
when we come into this world born of our mothers, there's
this one goal, there's one objective, that's the grave. That's where
the flesh is headed, the grave. But God has begotten us unto
a living hope. When we're born the second time
of the Spirit of God, born again, we're not born to die. He said,
He that believeth on me shall never die. I'm the resurrection
and the life. I'm come that they might have
life more abundantly. You see that? The people of the
way, strangers to this world, elect of God, elect according
to the foreordination of God, and born again. BORN AGAIN UNTO
A LIVING HOPE. HE HAS BEGOTTEN US AGAIN UNTO
A LIVING HOPE BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD. THE FACT THAT OUR HOPE IS A LIVING
HOPE IS GUARANTEED BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD AND
SAVIOR, THE SON OF GOD. THEN VERSE 4, PETER SAYS THE
PEOPLE OF THE WAY ARE RICH PEOPLE. Look at it. He has begotten us
again unto a living hope and to an inheritance. An inheritance. Everybody knows what an inheritance
is. And we have an inheritance. And
it's not like an inheritance here on this earth. Someone dies
and leaves you a house or a car or some money and after a while
that's all gone. This inheritance is incorruptible. It's not of the earth. It's heavenly
blessings. It's undefiled. It's untouched
by sin. It fadeth not away. It's reserved. If you ever called ahead at a
restaurant, what do you call for? To reserve a table. And
they reserve the table. They put a sign on there, reserved,
and your name on it. And you may be in another part
of town. That table's down here at the restaurant on Main Street. And it's going to sit there and
wait on you. You get there and occupy that place. And that's
what God says. He says there's an inheritance,
through the apostle Peter here, there's an inheritance waiting
on these strangers, these elect, these born-again people of God. You know, some of God's people
on the earth have plenty, but some don't. Some are in poverty.
Some of God's people on the earth have comfortable living. Some
do not. I have some friends in Mexico
and in Africa and other places that are very, very poor. They
don't have hardly anything. Some of God's people on this
earth prosper, some do not. All of them don't prosper. But
I'll tell you this, in Christ, all of them are rich. All of
them are rich because they have an inheritance reserved in heaven. In Christ Jesus the Lord, every
believer has a glorious future. a glorious future when this life
is over. John wrote about it in Revelation
21. He said, Behold, the tabernacle
of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and there'll
be his people, and God shall wipe all tears from their eyes,
and there'll be no more death, there'll be no more sorrow, there'll
be no more crying, for the former things are all passed away. Behold,
God says, I make all things new. My friends, don't put too much
confidence in this life and the things of this life and don't
put too much emphasis on the things of this earth, its luxuries
and its entertainment and its possessions. Having food and
clothing, therewith let us be content. Why? We have an inheritance. Our testator, the Lord Jesus
Christ, in His blessed will and covenant has left us an inheritance. We're heirs of God and joint
heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ. And so while you may not have
a great deal here, it really doesn't matter. If you've got
enough to eat and clothes to wear and a place to sleep, we
ought to be thankful. Paul said, I've learned in whatsoever
state I am to be content. God's people are rich people,
all of them. Not now, but they have an inheritance
reserved in heaven, incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away,
and the name's already on the table, waiting for you to occupy
it. All right, verse 5. Here's the
fifth thing. Peter says the people of the
way are a kept people, K-E-P-T. That's right. It says, We are
kept by the power of God through faith. Christ said, I give unto
my sheep eternal life. They'll never perish, never perish,
never perish. Paul said over there in Romans
that nothing could separate us from the love of God. Who is
he that condemneth? Christ has died. Who can lay
anything to the charge of God's elect? He said in Philippians,
He that hath begun a good work in you shall perform it, shall
perfect it, shall complete it, finish it in the day of Christ. Christ said, All that my Father
giveth me will come to me, and him that cometh to me I will
in no wise cast out. Jude wrote, Unto him who is able
to keep us from falling, and to present us holy, unblameable
before his glorious presence. We're kept people. Now then,
listen to me. I know that believers, the people
of the way, who come to Christ, they'll keep on coming to Christ.
They'll continue to believe on Christ. They'll continue in the
faith. They'll keep on walking with the King. They will persevere.
But let me tell you something. Our strength is not in ourselves,
but in Him. We don't keep ourselves. We don't
hold His hand. He holds ours. That's what that
says there. who are kept, these elect strangers,
these born again people, heirs of God, are kept by the power
of God. That's right. I'll never leave
them, he said. I'll never leave you nor forsake
you, but you'll never leave him either. But you'll never leave
him because he'll never leave you. I'll not forsake them, he
says, and they'll not forsake me. But I'll tell you, you'll
not forsake Him because He won't forsake you. He's the one that
keeps us. He said, I am the Lord. I change
not. Therefore, you sons of Jacob are not consumed. Romans 11,
29 says the gifts of God are without change and without repentance. So we're kept people. God's going
to keep His people. All that my Father giveth me
shall come to me, and him that cometh to me I'll in no wise
cast out. I came down from heaven, not
to do my will, but the will of him that sent me. This is the
will of him that sent me, that of all which he hath given me
I will lose nothing." I will lose nothing, but raise him up
at the last day. All right, verse 6 and 7. Now,
something else about these people. They're elect. They're strangers. They're begotten again. They're
born again. They're rich. And they're kept people, kept
in His hand. He will not let us go. And then
these people, verse 6 and 7, are a tried people. Now listen
to me. Their way on earth is not easy.
It's difficult. Verse 6, you rejoice. Yeah, you rejoice in Christ. You rejoice in that inheritance.
You rejoice in His grace. But now for a season, verse 6,
You are in heaviness. Heaviness. You know anything
about heaviness? Through many trials and many temptations. Why? That the trial of your faith. That's what's going on. God's
trying your faith. God's proving your faith. God's
strengthening your faith. That the trial of your faith.
That faith is much more precious than gold. And gold is tried
in a fire. Gold is tried in the fire. In
other words, when a man wants to purify gold and melt off all
the dross and the impurities, he puts it in the fire. But he
knows how hot to make the fire. And the owner of the gold is
never very far away from the furnace. And he puts it in there
and he knows when to take it out. And that's what he's saying
here, that your faith, the trial of your faith, much more precious
to God than that gold is to the owner, though it be tried with
fire, that your faith might be tried also and might be found
to the praise and honor and glory of Almighty God at the appearing
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, believers are the people
of God and they have a glorious future with Christ. But on this
earth, as I said, their way is not easy. They're subject to
many trials and many sorrows and many heartaches. Our Lord
said that. He said, In this world you shall
have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I've overcome the world.
I've defeated the world. I've conquered the world. All
who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer. That's what
the Scripture said. If you be without chastisement,
you're not sons. You're not sons of God. Whom
the Lord loveth, he chasteneth. And these trials through which
we're going are ordained of our Father. God Almighty, I hear
preachers talk about all the trouble you have is caused by
Satan, not if you're a child of God. Satan can't touch you
without God's permission. He can't touch a child of God
unless God permits him to. Our trials are ordained to the
Father. Our trials are for our good.
All things are for our good. Our trials will strengthen our
faith. Our trials will produce patience.
And these trials refine our faith and bring glory to our God. All
right, last of all, number eight, verse eight. The people of the
way, they love Christ. That's right. They believe Christ
and they rejoice in Christ. He said here, read it. He said,
You haven't seen Christ with the natural eye, whom having
not seen, you haven't seen Him with this eye, but you love Him,
and you believe Him, and you rejoice in Him with joy unspeakable. There are three words which describe
a believer's relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Those
are three words that Paul gave in I Corinthians 13, faith, hope,
and love. And that's the very three words
he uses right here. Look at verse 8 again. Will you
look at it? Whom having not seen, you love. And though you see
Him not, you believe. That's faith. And you rejoice
with joy unspeakable. That's a good hope. Faith, hope,
and love. We have Christ. We have Christ. We believe Him. We love Him.
And we rejoice in Him with joy unspeakable. I was preaching
down in Mexico a few months ago, well, last winter, and there
was a chief cowboy on a ranch down there that had been listening
to the missionary for a long time. And I went down there and
preached, and the missionary translated. And this cowboy,
his name's Fidel, he came to the knowledge of Christ. He believed
the gospel, and the missionary baptized him. He'd been listening
a long time, and God revealed the gospel to his heart. And
so he quit going to the Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. He'd always
gone to those. He'd been bad to drink. But he
quit going, and one of the ladies there came to him and said, Fidel
said, You're not coming to the Alcoholics Anonymous meetings
anymore. You've missed several weeks. He said, I don't need
it anymore. I don't need it. She said, What do you mean you
don't need it anymore? He said, I don't need it anymore. I have
Christ, and I don't need AA. And I'll tell you this, when
you have Christ, you have all you need. For in Him you have
wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, whom, having
not seen, we love, believe, and rejoice with joy unspeakable."
The people of the way, if you want this message, write for
it. Send $2. This message will be on one side
of the tape, and next week's message will be on the other
side. We'll mail it to you by return mail. So next week, God
bless you, everyone.

The People of the Way

What does the Bible say about being chosen by God?

Why is being born again important for Christians?

How are Christians kept secure in their faith?

Why are trials important for Christians?

What does it mean to be a 'people of the way'?

Sermon Transcript

About Henry Mahan

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The People of the Way

What does the Bible say about being chosen by God?

Why is being born again important for Christians?

How are Christians kept secure in their faith?

Why are trials important for Christians?

What does it mean to be a 'people of the way'?

Sermon Transcript

About Henry Mahan

Comments

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