TEXT:  1 Pet. 1:3-5

INTRODUCTION:

A.      CHRISTIANS RECEIVING LETTER TO EXPERIENCE HARDSHIP.

          1.       Persecution.

          2.       Letter written to give hope.

B.      HOPE LIES IN THE 2nd BEGETTAL OF THIS PASSAGE.

I.      WE ARE "BEGOTTEN AGAIN"( vs. 3 ).

A.      JESUS SAID WE MUST BE BORN AGAIN( John 3:3-5 ).

          1.       A begettal precedes birth, both in the physical and spiritual.

          2.       Born again - begotten again.

B.      NICODEMUS DIDN'T UNDERSTAND - JESUS EXPLAINS.

          1.       Born of water... baptism.

          2.       Born of the spirit... repentance.  ( see chart )

C.      WE MUST BE BEGOTTEN AGAIN.

II.     WHAT DO YOU MEAN, "BEGOTTEN AGAIN?"

A.      GOD IS THE SOURCE( vs. 3 ).

B.      THE WORD IS THE SEED( 1 Pet. 1:23 ).

C.      BEGOTTEN AGAIN ACCORDING TO HIS GREAT MERCY( vs. 3 ).

          1.       A&G.  "Compassion, pity, emphasize attitude"( John 3:16 ) Love.

          2.       Young.  "Beneficence, kindness" - action( Rom. 5:8 ).  Grace.

D.      A CONSISTENT ANALOGY( John 3:3-5;  1 Pet. 1:3, 23;  2:1-2;  Rom. 6:4 ).

III.    WHAT IS THE OBJECT OF THE SECOND BEGETTAL?

A.      A LIVING HOPE.  DESIRE + EXPECTATION.

          1.       By the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

          2.       The basis of our hope is the demonstrated ability of God to raise Jesus

                   ( 2 Cor. 4:13-14 ).

B.      AN INHERITANCE - JOINT HEIRS WITH JESUS( Rom. 8:17 ).

          1.       Incorruptible, imperishable( 1 Cor. 15:50-54;  1 Pet. 1:23 ).

          2.       Undefiled, without flaw or defect, unpolluted.

          3.       Fadeth not away.  amaranton, "withers not."  The same word from which is

                             derived "amarinth," a mythical flower that loses none of its original beauty or

                             glory.  No one gets bored with heaven.

          4.       Reserved in heaven for you

                              - Where is our reward?( Matt. 5:12;  1 Thess. 4:16-17 ).

          5.       Reserved for whom?  Those guarded( military term )( 2 Tim. 1:12 ).

                   a.       by the power of God( Rom. 8:31;  Eph. 6:10-13 ).

                   b.       through faith( Eph. 6:16;  Heb. 3:12 ).

                   c.       Remarks addressed to Christians.

C.      A SALVATION READY TO BE REVEALED - 2 POSSIBILITIES.

          1.       Not yet revealed.

                   a.       Already delivered from sin, awaiting deliverance from sins curse

                             ( 1 Cor. 15:54-57;  2 Cor. 4:13-14 ).

          2.       Revealed in the gospel.

                   a.       Context( vs. 10-12 ).

                   b.       "In the last time"

                             ( Acts 2:16-17;  Heb. 1:1-2;  1 Pet. 1:18-20;  1 John 2:18 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      WE MUST BE BEGOTTEN AGAIN TO RECEIVE THESE BLESSINGS.

B.      A SECOND BEGETTAL LEADS TO A NEW BIRTH.