Title: Our Omni God
Bible Book: 1 Peter 1 : 1-2
Author: Travis Martin
Subject: God, Omnipresent; God, Plan of
Objective:
Introduction
I want to talk to about our “Omni God”. The word “omni” means “all”. We will see this as we look at these verses. I want us to notice several truths: The Plan of God, The People of God, The Providence of God, The Provision of God and The Peace of God.
I. The Plan of God
God had a plan for a Heavenly family. He did not create heaven to be isolated. He created heaven to be occupied. Heaven is a place of beauty, bliss and blessings, and God intended for all of His beauty and blessings to be enjoyed by His family. There are three questions that are raised and answered in verse 2:
A. The When
When were we put in God’s plan to be a part of His family?
Notice the word “foreknowledge” in verse 2: “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”. “Foreknowledge” not only gives how we were put into the plan of being put into God’s family, but also the time.
2 Thessalonians 2:13b gives more insight: “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief and truth”. Also, in Ephesians 1:4: “…chosen us before the foundation of the world”.
B. The Way
What does the plan involve?
1 Peter 1:2 speaks of being “elected” or “chosen”. What is the principle of being elected or chosen?
The Savior is involved in the principle of being chosen: verse 2 also says “…unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ”, as well as “through the sanctification of the spirit”. Also, in Hebrews 9:22, “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin”.
1. The Spirit speaks to the sinner
In John 6:44, He convicts: “No man cometh to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him”. Seven times in Revelation 2 – 4 we find these words: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith”.
2. The Spirit separates the saint
In 1 Peter 1:2 we read, “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit”. “Sanctify” means to set apart. We are to be different. We are to be holy. We are to live holy lives. II Corinthians 6:17 says: “Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord”.
3. The Spirit seals the saint
Ephesians 4:30 says: “Grieve not the spirit of God for you are sealed unto the day of redemption”.
So far, we see that The Savior is involved in the principle: of being chosen, of His shed blood. The Spirit is involved in the principle: of being chosen, He calls and woos the sinner.
In John 3:16 we find the sinners in the word “whosoever”. The “whosever’s” have to accept Christ after the Spirit convicts them.
The Savior died – He shed His blood The Spirit draws – He convicts
The sinner must decide – there is a choice
Not only do we want to notice “The When” that we were put into God’s plan and “The Way” that it involves, but we also want to look at “The Why”.
C. The Why
Again, in verse 2 we see “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through sanctification of the spirit, unto obedience”. God wants His children to be obedient in this present world. We are to obey the Father’s word. In Ephesians 1:4, “according as He has chosen us in Him before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love”.
II. The People of God
Verse 1, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia”. Strangers: That’s what they were to this lost world!
Philippians 3:20 says, “Our conversation is in Heaven”. We should never drift into a position where we think of this world as being our permanent home. We don’t need anything to anchor us down.
Paul kept this in mind. In II Timothy 4:6, we read “the time of my departure is at hand”. Paul said that he was departing not disappearing! To depart, you must go from one place to another. Friend, keep in mind that there is a departing day!
So far, we have the Plan of God and the People of God. Now, let’s look at the Providence of God.
III. The Providence of God
Again, in verse 1, lets look at the word “scattered”, “…scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia”. If God loved these people so much, why did He allow them to be scattered and separated from one another? The answer is: because there were lost people in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia and the rest of the world. Other people needed to hear the Gospel!
IV. The Provision of God
God never puts any more on us than we can bear. He knows our limitations, and he will furnish grace to see us through. Verse 2 states: “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: grace unto you, and peace be multiplied”. God will furnish the strength (grace) to face a trial in life.
We’ve looked at The Plan of God, The People of God, The Providence of God, and the Provision of God. Now, let’s look at The Peace of God.
V. The Peace of God
In the last part of verse 2, we read “grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied”. The strength that God provides gives serenity. God is able to give peace in the most severe trials.
VI. The Presence of God
This is not mentioned in the text. However, even if the people of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia are separated and scattered from one another, they were never separated from God. He was there with them. In Hebrews 13:5 we find that He said, “He would never leave us nor forsake us”. The word “never” is in the continuance tense, which means never, never, never and on and on. Praise God not only for His power and His peace, but also for His Presence!
We are strangers in a foreign land, this is not our home! Along the way there will be trials. God will give grace and peace and He will be there with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us!
