Crowning Blessing of a Great Inheritance

In this part of the sermon: Peter anticipates the timid disciple's question: 'Will I, the heir, be kept for the inheritance?' Martin uses the analogy of a seaman's journey to illustrate the concern for…

This analogy illustrates the believer's concern for personal preservation through life's dangers, even when the destination (inheritance) is secure. The seaman knows his welcome awaits, but questions if he will make it through the storms.

You have told us that the inheritance is safe and secure in heaven. But Peter, will I be kept in order to enjoy the inheritance? For example, back in the days when plying the oceans was dangerous business, before the days of modern ocean liners, often a seaman had no question what his welcome would be when the ship came back to port. He knew there on the shore his wife and his family and loved ones would await for the first sight of the ship breaking up over the horizon as it neared its port.

9:23 - 10:04 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The ultimate goal of preservation is 'a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.' Martin defines 'salvation' as God's complete work of rescue and blessing, encompassing…

This story illustrates the comprehensive nature of biblical salvation, showing it involves not just deliverance from negative consequences but restoration to all intended blessings, not just freedom but full recovery and return to blessed relationships.

Positively, it includes entry into the fullness of the blessings that God has purposed for believers through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. We must never think of salvation in a truncated way. Think of a man who has been violently taken from his own homeland. He has been guilty or someone has been guilty of the sin of man stealing.

12:59 - 13:26 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: This salvation is 'ready' (already accomplished and prepared) but 'to be revealed' (yet to be unveiled). Martin uses the analogy of a sculptor's unveiling to explain that this…

This analogy explains that salvation is 'ready' (already perfected) but 'to be revealed' (presently veiled). Just as a magnificent sculpture exists but awaits its public unveiling, so too does the full glory of salvation await Christ's return.

Think of the laborious task of an accomplished sculptor. And he has spent months if not years in that which will be the consummate expression of his disciplined artistic talent. And ability. And the day comes when it is said that that marvelous work of art will be unveiled.

17:45 - 18:11 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The author of this preservation is God Himself, specifically in the exercise of His gracious power. Martin illustrates power with a wrestling match, emphasizing that God's ability…

This personal anecdote illustrates the meaning of 'power' as the ability to perform or accomplish. Martin's strength compared to the boys' will but lack of power demonstrates that God's power is His active attribute on behalf of His people.

We say of someone he has the will, but he lacks the power. I had a clear example of this earlier, or not this week, but last week. I was in the home of one of our families. And they got a couple of boys, and as you know, boys who are coming to some sense of their identity.

26:07 - 26:23 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The nature of this preservation is 'guarded,' a military term implying protection from external and internal threats. Martin explains that this safety depends not on the…

This example from 2 Corinthians 11:32 illustrates the military meaning of 'guarded' as keeping someone in or protecting within a framework, showing how God's power acts as a protective garrison around believers.

When a town was either protected by a military garrison, or was being sieged, by a military power, this is the word they would have heard many times. And Peter uses this word to underscore the nature of this preservation. This is the word found in 2 Corinthians 11.32.

30:18 - 30:41 Read in full sermon

Driving home: the safety does not depend on the strength of the citizen, but on the competence of the protector.

This analogy reinforces the military concept of 'guarded,' explaining that the safety of citizens (even the weakest) depends on the competence of the protector (God), not their own strength.

from without and from within. Now, if you have a competent garrison of soldiers protecting the city, the weakest child and the most trembling woman is as safe as the most courageous and strong man, because the safety does not depend on the strength of the citizen, but on the competence of the protector. And Peter says to these saints, among them no doubt the Mr. Fearing, the Mr. Ready to Halt, the timid ones, the fearful ones, the weak ones, he said, look, you're being kept and preserved as the heirs for that preserved inheritance ultimately has nothing to do with your strength, but with the p...

32:33 - 33:31 Read in full sermon

Driving home: It is the empty hand of human need, laying hold of the outstretched hand of divine provision. That's what faith is, the empty hand of human need, reaching out to take hold of the gracious hand, the outstretched hand of G…

This quotation from John Brown clarifies that faith is the means of preservation, through which Christians are kept from falling and maintained in the state and character necessary for heavenly enjoyment.

We are preserved in keeping with what we are as free moral agents, renewed by the Holy Spirit, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and the God whose power has been operative, to bring us to new birth, thereby bringing us to faith, the God who creates that faith, sustains it by his power, and the evidence that he is keeping us in his power, is that we are kept in the way of faith. We are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. We are guarded as this God, who brought us to faith, causes us to continue in the way of faith, and faith is not our achievement, but a whol...

35:19 - 36:34 Read in full sermon

Driving home: It is the empty hand of human need, laying hold of the outstretched hand of divine provision. That's what faith is, the empty hand of human need, reaching out to take hold of the gracious hand, the outstretched hand of G…

Peter's own experience with Christ's prayer that his faith would not fail is recalled, illustrating that God's power preserves believers by sustaining their faith, preventing apostasy.

And God's power keeps us by continuing to produce in us that faith which is unto this consummate salvation. And I wonder, and several of the commentators picked up this thread, I wonder if Peter is not here remembering his own experience. When the Lord Jesus said to him in Luke 22, Simon, Satan's desired all of you to sift you as wheat, but I've prayed for you. In particular, Simon, and I'm just reflecting by paraphrase, the nuances in the original.

37:35 - 38:11 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: The certainty of arriving at the glorious end, a salvation ready to be revealed, serves as a powerful incentive to persevere through difficulties. Martin compares this to Christ…

This analogy compares two travelers, one certain of reaching a glorious destination and one uncertain. It illustrates that certainty of the end does not discourage but rather nerves the traveler to press through difficulties, providing a powerful incentive for Christian pilgrimage.

We are guarded by the power of God unto what? Unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Imagine with me two men setting out on a journey. They've been told that the journey is difficult.

49:30 - 49:48 Read in full sermon

Driving home: You see a certain confidence that I shall make it to the glorious end. Does not discourage the traveler. It nerves him in his most difficult hour.

This example from Hebrews 12:2 shows how Christ's certainty of the 'joy set before Him' enabled Him to endure the cross, despising its shame, serving as a supreme illustration of perseverance motivated by a glorious, certain end.

It nerves him in his most difficult hour. And isn't that what happened to our Lord Jesus? Hebrews 12 too says. Who for the joy that was set before him.

51:04 - 51:16 Read in full sermon

The point: Remember that the inheritance is secure and the heirs are guarded, providing comfort when buffeted by former friends or feeling the pressure of the devil.

This hymn lyric reinforces the theme of certainty and future joy, emphasizing that seeing Jesus will erase all sorrow and motivate brave running of the race.

Some of us in our old circles used to sing the song. It will be worth it all. When we see Jesus. Not if.

54:07 - 54:20 Read in full sermon