I. The Father has foreknown us. (v. 2)
A. What is foreknowledge? Psalm 139
1. More than awareness of existence (vv. 13-16)
2. More than awareness of actions (vv. 2-6)
3. More than any awareness (vv. 7-12)
4. In short, it is love.
B. Humble yourselves under God (5:6-7)
1. Take pride in the Lord. (v. 6)
2. Cast your anxieties on Him. (v. 7)
3. This will make you strange!
II. The Spirit has sanctified us. (v. 2)
A. What is sanctification?
1. It is past. (1:3; 2:9)
2. It is present. (1:5, 9; 2:5)
3. It is future. (1:13)
4. It is being set apart for God’s glory.
B. So declare God’s gospel! (2:9-10; 3:15-16)
1. This requires courage.
2. This requires gentleness and respect.
3. This requires a life to match our message.
4. This requires knowing the gospel.
III. Jesus has justified us. (v. 2)
A. What’s justification?
1. To be ransomed (1:18)
2. To have Christ bear your sins (2:24)
3. To have Christ suffer for your sins (3:18)
4. Peace with God because of what Jesus did.
B. So arm yourselves with this thinking. (4:1-5)
1. Take sin seriously!
2. Christ is worth far more than this world!