What are you still missing?
Preaching Outline on I Peter 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Development
When we read the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3, we realize right away that it wasn’t just any conversation. Jesus was talking to someone who had everything to be considered “perfect”. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, knew the Bible like few others, was religious, obeyed the commandments and had prestige in the community. But something about him caught Jesus’ attention… something was missing.
And do you know what Jesus said to him? “You must be born again.” (John 3:7). Imagine the impact this had on Nicodemus’ mind. Wasn’t he already saved? Wasn’t he righteous? Wasn’t he “right”? So why did he need to be “born again”?
This word is so powerful because it reveals that, often, no matter how religious or right we seem to be, there is something else that God is offering us. And here I want to reflect on this: what are we still missing?
Jesus’ healings and hidden lessons
Jesus passed through this world performing incredible miracles, but every healing he did wasn’t just to solve a physical problem. Each healing pointed to something spiritual, something that man needs in order to truly walk with God. Let’s explore that:
- The man born blind (John 9)
This man was born without sight. He had never seen the world, never experienced the light. Jesus healed him, giving him back his sight.
Now think: how many people in God’s kingdom are “spiritually blind”? They can’t see who Jesus really is, they’ve lost the revelation of his purpose in their lives. All they need is to see again, to seek that revelation again.
He lacked spiritual sight. - The paralytic at Bethesda (John 5)
This man stood by the pool waiting for someone to throw him in to be healed. He didn’t do anything for himself, he was trapped in dependence on others. When Jesus appeared, he said: “Get up, take up your bed and walk!”
Here we have the kind of believer who is complacent, thinking that all he has to do is sit in a church pew, listen to preaching and wait for someone else to do something for him. God wants you to get out of that comfort zone and have personal experiences with Him.
He lacked initiative and a personal experience with God. - The leper who came back to worship (Luke 17)
Of the ten lepers healed, only one returned to give thanks. This man experienced God’s forgiveness, felt the weight of sin being lifted, and his heart overflowed with gratitude. He understood that forgiveness is not just something external, but something that transforms the soul.
How many of us carry wounds, guilt and shame that God wants to forgive? He frees our soul, and that freedom makes us want to worship him.
He lacked forgiveness and gratitude. - The lame man from Bethlehem (Acts 3)
This man was supported by the mercy of others, because he couldn’t walk on his own. Peter and John prayed for him, and he began to walk. This is the type of believer who has one foot in the world and the other in the church. He knows the Word, but doesn’t define himself. He’s afraid to take a firm step on God’s path.
God wants to make us firm, defined, unshakeable. He wants us to know where we stand and to follow His purpose confidently.
He lacked decisiveness and firmness.
The Syro-Phoenician woman and humility
Going back to the Gospel, we find a Syro-Phoenician woman who said something impressive: “Yes, Lord, but the little dogs also eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” (Matthew 15:27).
She wasn’t asking for much, she knew that even “crumbs” were enough to change her life. Her humility opened the door to the miracle. What we often lack is the recognition that we are not enough on our own. We need to depend totally on God.
Nicodemus and Peter: examples of transformation
Let’s go back to Nicodemus. He thought he had everything right, but Jesus looked at him and said: “You need to be born again.” It wasn’t enough to be religious, follow rules or have biblical knowledge. Something greater was missing: a new spiritual birth.
Peter is also an interesting example. He lived with Jesus for three years, saw miracles, heard teachings, preached, healed the sick… but, before his crucifixion, Jesus said to him: “When you are converted, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32).
This means that, even after so long in ministry, Peter still wasn’t truly converted. He needed a new heart, a new life.
Conclusion of I Peter 1:3
In today’s text, I Peter 1:3, Peter says: “Blessed be God, who has begotten us again to a living hope.” Note that he didn’t say, “Blessed be God who has begotten me again,” but “begotten us again.” This shows that Peter understood that rebirth is something universal, something that everyone needs to experience.
Now I ask you: What are you still missing? Have you been born again? Have you received the new life that God has for you? Or are you still complacent, waiting for someone to do something for you?
God doesn’t just want to fix parts of your life. He wants to make everything new! He wants to give you a new vision, new experiences, new forgiveness, new definition and, above all, a new heart.
So, like Peter, declare: “Blessed be God, who has begotten us again!” Because when we accept this new birth, we discover that salvation is not just for heaven, but for living abundantly here and now.
Salvation, my brother, my sister, is being born again.
Preaching Outline on I Peter 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
More Preaching Outlines
- John 3:2 – What time are we meeting Jesus?
- The 7 barren women – Galatians 4:27
- Lack of knowledge – Hosea 4:6
