Read Colossians 1:3-5Colossians 1:3-5
English: World English Bible - WEB
3 We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, ⁴ having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints, ⁵ because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel,

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We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you.

Near Cross Station in London, England, there is a cemetery containing a unique grave, that of the agnostic Lady Ann Grimston. On her marble tombstone is sarcastically inscribed, “I shall live again as surely as a tree will grow from my body.” And guess what, a tree did grow from her grave, cracked the marble and even tore the metal railing at her grave.

There is life and power in a tiny seed. There is life and power in a faith that is centered upon Jesus Christ. And we shall live with him.

Is there enough evidence in your life to bring thankfulness?

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Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
(NIV – 1 Peter 1:3-51 Peter 1:3-5
English: World English Bible - WEB
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

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A grumpy believer? It's a contradiction in terms

Sophocles, a Greek philosopher and playwright in 496 to 406BC wrote, “Not to be born at all – that is by far the best fortune; the second best is as soon as one is born with all speed to return thither whence one has come”.

To the gentiles, the world was a place where everything decayed and faded away. There could be moments of pleasure but in the end there was nothing.

Peter describes the lives of those who have received a new birth from God as a living hope. That was a unique and distinguishing characteristic of the believer from those without hope. Even though our world was shrouded in difficulties, we have every reason to be optimistic. To be a negative believer is a contradiction in terms.

How’s your living hope going? Has the negative view of the world around you taken hold of you and swallowed your hope alive? Christians, let’s be optimistic because of the hope that is in you, the salvation of your souls and the inheritance that is being guarded by the power of God.

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1 Peter 1:3-91 Peter 1:3-9
English: World English Bible - WEB
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy became our father again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials, ⁷ that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ— ⁸ whom not having known you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory— ⁹ receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

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The answer is found in the grace of God.  Life is filled with challenges, yet, the opening word in our text is Praise.  In other words, give God a Eulogy. And again, the basis for praise is found in grace.

A. We were born for glory (1:2-4)
“glory” of God means the sum total of all that God is and does. Not a separate attribute.  God is glorious in wisdom, power and mercy. Seeks to reveal His glory in our lives.

1. The miracle began with God (2,3)
What feeble glory man builds for himself will eventually fade away.  Empires fall.  Names are forgotten.  The glory of the Lord is eternal

For us, lasting glory started with God. He chose us. I don’t know when it happened, but the fact remains that God said, “I’d love to have you in the family.”  This choice had nothing to do with you and everything to do with God. This was according to his “foreknowledge” which means to set one’s love upon someone in a personal way. (1Cor.8:3)

At the same time, the Holy Spirit is drawing you to embrace the Father and Jesus himself provides the bridge to God through the death burial & resurrection.

2. The Christian’s Hope (3,4)
Our new birth in Christ is described as a living hope. There is life in Christ and he alone can give life to us. Because it has life, it grows in strength and beauty. Time destroys most of our hopes but the Christian’s hope only grows.

Peter calls this hope and inheritance. We’re included in the Christ’s last will and testament and will share in the glory with him. It will never perish.
B. We are kept for glory (1:5)
Not only is the glory being “reserved” for us, but there is no danger of losing the reservation. Our inheritance is shielded by God’s power, even until the last day.  The tense tells us that God’s power is constantly shielding, keeping, protecting.You are not kept by your power, strength, faithfulness but by the power of God.    Assurance…Rejoice!

C. We’re being prepared for glory (1:6,7)
We need to remember that God is also getting us ready for heaven and preparing us for service and life yet to come.
1. Trials meet needs. (6)
“you may have to…”  Discipline because of disobedience, trials prepare us for growth, other times it may eve help to prevent us from sinning.
2. Trials are varied.  (6)
“all kinds of trials”  Variegated is literal translation. God’s grace is also “variegated” (1 Peter 4:101 Peter 4:10
English: World English Bible - WEB
10 According as each has received a gift, be ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the grace of God in its various forms.

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No matter what the colour of your day, God has sufficient grace to meet the need.  
3. Trials are not easy. (6)
“Suffer Grief.” (Same word used of the Lord’s grief in garden of Gethsemane). We are not to take a careless view of our trials. If God is at work in your life he doesn’t want you to ignore the crisis.
4. Trials are controlled by God. (6)
“a little while”   When God allows his children to go through the furnace, he keeps one hand on the clock and the other on the thermostat.  If we rebel, he may have to reset the clock.

Paul’s illustration: No goldsmith would deliberately was the precious ore.  He would put it into the smelting furnace long enough to remove the cheap impurities;  The goldsmith would keep the metal in the furnace until he could see his face reflected in it.   God wants to see the glory and beauty of Christ reflected in our lives.

Also, just as the goldsmith tests the metal to see if it is pure gold or counterfeit…so trials test our faith.
A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted.  Too many Christians are professing a “false faith”
Jesus told a parable that brought out the same truth (Matt.13:1-9). Seed that fell on shallow soil produced rootless plants, and plants died when the sun came up.  The sun represents trials.  What does your faith look like in the midst of trial?

D. Christians can enjoy glory now (1:8-12)
Trial impacted faith that is genuine,  growing and vibrant, results in praise, glory & honour. Joy does not have to wait. The dynamic is in looking to Christ and resting in his grace & mercy.
1. Love Christ (8) Our love is not based on physical sight but a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ and the Word he has given us. Are you in a trial?  Immediately lift your heart and mind to Christ and His word.

Satan wants the worst to come out of us in the midst of trials, but God wants to bring out the best.

2. Trust Christ (8)  To love someone means to trust them.  Faith means you surrender all to God and obey His Word in spite of circumstances and consequences.  Trusting in times of trial not only brings growth but deepens your love for Christ.

The devil wants the opposite.

3. Rejoice in Christ (8)
You may not be able to rejoice over the circumstances, but rejoicing can happen by centering your heart and mind on Jesus Christ. Each experience of trial helps us learn something new and wonderful about our Savior.  That results in inexpressible and glorious joy….so deep it’s hard to express.

4. Receive from Christ (9)

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