1 Peter 4:7-111 Peter 4:7-11
English: World English Bible - WEB
7 But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. ⁸ And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Be hospitable one to another without grumbling. 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. ¹¹ If any man speaks, let it be as it were oracles of God. If any man serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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As I was going through College, got a job as a Limousine driver. We were new to the province but and I did not think about this factor being a problem. On my first day, I dropped off a client and was headed back to the office. The dispatcher called and asked where I was and when I’d be back. 10 minutes. I continued to drive, 10 minutes later, nothing looked remotely familiar yet. "When will you be in?" Any minute. Another 10 minutes and I noticed a sign, "Welcome to New Hamburg". Pulled over, got out a map and tried to discover where New Hamburg was. I was going in the exact opposite direction I was supposed to be going.

Recently rented a car that had a GPS system, Global Positioning System.

We need something like that in our life. That’s 1 Peter 4:71 Peter 4:7
English: World English Bible - WEB
7 But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.

WP-Bible plugin. "The end of all things is near."

That could mean, "Christ’s coming is near." That word, "end" can also mean, "goal" as in 1 Peter 1:91 Peter 1:9
English: World English Bible - WEB
9 receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

WP-Bible plugin "for you are receiving the goal of your faith." What you’ve set out to accomplish is in sight, now pay attention.

In any case, this phrase is intended to get your attention. Serious days ahead.

This is the message to the Church. The charge to the Church. The Call of the Church has not so much to "doing" as it has to do with "being".

(7) "Therefore be"

Be what? 2 things

1. Clear-minded.

Get rid of the excess. The clutter, that which hinders. There’s something vitally important coming up, and so get rid of everything that so easily entangles us.

2. Self-controlled.

Calm & collected in our spirit. Not controlled by schedules / rules / agendas / tradition. Why?

#1 "so that you can pray" (7)

So that we will be free to pray. It is a calm and collected spirit that is conducive to the act of praying. That type of spirit results in praying. Put our Day-timer aside, worries & fears. In light of the serious nature of the days ahead, prayer is paramount.

I’ll never forget the day that the Gulf War broke out. I was at Lafontaine Terrace. Hearts were heavy. Power of Prayer was amazing. If you could ask God for one thing, what would it be?

#2 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sin." (8)

We are to stretch this love far. When it’s there, we begin to overlook / forgive some of the less attractive qualities. Like in a healthy family.

How would you describe love within a family? warm, tender, concern, loyal, support, care, nurture, refuge.

Romans 12:10Romans 12:10
English: World English Bible - WEB
10 In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another;

WP-Bible plugin "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love" We may know that, in greek, "philadelphia" means brotherly love. "Philostorgos" (sotrgos = family unit / philos = love. Thus "family unit love")

When we love each other in this way, you become forgiving and caring. When there is sin, it’s acted upon in a loving, proper way. This can be Ladner’s most attractive quality.

The end is near: Therefore: pray & love.

#3 Care. "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling" (9)

Does it seem strange to you that in the midst of a crisis, serious days, Peter says, "I want you to have a cup of coffee with someone?"

Wait a minute! Are there not more important things to do? Why take time to care…

In today’s generation, we are being bombarded by messages of hopelessness.

• Environment
• Economy
• Health
• Moral & Value erosion.
• Wars
• Demands on time from family, work

If in these days, we cannot find encouragement from the Church, where then? In these days, many in the world are looking for a haven. It’s here with you.

Jesus Christ is coming again! Therefore,

1. Pray. We will move forward on our knees

2. Love. Stretch it. Love unlikely, like family

3. Care. Love the strangers…with grace.

Now’s when Peter addresses the fourth ingredient that needs to be part of the Church’s life, especially in light of the fact that Jesus is coming soon; especially in light of the act that the days in which we live in are numbered.

#4 Serve.

(10) Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. (11) If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides.

We must be a serving people.

Who? Every Christian must. Unite with others, allow themselves to be equipped to serve. We serve in the area that God has gifted you. I already know that God never holds back any congregation in the giftedness area. Every gift needed to do the work he wants done in Ladner is already here. Our work must be done n the context of prayer, unity.

The end of all things is near. Therefore:

1. Pray
2. Love
3. Care
4. Serve

What is the result?

God is glorified! Praise is brought to God. (11b) "so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen"

That, by the way is your calling. Bring praise and glory to God. When we are doing it the way God wants it done, we become attractive to the community, effective and we become very fulfilled in our personal lives.

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1 Peter 3:1-71 Peter 3:1-7
English: World English Bible - WEB
3 ¹ In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word; ² seeing your pure behavior in fear. ³ Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; ⁴ but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious. ⁵ For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God, also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: ⁶ as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror. ⁷ You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.

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Today we’re talking about the home.  In one way I feel a little unqualified to give counsel. Many of our homes deal with challenges that I have not even come close to experiencing.   I have performed several hundred funerals during my years of ministry but I never really understood the grieving process until my mother’s funeral.

Heidi & I mark 25 years of marriage.  We were best friends before we started dating.  We’ve prayed together most every day since about our third date.  We were virgins on our wedding day.  Alcohol, drugs or tobacco have not been a part of our life together.  We don’t fight…we have disagreements.  There’s sense of unconditional love.  I love who Heidi is and she loves me. We’ve put it in our schedule to enhance our marriage.

As years have passed, I’ve discovered that every home is unique because it’s made up of uniquely designed individuals, by God himself.  You can’t take those two people and put them in a box with eight rules.   Your life is unique.

Our passage today deals with Principles in the home.  If you look at the passage and see rules, you’ll be way of the track.  The principles are understood within the context of the entire theme of the book. (more…)

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1 Peter 2:11-251 Peter 2:11-25
English: World English Bible - WEB
11 Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; ¹² having good behavior among the nations, so in that which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation. ¹³ Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; ¹⁴ or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to those who do well. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: ¹⁶ as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. ¹⁷ Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. ¹⁸ Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. ¹⁹ For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. ²⁰ For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you TR reads “us” instead of “you” an example, that you should follow his steps, ²² who did not sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” ²³ Who, when he was cursed, didn’t curse back. When he suffered, didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously; ²⁴ who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. ²⁵ For you were going astray like sheep; but are now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer “Overseer” is from the Greek episkopon, which can mean overseer, curator, guardian, or superintendent. of your souls.

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Optional Title: Grace in the World

It’s easy to sit in the pew and make a bold decision for Christ.  It’s a little tougher living it 5 minutes later.  You’ll be challenged before you get the coffee in your hand at the coffee bar and equally tough outside the doors.  Children, Spouse, Home, Work, Business, Neighbours, Class Mates & Teachers, Politics… The list is nearly endless.  Help! I’m a Christian in a Pagan World.

A. Principles to Live By (2:11-12)
Dear Friends (11)…a tenderness because He understands the challenge
1. You are strangers (11)…Be reminded that this is not your home. (You are…)
2. Choose to be abstain (11)…Be Holy…Get rid….
3. Understand the battle (11)
There is a spiritual battle raging. Any time brethren stand
There is a war raging in your soul. Renew your minds daily.

4. Spirit of Submission (12)
Live good lives.   Filled with Grace. Love Joy Peace Patience kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self-control
Do good deeds (not religiholism abuse) doors open & I’m there. Judging & hypocrisy
5. Give Glory to God (12)
The power of God’s grace is the greatest power resource at our disposal.

Story of Steve: Catholic that saw the good deeds (grace)

Two important pictures: Surrender & Glory
story of a new born baby….
1. A new born baby comes in a room  2. Immediate attention focused. Baby’s important
3. The baby is not questioned. Everything’s cute. What the baby wants the baby gets.
4. Nobody says, “The baby is too loud”  “He smells” 

The focus is on the baby.  It makes all the difference in our attitude and actions.
In our lives, the focus is on God and his desires and needs. 
God wants all to come to repentance, to give him glory. 

Submission: Servanthood, To obey, be subject +++ A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".

Glory is lifting persons interests above yours. To give this person credit due. To hold in honor. “Lord, I lift your name on high…”   Glory

Without a submissive spirit, there is no expression of glory. Oxymoron. 
Holding sin and giving glory?

B. Applying the Principles to Authorities
Spirit of Submission
1. You are strangers (11)
2. Choose to be abstain (11)
3. Understand the battle (11)
4. Spirit of Submission (12)
Submit to every authority (13)
Do good (15)
Live as free men (16)
Show proper respect to everyone (17)
Love the brethren (17
Fear God (17)
Honor the King (17)
Give Glory to God (17)

C. Applying the Principles at Work
Spirit of Submission
1. You are strangers (11)
2. Choose to be abstain (11)
3. Understand the battle (11)
4. Spirit of Submission (12)
Give Glory to God (20)

D. The Example of Christ
Submissive Spirit
1. No Retaliation (23)
2. No Threats (23)
3. Trusted God (23)
4. He bore our sins (24)
Give Glory to God

The captain of the ship looked into the dark night and saw faint lights in the distance. Immediately he told his signalman to send a message" "Alter your course 10 degrees south." Promptly a return message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees
north."

The captain was angered; his command had been ignored. So he sent a second message: "Alter your course 10 degrees south–I am the captain!" Soon another message was received: "Alter your course 10 degrees north–I am seaman third class Jones. "Immediately the captain sent a third message, knowing the fear it would evoke: "Alter your course 10 degrees south–I am a battleship."Then the reply came "Alter your course 10 degrees north–I am a lighthouse."

In the midst of our dark and foggy times, all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night, telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives.Out of the darkness, one voice signals something quite opposite to the rest–something almost absurd. But the voice happens to be the Light of the World, and we ignore it at our own peril.

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1 Peter 2:4-101 Peter 2:4-10
English: World English Bible - WEB
4 coming to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious. ⁵ You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ Because it is contained in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen, and precious: He who believes in him will not be disappointed.” ⁷ For you therefore who believe is the honor, but for such as are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected, Has become the chief cornerstone,” ⁸ and, “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed. ⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: ¹⁰ who in time past were no people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

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A. As You Come To Him (4)
1. “Come” is an action of continuance
Constantly coming.  This is not referring to that moment of salvation when you come to Christ.  This is not referring to the person that thinks he’s arrived. This is speaking of those that are practicing 1 Peter 2:11 Peter 2:1
English: World English Bible - WEB
2 ¹ Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,

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a. You’re either in rehab or denial.
Which sin are you struggling to get rid of?
b. You can’t come without grace.
Why?  Because the risk is too great.  The root of your sin is selfishness.  Your glory and reputation is what’s all important (1:24). “If I take off the mask, they’ll see me as I really am.” If you allow yourselves to be exposed without grace you are left standing naked and pitiful.  Might as well jump in a wolves den basted in barbecue sauce. 

In a Church without grace (legalism) nobody would dare expose themselves as they really are.  Sin is either excused or abused….both are deadly.

That’s why it is of ultimate importance to:
(1) Understand who are God is.
(2) Understand who man is.

c. You can’t come without brokenness.
A quote from “The Ragamuffin Gospel” by Brennan Manning. “Getting honest with ourselves does not make us unacceptable to God.  It does not distance us from God, but draws us to him–as nothing else can–and opens us anew to the flow of grace.  While Jesus calls each of us to a more perfect life, we cannot achieve it on our own.  To be alive is to be broken; to be broken is to stand in need of grace.  It is only through grace that any of us could dare to hope that we cold become more like Christ.” (p.85)

d. You can’t come alone.
And that’s why, in the picture of grace, Peter shows a picture of the SPIRITUAL HOUSE, the Church Universal.  Not an organization of religion and rules and liturgy. A house, moulded by grace, to extent praise to God.

B. The Living Stone. (4)
Matt. 16:15-18Matt. 16:15-18
English: World English Bible - WEB
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ I also tell you that you are Peter, Peter’s name, Petros in Greek, is the word for a specific rock or stone. and on this rock Greek, petra, a rock mass or bedrock. I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

WP-Bible plugin, Jesus is asking Peter.  “Who do you say I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

1. The solid rock is Peter’s confession.
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Peter’s thoughts may be back to that day when he writes these words.
a. A Living Stone.  The basis of what the Church is all about.  What WBC is all about. My faith.  lt’s living in that it is personal.  

A first-nation tribe was receiving some ancient artefacts from a museum.  They touched them and wept.  “These are living emblems to us.”

b. A Life-giving Stone (5)
“You also are like living stones.”  My life is Christ. For me to live is Christ.  Our faith is not dead but alive and growing.  We are an alive, spiritual houses that is giving life to those without.

c. A Corner Stone. (7)
The most valued stone.  The focus.  He’s what holds us together. It’s with his strength and resources that we go on tomorrow.  It’s like Him we seek to grow to become.

C. The Living Stones
Understanding, we can only be this by God’s grace.  With the grace measurement scale we look from God’s eyes. 

1. Two Types of Teaching

2. The reality of who you are a. You are Living Stones
b. You are a Chosen People
c. You are a Royal Priesthood
d. You are a Holy Nation
e. You are a People Belonging to God

3. The ramifications of grace.
a. You are being built (5)
There’s a place of significance in God’s framework for you.  He values you in His house
b. Your sacrifice is pleasing (5)
What did you bring to the Lord today.  If you are a child of God, He shed tears of delight.
c. You have the right. (8)
Because you belong to the family of God, through the eyes of grace, you can declare the praises of God.

Grace in the Church.
1. Is Broken
2. Allows others to be broken.
3. Practices Servant Leadership

The Lord’s Supper is the greatest expression of grace.  Jesus gave Himself.   Without a fight. Without pointing a finger.  He loved and forgave.  He served us.   Looked at us and asked, what is their need…I’ll supply it.

Our Deacons distribute the bread and the cup, saying, “I want to serve you….what is your need?”
You in turn pass the bread and the cup, symbolic of saying, “I want to serve you…what is your need?”

4. See others as God sees them.

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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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1 Peter 1:1; 11 Peter 1:1; 1
English: World English Bible - WEB
Peter’s First Letter ^{1 1} Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as strangers in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Peter’s First Letter ^{1 1} Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as strangers in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ² according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled in his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 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. ¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, ¹¹ searching for who or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, pointed to, when he predicted the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that would follow them. ¹² To them it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced to you through those who preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent out from heaven; which things angels desire to look into. ¹³ Therefore, prepare your minds for action, Literally, “gird up the waist of your mind” be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ— ¹⁴ as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance, ¹⁵ but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior; ¹⁶ because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.” ¹⁷ If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as strangers here in reverent fear: ¹⁸ knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, ¹⁹ but with precious blood, as of a faultless and pure lamb, the blood of Christ; ²⁰ who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of times for your sake, ²¹ who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead, and gave him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God. ²² Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently: ²³ having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and remains forever. ²⁴ For, “All flesh is like grass, And all of man’s glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls; ²⁵ But the Lord’s word endures forever.” This is the word of good news which was preached to you.

WP-Bible plugin Peter 5:12-14r 5:12-14
English: World English Bible - WEB
12 Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned. ¹³ For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law. ¹⁴ Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren’t like Adam’s disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come.

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This is the introduction of a series from the book of 1 Peter.

A. The Writer
Peter.  Originally his name was Simon, but Jesus changed it to Peter (Rock).  
In Acts 4:13Acts 4:13
English: World English Bible - WEB
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus.

WP-Bible plugin, had a reputation of “unlearned and ignorant men”.
Peter was a fisherman.  (smelled of fish)
Walked on Water
Had problems with his mouth and emotions. In a time of greatest crisis in the Lord’s life, he let him down, big time.
Teachable.  (student applying for a job. “I’m not a leader, but I think I’m a good follower.”  Reply, “We have 59 leaders applying for 60 jobs. I’m sure we have room for 1 follower.”)
He’s an apostle of Jesus Christ.  One with a message.  It’s a message from Jesus Christ.
It’s a message he has personally lived. Peter had walked through the school of hard-knocks.  There was authority in what he said because his life showed it.

Written in 63-64AD. Probably a brief time before his execution in Rome. Upside down on a cross.

B. The Recipients
God’s elect.  Christians
Scattered strangers. All through Turkey

All had one thing in common: Trouble
(15x and used 8 different words to describe it.)
1. Suffering because of living godly lives.
(2:19-23; 3:14-18; 4:1-4; 15-19)
2. Suffering for  the name of Christ. (4:14)
3. Suffering under unsaved people. (3:9-10)

C. Message
It’s a message of hope to those in trouble.  It’s a message about grace.  The message of hope is that God’s desire is to turn our trouble into glory.  But crises do not automatically bring glory to God or blessings to others.   Sometimes we faint and fall in times of trial and have brought shame to the name of Christ.

Joni Earekson / Tim Hansel

Trouble is inevitable but misery is a choice. We cannot avoid pain, but we can avoid joy. God has given us such immense freedom that he will allow us to be a miserable as we want to be.

We all know some people who spend their entire lives practising being unhappy, diligently pursuing joylessness. 

The grace of God  Perhaps no one ever completely understands it.  Why?  I think it’s for a number of reasons. 

1. We get stuck in the surface of life.  We get caught doing & stop the being element of our faith.
2. Our insistence on self-sufficiency.  A  tendency that detours us from a greater sense of completeness than we would ever imagine.
2 Corinthians 12:92 Corinthians 12:9
English: World English Bible - WEB
9 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.

WP-Bible plugin “”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
3. Our avoidance of pain. We equate pain with failure and defeat.

If you’re living a crisis, 1 Peter is a book to study. God’s grace gives hope to every aspect of life. Salvation, living the Christian life, hope for the family, work, & Church. 
1 Peter 1:71 Peter 1:7
English: World English Bible - WEB
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—

WP-Bible plugin “These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold..(your trial impacted faith)
1 Peter 5:12-141 Peter 5:12-14
English: World English Bible - WEB
12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. ¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you; and so does Mark, my son. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

WP-Bible plugin…”I have written
1. Encouraging you
2. Testifying that this is the true grace.
3. Stand in it.

Men seek an explanation of suffering in cause and effect.  They look backward for a connection between prior sin and present suffering.  God’s grace looks forward in hope and seeks explanations, not so much in origins as in goals.  The purpose of suffering is seen, not in its cause, but in its results.  The man in John 9:3John 9:3
English: World English Bible - WEB
3 Jesus answered, “Neither did this man sin, nor his parents; but, that the works of God might be revealed in him.

WP-Bible plugin was born blind so that the works of God could be displayed in him.

How does God want to display himself in you and me?

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