UNDER OR ABOVE THE
CIRCUMSTANCES
Genesis 16
I Peter 1: 1-9
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who
reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,
Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to
the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to
obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours
in the fullest measure. 3 Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us
to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is
imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for
you, 5 who are protected by the power of God
through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little
while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than
gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in
praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though
you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as
the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
Peter tells us that we are:
CHOSEN by God – vs. 1
PLACED here sovereignly and lovingly
PURPOSE for our existence
PERSPECTIVE we are set apart for the glory of God
Five reasons why we as believers can rejoice through the hard times:
1. We have a LIVING HOPE - vs. 3
- without Christ, “hope” = wishful thinking
2. We have a RESERVED INHERITANCE- vs. 4
- our home in Heaven is secure
3. We have DIVINE PROTECTION - vs. 5
- God PROTECTS us by His power
- God PROMISES to deliver us to our eternal destination
- We need to accept the mystery of suffering and misfortune, and trust God to protect us by His power
4. We have DYNAMIC FAITH - vs. 6-7
- trials PROVE the genuineness of our faith
- trials PROMOTE compassion
5. We have an UNSEEN but very REAL Saviour – vs. 8
- Jesus is beside us in our trials, even though we cannot see Him.
NOTES:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________