Salvation In Suffering I Peter 1:1-12

I. Hope Sustains Christians

A. The Lord Gives Us A Living Hope The source of this hope is the resurrection of Jesus Christ I Pet.1:3-5 The source of this hope is the resurrection of Jesus Christ I Pet.1: Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. - A “living hope” suggests that it is just as strong today I Cor.15: This explains why Peter preached boldly before the Jewish Sanhedrin Acts 4:10-13

A. The Lord Gives Us A Living Hope Peter reminds his brethren that worldly things grow old and fade away Matt.6:19-21 Peter reminds his brethren that worldly things grow old and fade away Matt.6: Suffering saints need to remember they are “strangers and pilgrims” Heb.11:13-16 B. Saints Possess A Heavenly Inheritance 28 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matt.11

A. The Lord Gives Us A Living Hope Peter reminds his brethren that worldly things grow old and fade away Matt.6:19-21 Peter reminds his brethren that worldly things grow old and fade away Matt.6: Suffering saints need to remember they are “strangers and pilgrims” Heb.11: Hope is secured by God’s gift of faith and is irrevocable Eph.2:8-9 and Rom.11:29 B. Saints Possess A Heavenly Inheritance - How do saints know they have a place reserved in heaven? Rom.8:38-39

II. Saints Can Be Glad When They Are Sad

A. Christians Will Suffer For Jesus Peter is showing that gladness can coexist with sadness I Pet.1:6-9 Peter is showing that gladness can coexist with sadness I Pet.1: Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. - How can the suffering of faithful saints be considered “light affliction?” Mk.10: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2 Cor.4

A. Christians Will Suffer For Jesus Persecutions and trials will reveal the type of faith we have I Pet.1:7 Persecutions and trials will reveal the type of faith we have I Pet.1:7 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, - What is your greatest temptation that can rob you of your faith? Heb.5: Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. I Cor.3

A. Christians Will Suffer For Jesus These brethren had not seen Jesus but they believed in and loved Him Jn.20:29-31 These brethren had not seen Jesus but they believed in and loved Him Jn.20: Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. I Jn.3 - Why does Peter mention “the salvation of your souls?” Matt.10:28 B. Rejoice In Jesus Who You Love

III. God Has Not Forgotten His People

A. God Prophesied About Their Days For centuries God’s prophets wrote of the Messiah and His mission I Pet.1:10-12 For centuries God’s prophets wrote of the Messiah and His mission I Pet.1: Imagine the mighty prophets of old that searched to understand! Psa.2:7 - If the giants of faith couldn’t know, who can understand these truths? Eph.3:3-6 - God has made provisions for His suffering saints from the world’s foundation Eph.1:4 - The Lord never forgets any of His people!

A. God Prophesied About Their Days Suffering isn’t worthy to be compared with the glory revealed in us Rom.8:18 Suffering isn’t worthy to be compared with the glory revealed in us Rom.8:18 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” I Cor.15 - Talking does not impress God but obeying does! Lk.6:46 B. Christian Suffering Leads To Glory

Don’t Let Our Hope Slip Away! 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. I Cor.15