A Field Manual for Warriors in a Hostile Land Part 2: A Living Hope – p.2 1 Peter 1:3-9

What has God done that makes Him worthy of worship? Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

What has God done that makes Him worthy of worship? to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded (1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV)

What has God done that makes Him worthy of worship? Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! (v.3)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! (v.3) The Greek word for blessed means to speak or say good about someone.The Greek word for blessed means to speak or say good about someone.

What has God done that makes Him worthy of worship? He treats us according to His mercy not our deeds (v.3b)He treats us according to His mercy not our deeds (v.3b) According to his great mercy…According to his great mercy… Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ... Great sin requires great mercy!Great sin requires great mercy!

What has God done that makes Him worthy of worship? He has given us a new life (v.3c)He has given us a new life (v.3c) he has caused us to be born again

What has God done that makes Him worthy of worship? The new life results in…The new life results in… A living Hope (v.3d)A living Hope (v.3d) to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead

What has God done that makes Him worthy of worship? …that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (Eph. 2:12)…that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (Eph. 2:12) …we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. (1 Thess. 4:13)…we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. (1 Thess. 4:13)

What has God done that makes Him worthy of worship?

What has God done that makes Him worthy of worship? The new life results in…The new life results in… Inheritance (v.4)Inheritance (v.4) to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

What has God done that makes Him worthy of worship? imperishable or secure from invasionimperishable or secure from invasion undefiled or not worn outundefiled or not worn out unfading or without time limit on its possession.unfading or without time limit on its possession.

What has God done that makes Him worthy of worship? Guards us by His own power (v.5a)Guards us by His own power (v.5a) who by God's power are being guardedwho by God's power are being guarded

What is the proper response? who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

What is the proper response? so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him.

What is the proper response? Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:5-9 ESV)

What is the proper response? v. 5 - who by God's power are being guarded through faithv. 5 - who by God's power are being guarded through faith v.7 - so that the tested genuineness of your faithv.7 - so that the tested genuineness of your faith v.9 - obtaining the outcome of your faithv.9 - obtaining the outcome of your faith

What is the proper response? Active faith is the means to complete salvation (v.5b)Active faith is the means to complete salvation (v.5b) through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Salvation is not a product, but a relationship.Salvation is not a product, but a relationship.

What is the proper response? The Bible never reconciles the seeming contradiction between God’s sovereignty and our free will but affirms them both!The Bible never reconciles the seeming contradiction between God’s sovereignty and our free will but affirms them both! Ephesians 1:4 may offer a key to this theological tension because it clarifies the goal of predestination is not heaven, but holiness (Christlikeness).Ephesians 1:4 may offer a key to this theological tension because it clarifies the goal of predestination is not heaven, but holiness (Christlikeness).

What is the proper response? Hard times test genuine faithHard times test genuine faith In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in (vv.6-7)

What is the proper response? Faith has an object and outcome (vv.8-9)Faith has an object and outcome (vv.8-9) Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

What is the proper response? Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in himThough you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.

Bottom Line: Christians are earth aliens whom God has saved and will preserve through their faith regardless of all their trials so that He can be famous!!Christians are earth aliens whom God has saved and will preserve through their faith regardless of all their trials so that He can be famous!!

The best thing that will ever happen to you is… Experience a living eternal hope by putting your faith in a God who chose to love you instead of crush you.Experience a living eternal hope by putting your faith in a God who chose to love you instead of crush you.

The best thing that will ever happen to you is… Loving someone you have never seenLoving someone you have never seen Learning how God works in your sufferingLearning how God works in your suffering

The best thing that will ever happen to you is…

Suffering is Unavoidable (Principle of Necessity)Suffering is Unavoidable (Principle of Necessity) Suffering Doesn't Last Forever (Principle of Temporality)Suffering Doesn't Last Forever (Principle of Temporality)

The best thing that will ever happen to you is… Suffering is Many-Faceted (Principle of Complexity)Suffering is Many-Faceted (Principle of Complexity) Suffering Can't Preclude Rejoicing (Principle of Joy)Suffering Can't Preclude Rejoicing (Principle of Joy) Suffering Has a Purpose (Principle of Beneficiality)Suffering Has a Purpose (Principle of Beneficiality)

The best thing that will ever happen to you is… Learning to live as a temporary residentLearning to live as a temporary resident

This is my story, this is my song Praising my Savior All the day long