This Week’s Experience – 8/7/2022

Message

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

-Matthew 5:44

From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. To God's people who are scattered like exiles in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. God the Father decided to choose you as his people. God’s Spirit makes you holy and sanctifies you for obedience to Jesus because you’ve been sprinkled with His blood. May His grace and peace be given to you in abundance.

 

Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a living hope that lives on. And God has an inheritance for us, an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you that can never decay, be ruined or disappear. They are for you, who through faith are kept safe by God's power for the salvation which is ready to be revealed at the end of time.

-1 Peter 1:1-5

My hope transforms into .

Be glad about this, even though it may be necessary for you to be sad for a little while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

 

You have never seen Jesus, and you don't see him now. But still you love him and have faith in him, and no words can tell how glad and happy you are to be saved. This is why you have faith.

 

This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. The Spirit of Christ was in them and was telling them how Christ would suffer and would then be given great honor. So they searched to find out exactly who Christ would be and when this would happen.

 

They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen. 

-1 Peter 1:6-12

LIFE APPLICATION
To discuss during the week with your family or Life Group

1. Have you ever had to face opposition because of your faith? What was that like?

2. Why is hope essential for us in getting through trials? Where does hope come from?

3. What scripture, story or point really jumped out at you in today’s message? Why?

4. What is your next step as a result of this message?