SET APART

Part 1 – A Living Hope in a Hostile World

February 23, 2025

 

A Living Hope in a Hostile World

1 Peter 1:1 (NIV) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

1 Peter 1:1 (NIV) To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,

1 Peter 1:2 (NIV) who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:4 (NIV) and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,

1 Peter 1:5 (NIV) who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

The Truth About Trials

1 Peter 1:6 (NIV) In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

1 Peter 1:7 (NIV) These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Trials don’t mean God has , they mean God is .

• Trials are .

John 16:33 (NIV) I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

• Trials are .

James 1:2-3 (NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…

• Trials are .

3 Purposes of Trials

1. .
2. .
3. .

Trials are .

2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV) For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

How To Experience Glory in Suffering

1 Peter 1:8 (NIV) Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

1 Peter 1:9 (NIV) for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1. Jesus.

1 John 4:19 (NIV) We love because he first loved us.

2.  Jesus.

Romans 8:28 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

3. in Jesus.

Philippians 4:4 (NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

4. Jesus.

Romans 8:18 (NIV) I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

1 Peter 1:6-7 (MSG) Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.