Question
A Living Hope
1 Peter 1:1-12
Key Verse 3
“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,”
Read verses 1-2. How did Peter introduce himself? (1a) To whom did he write his letter? (1b) How have they been chosen? (2a) What were they chosen for? (2b)? How did he greet his recipients? (2c)
Read verses 3-5. For what reasons does Peter praise God? (3, 4) How are God’s elect shielded? (5a) Until when does God protect his elect? (5b)
Read verses 6-9. How can God’s elect rejoice despite suffering grief in trials? (6) Why do God’s elect go through all kinds of trials? (7) How do they love Jesus and believe in him? (8a) What are they filled with? (8b) Why are they filled with such a joy? (9)
Read verses 10-12. How did the prophets search concerning this salvation? (10) What did they try to find out? (11) For whom was the salvation revealed to the prophets? (12a) How have God’s elect been told of the gospel? (12b) In what sense are God’s elect more blessed than even angels? (12c)
Manuscript
Message
YOUR FAITH—OF GREATER WORTH THAN GOLD
1 Peter 1:1-12
Key Verse 1:7
7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire —may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Introduction
Who is Peter? – v1a
Read v1a.
Early days, a paradox: Eternally strong, internally weak.
Jesus was well aware of this paradox and gave Simon the name Peter
(Mark 3:16) These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter)
Loved the idea of the Kingdom of God but hated the idea of enduring persecutions/suffering for it.
Example 1: Peter Rebuking Jesus About Persecution
(Mark 8:31-32) He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
Example 2: Peter’s Denial of Knowing Jesus 3 Times
(Mark 14:66-72) “…71 He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about…"
Eventually overcame himself through Christ
Example: Boldly stood up to the persecution of the Sanhedrin
(Acts 4:1-22) 19 But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Example: Was writing this letter from Rome the seat of persecutions
(1 Peter 5:13) She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peter’s failures and successes made him uniquely qualified to write this letter to churches undergoing worldly trials and persecutions
What Churches? What Persecutions? v1b-2
Read v1b
To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
Churches being addressed: Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia
These churches were in modern day Turkey. (Show Map)
The time was about ~62-64AD. Persecution from the Roman government was either ramping up or in full swing.
Nero persecutions, other social ostracizing.
The believers in these churches were distressed, anxious, troubled, embarrassed, fearful and emotional.
Peter was the perfect person to help them.
How Did Peter Help the Believers in these Churches?
Read v1b
“To God’s elect, strangers in the world…”
A: Reminded them of their relationship with God & with World
“God’s elect” — special, chosen, object of investment, love and care
“Stranger’s in the World” — How do people feel about strangers, how to people treat strangers? Don’t be surprised, it’s natural.
Trials are unavoidable. “Anyone who wants to live a Godly life will be persecuted.”
Read v2
2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
A: As “God’s elect” focusing on the work of God
Peter reminds them that the Trinity, (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) were all active in their lives.
God the Father had chosen them according to his foreknowledge.
Hagar: God knows us, “I have now seen the one who sees me.”
Everyone wants to be known. It feels good to be understood. Some people insist on it but only God has had foreknowledge of us. Even before our birth he knew us and chose us.
The Spirit had been doing sanctifying work!
In the Bible a dove and fire are just a couple metaphor for the Holy Spirit.
When the Spirit takes up resistance it works to cleanse a man or woman from the inside out. After some time someone may wonder how they were every like their former self.
New king to serve and obey, Jesus Christ, who sprinkled them by his blood—making them holy and pleasing to God, like purified priests.
New allegiance and direction of life.
When external trials trouble us we need to focus on the work God more than we focus on the difficulties. When we help someone in great distress we can remind them of God’s working and how he will continue to work in the same way.
To what point do we need to focus on the work of God?
Entirely. We should keep our focus on it until “Grace and peace be ours in abundance.”
Focusing on God’s work has universal application to any inner distress.
Example: Fasting, praying and reading the Bible are all ways we focus on God and his work until we are filled with Grace and peace. God’s holy work in us (past/present/future) moves our hearts with grace and peace.
How Else Did Peter Help Them?
How can you amplify grace and peace in the midst of trials?
A: Add Praise and Rejoicing.
Read v.3-6
3 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, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade —kept in heaven for you, 5 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. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
God’s Abundance
Peter gives us a list of all the things God has “given us” in his “great mercy”.
New Birth
A lot can be said about the “new birth”, Peter emphasis: living hope through the resurrection.
Inheritance
“never perish, spoil or fade”, “kept in heaven for you”
Peter emphasizes the eternal, everlasting nature of the inheritance. An inheritance that God can’t give us now because it is not of this world.
Shielding
Peter’s emphasis is on God’s protection until we actually receive these things.
Emphasis on the eternal, invisible, non-perishing, not-of-this-world, nature of all God has given us.
My greatest weakness. Needing to see, experience now.
To overcome the world today, we must “rejoice” in what God has “given us”. We can praise him through faith, though we haven’t received it fully.
Praising God is like a vaccine to keep one from being wiped out by “suffering grief in all kinds of trials”.
The Importance of Trials
Read v.7-9
7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire —may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 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, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Trials are good for us
Stress Tests
Cardiac Stress Test. Shows us what is really going on inside. We might feel like we are doing well but the stress tests always shows the reality.
Example 1: Abram and Isaac going through famines.
Example 2: Peter, (previously mentioned)
Example 3: Joseph being betrayed by his brothers. Joseph’s life in Potiphar s house, Joseph’s life in prison, Joseph’s life as governor of Egypt.
Trials help us to develop real faith (not theoretical faith)
Gold example
Results of Trials
When we pass through trials the “result” is “praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed”.
For us in the moment we are “receiving” the tangible benefits of “inexpressible and glorious joy” which is actually the salvation of our souls.
Proof of Blessing, Proof of Value
Read v.10-12
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
Prophets
This salvation and grace was familiar to the prophets. They looked carefully into the time and circumstances of this great work, “the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow”.
Prophets were serving (blessing) the body of believers who came about after Jesus’ work.
Angels
Probably hard to get an angel’s attention but this gospel and the value of the riches for those who believe made angels sit-up and pay attention. They even long to look into these things.
Summary
Trials are good and are necessary.
They make us focus on God’s work in us (past, present, future)
They help us appreciate what God has given us—the things which do not fade or spoil.
They refine our faith so that we bring glory to Christ and bring us the tangible “receiving of our salvation”, that is “inexpressible and glorious joy”.
Manuscript
Biblenote
A Living Hope
1 Peter 1:1-12
Key Verse 3-4
“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, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade —kept in heaven for you”
The Apostle Peter wrote this letter to persecuted believers in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) around AD 64-65 at Rome. At that time the persecution of believers had been increasing by the emperor Nero. The purpose of this letter is to encourage persecuted believers and to have victory in the midst of the hostility.
In this passage, we will study about salvation of God.
(1) Processes of Salvation;
Election, Sanctification, Obedience, Blood of Jesus (v2)
(2) Gifts of Salvation;
New birth, Living hope, Imperishable inheritance (v3,4)
Joy, Faith, Love (v6-9)
(3) Greatness of Salvation:
Theme of Prophets’ study, Apostles’ preaching, Angels’ interest (v10-12)
Inspiration of Holy Spirit. (v10-12)
May God richly bless us with the Holy Spirit so that we can see the greatness of Salvation and praise Him even in the middle of the suffering. Amen.
1. Read verses 1-2. How did Peter introduce himself? (1a) Who did he write his letter to? (1b) How have they been chosen? (2a) What were they chosen for? (2b)? How did he greet his recipients? (2c)
1-1) Read verses 1-2.
“1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”
1-2) How did Peter introduce himself? (1a)
“1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,”
Peter introduced himself as an apostle.
Unlike Paul, Peter’s apostolic status was never questioned.
1-3) Who did he write his letter to? (1b)
“1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,”
a) To God’s elect
i) Peter describes believers as elect.
Believers are the elect and chosen people. (Exo 19:5-6, 1Peter 1:1)
ii) Peter clearly intended to strengthen and encourage persecuted believers.
Peter reminded them that they are God’s elect and they belong to God.
In times of suffering, it is easy to think that God abandon us.
They are not the chosen of the world, but the chosen of God.
b) To strangers in the world:
i) Believers are strangers in the world.
Our primary citizenship is in heaven, not United States.
Our primary constitution is the Bible, not the U.S Constitution.
Our primary King is Jesus Christ, not US President.
Our dominant desires are not for this world but for the Kingdom of God.
ii) If we are strangers in the world,
Worldly language, values, customs, expectations feel foreign to us.
Because we are radically changed (born again)
We are continually transformed by renewing our minds. (Rom 12:1)
c) Scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia
Believers were scattered throughout the world even that time.
1-4) How have they been chosen? (2a)
“2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”
a) Chosen by God (Doctrine of Election)
(Mat 24:22, Lk 18:7, Jn 15: 16, Act 13:48, Rom8:33, Col 3:12, 2Tim 1:9, 2:10)
God chose us before the foundation of the world. (Eph 1:4)
Salvation is originated by the will of God; not by the will of man.
b) According to the foreknowledge of God the Father
God also chose us through His foreknowledge (previously determined plan)
Just like Jesus was chosen through the foreknowledge of God, (1Peter 1:20)
c) Through the sanctifying work of the Spirit.
i) Sanctify; set aside; separate, make holy
ii) God’s elect become saved through the work of the Spirit.
New birth is sanctifying work of the Spirit.
Faith is a gift of the Spirit.
Eyes of our hearts are opened by the Spirit so that you'll believe.
iii) Election (chosen) is confirmed by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Election is eternity past; sanctify work of the Spirit is recent past.
Without the work of the Holy Spirit, election is not known or valid.
1-5) What were they chosen for? (2b)?
“2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”
a) The purpose of our election (salvation) is obedience to Jesus Christ
i) God saved us so that we may obey Jesus Christ.
We are chosen (to be saved) to obey Jesus.
Salvation is a life of obedience to Jesus Christ.
After salvation, we become obedient to God; submissive to the word of God.
ii) Our obedience is not perfect: We do not obey as we ought to obey fully.
When we fail to obey, there will be heart of brokenness and confession.
This is characteristic of a true believer to obey Jesus Christ.
b) Sprinkling by his blood:
i) Blood was sprinkled on people in 3 circumstances in OT.
At the establishment of Sinai or Old Covenant (Exodus 24:5-8).
At the ordination of Aaron and his sons (Exodus 29:21).
At the purification ceremony for a cleansed leper (Leviticus 14:6-7).
ii) Blood of Jesus on us accomplishes the same things.
New covenant is formed.
We are ordained as priests.
We are cleansed from our sin.
ii) Considering the sequence of this passage, sprinkling is related to the new covenant.
Jesus shed the blood of the covenant on the cross.
For God, covenant to forgive us because of the blood of Jesus.
For believers, covenant to obey because of the blood of Jesus.
c) God the Father, the Spirit, Jesus Christ:
i) God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit work together in our salvation.
God the Father planned salvation. (Election)
God the Son, Jesus Christ purchased salvation.
God the Holy Spirit applies salvation.
ii) The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have existed together throughout eternity.
Each is equally God. (Doctrine of Trinity)
1-6) How did he greet his recipients? (2c)
”2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.”
Peter brings a greeting that had become common among the Christians
Gift of salvation is grace; the result of salvation is peace.
2. Read verses 3-5. For what reasons does Peter praise God? (v.3,4) How are God’s elect shielded?(v.5a) When does God protect his elect until? (v.5b)
2-1) Read verses 3-5.
“3 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, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade —kept in heaven for you, 5 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.”
2-2) For what reasons does Peter praise God? (v.3,4)
“3 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, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade —kept in heaven for you”
a) In His great mercy
i) When Peter considered the salvation of God, all he could do is to praise Him.
Because Salvation is from God because of God’s mercy.
ii) Because of his great mercy, (not just mercy) we are saved.
All His goodness comes to us because of his great mercy.
The more we know who we are, the more we will praise God for his great mercy.
We were by nature objects of wrath. (Eph 2:3)
b) New birth
i) New birth is the work of God.
God created a new person. We did not create ourselves. (Eph 4:24, 2 Cor 5:17)
God raised us from the dead. We did not raise ourselves. (Eph 2:5)
God caused us to see Jesus is the Christ. We were blind (Mat 16:17, Act 16:14)
No one can come to Jesus unless Father draws him. (Jn 6:44)
ii) New Birth is supernatural; not mere human decision. (Jn 1: Jn 3)
God granted us repentance and lead us to knowledge of the truth. (2Tim 2:25)
We are saved by faith, which is the gift of God. (Eph 2:8)
Believers are not born of natural descent, or human decision or husband’s will.
Believers are born of God. (Jn 1:13)
c) A living hope
i) Biblical hope is full assurance; confident expectation; not an uncertain desire.
God gave us living hope through his grace (2Thess 2:16)
ii) We are born again to a living hope
We did not have hope before salvation.
iii) Living hope is to have eternal life with God.
The hope we have is living because Jesus conquered death.
Worldly Hope is deadly because it is destined for destruction.
d) An inheritance
i) We are born again to an inheritance
ii) New heavenly inheritance can never perish, spoil or fade
Previous earthly inheritances fade like withering flowers.
This inheritance is kept in heaven for us
An inheritance is God himself (Joshua 13:33) including the gifts of God
2-3) How are God’s elect shielded?(v.5a)
“5 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.”
a) By the power of God through faith:
We are now kept by the power of God.
We are chosen in the past, we will have inheritance in the future
We are protected now and this is ongoing process until the last time.
b) God’s power is protecting us from unbelief.
God sustains our faith in present time so that we can be saved completely in heaven.
We will not have salvation without faith.
Someone who look like lose salvation are not saved from the beginning. (1Jn 2:19)
Because real believers will endure through faith until the coming of Jesus.
2-4) When does God protect his elect until? (v.5b)
”5 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.”
a) God will protect his elect until the coming of the salvation
Until the last time; until Jesus’ second coming.
b) Doctrine of Perseverance
i) Those who are saved will persevere to the end. (Perseverance)
We need to continue to work out our salvation with fear and tremble.
ii) It is God who works on our salvation. (Phil 2:12-13)
God sustains our faith to the end.
Therefore, our salvation is secure. (Eternal Security)
Eternal security does not mean you can continually sin. (1Jn 3:6)
Believers obey Jesus and fight against sins.
3. Read verses 6-9. How can God’s elect rejoice despite suffering grief in trials?(v.6) Why do God’s elect go through all kinds of trials? (v.7) How do they love Jesus and believe in him? (v.8a) What are they filled with? (v.8b) Why are they filled with such a joy? (v.9)
3-1) Read verses 6-9.
”6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire —may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 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, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
3-2) How can God’s elect rejoice despite suffering grief in trials?(v.6)
“6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”
We greatly rejoice
Because God caused us to be born again in the past.
Because God gives us a living hope in the present.
Because God is keeping us with His power in the present.
Because God will give us an inheritance in the future.
3-3) Why do God’s elect go through all kinds of trials? (v.7)
“7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire —may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
a) To prove that our faith is genuine.
i) Test is not for God, but for us so that we know the quality of our faith.
ii) Faith refined by suffering is greater worthy than gold refined by fire
Even gold perishes but real, genuine, sincere, true faith will not perish.
Genuine faith is stronger than fire; purer than pure gold.
b) To give praise, glory and honor to Jesus.
Our genuine faith will overcome the animosity and bring glory to God.
Because only real faith will shine in times of suffering.
3-4) How do they love Jesus and believe in him? (v.8a)
“8 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,”
a) Believers love Jesus: his characters, virtues,
b) Believers believe in Jesus: because he will keep his promises; his ability
c) Although they have not seen him
They did not see Jesus with their physical eyes but with the eyes of their hearts.
Through hearing the gospel, they were able to see the glory of Jesus.
When they saw the glory of Jesus; they loved Jesus and believed in Him.
3-5) What are they filled with? (v.8b)
“8 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,”
Believers are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
The glory of Jesus Christ is inexpressible and glorious.
Therefore, our joy in Jesus is inexpressible and glorious.
3-6) Why are they filled with such a joy? (v.9)
”9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Because believers receive the goal of their faith, the salvation of their souls.
Because they have Jesus’ joy in their hearts.
4. Read verses 10-12. How did the prophets search concerning this salvation? (v.10) What did they try to find out? (v.11) For whom was the salvation revealed to the prophets? (v.12a) How have God’s elect been told of the gospel? (v.12b) In what sense are the God’s elect more blessed than even angels? (v.12c)
4-1) Read verses 10-12.
“10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things”
4-2) How did the prophets search concerning this salvation? (v.10)
“10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,”
a) The OT prophets searched intently and with the greatest care.
They received revelation from the Holy Spirit regarding Messiah.
The OT prophets could not fully understand salvation.
The OT prophets studied their own prophecy to know more about salvation;
Regarding the life and death of Jesus Christ.
Salvation of God is worthy of intent research; how much do you search for it?
b) They spoke of the grace; the motive of salvation.
They were eager to speak of the grace of God;
Forgiving goodness toward undeserving sinners.
4-3) What did they try to find out? (v.11)
“11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.”
a) Who would be the person? When would he come?
The OT prophets searched to know these questions.
b) Suffering of Christ (Suffering; Death on the Cross)
Psalm 22, Psalm 69:1-21, Isaiah 53:10, Daniel 9:24-26, Zech12:10, 13:7
c) Glory to follow (The resurrection, the ascension, the enthronement of Christ)
Isaiah 9, Daniel 2, 7; Zech 2,14;
The sufferings and the glories of Christ are the major themes of OT prophecy.
4-4) For whom was the salvation revealed to the prophets? (v.12a)
“12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things”
The prophets understood that they were ministering to people beyond them;
More then themselves and people in their own day.
4-5) How have God’s elect been told of the gospel? (v.12b)
“12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things”
By the Holy Spirit
All revelation was divinely revealed by the Holy Spirit.
Every single word in the original scripture is the word of God.
4-6) In what sense are the God’s elect more blessed than even angels? (v.12c)
”12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things”
Even angels long to look into these things.
Angels have strong desire to see God’s great salvation work in the lives of believers.
They never experience the salvation of God.
Angels did not sin and do not know what is like to be saved and be with God.
In Conclusion
Praise God for our salvation; new birth, living hope and imperishable inheritance. When we value this gracious salvation work of God, we can overcome the trials with rejoice. May God open eyes of our hearts to see the greatness of salvation and praise Him even in the midst of suffering. Amen.
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