A big part of self identifying as a Christ-followers is understanding that we are very wealthy.
(1 Peter 1:3-9) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials so that the genuineness of your faith – more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1. Ours is the Greatest Wealth
(3&5) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… who are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
A. God’s salvation is the greatest wealth of all.
B. How do you assign a dollar value to salvation?
2. Ours is a Secure Wealth
A. It’s ours and nobody can take it away.
(4) An inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
B. Our wealth is kept secure in heaven.
C. Heavenly wealth is secure forever.
3. Ours is a Refined Wealth
(6-7) You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to be distressed by various trials so that the genuineness of your faith – more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
A. The intense heat of the fire refined pure gold.
B. The intense trials of life refine our pure faith.
C. Our refined faith is far more valuable than gold.
4. Ours is the Sweetest Wealth
(8-9) You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
A. What can be sweeter than that?
B. “You can’t touch this.”
When we experience persecution for following Jesus, it is the badge of belonging to Christ.
1 Peter 4:12-19
As Christians we should be ready for Christ's return in the future by being faithful to Christ today
1 Peter 4:7-11
There are drastic changes in the lives of all followers of Christ
1 Peter 4:1-6
We want to understand more about the spiritual realm.
1 Peter 2:18-22
Suffering, for a Christ follower, takes on a whole different look from everybody else.
1 Peter 3:12-17
Those of us who follow the Lord have a completely different kind of maturity.
1 Peter 3:8-12
