First Peter; A book of triumph in trials, it begins in 1 Peter 1:1-19 with all kinds of blessed promises.
It ends speaking of trials and ultimate victory. We've got to look forward to the glory beyond all our trials, I want to share some reality with you nothing like those reality shows on tv.
read 1 Peter 5:10-11
Here Is Reality:
There Is Suffering Now
read verse 10 I don't think there will be anyone who will deny that!We suffer because we are part of a fallen race!
- You know it must have been glorious before the fall!
- No sickness, no sorrow, no death!
We suffer because of attacks from satan. read 1 Peter 5:8
- In verses 8-9 it tells us that the devil, like a roaring lion, roams about seeking whom he may devour.
- There has been persecution of believers through the centuries.
- There is grief over wayward loved ones
There Will Be Glory Later
"After you have suffered awhile" the Bible tells us there is a time limit on suffering read 1 Peter 1:6Peter had the privilege to see God's glory at the transfiguration spoken of in Matthew 17:1-2
We have the promise of heaven in John 14:1-3
And in Philippians 1:23 says "To depart and be with Christ is far better."
2 Corinthians 5:8 "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."
Our future is as bright as the promises of God!
In Our Suffering God Is Preparing Us For Glory!
- He is perfecting (maturing) us.
- He is establishing us (building our faith)
- He is strengthening us.
- He is placing us on a firm foundation
You see we are partakers of Christ's suffering's, but we shall also share in glory!
Suffering is to make us like Jesus. read Romans 8:28-29
The Suffering Now Cannot Compare
With The Glory Later
We are called to His eternal glory read 1 Peter 5:10Paul agrees in Romans 8:15-18
We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
We are suffering with Him and we will be reigning with Him groaning now glory later!!
You know you and I can understand suffering
BUT!
The glory ahead is beyond our understanding!! read 1 Corinthians 2:9
All earthly gain and glory is only temporary!
HIS GLORY AND DOMINION LASTS FOREVER.
To Him Be The Power For Ever And Ever. AMEN!
1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
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1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
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1 Peter 1:19 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you.
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
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2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
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1 Peter 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
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Matthew 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
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John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
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Philippians 1:23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
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2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
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1 Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
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Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
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1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
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Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
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1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
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Last updated on ... May 29, 2005