The alarm blared off beneath my loft. My pre-waking reflexes tear off the blankets, skim down the ladder, and just as I grab the alarm, I wake up. Today it practically yelled, “Yeah! All right! Grab your Bibles and turn to 1 Peter, if you would. If you’re not awake yet, you should be now! I’m so excited this morning…” Indeed, my traditional alarm jingle had been exchanged for a Pastor.
I could see my sister’s handiwork all over this, and I’m sure she carefully picked that sermon out off of my phone. No wonder she was so helpful last night in getting me to bed. But, it piqued my curiosity. I started in John 7 where I was “supposed to,” but not much later I had flipped over to 1 Peter 1. Then, I was so the one who was so excited this morning!
Before I preach a sermon as well, how about I just say…”You read it.” Let the truth speak to you on its own. I’ll be quiet now...Except for the parts I loved especially are now in bold. Nevermind, I’ve got to talk in red.
1 ¶ 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 [Imagine that…born.into.living.hope] by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [Just because He lives, never again does any soul have to face lonely emptiness.]
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, [We read that right, an inheritance is on hold for YOU!]
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.[We simply trust His promise and He keeps an individualized salvation on full reserve.]
6 ¶ Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: [Yes, this life is tough, but we have a reason enough knowing what we know now, to be taking joy even through what feels like a load of bricks.]
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: [Make it all worth it. Live life to the hilt. Don’t waste a second of pain.]
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: [Awwww…]
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 [We are so extremely privileged! Don’t miss out on our opportunity! I had to read that last section like five times, just because.]
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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. [As I understand it, our end of the deal is belief, and then living in common sense gratefulness through grace already extended. We remember what we’ve learned and then live in it. Wow.]
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:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. [One word: AMAZING!]
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. [Don’t miss the kicker. We obey the command to love for real, completely, absolutely, fervently, because we can.]
24 ¶ For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. [I repeat…Unto You!]
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