1. New Year – Now what? A LIVING Hope Part 1 of 8 1 Peter 1:1-7

2. Each year late December/early January...

3. Each year late December/early january... Most Americans make at least one RESOLUTION for the New Year.

4. My #1 RESOLUTION for the New Year is: ________________________

5. This morning we begin a two month look @ the book of 1 Peter

6. Author: Peter (part of Jesus’ inner triangle)

7. This morning we begin a two month look @ the book of 1 Peter Author: Peter (part of Jesus’ inner triangle) Date: mid 60’s AD

8. This morning we begin a two month look @ the book of 1 Peter Context: The persecution of Christ followers has become a reality three decades after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many first century Christians scattered about and are struggling in the faith.

9. This morning we begin a two month look @ the book of 1 Peter Big Idea: STAND FIRM in the midst of SUFFERING and live HOLY LIVES.

10. 1 Peter 1:1-7 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 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.

11. 1 Peter 1:1-7 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.

12. 1 Peter 1:1-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 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.

13. 4 truths to takeaway from 1 Peter 1:

14. #1 - This world is not your home if you are a follower of Jesus Christ.

15. 4 truths to takeaway from 1 Peter 1: #1 - This world is not your home if you are a follower of Jesus Christ. 1:1 – “strangers in the world...”

16. 4 truths to takeaway from 1 Peter 1: #1 - This world is not your home if you are a follower of Jesus Christ. 1:2 – “God elect... who have been chosen...”

17. 4 truths to takeaway from 1 Peter 1: #1 - This world is not your home if you are a follower of Jesus Christ. ** Have Christians in 2014 become infatuated with this world?

18. 4 truths to takeaway from 1 Peter 1: #2 – God the Father has given his followers a NEW BIRTH.

19. 4 truths to takeaway from 1 Peter 1: #2 – God the Father has given his followers a NEW BIRTH. Our God is a God of great “MERCY”

20. 4 truths to takeaway from 1 Peter 1: #2 – God the Father has given his followers a NEW BIRTH. in John 3 – “you must be born again...”

21. 4 truths to takeaway from 1 Peter 1: #3 – This NEW BIRTH provides incredible BLESSINGS for Christians

22. NEW BIRTH provides incredible BLESSINGS:

23. Blessing #1 – a LIVING HOPE 1:3 - “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

24. NEW BIRTH provides incredible BLESSINGS: Blessing #2 – a FOREVER INHERITANCE 1:4 – “into an inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you...”

25. NEW BIRTH provides incredible BLESSINGS: Blessing #3 – a faith-driven SHIELD by the power of God 1:5 – “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”

26. 4 truths to takeaway from 1 Peter 1: #4 – SUFFERING is a reality of the Christian Faith.

27. 4 truths to takeaway from 1 Peter 1: #4 – SUFFERING is a reality of the Christian Faith. Suffering helps Christ followers prove their faith in Jesus Christ.

28. 4 truths to takeaway from 1 Peter 1: #4 – SUFFERING is a reality of the Christian Faith. Suffering brings praise, glory and honor to God the Father.

29. BOTTOM LINE Embrace and live out the LIVING HOPE we have in Jesus Christ – no matter the circumstance or situation.

30. New Year – Now what? A LIVING Hope Part 1 of 8 1 Peter 1:1-7