These questions, comments, and quotes relate to the sermon on 19 February 2023, The Hope Of Salvation.  The primary scripture is 1 Peter 1:3-12.  These verses are loaded with substance, and so there is information introduced here which was not included in the sermon.  The sermon audio is available on this website.

1.  Reminder: Peter introduces our identity in Christ in his letter introduction.  We are chosen by God the Father, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and obedient to Jesus Christ.  You can re-read verses 1-2.

2.  Locate the prepositions in verses 3-5 and notice the depth of the phrases introduced.  (new birth into, through, into, through, in, through...)

3.  What does this section teach us about the security of salvation?  (which by the way, is a better phrase than "once saved always saved")

4.  How is salvation experienced now and "revealed in the last time?" v. 5

5.  The knowledge of our salvation and inheritance leads to _________.  v. 6 "In all this..."

Some comments on suffering from Peter H. Davids on verse 6:  "...suffering is not a normal part of life; it was not ordained by God in creation."  "...suffering is under the control of God even if it is not part of God's ideal world."  "God is working history to its good conclusion.  But that does not mean that the suffering itself is good, that its agents are good, or that God wants us to suffer.  It does mean that in a world in rebellion against God, created as this world has been with the various spiritual and human forces (with their freedom to choose) in it, it is the best way in God's mercy and hidden wisdom for him to work out his good plan.  Suffereing may not be God's desire, but it is not outside his sovereignty."  (p. 56, The First Epistle of Peter, in The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, 1990))

6. How does faith work?  vv. 8-9

7.  Verses 10-12 are a bit mysterious.  The prophets whose writing is available in the Old Testament were inspired by God to predict the coming Messiah.  They were given some information regarding the future, but not a complete description.  They spoke and wrote with inspiration and faith.  They did not see, in their life on earth, the actual coming of Messiah.  Peter did experience Jesus in person as rabbi and mentor.  His word confirms the prophets and testifies to us.  Similarly the angels, God's messengers and spiritual warriors, see God's plan as it happens, yet they are not given all the details of the future.  Even the angels long to know the time of the Lord's day - the consummation of the church to Christ.  Peter wrote this as encouragement to the exiles who, although in persecution, were experiencing salvation and getting a glimpse of the inheritance.  They could and we can know confidently that our salvation is secure and our inheritance is far more valuable that the purest gold.

8.  Re-read this section of scripture, pray, and meditate on it.  Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your spirit for encouragment and strength.  Then notice the "Therefore" in verse 13 and following.