"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

                         Be Hopeful! (1 Pe 5:10-14)

INTRODUCTION

1. In an epistle written to Christians undergoing severe persecution,
   Peter chooses to close on a positive note - 1 Pe 5:10-14 

2. For no matter how terrible the "fiery trials" may become, Christians
   can always have "hope"!

3. In these last few verses of this epistle, Peter offers...
   a. A benediction (v 10)
   b. A doxology (v 11)
   c. A summary (v 12)
   d. A few words of greeting (v 13)
   e. A final command to love one another (v 14a)
   f. A final prayer for peace (v 14b)

[Throughout this "collage" of concluding remarks, we find several
reasons why Christians can always "Be Hopeful", even in the midst of
terrible trials.

For example, we are reminded of the fact that...]

I. WE HAVE GOD'S GRACE

   A. GOD IS "THE GOD OF ALL GRACE" (v 10)
      1. Indeed, His grace is "manifold" - 1 Pe 4:10 
      2. Just as His gifts are varied, so He provides whatever we need
         in any circumstance - cf. He 4:16 

   B. WE STAND IN "THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD" (v 12)
      1. Our salvation is because of His grace - cf. 1 Pe 1:10 
      2. Those who are saved have "tasted that the Lord is gracious"
         - 1 Pe 2:3 

[With the knowledge that, by remaining faithful to Christ, we "stand in
the true grace of God", we can take comfort in knowing that the "God of
all grace" will be with us all the way.

Which leads to another comforting thought...]

II. WE ARE GOING TO GLORY

   A. GOD HAS "CALLED US TO HIS ETERNAL GLORY" (v 10)
      1. This is the purpose of our calling, to receive the glory that
         awaits us
      2. That glory involves the "inheritance incorruptible and
         undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for
         you" - 1 Pe 1:4 

   B. THE ROAD TO GLORY MAY INVOLVE SUFFERING, BUT...
      1. It is no different than what Jesus experienced - cf. Lk 24:26 
      2. And we can look forward to participating in His glory, if we
         are willing to suffer with Him - cf. 1 Pe 4:13-14 

[Knowing what lies ahead for those who persevere can help us remain
steadfast in the faith.  So can knowing that...]

III. OUR SUFFERING IS TEMPORARY

   A. IT IS ONLY FOR "A WHILE" (v 10)
      1. Earlier, Peter had said "a little while" - 1 Pe 1:6 
      2. By their very nature, physical sufferings cannot last forever

   B. NOTE THE CONTRAST BETWEEN SUFFERING AND GLORY...
      1. Suffering is for "a while", glory is "eternal"
      2. Is not the "glory" worth the "suffering"?
      3. The apostle Paul thought so - cf. 2 Co 4:16-18 

[But not only can we remain hopeful in knowing that our temporary suffering is
to be replaced by eternal glory, in the meantime, we can take consolation in
knowing that...]

IV. WITH SUFFERING COMES BLESSINGS (v 10)

   A. GOD WILL "PERFECT"...
      1. The word used by Peter means "to equip, to adjust, to fit
         together"
      2. God "perfects" His people using several tools...
         a. One is the Word of God - cf. 2 Ti 3:16-17 
         b. Gifts were given to the church toward the same end - cf.
            Ep 4:11-16 
         c. Suffering is certainly another tool - cf. Ro 5:3-4; James 1:2-4

   B. GOD WILL "ESTABLISH"...
      1. This means "to fix firmly, to set fast"
      2. Christians need to be steadfast in the faith - cf. 1 Pe 5:9;
         2 Pe 3:17 
      3. Through persecution often comes steadfastness, for the one who
         has endured suffering for the cause of Christ is not likely to
         be led away from the truth

   C. GOD WILL "STRENGTHEN"...
      1. Make one stronger
      2. A normal consequence of enduring trial

   D. GOD WILL "SETTLE"...
      1. That is, "to lay a foundation"
      2. The Lord would have us to be solid, like that house built on a
         rock - cf. Mt 7:24-27 

CONCLUSION

1. Peter is confident that, for those who remain faithful in suffering,
   God will bless them in the four ways listed in verse 10

2. We too can have confidence, knowing that...
   a. We have God's grace
   b. We are going to Glory
   c. Our suffering is only temporary
   d. With suffering comes blessing

3. It is with such confidence that Peter closes with:
   a. A collection of greetings, from...
      1) "Silvanus" - Silas, a traveling companion of Paul
      2) "She who is in Babylon, elect together with you" - likely a
         congregation...
         a) Either in literal Babylon, located in modern day Iraq
         b) Or in figurative Babylon, which could be a reference to
            either Rome or Jerusalem
      3) "Mark my son" - John Mark, nephew of Barnabas, and author of
         the gospel of Mark
   b. An exhortation to love:  "Greet one another with a kiss of love"
   c. And a prayer for peace:  "Peace to all who are in Christ Jesus"

May the example of Peter's confidence and hope, as well as his actual
teaching found throughout this epistle, serve to help us remain full of
hope during our sojourn as pilgrims of God!

      "To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
                                      -- 1 Pe 5:11 

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