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  • I Peter 1:1. This book is an exhortation to Christians, to strengthen them, and to comfort them.
  • I Peter 1:2 - God in His foreknowledge put the plan of salvation into action. If we take advantage of God’s plan, we are “elect.” If we choose not to take advantage of that plan, we are not “elect.” Calvinists teach the exact opposite, which is that God chooses individual people to be saved, regardless of their actions.
  • I Peter 1:3 - “Living hope” refers to the high position that Christians hold through the resurrection of Jesus.
  • I Peter 1:4 tells us what this power of God is.

For further study, see also:

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  • Topic 1: Seizing the Opportunity, continued:
    • We must seize the opportunity God provides.
      • II Thessalonians 2:14
      • Romans 3:23-26 - God cannot be a just God and still save the unrepentant. To do so would violate His character.
  • Topic 2: Strength in Numbers
    • Ezra 8:1-20
    • Hebrews 10:24-25
    • It is very important for us to come together and worship to encourage each other.
    • Ezra assembled a team of people to return with Him to accomplish the work.

For further study, see also:

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  • Review of other metaphors for the saved relationship:
    • The flock
    • The kingdom
    • The church
    • The body
  • I Corinthians 3:16-17 - We are the temple of God. The “temple of God” always refers to the saved relationship.
  • God’s temple in the Old Covenant
    • God chose it (II Chronicles 7:11-12
    • He put His Name there (I Kings 9:1-3
    • His people could have fellowship with Him there (Exodus 20:24
  • God’s temple in the New Covenant
    • David’s seed to build God’s house (II Samuel 7:12-14
    • He has recorded His Name in the temple built by Christ (II Samuel 7:13
    • God dwells in His temple (II Corinthians 6:16
    • II Peter 2:5
    • Ephesians 1:3
  • His temple must be according to the pattern
    • Hebrews 9:19-22 - The temple must be blood-cleansed
    • Christ is the builder (II Samuel 7:13
      • He is the foundation (Isaiah 28:16
      • He is the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20-21
      • He is the high priest in His temple (Hebrews 3:1
    • The saved
      • Are to give Him all preeminence (Colossians 1:18
      • Are to respect His will (Colossians 3:17
      • Are to worship Him (Romans 15:9
      • Are to do His work (Matthew 18:20
      • Are to keep self pure (I Timothy 5:22
  • How to become a lively stone in His temple
    • We must go to the law to find out. (Matthew 16:19
    • Those who have never been the dwelling place of God
    • Those who have so defiled the temple that God has withdrawn from them

For further study, see also:

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  • Faithful
    • Deuteronomy 32:1-4
    • God is dependable and He is there for us.
    • Psalms 61:1-8 - When the problems of this life beset us, we must look to God for strength.
  • Protective
    • II Samuel 22:1-7 - David trusted God to protect him.
    • II Corinthians 10:3 - Our battle is against the spiritual darkness of this world.
    • Ephesians 6:10-17 - The armor of God.
  • Unique
    • Isaiah 44:6-8 - There is no other god besides God. He is unique.
    • Isaiah 31:1-3 - God does not like it when we go to anyone besides Him for help!
    • John 14:27 - There is no other peace like the peace that comes from God.

For further study, see also:

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  • James 5:14. “Anointing with oil” was not always a literal action.
  • James 5:19 - Everyone is capable of straying from the faith, so we must always guard against it.
  • James 5:20- Salvation is from spiritual death.
    • Romans 4:6-8 - Sins are covered when they are forgiven.
    • Galatians 6:1
  • Highlights from the book of James
    • James 1
      • Count it joy when encountering trials (James 1:2.
      • Be doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:20.
      • Keep unspotted from the world (James 1:27.
    • James 2
      • Do not be a respecter of persons (James 2:1.
      • Faith alone is dead (James 2:17.
    • James 3
      • This is not an injunction against teaching. It is an injunction against teaching when you have not studied and prepared and so end up teaching error (James 3:1.
      • Be aware that the toungue can be very dangerous (James 3:6.
      • Wisdom of God vs. earthly wisdom (James 3:13-18
    • James 4
      • James 4:3-4 - We cannot be friends of the world and of God.
      • James 4:7-8 - We must resist the devil and draw near to God.
    • James 5
      • God’s judgment on those who misused their riches (James 5:1-6 - we are to give to every man his due.

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.


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