• We have a living hope for hard times.
    • I Peter 1:3-5
    • God has given us a “new birth”
    • We have been born into two great things by God’s great mercy.
      • A living hope
      • An inheritance
    • Part of this living hope is because of the inheritance that is promised for us.
    • Our inheritance is reserved!
    • We are guarded by God’s power through faith.
  • This is why we greatly rejoice!
    • I Peter 1:6-9
    • Be joyful in the hope you have, even thought you are distressed.
      • Peter is not ignoring the fact that Christians are suffering.
      • “Momentary light affliction”
      • Our tested faith is more valuable than gold.
      • Our tested faith results in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
      • Endurance is paramount.
  • As we continue to endure suffering and trials …
    • I Peter 1:10-12
    • We live during a privileged time.
      • The prophets searched and inquired diligently about when the Christ would come.
      • What a wonderful time to be living in!
        • Even the angels desired to understand and see these times!
    • Valuable lessons should be learned
      • You can endure suffering.
        • Because you have hope
        • Because you have an eternal inheritance
        • Because you have a genuine faith that is a tested faith
        • Because you’ve established salvation through suffering
        • Because you are privileged to be living during these days of Christ
        • Luke 23:35
          • Here in Luke, Jesus begins His final instruction to His disciples with a question.
            • Luke 9:1-6
            • Did the disciples lack anything?
            • Luke 22:36
  • We need to recognize that we live in an unprecedented time and in an unusual country.
    • What will you do if we are threatened also?
    • We must not be surprised when hostility begins to intensify against Christians.
    • Will we count it an honor to suffer such shameful treatment for the Lord?
    • Will we change our beliefs or shrink in our faith as the pressure mounts against Christians?
    • We must remain firm and endure because:
      • We have a living hope.
      • We have an eternal inheritance.
      • We have a genuine faith that passes the test.
      • We have obtained salvation through suffering.
      • What a privilege to live during these days of Christ.
      • Hallelujah what a Savior – what a hope for hard times!