1 Peter: Is All of This Worth It?Sample

This verse starts with the word “therefore.”  Someone once said that when you see that word you need to ask yourself, “what’s the ‘therefore’ there for?” In this case, it is Peter pointing back to the salvation and living hope he has already outlined and saying- “God made a way. Therefore, walk in it!”  So, first came the gospel, and now comes the response. Here Peter gives some ways in which these persecuted believers can live Kingdom lives in a hostile world. 

The first step is to “set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” There’s that eternity theme again. But this time Peter gives some idea of how this is done. He highlights two things: preparing your minds for action and being self-controlled (literally: not drunk). In other words- get your head on straight! Right thinking is key to right living. And right thinking begins with a mind set on eternity. Remember, Peter called these Christians (and us!) exiles and strangers- we’re here in this world temporarily until Jesus comes again and takes us home for eternity. 

ASK:

-When you think about eternity with Jesus, how do you feel? How does that encourage you to face the next hard thing?

TAKE A NEXT STEP:

Finish this sentence:  Jesus has saved me; therefore…