Did you do much rejoicing over Easter? How about now during this week? Does that spirit of our Lord's resurrection continue in you?
We are told in John's Gospel that the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord on the night of his resurrection as he appeared before them as they were hiding behind locked doors out of fear. Something brought a change of mood to those followers of Jesus. He had come back from the dead and was standing before their very eyes!
Years later, the apostle Peter would write about this rejoicing in the resurrected Lord. "By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials..." 1 Peter 1:3-6
We can certainly rejoice. We are those who can live with hope amid whatever diversity might come our way. Peter was writing to Christians who were undergoing various trials because of their faith. They could still endure because of what God has promised through Jesus.
This Sunday, I begin my six part sermon series on 1 Peter. It is a powerful letter in terms of the hope that we have because of the resurrection. It also teaches us how to stay strong under adversity.
You might want to take time to meditate on the great promise Peter gives us in the verse above. May God's blessing be upon your preparation and worship this Sunday.
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
Check out where you are right now in terms your mood following Easter?
What might make you move more toward rejoicing?
Do you feel you are suffering or have suffered any trials because of your faith?
We are told in John's Gospel that the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord on the night of his resurrection as he appeared before them as they were hiding behind locked doors out of fear. Something brought a change of mood to those followers of Jesus. He had come back from the dead and was standing before their very eyes!
Years later, the apostle Peter would write about this rejoicing in the resurrected Lord. "By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials..." 1 Peter 1:3-6
We can certainly rejoice. We are those who can live with hope amid whatever diversity might come our way. Peter was writing to Christians who were undergoing various trials because of their faith. They could still endure because of what God has promised through Jesus.
This Sunday, I begin my six part sermon series on 1 Peter. It is a powerful letter in terms of the hope that we have because of the resurrection. It also teaches us how to stay strong under adversity.
You might want to take time to meditate on the great promise Peter gives us in the verse above. May God's blessing be upon your preparation and worship this Sunday.
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
Check out where you are right now in terms your mood following Easter?
What might make you move more toward rejoicing?
Do you feel you are suffering or have suffered any trials because of your faith?
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