he Greatness & Joy of Our Salvation
(1 Peter 1:10-12)

I. Salvation is the message of God’s grace. (1 Peter 1:10, 13)

II. Salvation was predicted by the Old Testament prophets. (1 Peter 1:10; 2 Peter 1:19)

III. Salvation is revealed to us by God through the Holy Spirit. (1 Peter 1:11-12; 2 Peter 1:21)

IV. Salvation is a mystery to the angels. (1 Peter 1:12)

Fiery Trials, Genuine Faith, and Great Joy
(1 Peter 1:6-9)

I. “Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you.” (1 Peter 4:12)

II. “That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:7)

A. The purpose of trials is to refine our faith. (1 Peter 1:7; Hebrews 11:6; Mark 4:5-6, 16-17)
B. The perspective in trials is that they are temporary, necessary, under God’s control, and eternally significant. (1 Peter 1:6; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18; Eph. 1:11; Rev. 6:9-11)

III. We can have joy in our trials by looking to the Savior and His salvation.

A. We look to the Savior with faith. (1 Peter 1:8; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; John 20:29)
B. We look to the Savior with hope. (1 Peter 1:9)
C. We look to the Savior with love. (1 Peter 1:8; John 15:10; 1 John 5:3)

Jesus Christ: Our Living Hope
(1 Peter 1:3-5)

I. Our hope rests in the essence of our salvation. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
A. Our salvation comes from His abundant mercy. (1 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 2:4-7)
B. Our salvation comes from His life-giving power. (1 Peter 1:3; John 1:12-13; 3:3; 6:44)
C. Our salvation comes from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:17)
D. Our salvation is a secure inheritance in heaven. (1 Peter 1:4)
E. We are securely guarded by God’s power through faith. (1 Peter 1:5; 2 Corinthians 11:32; 1 Peter 4:5)

Explore Key Themes in 1 Peter:
God’s sovereignty (1:3-5, 11-12, 20; 2:7-10; 3:17, 22; 4:11, 19; 5:10-11)

A Pilgrim’s Hope
(1 Peter 1:1-2)

I. We are pilgrims in a land that is not our home. (1 Peter 1:1; 2:11; John 17:13-16)

II. We can live with hope in this hopeless world through a relationship with God. (1 Peter 1:2-3, 13)

A. We can have hope because we have been chosen by God. (1 Peter 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Ephesians 1:3-5)

B. We can have hope because we have been saved by the Triune God. (1 Peter 1:2)

C. We can have hope because of God’s multiplied grace and peace. (1 Peter 1:2)

3. Our response is to live in holiness and obedience. (1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13)

Explore Key Themes in 1 Peter:
Holiness and obedience (1:2, 14-17, 22; 2:1, 11, 24; 3:2, 6, 8-9; 4:1-11, 15-17)

Peter’s Return & Jesus’ Restoration
(Luke 22:60-62; John 21:1-19)

I. Peter Returns to the Lord (Luke 22:60-62)

A. “Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.” (Luke 22:60)
B. “Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord.” (Luke 22:61)
C. “So Peter went out and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:62; Psalm 51:17)

II. Jesus Restores Peter (John 21)

A. Jesus called for Peter by name. (Mark 16:7)
B. Jesus personally met with Peter. (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:4-5)
C. Jesus challenged Peter to obedience. (John 21:1-14)
D. Jesus reinstated Peter as a disciple. (John 21:15-17)
E. Jesus once again told Peter “Follow Me.” (John 21:18-19; Luke 4:19)

Praise the Lord!
(Psalm 150)

I. Where: Everywhere (Psalm 150:1)

II. Why: His mighty acts and excellent greatness (Psalm 150:2)

III. How: With everything (Psalm 150:3-5)
A. Joy (Philippians 4:4)
B. Passion (Romans 12:11; Mark 12:30)

IV. Who: Everything that has breath (Psalm 150:6)
Application Questions
How can one fight spiritual apathy?
Is it hypocritical to praise God when you don’t feel like it? Why or why not?
Are we supposed to praise God at all times? How is that possible?

Blessed Are the Forgiven
(Psalm 32)

I. Blessings for the person who receives God’s forgiveness

A. The blessing of a clear conscience (Psalm 32:1‑2)

B. The blessing of having God as your refuge or hiding place (Psalm 32:6‑7; 46:1)

C. The blessing of God’s instruction and teaching (Psalm 32:8‑9)

D. The blessing of joy in the Lord (Psalm 32:10-11)

II. The blessings of God’s forgiveness are received as we confess our sins (Psalm 32:5; Proverbs 29:1)

A. Confession involves acknowledging our sin to God (1 John 1:9)

B. Confession involves accepting responsibility for sin (Proverbs 28:13)
Application Questions
How can we know whether our guilt is from God convicting us or from Satan accusing us?
How can we develop a tender conscience before God?

“What Do You Think about the Christ?”
(Psalm 110; Matthew 22:42)

I. Jesus, the Messiah, is the King (Psalm 110:1-3)

A. The person of the Messiah-King is both God and man. (Psalm 110:1; Matthew 22:41-45; Mark 12:36)
B. The position of the Messiah-King is that of exaltation to the right hand of God. (Psalm 110:1; Ephesians 1:20-22; Acts 2:32-36
C. The power of the Messiah-King is now realized through his people. (Psalm 110:2-3; Romans 12:1-2)

II. Jesus, the Messiah, is the eternal Priest (Psalm 110:4; Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7)

III. Jesus, the Messiah, is coming back as the Judge of all the earth. (Psalm 110:5-7; Revelation 19:11-16)

Application:
1. Since Jesus is King, we should submit to His Lordship willingly. (Isaiah 45:22-23; Philippians 2:9-11)

2. Since Jesus is Priest, we should receive His mediation gladly. (Hebrews 4:15-16, 7:27, 9:11-18; Revelation 12:10-11)

3. Since Jesus is Judge, we should avoid His judgment fearfully. (2 Peter 3:9)

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made
(Psalm 139)

I. God has ownership rights as Creator. (Psalm139:13a)

II. Human life should be treated with special reverence and awe. (Psalm 139:13b-14)

III. God designed the womb as a place of nurture and protection. (Psalm 139:15a)

IV. God personally fashions the baby in the womb. (Psalm 119:15b-16a)

V. God has a plan for each child’s life even before the child is born. (Psalm 139:16b)

Joy to the World!
(Psalm 98)

I. Isaac Watts (the composer)

II. Psalm 98 (the source)

A. Rejoice in God as Savior of His people (Psalm 98:1-3)

B. Rejoice in God as King over all the earth (Psalm 98:4-6)

C. Rejoice in God as Judge over all the nations (Psalm 98:7-9)

III. Joy to the World (the hymn)

A. Verse 1: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” (Psalm 98:4-6; Luke 2:7)

B. Verse 2: “Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!” (Psalm 98:7-8; Luke 2:11)

C. Verse 3: “No more let sin and sorrow grow!” (Psalm 98:1-2; Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 8:21)

D. Verse 4: “He rules the world with truth and grace!” (Psalm 98:3, 9; John 1:17)