According to His Abundant Mercy, He Hath Begotten Us Again Unto A Lively Hope - Part 1383

In writing to the strangers [exiles of the dispersion in] and scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ had no qualms in outlining the benefits of serving a Saviour who loved Him enough to die for him. Indeed, as we read in the first epistle of Peter, there are a number of reasons for asking Jesus to become Lord in your life, and to be water baptized in His name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36-38)

First, as believers in Jesus by faith, we receive sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. (I Peter 1:2)

Second we are blessed, He has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, according to His abundant mercy. (I Peter 1:3)

Third, we become partakers in an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and life eternal that does not fade away but rather reserved in heaven for you. (I Peter 1:4)

Fourth, we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time -- this current dispensation of grace. (I Peter 1:5)

Fifth, we can greatly rejoice even when we are in heaviness through manifold temptations that trial our faith, being more precious than of gold that perishes -- even when tried with fire. (I Peter 1:6-7)

And because of His joy and peace, we can be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, "whom having not seen, ye love; in whom now ye see [Him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with you unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of your souls." (I Peter 1:8-9)

This salvation and time of grace the prophets of old have enquired and searched diligently for but it was intended for us -- "who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you, searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow." (I Peter 1:9-10)

These prophets ministered the things which are now reported unto you and I by them that preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven -- which things the angels could only desire to look into.  (I Peter 1:12)

Therefore, be thankful that we were not redeemed with corruptible things but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you -- who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God!

"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides forever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass, the grass withers and the flower thereof falls away, but the Word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (I Peter 1:22-25)

The Word -- God with us, made flesh. (John 1:1-18; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 42:13; Matthew 1:21-23)

Stand in the offering plate.