Prove It! – Tested by Fire

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Sermon

 

Pastor Gearl Spicer, April 13th, 2025
Part of the Anchored in Hope series, preached at a Sunday Online service

1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

Born Again to a Living Hope

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Called to Be Holy

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Sermon Notes

What are the proofs of your faith?

*Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.vs.3

*so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus.vs.7

*Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus.vs.13

We anchor our hope in the resurrection of Jesus as we experience the assurance of eternity!

*Tested by Fire—Purifying work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts!

Responses to the tests of fire:

Living Hope—vs.3
*Our encounter with His grace is the sanctifying work of the Spirit which leads to a hope no one can take away!

II. Incomparable Inheritance—vs.4-5
*Our inheritance is based in a full reservation placed when we accept Jesus into our hearts!

III. Inevitable Trials—vs.6-9
*Our joy given by Jesus will surpass any pain or trial as choose the path of praise and honor!

IV. Ultimate Preparation—vs.10-13
*Prepare your minds—Focus on truth
*Sober in spirit—Act in precision
*Fix your hope—Rely on His grace

How will you respond next time you face a trial?