Praise to Our God & Savior

We experienced technical difficulties when recording, so the audio cuts off before the third point in given. You can read it in the notes below, however.

There is a phrase that appears three times in the New Testament: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .” The first time this phrase appears is in 2 Corinthians 1:3 and it goes on to say that we praise Him because He comforts us in all our affliction. The second occurrence is Ephesians 1:3 and it goes on to say that He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. The final occurrence is 1 Peter 1:3 and it goes on to say that we praise Him because He has caused us to be born again.

The believers to whom Peter was writing were suffering. They were being slandered, ostracized, ill-treated, imprisoned, and even killed just for being Christians. Our suffering today is different, but the words of encouragement God gave to these early Christians through Peter can give us encouragement in this present time of suffering.

When our lives are difficult, look to God in praise. There are three facets of salvation to which Peter directs our praise.

I. Praise to the Author of our Salvation, v. 3
A. Praise for Who He Is
“the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"
B. Praise for What He’s Done
“according to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again …”

II. Praise for the Aspects of our Salvation, vv. 3-4
A. Present Aspect: A Living Hope, v. 3
B. Future Aspect: A Glorious Inheritance, v. 4

III. Praise for the Assurance of our salvation, vv. 4-5
A. The Inheritance is Secure for the Heirs, v. 4
B. The Heirs are Secure for the Inheritance, v. 5

Conclusion: When life gets difficult, where do you go? To the bottle? To the pills? That would be throwing fuel on the fire! Try something different during this present trial. Start by giving God praise!

Praise the Author of your salvation.

Praise Him for the aspects of your salvation.

Praise Him for the assurance of your salvation.