UNSHAKABLE - Claim the Inheritance

1 Peter 1.1-12

Open - I learned something this week. I've been listening to an old country song for decades and only Monday did I learn the lyrics to 'A Little Dust on the Bottle.' Before you shoot me for drinking (which I don't do), I truly thought the words were 'a little dust on the Bible'

There might be a little dust on the Bible

But don't let it fool ya about what's inside

There might be a little dust on the Bible

It's one of those things that gets sweeter with time

My way of thinking made me realize about our life … we way too often have dust on our Bibles - but the sweetness, the power and the absolutes truths get better with time … and we need to wipe of the dust and get into it and claim the promises.

Last Week …

From life of Jeremiah and David … look at Jeremiah 19 & Psalm 27

1. Seek God's face more than God's hand
2. Shift from the Word of God to the God of the Word (not ignoring the Word, but focus on God who gave it to us)
3. Embrace the greatest promise (His Presence)

THIS WEEK

Let's focus on 1 Peter and the embracing the truths from 1:1-12

Why Peter? What makes him perfect for this principle of UNSHAKABLE?

He lived a turbulent life - deserted and denied Jesus, sifted by Satan, ran back to old life when discipleship got hard - so he understands hurting and broken people who need more than a pat on the back.

He mentions struggles in every chapter … 1.6-7, 2.18-19, 3.15-16, 4.12-16, 5.8-10

1 Peter is a letter to those hurting people on the brink of hopelessness. In everything that rocks our world, do NOT forget who you are - a child of the most high God!

The flow of the epistle …

1. Informs us of our Living Hope (1.1-2.12)
2. Exhorts us to hopeful living (2.13-4.11)
3. Comforts us in midst of fiery ordeal (4.12-5.14)

We will dig into what he informs us and see it is telling us to CLAIM THE HOPE

The Power that saves us is the Power that makes us UNSHAKABLE.

Do not think a little dust on the Bible diminishes it's promises and power. Don't let it diminish our confidence.

CLAIM OUR HOPE, our inheritance (1.4)

1. Incorruptible … protected
2. Undefiled … purity
3. Doesn't Fade … powerful

So in light of this …

1. Realize the Refinement (1.7)
2. Remember the Promises (1.5)
3. Rejoice in Rough Times (1.6)