Sermon Notes (14FEB10)

Passage: 1 Peter 1:1-13
Title: Strangers in this world.

Introduction
The Bible is not just a religious document that fell from the heavens as we sometimes envision it to be.
It was written by real people, living in a real time.
Peter and Paul were people who witnessed real events.
Faith
Faith is hard because it is the intersection of the unseen world and the seen world.
As Christians we are strangers to this world because we are new creatures and beings who become the intersection of heaven and earth (N. T. Wright).
We can be encouraged by the fact that the struggle of faith (the doubts that spring up, the obedience in the face of opposition) is known by God.
It is this struggle of living the spiritual reality in the physical world that refines our faith.
We should be encouraged by the fact that God designed it this way and knows our struggle: "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even thought you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.