Thank you to Pat for this week’s MWB

Resurrection Hope 

 1 Peter 1: 3  Praise to God for a Living Hope

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

This verse is packed with encouragement and joy and echoes the advent message as we wait and anticipate Jesus’ second coming. We are encouraged to praise God, why?  Because of his great mercy and all that it means. And it means so much for each one of us who acknowledge his sovereignty and power.  It means the gift of new life which brings with it a living hope because Jesus went to the cross, died, and rose again. It means the promise of eternal life and one day being with Jesus forever – how amazing!

We remember earlier on mid week bridge GRACE – God Riches at Christ’s Expense

Grace is when someone gives something positive the other person doesn’t deserve.

God doesn’t give us the punishment we deserve but rather gives us the free gift of eternal life, a gift we could never earn or buy. He gives us new life and part in the kingdom of God.

Just before in verse 2 it reminds us that we have been chosen, and we have great purpose in God’s eyes. Our purpose is to love God, to praise him for everything he has done for us through the amazing sacrifice of Jesus’ and to be transformed as he works in us and through us by the gift and power of the Holy Spirit.

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• Remember John 3: 16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” and verse 17 adds “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. “

We are not condemned but rather loved and forgiven and given new life and hope. This hope is not just a desire for a better future but our hope is in an eternity with the Father because the Lord Jesus is alive and because he lives we also live and can put our trust in him for all eternity.

So in this season of advent may we praise God for his great mercy, for sending Jesus to be our saviour, for choosing us, forgiving us and giving us new life and a real hope. May our hearts be glad and full of joy as we await Jesus’ second coming as King of kings and Lord of lords.