Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Learning to bless God

a. As a part of our lives

b. Even as we face challenges

2. God’s keeping as another wonderful reason why we can bless God

KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD

“Who are kept by the power of God through faith”   1 Peter 1:5a

1. The word “kept” can be understood as preservation

2. Peter was kept by the power of God in his own life   (Acts 5:17-42)

a. Peter was opposed in ministry and imprisoned
God sent an angel to set him free

b. The Jewish leaders plotted to kill Peter
God used a respected teacher Gamaliel to stop this plot

c. Peter and the apostles continued to teach and preach Jesus as the Christ daily

3. God’s keeping was a most precious truth that Peter wrote about in his Epistle
Every believer is wonderfully kept by the power of God!

HOW THE SUFFERING BELIEVERS WERE KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD

1. Their lives were kept

a. They were persecuted and were scattered   (1 Peter 1:1)

b. Yet they survived and were kept safe

2. Their faith was kept

a. They lost much because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

b. Yet they remained steadfast in their faith

3. The Word of God was kept

a. They did not lose sight of the Word of God amidst their suffering

b. They shared the Word of God wherever they went   (Acts 8:4)

4. Their souls were kept

“For salvation ready to be revealed in the last time”   1 Peter 1:5b

a. Life in this world will end one day

b. But their souls will be kept

i. They will be with God in Heaven when this earthly life is over

ii. They will receive the salvation of their souls   (1 Peter 1:9)

OUR ENCOURAGEMENT

1. Appreciate how we are kept by the power of God

a. For every day of life

b. For the faith that we can have in Him even amidst challenges

c. For His Word that we can always go back to

d. For salvation (the keeping of our souls)

2. Learn to bless God

a. The challenges of life can teach us to better appreciate God’s keeping

b. May we learn to bless God always