Encounter the Truth

We who belong to Christ are immensely privileged people. The Spirit so worked in the Old Testament prophets that they might write down God’s Word to serve us today—that we might have this gospel hope. Even angels long to look into the wonders of what God has revealed to us in His Word. Our trials may be real, but our privilege is immense.

We who belong to Christ are immensely privileged people. The Spirit so worked in the Old Testament prophets that they might write down God’s Word to serve us today – that we might have this gospel hope. Even angels long to look into the wonders of what God has revealed to us in His Word. Our trials may be real, but our privilege is immense.

Life in this world is hard, and opposition is real. But the Christian believer has a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These trials may test our faith, but real faith will be proved genuine in trial. We who love Jesus have joy in the prospect of his coming. And this joy and this hope have power to sustain us in days of darkness.

Life in this world is hard, and opposition is real. But the Christian believer has a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These trials may test our faith, but real faith will be proved genuine in trial. We who love Jesus have joy in the prospect of his coming. And this joy and this hope have power to sustain us in days of darkness.

As he begins this letter, Peter knows that God’s people are facing real trials and difficulties. He does not minimize those trials, but he reminds us of our rock-solid foundation in the sovereign and saving work of God.

As he begins this letter, Peter knows that God’s people are facing real trials and difficulties. He does not minimize those trials, but he reminds us of our rock-solid foundation in the sovereign and saving work of God.

Worshipping God acceptably also involves honouring leaders within the church—following their example, submitting to their leadership, listening to their teaching, and praying for them. Are we marked by this kind of worship as a church?

Worshipping God acceptably also involves honouring leaders within the church—following their example, submitting to their leadership, listening to their teaching, and praying for them. Are we marked by this kind of worship as a church?

The writer tells us to worship God acceptably, and here he tells us what worship of the living God will look like as we live in his presence: showing brotherly love, living in marital faithfulness, keeping our lives free from the love of money. Do we understand true worship? Do we worship in this way?

Life in this world is hard, and opposition is real. But the Christian believer has a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These trials may test our faith, but real faith will be proved genuine in trial. We who love Jesus have joy in the prospect of his coming. And this joy and this hope have power to sustain us in days of darkness.

The writer tells us to worship God acceptably, and here he tells us what worship of the living God will look like as we live in his presence: showing brotherly love, living in marital faithfulness, keeping our lives free from the love of money. Do we understand true worship? Do we worship in this way?

By faith we have come to the unseen and untouchable Mount Zion where God himself is found and where his saints gather. We must be careful to listen to his voice and worship him acceptably with reverence and awe.

By faith we have come to the unseen and untouchable Mount Zion where God himself is found and where his saints gather. We must be careful to listen to his voice and worship him acceptably with reverence and awe.

By faith we have come to the unseen and untouchable Mount Zion where God himself is found and where his saints gather. We must be careful to listen to his voice and worship him acceptably with reverence and awe.

The writer now delves further into the theme of endurance. He takes us into the deep waters of opposition and trial and suffering—and shows us how we are to approach situations of pain and difficulty, and to endure as believers— even to flourish as believers —in and through those times.

The Christian life is a marathon run by faith. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus—and his model of endurance in suffering—if we are to run faithfully to the end.

Moses—and other heroes of the faith—were willing to endure hardship because they trusted the unseen God. Does our faith equip us to do the same? Hebrews says that the world was not worthy of these men and women. Could the same be said of us as we live by faith today?

Moses—and other heroes of the faith—were willing to endure hardship because they trusted the unseen God. Does our faith equip us to do the same? Hebrews says that the world was not worthy of these men and women. Could the same be said of us as we live by faith today?

Abraham is a model of faith, giving up his homeland and travelling to the unseen land of promise. People who live by faith prove by their lifestyle that they are seeking a homeland above. Do we live that way? Do we have such faith?

Abraham is a model of faith, giving up his homeland and travelling to the unseen land of promise. People who live by faith prove by their lifestyle that they are seeking a homeland above. Do we live that way? Do we have such faith?

Here is perhaps the Bible’s clearest definition of faith: “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Abel, Enoch, and Noah are all examples of this faith, trusting in unseen realities and living in costly ways because of this faith.

Here is perhaps the Bible’s clearest definition of faith: “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Abel, Enoch, and Noah are all examples of this faith, trusting in unseen realities and living in costly ways because of this faith.

In light of all the truths we have learned in chapters five to ten, we now reach the heart of the exhortation of the letter: we must draw near, hold fast our confession, consider how to stir up one another, and we must never throw away our confidence.

In light of all the truths we have learned in chapters five to ten, we now reach the heart of the exhortation of the letter: we must draw near, hold fast our confession, consider how to stir up one another, and we must never throw away our confidence.

Unlike the sacrifices of old, the sacrifice of Jesus is complete. God prepared for him a human body that he might make this sacrifice. And his self-offering means that we who belong to him are perfected, and no offering for sin is needed anymore.