Our Story: God has a plan to bless sojourning believers who draw on His Spirit/grace/power to live in a sanctified obedient covenantal rlshp w/ Him

[Salvation reverses the effects of the Fall in: past Justification, present Sanctification, future Glorification (restoration to glory)] Ac 26:18 20:32
Jn 14:21 who has My commandments and keeps them.. loves Me...will be loved by My Father & I will love him and manifest Myself to him

=>3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a
living hope (v13,21) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (Ac 24:15) 4  to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled
 and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

I. Hope is an expectation of eternal reward/glory/inheritance that causes us to joyfully endure loss of temporal glory 1Tim 6:14 2T 1:10 4:1,8
Col 1:5 (love)  because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel
Rm 5:2  through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 8:17-25
Rm 15:13 may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. v12
Heb 3:6 Christ (faithful)…whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence & the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end 10:35 great reward
Ps 33:18  Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His hesed (loyal love) 147:11 pleasure
Ps 119:49 word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope (Rm 15:4) 166 I hope for Your salvation, & I do Your commandments

Col 3:24 (heartily) knowing…receive the reward of the inheritance 25  But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done…

=> 5  who are kept/guarded by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
7  that the trial/genuineness (Js 1:3) of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire,
may be found to (result in=eis) praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (v10)

II. Faith is believing/trusting that God is who He said He is & will do what He said He’ll do (Must be Revelation-based=worship)
Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.                                     Phil 2:13 God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

2Pt 1:5…reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, knowledge, 6 self-control, perseverance, godliness, 7  brotherly kindness love. v11

Col 1:22  (reconciled) in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight 23  if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard…
Gal 5:5  For we through the Spirit ek/out of faith eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness

Triumphing in Trials Expressing dependence/humility helps us plug into the power/grace of God    Js 1:12  Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him
Eph 3:16…grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man 2C 4:6 Col 3:10

Self-inflicted consequences from unsanctified desires    Js 1:14 each is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed
Satanic  2Cor 2:11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his purposes. 1Cor 7:5 so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. Lu 22:31 Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you  32 …prayed for you, that your faith should not fail
Sanctifying  Rm 5:3 also glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation produces perseverance 4…character, hope 5…does not disappoint
2Cor 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and  eternal weight of glory,
2Pt 2:9 the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment

=>8  whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
9  receiving the end of your faith——the salvation of your souls. (mind/will/emotions=life Lk 9:24)

III. Joy is happiness resulting from choosing what is best {theme of Phil.} (wisdom=right/best objectives and means)
Mt 5:12 (revile & slander) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets…before you.
Heb 10:34  joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.

2Cor 12:10  I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, needs, persecutions, distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then…strong

Col 1:10 (pray) that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:     
1. How does faith differ from hope? Of what should NT believers be certain/uncertain?  Do you hope that Jesus died for your sins?
2. What could you conclude from someone who says there are no rewards or that they’re not motivated by them and they just serve “for the love of Jesus” or out of gratitude? What were the motivations of  Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Paul? Heb 11 Is everyone equal in heaven? 1Cor 15
3. How does God’s power keep/guard us in the midst of trials? How does a renewed mindset keep us chipper? How do we get renewed?
4. How can someone be joyful while beaten, or eaten by lions? Why do some folks rejoice in future reward and others scoff at the idea?
5. For what are you exchanging your life? Will what you get be the basis of eternal rejoicing? How will your faith be tested this week?