“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe…” (Hebrews 12.28, ESV)¹

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¹God has given us so much to be thankful for. In our text, the Christians were to be grateful for receiving the prophesied kingdom that was impossible to destroy (Isaiah 2.2-4; Dan. 2.44; Acts 2, etc.). Even Jesus said that “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16.18). The result of receiving this kingdom is to offer God acceptable worship and this worship is conditioned upon reverence and awe [godly fear] (cf. John 4.24).

Because “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Col. 1.13), we ought to be thankful in prayer (Eph. 1.15-16; Heb. 13.15), in song (Col. 3.15-16), and in our daily walk as Christians (1 Peter 2.9).

If you’re interested in learning more about the kingdom God has given us please e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905. We would love for you to become a citizen of His kingdom today (Eph. 2.19; Phil. 3.20)!

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5.10, ESV)¹

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¹Contextually, Peter wrote about the suffering that his readers were experiencing and would continue to experience. Though these saints were being grieved by various fiery trials, their genuineness of faith was being tested (1 Peter 1.6-9; 4.12, etc.). In other words, remaining faithful in a dark world will involve hardship, and even more so, remaining faithful through suffering proves our commitment to God. In reality, it separates those who love the Lord and those who give Him lip service.

However, to help these suffering saints endure these trials Peter instructs them how to conduct themselves throughout their life here on earth and builds them up by reminding them of the promises of God to deliver them in the end (please read both 1 and 2 Peter for these instructions and promises). This helps explain our text at hand. Simply put, Peter's point is after we have been tested and found to be genuine that the God of all grace will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. In other words, we will receive the end of our faith - the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1.9). What great promises! We may have many hardships that we must endure, but our Father who calls us to His eternal glory in Christ says this is just for a little while, and does not compare to the eternity that awaits us (see 1 Peter 1.6; 2 Cor. 4.17; Rom. 8.18).

Are you in Christ (Gal. 3.26-27)? If we suffer, Peter instructs us not to suffer as a sinner, but as a Christian who has entrusted himself to a faithful Creator (1 Peter 4.12-19). If you want be comforted with the peace that only Christ can give you, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.