Living in Hope: God’s Will in a Hostile World
Living in Hope: God’s Will in a Hostile World Text: 1 Peter 4:1-6 Date: The Grove, July 5, 2026 (Week 16) HEARERS OF THE WORD THEME: Even when the world around us is difficult or hostile, Peter urges us to arm ourselves with the same attitude as Christ—who suffered in the flesh—so that we no longer live for evil human desires, but for the will of God. 1. Introduction & Prayer o Welcome o Opening prayer for hearts to be encouraged and challenged. o Brief series recap: Making our way through 1 Peter 2. Historical & Contextual Background o Setting: ~64 AD, severe persecution under Nero after the burning of Rome. o Peter writes with empathy from firsthand experience; he and Paul will soon be martyred. o Suffering as a major theme (17 uses of “suffer” forms in 1 Peter). o Application to us: We enjoy comfort now—thank God, but don’t grow lazy. Be bold because the cost is currently low. Many believers worldwide still face life-or-death choices. 3. ...