Point of Grace Online Worship - June 22, 2025

Point of Grace Worship  6.15.25   Sermon Notes  – Holy Trinity – “Loved and Sent by the 3 in 1 God”

Followers of Jesus are “Sent Ones!”

John 20:21 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

Holy Trinity Sunday – We are “Loved and Sent by the 3 in 1 God”

God has painstakingly reveals Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit yet as One God.

Why?

The answer has to be “love”.  Out of love and desire for us to relate to Him in a deep love relationship He openly reveals Himself, who He is, how His very nature is a community of love which He is inviting each of us and all of us into everyday into eternity.
He wants to be known by us and wants us to know that He knows us!

Titus 3:1-8
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

The “Loved and Sent” mission context. 
Titus 1:12 “One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” (A quote from Cretan philosopher Epimenides)

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. 
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Our “Loved and Sent by the 3 in 1 God” identity means we have the,
            Deep Love of the Father,
            Complete Redemption by the Son
            Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit.

An Invitation to Pray100
Pray100 is an invitation for Point of Grace to daily contend together for 100 days for spiritual renewal, awakening and revival in our hearts, homes, church, region that God would awaken the lost to faith,
                 renew and ready our church for His mission and
                 send His “sent ones” into the fields ripe for harvest. (Mt. 9:38)

Text: Pray100 to 512.881.8773  
You will get a daily prayer prompt at 1:00 pm with a link to a written prayer you may use.
The daily texts begin June 30, 2025 and will continue for 100 days.

A Prayer to my 3 in 1 God

Holy and victorious Trinity,
you alone are worthy of all my worship, all of my heart’s devotion, and all my trust..
I love you, I worship you,
I give myself over to you in my heart’s search for life.
Thank You Father for Your unconditional love,
Thank you Jesus for redeeming me to a new life
Thank you Holy Spirit for the power of Your Presence in me so I might live fully alive in You.
Holy Trinity …….. I renounce all other gods, every idol,
and I give to you, the place in my heart and in my life that you truly deserve.
You are the Hero of this story, and I belong to you.
I ask your forgiveness for my every sin.
Search me and know me, reveal to me where you are working in my life,
grant to me the grace of your healing and deliverance and a deep and true repentance.

Father, Son Holy Spirit, I am so thankful and are in awe that You love me, that you want me and you desire to be with me.  Thank you   I love being loved by You.

I now receive my identity as Your “Sent One”….  Thank you for Trusting me with Your gospel and sending me to the people within my “orbit of influence” … Friends, Relatives, Associates, Neighbors, Coworkers. 

I pray for them now ……..

Amen

Point of Grace Online Worship - June 15, 2025

Point of Grace Worship  6.15.25   Sermon Notes  – Holy Trinity – “Loved and Sent by the 3 in 1 God”

Followers of Jesus are “Sent Ones!”

John 20:21 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

Holy Trinity Sunday – We are “Loved and Sent by the 3 in 1 God”

God has painstakingly reveals Himself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit yet as One God.

Why?

The answer has to be “love”.  Out of love and desire for us to relate to Him in a deep love relationship He openly reveals Himself, who He is, how His very nature is a community of love which He is inviting each of us and all of us into everyday into eternity.
He wants to be known by us and wants us to know that He knows us! 

Titus 3:1-8
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

The “Loved and Sent” mission context. 
Titus 1:12 “One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”
(A quote from Cretan philosopher Epimenides)

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. 
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Our “Loved and Sent by the 3 in 1 God” identity means we have the,
            Deep Love of the Father,
            Complete Redemption by the Son
            Empowering Presence of the Holy Spirit.

An Invitation to Pray100
Pray100 is an invitation for Point of Grace to daily contend together for 100 days for spiritual renewal, awakening and revival in our hearts, homes, church, region that God would awaken the lost to faith,
                      renew and ready our church for His mission and
                      send His “sent ones” into the fields ripe for harvest. (Mt. 9:38)

Text: Pray100 to 512.881.8773  
You will get a daily prayer prompt at 1:00 pm with a link to a written prayer you may use.
The daily texts begin June 30, 2025 and will continue for 100 days.

A Prayer to my 3 in 1 God

Holy and victorious Trinity,
you alone are worthy of all my worship, all of my heart’s devotion, and all my trust..
I love you, I worship you,
I give myself over to you in my heart’s search for life.
Thank You Father for Your unconditional love,
Thank you Jesus for redeeming me to a new life
Thank you Holy Spirit for the power of Your Presence in me so I might live fully alive in You.

Holy Trinity …….. I renounce all other gods, every idol,
and I give to you, the place in my heart and in my life that you truly deserve.
You are the Hero of this story, and I belong to you.
I ask your forgiveness for my every sin.
Search me and know me, reveal to me where you are working in my life,
grant to me the grace of your healing and deliverance and a deep and true repentance.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I am so thankful and are in awe that You love me, that you want me and you desire to be with me.  Thank you,  I love being loved by You.

I now receive my identity as Your “Sent One”….  Thank you for Trusting me with Your gospel and sending me to the people within my “orbit of influence” … Friends, Relatives, Associates, Neighbors, Coworkers. 

I pray for them now ……..

Amen

Point of Grace Online Worship - June 8, 2025

Point of Grace Worship  6.8.25   Sermon Notes  – Pentecost – Sent Ones “Who Would’ve Thought?”

Followers of Jesus are “Sent Ones!”

John 20:21 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

Acts 2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Who would’ve thought?  … this would be the way God would launch His worldwide mission and bring long awaited redemption to the story of human sin and brokenness.

The Spirit’s in charge – “Sent Ones” follow His lead! 

Acts 2   Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 “‘In the last days, God says,    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,    your young men will see visions,  your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,    I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below,….
   before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls  on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Peter continued, “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 
. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Who would’ve thought? … Peter would be the person to stand up and preach with “boldness and eloquence” and thousands of “these people” would be “cut to the heart” by the truth about Jesus.

The Spirit’s in charge – “Sent Ones” follow His lead!

Acts 2 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Who would’ve thought? … that the good news of “forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit” would draw thousands of “these” people to repentance and baptism.  The Gospel really works.

The Spirit’s in charge – “Sent Ones” follow His lead! 

Living as “One Sent” where I live, learn, work and play!     

We get to B.L.E.S.S. those we are sent to in Jesus’ name!
B – Begin with Prayer (3x5 … or more)
L – Listen
E – Eat
S – Serve
S – Story to Share 

A Prayer for Daily Pentecost

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love you, I worship you, I trust you.

I receive all the work and triumph in Pentecost, through which you have come,    
you have clothed me with power from on high, sealed me in Christ,
you have become my union with the Father and the Son,

You are

the Spirit of truth in me,   
the life of God in me,
my counselor,
my comforter,
my strength,
and my guide.

I honor and worship You as God and I fully give and yield to you every aspect and dimension life —to be filled with you, to walk in step with you in all things. Fill me afresh, Holy Spirit. ……… Anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling in Your mission.  Lead me deeper into Jesus today.

I receive you with thanks, and I give you total claim to my life.

Amen

Point of Grace Online Worship - June 1, 2025

Point of Grace Worship        6.1.25     Sermon Notes  – “Come and See, Go and Tell – Sent Ones”

Followers of Jesus are “Sent Ones!”

John 20:21 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

Acts 1:1-14  “In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

“Jesus, You are the Sender … I am the One Sent” 

The 10 Day Tension

The Sending “You will be my witnesses … to the ends of the earth.”

The Promise “You will receive power “able-to-do-ness” when the Holy Spirit comes on you”

The Waiting “… but wait for the gift my Father promised”

What was it like to live with that “in a few days” uncertainty? 
What do you do with the questions?
“Don’t you think we ought to get started planning…He said, start in Jerusalem, then Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth… right..”
“What is our strategy?  How are we going to be the “sent ones” He called us to be?”
What did they do?

Acts 1:12,14,15   “Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem …  They all joined together constantly in prayer…a group numbering about a hundred and twenty”

In the Sending
and the Promise
and the Waiting
Jesus was forming in them the “Posture of Relentless Dependence”
that would characterize their lives as Sent Ones. 

“Jesus, You are the Sender … I am the One Sent” 

It is so easy and natural for us to say “Ok Jesus, I will take it from here!” 

“Jesus, You are the Sender … I am the One Sent,

I am Relentlessly dependent on You … for everything” 

His plan and resources and directions and provision and counsel and tactics and insight are so much better! 

Living as “One Sent” where I live, learn, work and play!     

In our “going” we are Sent to people we already know who do not yet know and trust Jesus. 

We get to B.L.E.S.S. them in Jesus’ name!
B – Begin with Prayer  (3x5 … or more)
L – Listen
E – Eat
S – Serve
S – Story to Share

Point of Grace Online Worship - May 25, 2025

Point of Grace Worship        5.25.25     Sermon Notes  – “Come and See, Go and Tell – Sent Ones”

Followers of Jesus are “Sent Ones!”

John 20:21 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

Matthew 28:16-20   16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

The Sending - “In your going… make disciples of all nations”

The Strategy -  

1.     “Baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit” (new identity) and

2.      “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (new way of life)

The Sustenance – “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (His Presence)

Why?                 Why live as “Sent Ones”?

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Why?                  The answer has to be love. 

Living “Sent”!     How?

In our “going” we are Sent to people we already know who do not yet know and trust Jesus. 

We get to B.L.E.S.S. them in Jesus’ name!
B – Begin with Prayer  (3x5 … or more)
L – Listen
E – Eat
S – Serve
S – Story to Share

Point of Grace Online Worship - May 18, 2025

Point of Grace Worship        5.18.25     Sermon Notes  – “Come and See, Go and Tell – Sent Ones”

“Come and See – Go and Tell” 

John 20:19-23   19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

The Resurrected Jesus is magnifying an essential part of their identity as His followers.  They are no longer just disciples (followers, apprentices, students) they are also “Sent Ones”!  As a disciple, I am also a Sent One!

·       “Sents Ones” stay in intimate relationship with the Sender (apo-stello- apostle – sent from ones)

“I mentioned at the outset that the word “mission” comes from the Latin “mission” which means “to send”.

The Biblical words for “sent” (both in Hebrew and Greek) carry a deep and indelible relationship with the “one who sends”. “Sent” not only links the sender and the recipient but also unites the sender with the one who is sent.
In other words, “sent” is not a mechanical transmission.  This would be like postal workers.  They simply deliver letters or packages.  There is no substantive connection between the mail carrier and the sender.  They don’t know who sent you junk mail.  They don’t know Aunt Betty who sent you a Christmas card.  They are just messengers.
By contrast, a Biblical use of “sent” implies that a piece of the “sender” goes with the one who is “sent”.  Its like an ambassador sent to represent the sender “in person”.  The ambassador’s handshake, words and message would be as if the sender were there. The sender and the one sent are tied to one another.”
“Loved and Sent” by Jeff Cloeter 

No matter where we are going, and who we are with we are “Sent Ones” from Jesus. 
This gives all of life Purpose!

·       “Sent Ones” receive Jesus’ peace “Peace be with you!” and His Presence, “Receive the Holy Spirit” which are vital for life as a “Sent One”!

·       “Sent Ones” are authorized to give away the gifts of the Kingdom of Heaven that are so desperately needed by everyone on earth.   “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven” John 20

2 Corinthians 5:17-20  17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

The gifts from King Jesus that we get to give away as authorized “Sent Ones” are beyond beautiful.

As Sent Ones, we go by Faith, with a message of Hope in the Love of the One who sends us.
We get to give His gifts away to people we know and people we don’t know.   

And we are Sent to people we know who do not yet know and trust Jesus. 
We get to BLESS them as “Sent Ones” from Jesus!
B – Begin with Prayer
L – Listen
E – Eat
S – Serve
S - Share your Jesus Story

Point of Grace Online Worship - May 11, 2025

Point of Grace Worship        5.11.25     Sermon Notes  – “Come and See, Go and Tell – Resurrection Love”

What is the deepest human need?

1 Corinthians 13:4-8,12-13
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.
12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Ephesians 3:17-19
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

The Love that God invaded His cherished but rebellious world with when Jesus came, is the most powerful force in the universe.  The resurrection of Jesus insured that Love wins. The Love of God was and is victorious over sin, death and the devil.  Those who surrender their lives to Jesus now have access to God… and His Love becomes a literal “refuge”.  The Love of God is a powerful, restoring refuge for the human soul as we navigate life in a world riddled with human sinfulness which has been co-opted by sinister evil.

Additional quotes from “Experience Jesus Really” by John Eldridge Pgs. 107 and 113 

We need a powerful “refuge” in a world of increasing “hatred” and “offense”!

1 John 4:9-18
9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 
11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 
12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 
15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 
16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love. 
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear 

The “Love of God” is more powerful than the forces of “hatred”.   Choose Love!

Love’s “forgiveness” is more powerful than the sinister bait of “offense”.   Choose Forgiveness!

Colossians 3:12-14
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

A Prayer for Taking Refuge in the Love of God

Jesus, I take refuge in Your love…

I do not deserve your love and you do not owe me your love … but you freely give your love….
oh that I might know the length and the width and the height and the breadth of the Love of God …

There is in me … and at time comes out of me … not the things of love but the things of unlove…

I confess all forms of hatred and offense taking, that I have harbored and promoted … forgive me Lord.

In the name of Jesus, Risen and alive, I renounce and rebuke all spiritual forces of darkness that promote hatred and offense … including self – hatred, unforgiveness, resentment and malicious gossip, … (include any other “unlovingness” that you are tempted regularly to entertain.)

I cut them off from me and all my kingdom and domain in Jesus name.  I joyfully declare and call forth the Kingdom of God … the kingdom His love… over me and all my kingdom and domain.
Jesus, Your kingdom come … Your Kingdom of Love come… fill me with your love…. Consecrate me in your love… 

Because of your love for me… I now forgive all who have sinned against me.
In the name of Jesus I forgive everyone and every thing..

I am set free in your love…

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”  Amen

Point of Grace Online Worship - May 4, 2025

Point of Grace Worship        5.4.25     Sermon Notes  – “Come and See, Go and Tell – Resurrection Hope”

“These three remain; Faith, Hope and Love”
 Paul, The Apostle

1 Peter 1:3-9 
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 
In his great mercy he has given us
- new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and
- into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 
  This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith,
the salvation of your souls. 

Peter, a veteran follower of Jesus now for decades, is encouraging Jesus followers who are under pressure
to “give up” their faith because of the hard realities of life.  He reminds them

-        That the hope they have in Jesus is real because He is alive and with them, 

-        That the inheritance that awaits them is real, eternal and empowers “not yet” living in the “now” 

-        That through their “faith” connection with Jesus they get a “shield of God’s power”,
“a joy in the midst of suffering”, an “in love” relationship with Jesus for everyday life  

-        because the Resurrection of Jesus has made the resources of heaven available
for us to have “living hope” while navigating the everyday realities of life on earth. 

Perhaps the most ordinary, daily benefit of the Resurrection is this.  To follow not a dead, revered teacher but rather a Risen Lord is to have Him actually with us.  In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says he, “stands at the door and knocks” and that if “anyone hears my voice and opens the door,” he will come in and eat with them “and they with me”.  It is commonly thought that this is an invitation to non-believers to “open their hearts to Jesus,” but in the context of Revelation 3 Jesus is speaking to the church, to Christians.  To eat with someone was and is to have fellowship with them.  Jesus is saying to believers that there is a potential for rich, intimate communion with him, for knowing him and knowing his love, that is generally untapped. 
Because of the Resurrection, he is not a deceased writer we know only through his books.  He is alive and He is calling to us.  “Here I am” he says to you.  Open up and love Him and listen to Him.  Those who do so will “awaken from despair and put away the imaginations of darkness”.

Timothy Keller –“ Hope in Times of Fear” 

1 Peter 3:15  “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,