prayer of 1:15-23 – for Enlightenment
prayer of 3:14-21 – for Endowment

1. We should pray for Strength. (14-17a)
a. strengthened in your inner being
b. strengthened according to the riches of His glory
c. strengthened with power through His Spirit
d. strengthened to allow Christ to dwell in our hearts through faith

2. We should pray for Love. (17b-19a)
a. We need to be rooted and established in love.
b. We need to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
c. We need to know the love which surpasses knowledge.

3. We should pray for Fullness. (19b-21)
a. We need to be filled with all the fullness of God.
b. We need to be filled with His glory.

7 truths of verse 20
1. Our Lord is able to do things.
2. Our Lord is able to do what we ask.
3. Our Lord is able do what we think.
4. Our Lord is able to do all we ask or think.
5. Our Lord is able to do more than we ask or think.
6. Our Lord is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or think.
7. Our Lord does it through the power that is already in us.

to know
1. the Hope of our Calling (18b)

Philippians 3:14- an upward call
II Timothy 1:9 – a holy calling
Hebrews 3:1- a heavenly calling
God has called us to be conformed to the image of Christ.
The hope of our calling is certain. (Romans 11:29)


2. the Riches of His Inheritance (18c)

a. He is our inheritance and we are His inheritance.
b. We will be glorified in Him and He will be glorified in us.


3. the greatness of His power (19)
a. We have God's power in order to use our spiritual riches properly.
b. We have God's power in order to overcome our enemy.
c. We have God's power to enable us to live victoriously.


4. the Supremacy of His Authority (21-23)
a. Jesus is supreme over all other powers. (21)
b. Jesus is supreme over all creation. (22a)
​c. Jesus is supreme over His Church. (22b-23)

vs. 1-2 – Peter reminds persecuted Christians of their unique identity in Christ.
vs. 3-9 – Peter encourages them by telling them God has made provisions necessary for surviving


Supplies to spiritual survival
1. A Living Hope (vs. 3)
It is more like a conviction of faith.
It rests in Christ because Christ Himself is alive. (I Corinthians 15:20)


2. An Invaluable Inheritance (vs. 4)
No matter what we may lose in this life, we will gain a great inheritance in heaven.
This inheritance will never perish, spoil, or fade.


3. A Precious Faith (vs. 7)
Fire does not destroy gold, but removes the impurities from it.
Times of trial strengthen our faith by removing the pride and dependence on ourselves.


4. An Inexpressible Joy (vs. 8)
-the absolute assurance that God is there, that He loves us and has saved us, even though we have never seen Him.  

If we would look at our God-given right as the right to pursue godliness, then we might find out what true happiness is.


1. A Commitment to Righteousness
the manner is which we live (3:1-12)
God's teaching and commands are the ultimate standards of righteousness.

Benefits
Prosperity and prolonged life (2-6)
health (7-8)
finances (9-10)


2. A Quest for Wisdom
how we think (3:13-26)
better than money or material possessions (13-15)
better than health (16-18)
better than men's approval (21-26)


3. A Desire for Integrity
the specific things we do (3:27-35)
integrity: what we do when we know no one is watching
We are closest to God, and bring honor to Him when we submit to the demands of His integrity.