MESSAGE NOTES Problem: We don’t naturally get closer or go deeper in our Top 5 relationships. Big Idea: Our new life in God provides new wisdom and power to relate to our self. My self. 2) My spouse. 3) My kids. 4) My parents. 5) My neighbors. 1:3-4...Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 1:6-7 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. 4:12 “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Help We are able to gain the wisdom & power we need to get closer & go deeper in five of our most essential relationships. How do believer’s approach the way they spend the rest of their lives? Believer’s express a new desire to do life God’s way. (1 Peter) 4:2-3 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. 3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. Functional saviors: any object of dependence we cling to that isn't God in order to be “comforted” or "saved". (ex. COMFORT, CONTROL, APPROVAL, POWER) “I have a new wisdom & power for doing things God’s way that replaces my desire to live life my way.” We have a new —be expectant, not entitled. (1:3-4) We have a new —be glad, not mad. (1:6-7) 3. We have an old — be alert, not surprised. (4:12) What can you do to help your relationship to your Self? (5:7-11) 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. “So after you have suffered a little while…” 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.