You and I are at a time in history between two

Advent's, the first Advent of Christ and the second Advent of Christ.

And what I want to suggest to you is that that is a peculiar place to be, and we feel it.

We, in this diaspora,

we, the people, temporarily residing abroad in a place

that does not feel like home to us,

and most of the time we do not know why.

Music And most of the time, we do not know why. Turn with me, please, to the book of First Peter and chapter 1. First Peter and chapter 1. You're going all the way deep in your New Testament.

And I'm going to start reading at verse 1 through verse 13. Let it sink in as we go. From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those temporarily

residing abroad in Pontus, Galatia, Capadusia, the province of Asia and Bethinia, who are

chosen according to the foreknowledge of God, the Father, by being set apart by the Spirit, for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ's blood, may grace and peace be yours in full measure.

Bless be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

By His great mercy, he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ

from the dead. That is, into an inheritance, imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in

heaven for you who, by God's power, are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be

revealed in the last time. Oh, it starts getting here in verse six. This brings you great joy,

although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials. Such trials show the proven

character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold, gold

that is tested by fire even though it is passing away, and will bring praise and glory and

honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him

now, but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and

glorious joy because you are attaining the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

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