Today, our text will be chapter 1, verses 6 through 9. I'll ask those of you that are here

if you're able to stand. You can follow along as I read, if not where you're seated is fine.

The Apostle Peter, by the Holy Spirit, writes, verse 6,

in 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 your faith of greater worth than gold, which perishes, even though refined by fire,

may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Though verse 8 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 goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Let's pray if you would please join with me.

Father in heaven, thank you so, so, so much,

Lord. Lord, would you at this time as only you can and are always so faithful to just settle our

hearts, especially those who are heavy-hearted and struggling and weary and discouraged.

Lord, this passage that we have before us today is for us today.

And so, Lord, we are with great anticipation looking to you, the author, the finisher of our faith,

to minister to us, speak into our lives.

Bless our time together in your word, we pray. In Jesus' name,

amen and amen. You can be seated. Thank you. So I want to talk with you today about why it is that

we all suffer grief when we go through those various kinds of fiery trials

in our lives.

Have you ever gone through a trial?

I just want to make sure that, okay, I have, reminds me of that saying that you're either

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