It Isn't Over Until It's Over by Brother Duke Hansen

         Good morning. If you would, turn to the book of 1 Peter chapter 1. We will be reading some of the scriptures there as well as in the book of Hebrews chapter 12. There are some things that when I reveal them to you, you may be shocked, dismayed, or angry. Let's begin in 1 Peter with verse 1.

        Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

        2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

        3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

        4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

        5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

        There are a lot of things Peter is laying out in this scripture. In writing to the stranger in verse 1 being scattered is key. There are other verses which state God's people would feel as aliens and strangers in the world. The followers of the faith were scattered abroad then as they are today.

        In verse 2, Peter writes about the Elect. In the Apostolic Pentecost denomination, there's a misinterpretation and falsehood in thinking that Elect means being first in God's eyes. The elect isn't about that denomination nor the American church at large. This was about the Jewish people. When Peter writes about the sprinkling of the blood, it's a direct reference on how the priests would do during an animal sacrifice in the temple. This is not something the Gentile world would be familiar with at the time of this writing. "A lively hope" means that you are alive, and more important that your faith is alive. The Hebrews didn't have repentance, they only had blood sacrifice for sins. To be alive is to be born again. Our lively hope is the belief that Jesus rose from the dead.

        In verse 5 Peter writes, who are kept by the power of God. Peter is speaking of the inheritance. God is not in power of your life nor leading it if you aren't walking by faith. The reveal is who you belong to, not to God, but to you. The thing that should frighten you is God operates on his own time table, and you aren't guaranteed tomorrow. 

        The flesh is full of what if's in this walk of faith. It seeks to argue and barter down what's required keeping the faith down to the bare minimum. People will say that time has to get even worse than it is now to qualify as the end time. What they don't realize was that the end time began when Jesus was on earth to establish the new covenant.

        6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

        Peter's idea of rejoicing greatly is much different than our idea of rejoicing. 

        7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tried by fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

        You should rejoice the suffering of your flesh. How long does that suffering last? For a season. Don't kid yourself either in thinking one season is it and the rest of your walk is an easy cakewalk. Your flesh will suffer again through manifold temptations and trials. If you can stand on your faith in the end, you are going to the new Jerusalem. If you were to take both God and the devil out of your life, the flesh is still dying. You need to get used to this perishable body as you get older.

        This is a process we are walking through in life. We will be tried in our faith by distraction, temptation, and your understanding being opened in study of the scripture. A question to ask you this morning; Has any of this scripture read say that you're already "saved"? You are eternally secure?

        8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

        How is it you can fall in love with someone you haven't seen? The best answer to this is if you are an expectant parent, and even those who love their babies sometimes are few and far between.

        9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

        The end Peter is writing about is your death. It isn't some fixed point in your life. Turn to the book of Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 2.

        2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

        Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. The American church has the mindset that it's already saved and going to heaven early with a simple repeat after me prayer. There's no deep study, no confronting of the flesh, no pursuit of the truth. Jesus and the apostles spoke on an ongoing life of faith and not just one moment. We have been taught for decades by lies where you can have a population polled that will say it's "christian" or "spiritual" yet don't meet with like minded believers nor attend church regularly. Why should they when they think they're already in heaven with no effort? The end of your faith, crucifying your flesh, hard subjects that man doesn't focus on. It's amazing how often our mind stops the hand of God from moving in our life. It is a privilege to see the truth and being drawn to it. There are people who read and study the scriptures for years. They obtain the word knowledge but miss the spirit completely. It becomes an academic vanity to them.

        The more a stranger you are to the world and its tactics, the closer you are in your walk with God. When the book says Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith, it isn't you just merely being saved. There's lies in the world to be sure, but there are even more lies in the church. The end of our faith lies salvation. When you pass is when it's over and accomplished.

        So, what's the real issue here? Our flesh is eaten up to be admonished. When God said a turn is coming, you should expect it. Be wary and watchful. It's your responsibility to finish your race. How low down is our flesh? Look at the multitude of all denominations that branched from this word here. There are too many churches that have become a business to make money. They don't have a truth telling preacher behind the pulpit, they have a motivational speaker that speaks in generalities and platitudes to give you a nice and fuzzy feeling that you are really a "good person". We have to confront some hard truths that are in plain sight, especially in the church. Most apostolic churches push repentance and Holy Ghost so quickly that people don't have a chance to get their bearings. God makes you through the trials which you go through in life. You have to find your path. Don't look for the route that's the perceived easy way out. We are going to continue to hold on to our forefathers failures or walk a new way to the truth.