Abundant mercy."

 Abundant mercy." Everything must start from that. Our first cry must be, "God be merciful to me, a sinner." God's mercy is abundant wherever you see it. You see mercy in nature and in providence, but in Christ it seems to overflow its banks.

2. The new birth. If we are to enjoy heaven we must be born again, have new tastes.

3. A living hope. This irradiates all the future. Earthly hopes are dying hopes. The most that the worldly man can say is, "while I breathe I hope." But the Christian's hope is not crushed by death; it is a living hope in that He gives me life. See yonder swimmer tossed about by the waves; he is sinking, but at last they see him; a boat puts off; the cry is raised from the pier head; the rescuers are on their way; he lifts himself once more, he sees the boat sweeping towards him; he has a living hope; he struggles a little longer, until the rescuers are able to pull him into the boat. So it is with our hope; living hope inspires us with courage.

4. Then he comes to the blessing, which is like the central shaft of the candlestick — the blessing upon which all the rest depends — the risen Christ. "By the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." We worship no dead hero, but a living, loving Lord.

5. "An incorruptible inheritance." I once received a letter asking me to preach a sermon about heaven. I cannot preach about heaven. St. Peter could not. He could only tell us what it was not.

6. The guaranteed preservation. "Kept by the power of God."

7. "Salvation to be revealed."

(E. A. Stuart, M. A.)

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