Includes bibliographical references.

Chapter 1. Peter: First Among Equals 7 Chapter 2. Elect Strangers and Pilgrims 17 Chapter 3. Our Living Hope 25 Chapter 4. The Triumph of Faith 35 Chapter 5. Call to Holy Living 45 Chapter 6. God’s Showcase 55 Chapter 7. Civic Responsibilities 63 Chapter 8. Walking in His Footsteps 73 Chapter 9. To Love, Honor, and Cherish 81 Chapter 10. Defend the Faith 89 Chapter 11. Victory and Service 99 Chapter 12. Suffering and the Christian 109 Chapter 13. Final Exhortations 119

If you're like most people, you enjoy looking at "before-and-after" photos. You know the ones: beforewe painted the house—and after. Before I lost eighty pounds—and after. Before rebuilding the '55 Chevy—and after. The apostle Peter went through his own profound "before-and-after" experience. Author George Rice describes it this way: How much more glorious was Peter's hope after the resurrection than before. Before the resurrection, his hope had centered in an earthly kingdom and in the restored glory of national Israel. After the resurrection, his hope centered in an eternal kingdom, eternal life, the earth made new, and an incorruptible inheritance. Peter described this "after-resurrection" hope as "a lively [or living] hope" (1 Peter 1:3). What Peter said in his first letter—and what Dr. Rice says here about what Peter said—will fanthefires of "after-resurrection" hope in your own heart. Your hope in Christ's return will grow stronger. Your hope of your own salvation will become unshakable. Your hope in the resurrection of your loved ones will grow firmer. Your hope of soon leaving behind this wretched world will become invincible. If you've been struggling in your walk with Christ and felt your hope weakening, take a "before" photo of your Christian hope— then read this book.