a living hope 05072013

Call to Worship (Psalm 47)

Clap your hands! Shout for joy!Our Lord reigns on the throne of glory!

We open our hearts to the ascended Lord,who sits on the throne of glory!

Prayer of Confession (Luke 24) O Lord, we have not lived our lives as kingdom people.

We place our crowns on hopelessness, fear, and selfishness.We are ruled by our schedules

and our need for control.We forget that your kingdom draws near to us on earth, as it is in

heaven.Forgive us, we pray. Amen.

1 Peter 1:3-12 A Living Hope

Introduction

First Peter is one of two epistles written by the disciple we know as “Simon Peter” (Mark 1:29; Luke

4:38; 5:3, 10). “Simon” is the name Jesus used for Peter when

referencing his old life or the tendencies of the flesh to dominate him (John 1:42).

Introduction

After the resurrection, Jesus called Peter “Simon” for the last time (John 21:3, 15-17).

Peter was a faithful apostle and powerful preacher (Acts 2:14-40; 3:12-26).

He was instrumental in the growth and development of the early church (Acts 8-15).

Introduction

His last appearance in the biblical record occurs at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:7-12) until he wrote his

epistles. Tradition records that Peter was martyred by being

crucified upside down.

Introduction

Peter’s first epistle, First Peter, is a wonderful letter of encouragement written to give hope to believers who

were suffering persecution. Historians suggest that these persecuted believers

had become the scapegoat of Emperor Nero for the burning of Rome.

Introduction

Throughout the five chapters of First Peter his message is, “Be hopeful!”

How can Peter say that to Christians who are suffering persecution?

Peter answers these questions in this text.

1 Peter 1:1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and

Bithynia,

1 Peter 1:1

The Apostle Peter wrote this letter to Jewish Christians (to those Jews dispersed or scattered when the Assyrians dispersed the Northern Kingdom) and to

Gentile Christians (the meaning of “exiles” can also mean those who await Jesus’ return and their eternal

home).

1 Peter 1:2

who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood: May

grace and peace be yours in abundance.

1 Peter 1:2

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit determined (chosen) to set apart believers to live holy and

obedient to Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:2

His blood (Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross) provides the necessary forgiveness of sins and cleansing from sin.

Obedience to Jesus Christ is not a means of earning salvation but is an indication that a believer is saved and

sanctified (set apart by God for God’s holy purposes).

1 Peter 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth

into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:3

“Blessed” is the word from which we get our English word “eulogy,” and means, “to be well spoken of” or

“to be praised.” Peter assumes it is necessary to “speak well” or

“praise God.”

1 Peter 1:3

By our way of life, we show our love for God and bring happiness to our Lord Jesus Christ and our heavenly

Father.

1 Peter 1:3

“Mercy” is God’s compassion toward the miserable condition of fallen man (Psalms 108:4; Titus 3:5;

Ephesians 2:4; Romans 9:15-16).

1 Peter 1:3

The source of the believer’s hope is the new birth. Agagennao in the Greek is used only here and in 1 Peter 1:23 in the New Testament. It means “to give

new life to.”

1 Peter 1:3

Every individual must be born again in order to be saved and have hope.

There is no redemption apart from being born again (John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23).

1 Peter 1:3

The believer’s “hope” is “lively” or “living.” Its source is Christ’s triumph over death!

1 Peter 1:4

and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

1 Peter 1:4

As exiles, our hope is in the future that God has prepared for us. Kept in and meant for heaven.

Jesus guarantees we will receive our inheritance as believers in Him.

1 Peter 1:5

who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last

time.

1 Peter 1:5

“Inheritance” was important in Jewish history and life (Deuteronomy 15:4; 19:10).

The Jews had a history of their homeland and possessions being destroyed by invading armies and

enemies but they now had an “inheritance” that could never be destroyed.

1 Peter 1:5

An inheritance is “that which is passed down to you from your father, or that which you receive as a gift, a

legacy given to you because you are a member of a certain family.”

It’s not something you earn. It is a gift.

1 Peter 1:5

Keep in mind that many of Peter’s readers had lost everything they possessed through Nero’s

persecution. They had nothing as far as this world was concerned but now Peter tells them their new birth has resulted

in them having “an inheritance.”

1 Peter 1:5

What is our “inheritance?” Peter says it is “salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” A heavenly

condition.The term “salvation” means, “rescue, full and final

deliverance from sin.”

1 Peter 1:5

Our “inheritance” is “final deliverance from the curse of the law, the power of sin, the presence of sin, the

grief of sin, the temptations of sin, and the death, punishment and judgment associated with sin.”

1 Peter 1:5

Not only does God protect our inheritance, He also protects us so we will receive our inheritance even though we may suffer and die for our faith (as Peter

knew he would die for his faith). God’s power will help us maintain a strong faith no

matter what our earthly circumstances.

1 Peter 1:6

In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials,

1 Peter 1:6

Peter is here calling for a rejoicing that is rooted in a saving relationship with the Lord.

It is not necessary for things in the world to be going good in order for the believer to “rejoice.”

1 Peter 1:6

Suffering in this life for any reason and in any way will always be for a little while compared to rejoicing for

eternity with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

1 Peter 1:6

This “rejoicing” is not a good feeling or a positive outcome to a situation.

This “rejoicing” called for by Peter is an abiding confidence in the knowledge that your relationship to

Christ is secured forever by God.

1 Peter 1:6The word “temptation” used in this verse is a

reference to trials, not a reference to temptation to sin.

These believers were going through a little bit of everything imaginable. That also means God is

working in our lives in more than just one area or way.

1 Peter 1:7so that the genuineness of your faith—being more

precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and

honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:7Proven faith is eternal and that makes it “more

precious” than “gold” which although highly valuable, is perishable.

1 Peter 1:7Testing, trials, and suffering can give Christians the

opportunity to show God and others that we genuinely live by faith in Jesus Christ instead of just saying that we believe in Jesus while living by this

world’s standards and values.

1 Peter 1:7Peter says God loves us so much that He will give the tested and tried believer the things that should only

go to Him.

1 Peter 1:8Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in

him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy,

1 Peter 1:8“Believing” means “to be persuaded or place

confidence in.”We “believe” Christ and His Word because He is

trustworthy.

1 Peter 1:9for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the

salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:9Our inner spiritual essence, our souls, who we really

are spiritually as created in the image of God, indwells our material, physical, fleshly human bodies.

As a result of faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, when we die we will go to heaven (our souls

will experience salvation).

1 Peter 1:9In heaven, we will enjoy our inheritance until Jesus

Christ returns, at which time we will receive our resurrected glorified human bodies and be whole

again. The “love, belief, and joy” the believer has is not

powered by anything human. It is divinely empowered.

1 Peter 1:10Concerning this salvation, the prophets who

prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry,

1 Peter 1:10Peter now expands on how this living hope was

brought to us.The prophets and other writers of the Old Testament wrote very little about life after death, though many

Old Testament figures talked about going to Sheol after they died.

1 Peter 1:10They did not know the type and quality of life after

death that would be given to believers.But while living under the Old Testament law these

“prophets” still knew God was a God of “grace.”

1 Peter 1:11inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of

Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the

subsequent glory.

1 Peter 1:11No one prophet knew all the details of how Jesus

would come and what He would do, but some knew and revealed that Jesus would suffer, die, and rise

from the dead, and His body would not decay when it rested in His tomb.

1 Peter 1:11The Holy Spirit “was in them” means the Holy Spirit took up temporary residence inside the “prophets”

and directed them and guided them while they wrote their prophecies (2 Peter 1:21).

1 Peter 1:12It was revealed to them that they were serving not

themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who

brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look!

1 Peter 1:12These prophets knew that their prophecies would not

be fulfilled in their lifetime, but would be fulfilled in the lifetime of others.

1 Peter 1:12Angels enjoy (strong desire, overpowering impulse

and passion) watching the work of salvation and rejoice when sinners repent and come to saving faith.

The angels enjoy watching believers when they live faithful lives according to the Scriptures in the power

of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 1:13Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline

yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.

1 Peter 1:13Some who say they believe in Jesus Christ mistakenly think that because once upon a time they said they

believed in Jesus that they can continue to live in their disobedient, sinful, and self-centered ways.

Peter and the other apostles declared that true Christian belief leads to a life of faithful action and

obedience.

1 Peter 1:13Believers discipline themselves to serve Jesus and

others faithfully rather than do whatever they desire or practice whatever sins they did before.

1 Peter 1:14Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the

desires that you formerly had in ignorance.

1 Peter 1:14We need the Bible, the Holy Scriptures, and the light of the Holy Spirit to know and do the will of God and

avoid the immoral ways of this world..

1 Peter 1:14Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy

yourselves in all your conduct;.

1 Peter 1:15God, who is holy, who has set himself apart from

selfishness and self-centeredness in order to love and serve others, will not set a lower standard of behavior

for His children.As believers, we can trust in God to help us live

morally pure too.

1 Peter 1:15for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:15The meaning of the word “shall” in this verse includes

what a believer should do, should strive to do, and will actually do as the grace and power of God

through the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures enable them.

ConclusionThe believer’s living hope is not a passive lifeless

belief system. It is not based on wishful thinking or human

expectations.

ConclusionIt is a living confident trust based on the word of God and rooted in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the

cross and empowered by Christ’s resurrection.

Invitation to CommunionCome to the table. It’s an open feast.

Christ invites us all— the rich and the poor,the outcast and the honored.

Come to the gathering of sinners and saints.Come to this blessed table where Christ reigns.

Come and taste the kingdom of God,where all are welcome.

Prayer following CommunionLord, you have given us peace

and blessed us with a tasteof your heavenly banquet.

As we leave your table,usher us into your kingdom,

now and forever. Amen.

The Blessing

Jesus commanded the faithful ones to wait for the power from on high. Be patient.

God’s love is given to you and the power of God will enable you to be witnesses for

God in this world. Be of great courage. Be still.