The Christian’s Hope

2002013

Subject: hope

Introduction:

A. Hope is the message of 1 Peter.

1. John said to be the apostle of love

2. Paul said to be the apostle of faith

3. Some have said Peter could be called the apostle of hope.

B. Peter tells us that God is responsible for this hope – 1:3

1. Christ being raised from the dead serves as proof that we can live in hope of eternal life – if we follow in obedience to the gospel.

2. All that is associated w/redemption & salvation of men is predicated on the resurrection of Jesus.

3. Acts 17:31 – B/c of Christ’s resurrection – we KNOW that God will call all men into judgment.

a) in view of this coming judgment – God calls men everywhere to repent.

b) So men respond in belief/repentance/and baptism which brings them into proper relationship w/God.

c) This gives us our living hope.

C. What do we mean when we speak of hope?

1. 1:3 – hope – “elpis.”

a) expectation of good; hope; & in the Christian sense – joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.

b) Being raised from the dead into eternal life is our hope!

c) Note that it carries with it desire + expectation!

2. Hope does not have reference to that which we see and have – but to that which we are confident & expect to receive.

3. Rom. 8:24-25

D. Today we will discuss the Christian’s hope in depth. Hope you will be able to look at your life & say that you are living w/the kind of hope that Peter describes here.

1. IF not, you need to look at what you must do to obtain this hope.

2. W/o it – this life is most miserable.

I. Four Factors in Our Hope.

A. 1:3-5 – God has played a role in giving us hope.

1. God is the source of mercy. Peter describes it as being abundant/great.

a) literally – there has been a tremendous/great out pouring of kindness by God.

b) He has demonstrated mercy upon us.

3. “mercy” in 1:3 means:

a) God has taken sinners – who are in miserable condition – because he is kind & interested in their welfare brings them through Jesus to be delivered from sin.

B. 1:6-9 – Jesus plays a role in our hope.

1. it is Christ that we trust & commit ourselves to in this life.

2. it is Christ that we live in obedience to in this life.

3. 1:9 – at the appearance of Jesus – the faithful child of God will receive the end of his faith – the salvation of your souls.

4. It is through Jesus that we will be delivered from consequences of sin.

C. 1:10-12 – The Holy Spirit plays a role in our salvation.

1. OT prophets predicted that Christ would suffer & die on cross for sins of the world.

2. moved directly by the HS to speak

3. Not only were OT prophets motivated to speak of Jesus – but inspired men in FC preached gospel relating good news of salvation through Jesus.

4. 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Cor. 2:13; Rom. 1:1-2

D. Finally – 1:13-17 – we play a role in gaining hope as well.

1. Last week’s lesson…

II. What exactly are we hoping for?

A. 1:4 – something imperishable & undefiled.

1. all we see, handle, taste, smell, hear in this world is subject to decay.

a) Clinton Hamilton: nothing is abiding. The physical form of man with the passing of years begins its decay & finally in death will perish.

b) God is not perishable but eternal.

c) The crown we seek does not perish or decay.

2. “undefiled” means: “to be free from contamination.”

a) it is free of all that would render it to be undesirable.

B. 1:4 – it will not fade away.

1. It is constant in it’s quality. Never diminished or dimmed.

2. unlike flower – that’s here today & gone tomorrow.

3. baby’s skin. Smooth/soft. W/age wrinkles/hardens/loses beauty.

4. No so w/the inheritance that Christians to receive. Influence of time has no effect.

III. Just how important is this hope?

A. I believe it is THE source of motivation for Christians.

1. Note what it did for Paul!

a) Acts 20:22-27 – it is how he could continue on – KNOWING that persecution was imminent!

b) Phil. 3:8-14 – reaching forward for the prize…

2. Acts 16:25 - This is what enabled him to sing praises while in Jail

3. 2 Cor. 4:7-10 – it is why he could testify as to his perseverance in Christ

B. Heb. 6:19 – our hope can serve as the “anchor of the soul.”

1. it can keep us from being washed away w/the onrushing waters of life.

2. simply – it gives us something to live for. It becomes our purpose in life. Our mission. Our plan of action.

3. Song: “Will your Anchor Hold?”

IV. Hope can sustain us during times of death.

A. 1 Thess. 4:13-18

1. we have the hope of seeing our dead loved one again – if they were Christians.

a) comforting…

b) believe this text is proof that we will know our loved ones in heaven.

c) Difference at funerals. Christians – mourn at passing at loved one – but it is also a time of hope; comfort; expectation of seeing them again.

B. Peter – someone equipped to give lesson on hope.

1. W/Jesus’ death – his hope waned. Everything appeared to be over.

2. Jhn. 21:3 – Let’s go fishing.

a) perhaps Peter gave up. He had denied Jesus shamelessly 3 times. Could have felt he had no further value to Jesus.

b) So…he goes back to fishing.

3. Later – his hope would be received. 21:17 – Jesus to Peter…tend my sheep.

4. Again – because of the death of Jesus – He could testify that we can obtain a LIVING hope of eternal life – the salvation of our souls.

V. Just how secure is our hope?

A. Jesus promised – Jhn. 14:1-5

B. 1 Peter 1:22-25 – based on the word which cannot fail.

C. Titus 1:1-2 – based on the promise of God.

D. Where’s the danger?

1. danger of losing hope lies w/us.

a) we’re protected as long as we continue to obey Jesus. 1:2, 5

b) even after receiving hope – we can reject it!

c) Demas did – 2 Tim. 4:10

2. Heb. 2:1-4 – we can neglect our salvation.

3. We can become disqualified if we fail to progress. Heb. 6:4-6

4. DON’T YOU BE ONE WHO PUTS JESUS TO AN OPEN SHAME.

Conclusion:

A. What hope do you have?

1. it is based upon the gospel of Christ.

2. is your hope based on heaven?

3. Jesus said – Jhn. 14:6

B. Obey the gospel! If you haven’t, NOW is the time to do so!

C. I N V I T A T I O N



The Christian’s Hope 2002013 Subject: hope Introduction: A. Hope is the message of 1 Peter. 1. John said to be the apostle of love 2. Paul said to be the apostle of faith 3. Some have said Peter could be called the apostle of hope. B. Peter tells us that God is responsible for this hope – 1:3 1. Christ being raised from the dead serves as proof that we can live in hope of eternal life – if we follow in obedience to the gospel. 2. All that is associated w/redemption & salvation of men is predicated on the resurrection of Jesus. 3. Acts 17:31 – B/c of Christ’s resurrection – we KNOW that God will call all men into judgment. a) in view of this coming judgment – God calls men everywhere to repent. b) So men respond in belief/repentance/and baptism which brings them into proper relationship w/God. c) This gives us our living hope. C. What do we mean when we speak of hope? 1. 1:3 – hope – “elpis.” a) expectation of good; hope; & in the Christian sense – joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation. b) Being raised from the dead into eternal life is our hope! c) Note that it carries with it desire + expectation! 2. Hope does not have reference to that which we see and have – but to that which we are confident & expect to receive. 3. Rom. 8:24-25 D. Today we will discuss the Christian’s hope in depth. Hope you will be able to look at your life & say that you are living w/the kind of hope that Peter describes here. 1. IF not, you need to look at what you must do to obtain this hope. 2. W/o it – this life is most miserable. I. Four Factors in Our Hope. A. 1:3-5 – God has played a role in giving us hope. 1. God is the source of mercy. Peter describes it as being abundant/great. a) literally – there has been a tremendous/great out pouring of kindness by God. b) He has demonstrated mercy upon us. 3. “mercy” in 1:3 means: a) God has taken sinners – who are in miserable condition – because he is kind & interested in their welfare brings them through Jesus to be delivered from sin. B. 1:6-9 – Jesus plays a role in our hope. 1. it is Christ that we trust & commit ourselves to in this life. 2. it is Christ that we live in obedience to in this life. 3. 1:9 – at the appearance of Jesus – the faithful child of God will receive the end of his faith – the salvation of your souls. 4. It is through Jesus that we will be delivered from consequences of sin. C. 1:10-12 – The Holy Spirit plays a role in our salvation. 1. OT prophets predicted that Christ would suffer & die on cross for sins of the world. 2. moved directly by the HS to speak 3. Not only were OT prophets motivated to speak of Jesus – but inspired men in FC preached gospel relating good news of salvation through Jesus. 4. 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Cor. 2:13; Rom. 1:1-2 D. Finally – 1:13-17 – we play a role in gaining hope as well. 1. Last week’s lesson… II. What exactly are we hoping for? A. 1:4 – something imperishable & undefiled. 1. all we see, handle, taste, smell, hear in this world is subject to decay. a) Clinton Hamilton: nothing is abiding. The physical form of man with the passing of years begins its decay & finally in death will perish. b) God is not perishable but eternal. c) The crown we seek does not perish or decay. 2. “undefiled” means: “to be free from contamination.” a) it is free of all that would render it to be undesirable. B. 1:4 – it will not fade away. 1. It is constant in it’s quality. Never diminished or dimmed. 2. unlike flower – that’s here today & gone tomorrow. 3. baby’s skin. Smooth/soft. W/age wrinkles/hardens/loses beauty. 4. No so w/the inheritance that Christians to receive. Influence of time has no effect. III. Just how important is this hope? A. I believe it is THE source of motivation for Christians. 1. Note what it did for Paul! a) Acts 20:22-27 – it is how he could continue on – KNOWING that persecution was imminent! b) Phil. 3:8-14 – reaching forward for the prize… 2. Acts 16:25 - This is what enabled him to sing praises while in Jail 3. 2 Cor. 4:7-10 – it is why he could testify as to his perseverance in Christ B. Heb. 6:19 – our hope can serve as the “anchor of the soul.” 1. it can keep us from being washed away w/the onrushing waters of life. 2. simply – it gives us something to live for. It becomes our purpose in life. Our mission. Our plan of action. 3. Song: “Will your Anchor Hold?” IV. Hope can sustain us during times of death. A. 1 Thess. 4:13-18 1. we have the hope of seeing our dead loved one again – if they were Christians. a) comforting… b) believe this text is proof that we will know our loved ones in heaven. c) Difference at funerals. Christians – mourn at passing at loved one – but it is also a time of hope; comfort; expectation of seeing them again. B. Peter – someone equipped to give lesson on hope. 1. W/Jesus’ death – his hope waned. Everything appeared to be over. 2. Jhn. 21:3 – Let’s go fishing. a) perhaps Peter gave up. He had denied Jesus shamelessly 3 times. Could have felt he had no further value to Jesus. b) So…he goes back to fishing. 3. Later – his hope would be received. 21:17 – Jesus to Peter…tend my sheep. 4. Again – because of the death of Jesus – He could testify that we can obtain a LIVING hope of eternal life – the salvation of our souls. V. Just how secure is our hope? A. Jesus promised – Jhn. 14:1-5 B. 1 Peter 1:22-25 – based on the word which cannot fail. C. Titus 1:1-2 – based on the promise of God. D. Where’s the danger? 1. danger of losing hope lies w/us. a) we’re protected as long as we continue to obey Jesus. 1:2, 5 b) even after receiving hope – we can reject it! c) Demas did – 2 Tim. 4:10 2. Heb. 2:1-4 – we can neglect our salvation. 3. We can become disqualified if we fail to progress. Heb. 6:4-6 4. DON’T YOU BE ONE WHO PUTS JESUS TO AN OPEN SHAME. Conclusion: A. What hope do you have? 1. it is based upon the gospel of Christ. 2. is your hope based on heaven? 3. Jesus said – Jhn. 14:6 B. Obey the gospel! If you haven’t, NOW is the time to do so! C. I N V I T A T I O N