A Life of Hope (Part 1 of Life.101)

A Life of Hope
1 Peter 1:1-12

The Big Idea: The hope that God has given to us can fill us with joy even in the worst of circumstances.

How can I “praise God” and “rejoice” during difficult times?

I. Think of the new birth God has given us.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time" (vv. 3-5).

A. We have hope.

B. We have an inheritance.

C. We have spiritual protection.

II. Think of the benefits of suffering.

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (vv. 6-9).

A few facts about suffering:

· Suffering is temporary: “though now for a little while.”

· Suffering is sometimes necessary: “you have had to suffer grief.”
· Suffering comes in many forms: “in all kinds of trials.”

A. Our commitment during suffering proves the genuineness of our faith.

B. Our commitment during suffering will be rewarded with praise from Christ.

III. Think of how privileged we are.

"Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even the angels long to look into these things" (vv. 10-12).

A. We live in the amazing age that was foretold by the prophets.

B. We are the objects of God’s salvation, not the angels.