1 Peter 1:3-12 v2

Peter is writing to the elect exiles, both Jews and Gentiles, that have been scattered because of their faith. He wrote the letter to encourage them during their suffering at the hands of the Romans. They were suffering and losing hope in the gospel that they had trusted. Through all their grief, confusion came on whether they had faith to stand on. If you are a Christian, you understand what it means to lose hope or doubt in your faith. Maybe you are not a Christian, but you can still understand what it feels like to lose hope. Peter is reminding Christians today, through the text, that in times of struggle, we have hope. For unbelievers, this text will point you to the only hope you have in life and death.

[Re-announce and read text]

Read with me from 1 Peter 1:3-12

[Prayer for illumination]

Pray with me...

[Introduction]

There we were, 14 months ago, my wife and I, patiently waiting to find out the gender of our fifth child. As the doctor scanned my wife's stomach to conduct his necessary checks, I noticed that he kept examining the baby's head. After about 10 minutes, He told us that we would need to see a specialty doctor because something was not right with her brain at the baby's current development. As you can imagine, thoughts began to swirl around in my head about what could this mean? So instead of being patient and trusting God, I decided to see google, which tells me exactly what I should not hear.

While waiting for about a month to find out more information, I am in tears and pain because of the possibility of the baby's diagnosis. I constantly prayed that God would make it go away or that the doctors made a mistake.

After about a month, we discovered that our baby was diagnosed with a rare disease called Dandy-Walker Malformation. We were told the baby might not walk, talk, or eat. I began to lose hope, and my faith was severely tested. I knew God's word and trusted in His promises, but I had to ask, "Why is this happening?" I wondered how I would handle the next 7 months before the birth of our baby. During that suffering, I felt my hope and faith dwindle.

How would you respond in such a situation? This story of mine reminds us that there will always be suffering. There may be times of great joy when everything seems to be going just right in life. Our faith in Christ is strong during those times when things are good.

[FCF] However, our hope and faith begin to dwindle during times of suffering, hardships, and uncertainties despite our knowledge of God’s wonderful salvation. How are will to have faith in God when we have no money? How can we hope in our current situation? Will I make it out of this financial hardship? The apostle Peter knows about suffering, losing hope, and faith. He would answer those questions by saying...

[Proposition] Because of God’s great mercy, Christians must live with hope through every situation in life.

[TS]

Peter tells those believers that God is the center point of their life regardless of their situation. They could be suffering persecution even to the point of death, but Peter tells them to rejoice in the hope they have. Why? Because God is the author of hope through his great mercy. In light of this divine mercy, let us be encouraged to live with hope in our hardships, sufferings, and uncertainties.

[Main Point 1] Because of God’s great mercy, Christians must live with hope through hardships.

[TS]

There are many hardships that people face today. Some are overwhelming, and some are bearable. Peter understands that hardships will come one day. But for us today, Peter instructs us to have hope in our homelessness and financial hardships.

[Subpoint 1] How can I have hope through homelessness? You have been born again to a living hope.

Peter is addressing believers who he calls "exiles." What is an exile? It is a state of being barred from one's native country. These believers have been scattered from their homes where they originally lived. Peter is talking to many believers who have been evicted from their homes because they believe in Christ. They are in a state of homelessness, not even belonging to the land they are currently in.

Peter knows they are facing the hardship of homelessness, so he reminds them they have been born again to a living hope. The believers can see a way forward even in their homelessness because God has given them new life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And in this new life, they are transferred from the domain of darkness into God's heavenly Kingdom. Their home is not here on earth. Their homeland is in heaven, which they will receive one day.

The hope they have is living! God did not leave them alone; according to John 15:26, Jesus sent a helper (The Holy Spirit) that comforts them through their journey. In other words, God does not leave them alone and hopeless. Instead, He is their hope.

But not only do they have hope in their homelessness, but even in financial hardships.

[Subpoint 2] How can I have hope through financial hardships? You have a rich inheritance.

Through their exile, they lost everything. As you can imagine, being evicted from their homes has caused them to lose the earthly inheritance, that God gave to Abraham, the land of Canaan. Peter tells them that through this new birth, they will obtain an inheritance in heaven. Unlike their earthly inheritance that faded away through persecution, this inheritance will never be corrupted, defiled, or fade away.

Not only that, but they can also rejoice even in their financial hardships because God is keeping their everlasting inheritance in heaven for them. In a matter of seconds, their earthly wealth was taken away, and they lost everything they had worked so hard for. They could not protect their wealth.

Lastly, he reminds them that God will protect them until the day of salvation. They can have hope knowing in their financial hardships because the author of their hope is in control of their heavenly inheritance. He will see them through so that they can obtain their inheritance.

Because of God's great mercy, Christians can live with hope in the hardships of homelessness and finances.

[Illustration]

Does anyone know what cryptocurrency is? Have you seen what happened to the company FTX? FTX was a leading cryptocurrency exchange in which people invested money for a return. From the outset, it looked safe and profitable.

The FTX owner is a billionaire that lives in the Bahamas because it is a text haven. He is a young kid who started this cryptocurrency.

FTX filed for bankruptcy resulting in the collapse of their cryptocurrency. Millions of dollars were lost overnight, and everyone who invested in the company lost all their money.

People took out second mortgages and invested in FTX in the hope that they would become multi-millionaires. They hoped that, in time, they would withdraw their money and live a happy life full of wealth. They were hoping for the wrong things. And the result of this has now caused so much hardship.

People spent their life savings and lost it all. Many are now in financial hardships that they were hoping never to be in. As you can imagine, those who took out second mortgages are more likely to have two mortgages to pay for. Soon, many will be homeless as a result.

The question is, "How are they to respond to their harships." As Christians, we can live with hope in every hardship, knowing that God gave us a new home and an inheritance.

[Application]

As Christians, we belong to God. He has caused you to be born again. However, that doesn't change the fact that you are experiencing hardship now.

Your current hardship of homelessness is causing you to stress, feel hopeless, or wonder if it will ever end. Each day seems to be a never-ending challenge that you have to fight your way through. Homelessness is not easy, and finding a home is even more challenging. Financial hardships are another hurdle that you must overcome. None of this can is easy; otherwise, you wouldn't be here.

As Christians, we can have hope through it all. Through God's great mercy, we have a new home in heaven and we can look forward to it. We were once dead in our sins and hopless, but He gave us new life. You no longer have to worry because you are a child of God. Though you are homeless, you can live with hope knowing that this is not your home. Though you are homeless, you can live with hope knowing that God will protect.

Also, you will receive an inheritance from God. You can gain all the money in the world but lose it in a second. Christians' inheritance is stored in heaven and guarded by God, it will never be taken away.

Remember, you are not alone. The Holy Spirit dwells in you. Jesus said he would never forsake you or leave you. Christians rely on the Holy Spirit, who comforts you through every hardship. He will see you through it all.

However, if you are not a Christian, where is your hope? Are you hoping for a settlement that will pay out big? Are you hoping for social security? Money may provide the basic needs of life, which is a good thing, but it is not everlasting. One day the U.S. dollar will become worthless because of the ever-changing environment. If you save all your money and place all your hope in it, and the U.S. dollar becomes nothing, you lose your hope overnight. If your hope is in this world, it will fail you. The world is passing away. Outside of Christ, there is no real hope for you.

So my question for you today is...

Where is your hope?

[TS]

Just as there are hardships in this life, Christians must live with hope through them all. Peter also instructs Christians to have hope through their sufferings

[Main Point 2] Because of God’s great mercy, we must live with hope through sufferings

[Analytical question] Why does faith and hope need to be proven through sufferings?

[Subpoint 1] Because through suffering, faith proves to result in praise.

Even though they are suffering, Peter explains that they are rejoicing in the middle of their suffering. How? Why? As Peter says later, believers are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. Therefore, their faith needs to be tested to prove that they are genuinely in the faith. Peter just got done telling them they were born again to a living hope, but how do you know that you are truly born again? True faith is more valuable than any wealth in the world. Peter knew that through their suffering, true faith may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the appearance of Jesus Christ. Their hope comes from their faith in Christ. Christians can also rejoice, knowing that our faith is being perfected through suffering being perfected.

Though they are suffering, their faith will prove to result in praise, but also their proven faith abides in love for Jesus.

[Subpoint 2] Because through suffering, faith proves to abide in love for Jesus.

‌Peter says, though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, believe in Him. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. Though the believers were suffering, they believed in the only one who could give them hope. Peter remembers when Jesus said in John 16:33 that "In this world, you will have many tribulations, but take courage; I have overcome the world. I have overcome the world. James wrote, saying, "Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance." Through their testing, they were being made perfect.

Through suffering, Christian's faith and love will abide in Christ and produce endless joy.

[Subpoint 3] Because through suffering, faith proves to result in joy inexpressible.

Look with me at the end of verse 8. Those believers, even through suffering, will rejoice with joy, inexpressible, and full of glory. Why? They knew that through faith in Christ, they would receive the outcome of their faith, which is salvation. That brings them hope in their present suffering. They faced persecution at the hands of the Romans. Peter is reminding them salvation is far better than their present sufferings.

[Illustration]

Back to the question, Why do our faith and hope need to be proven through suffering? Turn with me to Matthew 13 so that I can illustrate it for you.

Read Matthew 13:3-8:

Matthew 13:3–8 (LSB)

And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the sower went out to sow;

and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up.

“And others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil.

“But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

“And others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out.

“And others fell on the good soil and were yielding a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.

At first glance, it may seem this is obvious who isn't a true believer. But it is not that easy because, at the surface level, all the soils look the same. They have to be tested to see who has truly a believer.

Read Matthew 13: 19-23:

Matthew 13:19–23 (LSB)

“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one on whom seed was sown beside the road.

“And the one on whom seed was sown on the rocky places, this is the man who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;

yet he has no root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he falls away.

“And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

“And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.”

The first seed has no shot at being faithful because it is immediately taken away.

The second seed falls on rocky places, meaning rock is under the soil. These believers claim the word with joy but fall away from God when suffering comes.

How about the third? They receive the word for only a season. But their faith is choked when worries about the world and the deceitfulness of wealth come.

The last seed fell on true faith that can stand firm through suffering, worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of wealth. Their faith in Jesus will abide, resulting in inexpressible praise and joy.

[Application]

Having our faith tested is not fun. Peter wrote to the believers, so they are prepared and understand that suffering has its purpose in the Christian life.

We all suffer, but can you rejoice during it? Peter believes you can. Faith in Christ is more valuable than anything this world can give you. It doesn't matter if it is gold or money; nothing can surpass the greatness of genuine faith in Christ.

You need true hope that roots itself in Christ. Are you hoping for worthless things that will one day pass away? I know that you are suffering because of your current situation in life. We all face some type of suffering in this world. I was told the other day that my life looks great. Yeah, maybe from the outside, but when you look under the hood, you will see my sister battling brain cancer for the past two years. You will see my baby suffering from a rare disease. My mom is addicted to heroin and is currently homeless.

The pain you feel through your suffering is only temporary when you believe in Christ. As previously spoken, your home is not here; you belong with God in heaven. You may be suffering from illness. Your health is declining, and not much can be done.

Maybe you have a loved one struggling with health issues. Perhaps the doctors have given up and sent them home. And you have been praying for many months for change like I have.

You may be looking for a job, and no job will hire you. No matter how many jobs you apply to, they will not give you a chance.

How can I have hope with all that? As Christians, we can look back at many believers who stood firm and rejoiced through their suffering because of the hope to come. The believers in this letter rejoice, knowing that Christ will come back. Peter rejoiced while dying on the cross upside down. Peter was beaten for preaching Christ, and he rejoiced, knowing he was considered worthy to suffer shame for Christ.

How do you make it through your suffering if you are not a Christian? How can you hope? There is nothing on the other side of this life but death. I implore you to come to Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

[TS]

Since we all suffer, Christians must live with hope through them. What if I am doubting God right now? How can I have hope? Peter would say...

[Main Point 3] Because of God’s great mercy, we must live with hope through uncertainties.

[TS]

When times get tough, doubts arise regarding the gospel’s assurance, and Peter directs our hope to those who searched and those who preached.

[Subpoint 1] In times of uncertainties, Christians must have hope in those who searched.

‌Look with me at verse 10. Peter says, 1 Peter 1:10

1 Peter 1:10 LSB

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, made careful searches and inquiries,

The salvation Peter is speaking about has been prophesied by the prophets of old. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Jonah, and much more diligently searched the scripture to know when the Messiah would come. They knew that God would fulfill all His promises concerning them; they just didn't know when.

Why would Peter put this in his letter? The believers were experiencing hardship and suffering while being exiles. Peter is now grounding the truth of God's mercy, Christ, and believers' salvation in the Old Testament prophets. This salvation is centered in Christ, who was foreknown before the foundation of the world.

Peter wants the believers to realize that what they believe is nothing new. Instead, they believe in the gospel that was diligently searched. The prophets, filled with the Holy Spirit, hoped for the coming Messiah. They looked forward to the glories to come. Even when they suffered death, they continued to look forward.

If the believers had any uncertainties, Peter crushed them by making them back to the prophets who searched and those who proclaimed.

[Subpoint 2] In times of uncertainties, Christians must have hope in those who proclaimed.

The same Holy Spirit that filled the prophets filled those who proclaimed the good news of Christ. The Book of Acts record three sermons that Peter preached to the Jews. The believers have received the gospel from those who were filled and appointed by God.

Salvation is the believers' hope for the future, and Peter wants them to look back when uncertainties arise. They should remember the miracle that was done in their presence. They should remember that the Holy Spirit radically changed their lives.

The believers heard Paul and Peter preach the truth of Jesus Christ. The Prophets and the Apostles were not serving themselves but all who would hear the good news of Christ.

The central message of the entire Bible is Jesus Christ, and Christians can look in the New and Old Testament and find the good news of Jesus Christ.

If you are not a believer in Christ, this not making any sense. Why would I believe in something or someone I cannot see? How can this gospel give hope like you are talking about? It is hard to comprehend when you are unwilling to understand. You are closed off to the truth and unwilling to learn. I hope that you will come and speak with me after this if you want to know more.

[Illustration]

[Application]

Some of you here today are Christians who have been suffering for a long time. This suffering has caused you to doubt God's promises, and you are slightly backsliding. Maybe you have been homeless for many years and are a believer in Christ, but things are not going your way. Perhaps somebody told you to believe in Jesus, and all your problems will disappear.

Friends, I do not know what God has in store for you, but I know that we are all not promised a perfect life. If that were the case, the Christians dying for their faith in Nigeria wouldn't have to face that. The Christians in China wouldn't have to have their church underground because the government would arrest them for their faith.

I do know that Christians have a hope that surpasses all understanding. Those Christians in Nigeria can die with joy because their hope is in Christ. Christians in China can boldly meet even when they face imprisonment because their hope is in Christ.

They knew the gospel's message belonged to God, who made it possible for us to believe it. They understand that through Christ, they are now born again into a living hope that no enemy or government can take away.

If you are a believer in Christ and are doubting, you can trust the prophets of old and the gospel proclaimed because the author is God. You can know that it is true. You can understand that even in your current situation, you can have hope for the future. The gospel gives you peace that suppresses all understanding.

[Conclusion]

Peter's message strikes at the heart of every believer and charges them to think differently in life situations. God's great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope to obtain an inheritance that is protected by Him. God wants us to live with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit through hardship, suffering, and uncertainties.

The Holy Spirit dwells in us and enables us to live with hope. My fifth child was born, and it's a girl. After four surgeries, she smiles and laughs. We are uncertain what the future will look like for her, but we can still have hope in Christ. In this suffering, I have come to love God more. I knew that if she were to die at birth, I would one day see her in heaven. Through God's grace, this is possible.

There will be more hardship, suffering, and uncertainties in life. But Christians have everlasting hope. As a result of God's mercy, we have the confidence to stand firm on God's truth. Considering what God has done through Jesus Christ and how He died but is now alive provides great motivation to live with hope in any situation.

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