Easter 2 (3)

1 Peter 1:3–9 NIV84

3 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, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 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. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 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. 8 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, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Receiving an inheritance can be a bittersweet event in a person’s life. It is often bitter because in order to receive an inheritance, it usually means that someone — someone you know and who cared about you — has died. Hebrews 9:16–17 (NIV84)

16 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.

But an inheritance can also be sweet because it can impact you financially in a positive way as you receive money, land, items etc. in essence as a gift. Beyond the increase in wealth, it may also provide you with cherished memories as you connect that inheritance with the person who has given it to you.

But an inheritance can also be bitter because in some cases, that which is inherited becomes a money pit or can be lost, damaged, or stolen. As with other material possessions, earthly wealth (whether earned by work or given as an inheritance) is subject to the risk of loss. Jesus states this truism in his Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 6:19–21 (NIV84)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

One of my hobbies is to go around the countryside and take photos of old barns. I like the way they look as they age and the character enhanced by silos, old farm machinery, fences, etc. But sometimes when I post a photo of a particularly weathered barn on its last legs, I get comments on what a shame it is. What happened? A building that was once the hub and center of a successful family farm has been left unused for its original purpose and may be even abandoned. It decays and many have collapsed. Some are victims of fire and others the effects of tough weather. Some may even have been inherited but lost their value over the years and the only chance of income comes from harvesting the old barn beams and siding.

An inheritance can still spoil or fade.

But not the inheritance that Peter writes about in his encouragement to Christians.

Premise #1. God Gives Us An Inheritance.

Premise # 2. It is a GIFT!

Premise # 3. It will not spoil or fade.

1 Peter 1:3–4 NIV84

3 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, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,

After a short introduction, Peter begins this letter by praising God. Praising God because he has given us an inheritance that is kept in heaven for us and is protected by God himself from spoiling or fading.

What is it? It is a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

The birth of a child is a wonderful experience. The parents are filled with hope and dreams for that child and anticipate what he/she will someday become. As the child grows older, it too begins to realize that a future filled with possibilities awaits it. But at some point in time, comes the realization that this person who came into the world through birth will someday . . . die. It is a subject we may often want to avoid but it is a reality that cannot be ignored. What is even worse is the stern warning that the wages of sin is death — not just physical death but what is described as an eternal death in hell filled with suffering and separation from God.

That is why a new birth is so important and such a solid reason for praising God. Jesus himself teaches about this new birth in John 3. John 3:3–17 (NIV84)

3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” 4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

This new birth comes to us because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead — an event that we celebrate at Easter and in which we find comfort and hope every day of our lives. Because he lives, we also will live! James 1:16–18 (NIV)

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Because Jesus lived and died for us and was raised again — removing the wages of sin; God promises to us a new life in which we are forgiven, filled with faith, and made his children through the saving message of the Good News of Jesus. Whoever believes in Jesus has this new life in Christ. We believe that in a miraculous way God gives this gift of faith to little children in baptism and continues to strengthen a person’s faith through the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. Through these means of grace God shields us by his power until the Last Day — “the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” Our salvation is dependent on the working and promises of God. We are assured of this by remaining faithful to him.

For this reason we praise God. And we greatly rejoice. But not all of our days are filled with experiences that necessarily bring us joy. Peter is up front by calling attention to the pain of persecution. “Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” History tells us of the sufferings of the early Christians. Whether we are aware of it or not, Christians in nations dominated by non Christians powers continue to suffer even today and we ourselves may feel discomfort when we stand up for our beliefs.

It is to be expected that the Christians who enjoys a new life in Christ and who looks forward to an eternal inheritance will suffer in this life. Acts 14:21–22 (NIV84)

21 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Romans 8:16–18 NIV

16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

1 Peter 4:12–16 NIV

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Here Peter reminds us that one purpose of suffering is that it refines our faith so that it will not be marred by sin and doubt. 1 Peter 1:7 (NIV84)

7 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.

Peter concludes this section with a reminder of the inheritance in heaven we are looking forward to and how it is connected to Jesus. 1 Peter 1:8–9 (NIV84)

8 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, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Conclusion: During this Easter season we will be reminded of how certain people were blessed to see the Risen Savior and how his presence brought them joy. We too can see him through the eyes of faith and be reassured that because he lives, we will also live in heaven enjoying our inheritance — an inheritance that cannot spoil or fade but is kept in heaven for us. Amen.