"Hope"

Call to Worship  (inspired by Ps. 116)

Gathered as one part of the body of Christ, we come to worship the Lord our God. It is God who hears our prayers. To God we lift our hearts and voices.   To God we raise our songs of thanksgiving. In the presence of this congregation, let us praise God! Alleluia! Praise the name of the Lord!

Opening Prayer

Mighty God,  you breathed your Spirit into a new creation and brought all things into life.  You called your people into relationship with you and created a covenant community.  In time, you sent Jesus to bear witness to your love, even when he was condemned to be crucified.

Thank you for raising Jesus from death into Life.   Thank you for lifting us into abundant and eternal life as we follow Jesus. Thank you for this day when we join with believers in recognizing the risen Christ in the breaking of bread and the sharing of the cup of salvation.

Offertory

Give your tithes and push offerings to the Lord, giving back to Him what is holy to Him.

Leviticus 27: 30-34

30 “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. 31 Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it. 32 Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the Lord. 33 No one may pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution. If anyone does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute become holy and cannot be redeemed.’”

34 These are the commands the Lord gave Moses at Mount Sinai for the Israelites.

Prayer

Dear Lord, you have so much to show us and to tell us— things that no human eyes have seen, things that no human ears have heard, things that you have prepared for those you love.

We wait as empty vessels, ready to be filled to overflowing with your living water, as you reveal your love for us through Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

1 Peter 1:3-5 New International Version Praise to God for a Living Hope 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. This inheritance is 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. Introduction:

Believers have a unique hope that transcends the challenges and difficulties of this world. This hope is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life with God.

In 1 Peter 1:3-5, the apostle Peter emphasizes the hope that believers have through Jesus Christ:

I. The Source of Our Hope (Verse 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,”

This verse begins with a declaration of praise to God, specifically addressing God as the Father of Jesus Christ. It then acknowledges God's great mercy towards believers, which has resulted in a new birth. This new birth is characterized as a "living hope," which is made possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The phrase "new birth" implies a spiritual transformation, which is a common theme in the New Testament. Believers are not simply "born again" in a physical sense, but rather they are spiritually regenerated through faith in Christ. The phrase "living hope" emphasizes that this hope is not a dead or stagnant hope, but rather an active and life-giving hope that is sustained through the resurrection of Christ. The final phrase, "through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," highlights the importance of the resurrection as the means by which believers are given new birth and a living hope. The resurrection is not just a historical event, but an ongoing reality that continues to provide hope and transformation to believers. This verse serves as a reminder that the resurrection of Christ is central to the Christian faith and our hope in him. Imagine you are on a long journey through a wilderness with no end in sight. You are tired, thirsty, and feeling hopeless. But suddenly, you come across a bubbling stream of fresh water, and a friendly guide who offers to lead you out of the wilderness to safety. How would you feel in that moment?

This is similar to the hope that believers have through Jesus Christ. He offers us the living water of salvation and the promise of eternal life, leading us out of the wilderness of sin and into a life of purpose and joy. Just as the guide offers hope to the weary traveler, so Jesus offers hope to all who come to him, and his resurrection is the ultimate proof of his power to deliver on that promise. As believers, this hope is not just a wishful thinking but a confident expectation of the good things to come. We can apply this truth in our lives by: Living with purpose: Knowing that we have a living hope in Christ can give us a sense of purpose and direction in life. We can live each day with a sense of meaning and hope, knowing that God has a plan for our lives. Overcoming fear and anxiety: When we face difficult situations, we can find comfort and strength in the fact that we have a living hope in Christ. We don't have to be afraid of the future or anxious about what's to come because we know that God is in control. Sharing the Gospel: Our hope in Christ is not just for us, but it's also for others. We can share the message of hope and salvation with those around us, knowing that they too can have a living hope through faith in Jesus Christ. Enduring trials: When we face trials and sufferings, we can take comfort in the fact that our hope is not in this world, but in Christ. We can endure hardships with patience and perseverance, knowing that God is with us and that our hope in Christ is secure. Looking forward to eternity: As believers, we have the hope of eternal life with God. We can look forward to the day when we will be with Him forever, free from sin and pain. This hope can give us the strength to endure the challenges of this life with joy and perseverance.

I. The Source of Our Hope

II. The Nature of Our Hope (Verse 4) “and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,”

In this verse, the author is describing the eternal inheritance that believers receive as a result of their faith in Jesus Christ. The inheritance is not like earthly possessions that can be lost or destroyed, but is instead an imperishable and unfading inheritance that is kept secure in heaven for those who have been saved. The use of the word "inheritance" suggests that believers are heirs to something that has been promised to them. This inheritance is a reward for their faith in Christ and is not something that can be earned through their own efforts. The author emphasizes that this inheritance is secure and unchanging, as it is stored in heaven where it cannot be affected by the decay and corruption of the world. The phrase "that can never perish, spoil or fade" emphasize the enduring nature of the inheritance. "Perish" suggests that it cannot be destroyed or corrupted, "spoil" suggests that it cannot become impure or spoiled, and "fade" suggests that it cannot lose its brightness or beauty over time. These words together create a powerful image of a treasure that is completely secure and unchanging, no matter what happens in the world. Overall, 1 Peter 1:4 speaks to the eternal hope that believers have in Jesus Christ. It assures them that their inheritance is secure and that they will receive a reward that is imperishable and unfading. This hope can provide comfort and strength during times of trial and tribulation, knowing that their ultimate reward is waiting for them in heaven. The story of a person who inherits a large sum of money from a wealthy relative. This inheritance gives them security and financial stability, enabling them to live without fear of poverty or lack. In the same way, believers in Jesus Christ have received an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. This inheritance is not dependent on the fleeting and uncertain things of this world, but on the eternal and unchanging promises of God. Just as the inheritance gives the person in the story a new sense of security and purpose, so too does our inheritance in Christ give us a new sense of hope and confidence in our eternal future. We have an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us. This should give us a sense of security and hope, knowing that our ultimate reward and treasure is not found in the temporary things of this world, but in the eternal promises of God.

Furthermore, this truth should also shape the way we live our lives. We should not cling to the things of this world or find our identity and security in them, but rather live with a heavenly perspective and invest our time, talents, and resources in things that have eternal value. We should also encourage and remind one another of this hope, especially during difficult times, and strive to live in a way that points others towards this inheritance that we have in Christ. Conclusion: Our hope as believers is not based on wishful thinking or temporary solutions, but on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ and his resurrection. We can have confidence in our hope, knowing that it is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, and that it is guarded by the power of God. This hope leads to the ultimate outcome of salvation for our souls.

Benediction

Christ has brought us together: together in faith, together in hope, together in love. We have gathered together to be sent out again: sent out with the welcome message of God’s love! We go forth together, to be living testimonies of Christ’s love!

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.