A Living Hope Leading to Holiness 1

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A Living Hope

Disciples of Christ are everywhere going through the pains of life. What do they need? A Living Hope that will never fade or die, an Anchor for their souls, A Light that will guide the Way and be the Way in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

Persecution, trials, or pains can cause either growth or bitterness in the Christian life. Our faith and response will determine the results. What you believe really matters. What you believe will lead you and guide you through life, and to life.

The Church, the Christian needs a Living Hope today. The Church needs direction and a focus for our today, so that we may endure until the very end.

Behold, Jesus is before you, the Word of God is for you. Behold the Gospel. Behold, there is a Living hope before the Christian, who will be our example and power through times of suffering. By the Holy Spirit, the Apostle of Jesus Christ writes to the the Church to help Her.

Nero is the Emperor. He is known throughout the world as a beast. He has murdered relatives, killed his spouse, married a little boy, has covered Christians in animal skins to be mauled by lions, has set the city on fire and has blamed Christians for it… he is lighting the streets of Rome with the bodies of Christians, desiring to be worshipped as god himself, in the midst of a culture that has many idols.

Peter himself will be killed for the faith during this time. (Get the picture?)

The purpose of this book seems to teach the Christian how to live victoriously in the midst of great trials, without losing hope and without becoming bitter.

Read 1 Peter 1:1-12.

Peter, little rock, knows what it means and what it takes to stand on the Rock, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was taught and filled with the Word of God through the Son of God Himself, and is now filled with the Spirit of God for service. He knew what it was like to walk on water and to also sink.

To God’s pilgrims and the elect… to God’s people, the lambs and sheep of the Shepherd, who are called out by God, who are scattered all over the place. Does God know where they are and who they are? Yes, He does. He knows who is saved, who is His, and who will be His. God knew them before the foundation of the world.

We do not have God’s knowledge as to who will be or become the family of God. We are simply told to preach and teach the Gospel to every creation under heaven. That is our responsibility. Saving people is God’s responsibility. Our responsibility is the Great Commission. Our responsibility is obedience to the call to Go, Tell and Compel, call people to faith and repentance. And whosoever will turn to Christ and repent of their sins… they will be saved.

God knows who they are and where they are. Go find them.

These will be washed by the blood of Christ and these will obey Christ. And these Christians… as they are blood bought and cleansed by Christ… they are going and will go through pain and adversity as pilgrims/strangers in this world.

This world is not our eternal home. We belong to the King’s Kingdom, to the City of God. We are called and set apart by God and for God. We desire the things of God. We have light within and we desire to be holy… Of course, this world is not going to fill like heaven to us. We will always fill out of place until we rest in the City of God and our heavenly dwelling.

And as we live here...

We should not be surprised by suffering. Christ has suffered and He was the Man of Sorrows, well acquainted with pain and suffering. If the Son of God must suffer in this world, who are we to think that we wouldn’t or shouldn’t suffer. He was perfect, we are not. He was sinless, we are not. He did everything for the glory of His Father and we are continuously selfish, living for the glory of self in a sin-filled world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Why should we not suffer? Why should any good come upon us? These are good questions to consider.

But while we were still sinners Christ died for us. He chose to love, redeem, forgive, and give His life as a ransom for many (to who-so-ever will believe.) Instead of giving us what we deserve, He gives us mercy instead. Instead of giving us death, He gives us life and life everlasting.

This was a mystery to the prophets (verse 10), for they only got bits and pieces of the Good News. They knew it was coming, that the Messiah was coming, and that the promises of the Lord would prevail… but they did not have the full picture of God’s Glory in the work of Jesus Christ. They searched diligently, as the Spirit of Christ within them taught them… and the angels desire to look into these realities of salvation.

Listen: The things that many people, including professing Christians yawn at are the things that the prophets searched diligently for. The things that make you fall asleep make the angels get on the edge of their seat with curiosity and amazement. That this God would do what He did… that this God would condescend Himself to become a man and die for sinners… Angels are blown away by this action of God… Are you? Is this grace still Amazing?!

Verse 3-4 - Not because of us but because of His mercy, He has chosen to make us born again, to save us, and to give us a living hope… a Hope that will not perish or fade. “Well, how can that be, for all perish and fade in time.” That is our human deduction. Life is but a vapor. Everything is here today and gone tomorrow. There is a season for everything. People come and go, materials come and go… but not God… Not the Word of God… Not the Promises of God… Not Jesus! He is Eternal!

He is the Resurrection and the Life, Who gives eternal life to whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord. “How can you be sure He has that power and authority?” Jesus was raised from the dead. The Holy One did not see decay, but lives forever more.

And He promises that same life to whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord.

Verse 4 -“Are these promises secure and eternal? Can someone take them away? Do we have eternal security?” Listen: What God gives is incorruptible, imperishable, and does not fade. It is reserved, not in an earthly bank, but in heaven for you. This inheritance is far more precious than gold. Gold is perishable… Gold is here today and gone tomorrow...

God is eternal. His Word is eternal. His Promises are eternal. His work, His blood is… eternal. Verse 5 - Who are kept by the power of God through faith. Those who are born again, are children of God now and forever, not kept by your power but God’s power through the faith that God gives (for He is the Author and Finisher of our faith - Hebrews 12:2).

Not by your blood, sweat, and tears… But by Jesus’ Blood, Sweat and Tears… you have grace and peace with God… to the fullest measure...

Verse 6 - This is what we have and this is what we greatly rejoice in… here and now. We have eternal life now. We have eternal promises now. We have this Living Hope now… and it is… He is the Anchor for our soul and the Power to endure, press on, keep on, fight on… No matter what comes our way.

No matter what trials… Emperor, persecution, President, opposition, sickness, Covid, family issues, world issues, threat of death or poverty… Nothing can take away the Truth, the Promises, the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Verse 8 - We don’t see Him physically, but through faith... we believe and we love Him. The joy of the Lord is our strength. The Prince of Peace is my Living Hope. I may lose everything… I may lose family… I may lose health… I may lose wealth… I may lose my life… But I will never lose my Savior and or His Promises…

And in this we rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory… or are we???

Where is your peace and joy today Christian? Search your minds and heart and come to understand the word of the Lord. Are you consumed by the madness and vanity of life? Are you filled with visions of death? Are your eyes and minds constantly on the affairs and pain of this world… and your life has been choked out of you?

What is your remedy? Fix your eyes on things that are above. Set your eyes on the Person, work, and promises of God. Remember who you are and Whose you are. Remember the mercies of God and the Amazing grace you have received, and focus your heart on the Love of Christ… and Stay there!

Verse 7 - Your faith is being tested. (Warren Wiersbe says that a faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted). Tests separate the saints from the “aints.” Tests reveal what we have and what we really are. Christian: Your tests, trials, and pain is leading us to better or bitter. Which is it?

*Are you becoming a better Christian or a bitter Christian through the pain?

One letter changes everything. One Person changes everything. The faith that looks to Him changes everything. The person who will look to Him will be changed by Him. The one who will look to Christ’s promises and will be held by His grace will be sustained, content, and satisfied with internal joy. This Christian will be blessed and better through his or her experiences.

The Christian who will focus on the problem, the pain, and suffering without looking to the Living Savior and His promises to you… you will be bitter and grow in bitterness. For those who will believe that they are too good for pain and suffering, never growing in the grace and mercy that has been given… that person will never be grateful, thankful, satisfied, content, or joyful… this person’s name is “bitter.”

Listen: Romans 8:18 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Paul will die under Nero too)

True, Living, Saving Faith will get you through. This faith will make you better.

Dead Religion will stop you where you are, and leave your heart bitter.

The Christian faith can see good even through the bad. Unbelief does not. Our faith gives us food and drink when the soul starves and thirsts. Unbelief does not. When strength is broken, our faith refreshes us and draws the sting out of our affliction. Our faith takes out the bitterness of life and fills us with an abundance of life. Unbelief and dead religion never will.

Our faith sees life even through death...

Bitterness is a sign of focusing on the wrong things and the wrong persons, trusting in self and your control, instead of God and His control.

“Bitterness imprisons and person. Christ’s love will set you free.”

A bitter spirit will keep you from being a growing and better Christian.

Christ has died for your sins. God has stepped into your lives, into your bitterness to set you free by His love, mercy and grace. His promises are for you today, tomorrow and forever. You will be kept by Him forever.

Look to Him this day, and not only feel better… but be better, be healed, in Jesus Name.