The Benefits of Easter

What’s in it for me?

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.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 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. 12 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 angels long to look into these things.

There are ways in which we can never match what Christ has done, but we are still encouraged to follow Him in the path of His humility.

1. If you wish to follow Jesus, you must learn self-denial. You must “deny yourself” ().

The Christian life involves choosing the way of God rather than our own path. You must follow the example of Jesus, who surrendered Himself to the will of His Father. Jesus prayed: “Not my will, but yours be done” ().

He teaches us to pray likewise: “Your will be done” ().

You should give up your selfish ambitions, and submit to His purposes in your life.

2. The follower of Jesus is called to a life of self-sacrifice. You must “take up your cross daily” ().

The Apostle Paul understood this when he said:

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” ().

In baptism we receive our initiation into the Christian community in terms of death and resurrection: “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” ().

You should die to self, and live for God. The Apostle Paul teaches: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” ().

For some disciples, this also involved following Jesus to physical death. Such should be the level of commitment for those who are serious about being Christians.

3. If you would follow Jesus, you must be willing to walk with Him, and to go wherever He leads (). The Christian walk is not easy. It may make you unpopular. It may bring ostracism.

Jesus warns us, “You will be hated of all for my name’s sake.. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master” ().

Jesus has walked the road of rejection before us. He will also be with you when you follow in that lonely path. He will comfort and encourage you.

You must “crucify” the flesh daily. You must resist the devil. You must overcome the world. There is a crown of glory laid up for you which makes it all worthwhile.

We Gain a Lively Hope

The foundation of a living hope is found in knowing that this inheritance is secured by God’s power and guarded by our faith. “Hope.” What is hope? It is something that is personal, living, active, and part of us. In verse 3, it is not something that pertains to the future (compare ; ).

Col 1: 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel

Titus 2:13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Yes Hope does not allow us to give up.

Instead, it brings life to God’s elect who are waiting with patient discipline for God’s revelation in Jesus Christ.

The Gentile believers of Peter’s day were dispersed all over Asia Minor. In this verse Peter is most likely addressing their anxieties that they would not have the strength to remain faithful to Christ in the face of intense suffering and persecution. Peter assures them that “God is continually using His power to guard His people by means of their faith.” Like the children of Israel we too are aliens and foreigners in a strange land that is not our final destination. The same God who raised Christ from the dead promises to one day bring us to be with Him. It was this living hope that sustained Paul when he was beaten with rods, pelted with stones, given forty lashes with the cat of nine tails, shipwrecked, starved and was in constant danger of rivers, bandits and persecution from his fellow Jews (). So, like Paul we are to live in light of eternity knowing that heaven is an inheritance kept for us while we turn through faith and the power of God are being kept for it!”

Instead, it brings life to God’s elect who are waiting with patient discipline for God’s revelation in Jesus Christ.

The Gentile believers of Peter’s day were dispersed all over Asia Minor. In this verse Peter is addressing their anxieties that they would not have the strength to remain faithful to Christ in the face of intense suffering and persecution. Peter assures them that “God is continually using His power to guard His people by means of their faith.”

Like the children of Israel we too are aliens and foreigners in a strange land that is not our final destination. I have to remind myself that this is not my home. I am on my way to heaven. May gets some bumps and bruises along the way but i know where i am going.

The same God who raised Christ from the dead promises to one day bring us to be with Him. It was this living hope that sustained Paul when he was beaten with rods, pelted with stones, given forty lashes with the cat of nine tails, shipwrecked, starved and was in constant danger of rivers, bandits and persecution from his fellow Jews ().

its the same hope that Peter who was once a denier of Christ stands firm on.

Its that hope today that causes us to celebrate resurrection Sunday! Jesus did something so wonderful us. He secured our heaven position,. When he tells his disciples in . 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” He was set to secure our inheritance.

We are to live in light of eternity knowing that heaven is an inheritance kept for us while we turn through faith and the power of God are being kept for it!”

We need to hold fast to our faith with the Hope of Christ. Some times it may get difficult. Struggles and sufferings seems to show up at the most inconvenient times. Yet we need to look at what Peter said we have. an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.We are to live in light of eternity knowing that heaven is an inheritance kept for us while we turn through faith and the power of God are being kept for it!”

Look at those 3 words that describe our inheritance. First its imperishable. Which means it endures forever!

Secondly its undefiled. It’s pure and can’t be corrupted.

Thirdly its unfading. Meaning it never loses its brightness, vitality or strength.

It remains even when we cant see it. It remains even when it seems unattainable.

Peter said kept in heaven for you.

So with that Hope we can Have

English Standard Version Chapter 1

4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading

HOPE AND JOY IN SPITE OF SUFFERING

HOPE AND JOY IN SPITE OF SUFFERING

HOPE AND JOY IN SPITE OF SUFFERING

6 In all 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 the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (NIV).

Peter tells us to not only rejoice in our secure, eternal home to come but also in the suffering we experience while on this earth. How many can testify you had some bad moments in life? We will never be free of suffering until we see Jesus. Its how we look at it. Song writer said I've had some good days I've had some hills to climb I've had some weary days And some sleepless nights But when I look around And I think things over All of my good days Out-weigh my bad days I won't complain

I just say Thank you Lord! The word “rejoice” in the New Testament “signifies a deep spiritual joy in what God has done in your life.” If one day you were to share in the suffering of Job, to have all your children die, your entire wealth taken away and were on the brink of physical death; would you rejoice?

[Chorus:] The Lord Has been so good to me He's been good to me More than this old world or you could ever be He's been so good, To me He dried all of my tears away Turned my midnights into day So I'll just say thank you Lord

[Adlib:] I've been lied on But thank you Lord I've been talked about But thank you Lord I've been misunderstood But thank you Lord You might be sick Body reeking with pain But thank you Lord The bills are due Don't know where the money coming from But thank you Lord Thank you Lord Thank you Lord

Job did … he refused to curse God and die but instead rejoiced in the Lord who “gives and takes away” (). Even though not every Christian goes through suffering, those who do can feel unspeakable joy in the midst of pain because they have faith that their suffering in this present world of bondage and decay is brief in comparison to spending an eternity with God in heaven ().

[Chorus:] I want to thank God Has been so good to me He's been good to me More than this old world or you could ever be He's been so good He's been so good He's been so good So good So good So good So good To me He dried all of my tears away Turned my midnight into day

Think about this for a moment: 50 billion years from now will make our three score and ten years seem like such a small, little amount of time! All the floods, typhoons, tornadoes, tidal waves, financial burdens, sickness and insanity that this world puts us through cannot separate us from the love of the Lord Jesus Christ who sustains us () and our inheritance for an eternity!

[Ending:] So I'll just say thank you Lord, I won't complain Songwriters: Publisher: Powered by LyricFind The word “rejoice” in the New Testament “signifies a deep spiritual joy in what God has done in your life.” If one day you were to share in the suffering of Job, to have all your children die, your entire wealth taken away and were on the brink of physical death; would you rejoice? Job did … he refused to curse God and die but instead rejoiced in the Lord who “gives and takes away” (). Even though not every Christian goes through suffering, those who do can feel unspeakable joy in the midst of pain because they have faith that their suffering in this present world of bondage and decay is brief in comparison to spending an eternity with God in heaven (). Think about this fact for a moment: 50 billion years from now will make our three score and ten years seem like such a small, little amount of time! All the floods, typhoons, tornadoes, tidal waves, financial burdens, sickness and insanity that this world puts us through cannot separate us from the love of the Lord Jesus Christ who sustains us () and our inheritance for an eternity!

Rejoice when suffering, Peter says, because “the tension between the pressures and the ultimate glory to come is precisely what strengthens our faith” to endure and receive the rewards to come.

James says to count it all joy” when facing trials and tribulations for the testing of one’s faith produces perseverance which ultimately leads to spiritual maturity (1:2-4).

It is very easy to go through tribulation only to focus on what is lost rather than the potential of what can be gained! Instead of living a life of gloom and pessimism, crushed by suffering and pain; Peter tells believers to rejoice for their faith, which is more precious than gold, might be proven to be genuine! Trials burn away the impurities in a believer’s faith in the refiner’s fire! We have all met “lukewarm” Christians who often detract from the Gospel message because they do not practice what they preach! When Christ returns do you not want to be found doing the Master’s business, instead of your own ()? The motivation to faithfully persevere through tribulations means bringing glory, praise and honor to Christ because He alone is the one who enables us to be holy!

HOPE AND JOY IN KNOWING CHRIST

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 end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls (NIV).

It is at this point that Peter reminds us that they are to walk by faith, not by sight. Same as Paul suggest in . We have not seen Jsus Christ in person but we believe He Is! We build our hope on what we read and have been told about Him. Even though we never got to see Jesus turn water in wine (), drive out an evil spirit from a man in Capernaum (), heal Peter’s mother in law (), cleanse a man from leprosy (), heal a Centurion’s paralyzed servant () or the man with a withered hand (), feed 5,00 men plus women and children (). calm a storm at sea (), walk on water () or raise Lazarus from the dead ();we still loved and believed in Jesus Christ! Faith is “confidence in what we hope for and assurance what we do not see” (). The joy of future eternity with Christ irradiates the plight of those whom suffer with inexpressible and glorious joy. This is the ultimate paradox of human existence: when we are weakest and suffer the most we are also the strongest and can feel the greatest joy because they have received the salvation of their souls!

HOPE OF WHAT A GREAT SALVATION

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 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 angels long to look into these things (NIV).

Peter finishes this passage by reminding us that the salvation that we have received is “by far greater than anything that was envisaged by the Old Testament prophets or even the angels!” Even though the prophets of the OT were inspired by the Holy Spirit does not mean that they fully understood the prophesies in which they wrote. Peter said they search for it and inquired about it.

Even though they intently searched through earlier Scriptures, there is “no evidence that any Jewish authority in the first century really understood that the Messiah would have to come and suffer first.” All the scriptures that foretold of Jesus Psalm, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Micah. So many still missed it.

It would be at his death that a centurion soldier would confess surely this was the son of God.

What they did not see clearly, on this side of the cross we not only see but know that Christ’s death and resurrection is the model in which we are to live: “if we suffer with Him we will reign with Him.” Even the angels who “see the ultimate reality from God’s perspective,” are looking intently into our salvation.

With what we know are we intently living our lives as born-again believers with a “living hope” of our glorious inheritance that we have and are about to receive?

The reason I ask is because Peter said after the 12 introductory verses

English Standard Version Chapter 1

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

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Yes when we know the benefits of the cross we are challenge to embrace this lively hop our our inheritance but also to be obedient children which leads us to HOLINESS!

I may not get it right everyday but i’m preparing my mind for action. I want to be ready when he returns.

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus name. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood Support me in the whelming flood; When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.

When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.

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Baker New Testament Commentary: Peter and Jude II. Salvation (1:3–12)

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.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 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. 12 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 angels long to look into these things.