Untitled Sermon

# 2018-09-09 | Peter, part 1 | Where does Hope Come From?

#series/Peter

#scripture/1Peter/1#

#subject/hope

#context/City Church#

### CATALYTIC QUESTION:

Where does my hope come from?

### OBJECTIVE STATEMENT:

Hope comes from four #keyword/sources.

### RATIONALE:

1. Understand Our Place

2. Look, but Find No Trace

3. Depend on God’s Grace

4. Look to Jesus’ Face

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We’re going to begin a series called, “PETER.” where we’ll look at 1st and 2nd Peter — the two books in our Bible that were written by the Apostle Peter.

Why look at Peter? Maybe the best reason is that Peter is writing to expats (he calls them exiles) — people like you and me that have moved from our nations of origin, and have settled in a place where we are strangers and aliens.

Eugene Peterson, in his paraphrase of the book of Peter, translates Peter’s opening words like this:

#scripture/1Peter/1#1–2 (The Message)

…writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you…

Doesn’t that sound nice?

In these letters, Peter LONG’s to see God’s people shift their attention from any false sources of hope, and fix our attention to the one true source of hope.

Because there’s something about the way we’re wired that make us HOPE-SEEKERS. It’s part of our DRIVE to SURVIVE. We’re constantly “sniffing out” that which gives hope.

I HOPE THIS line through passport control is quicker than THAT one

But the problem with our drive for HOPE, is that we can often not be as SELECTIVE as we should be.

We can attach our hope to a

* a particular relationship (spouse, girl/boy friend, employer)

* a governmental system or party

* certain level of economic status

Along with that HOPE comes EXPECTATIONS

* This thing will make me happier.

* This thing will fulfill me.

* This thing will give me security.

Where does REAL HOPE come from? What is it’s SOURCE?

This is what Peter draws our attention to in .

We’re going to read — but we’re going to do it in a bit different style. I’d like to try doing this as a responsive reading. I’ll read a few verses, and then YOU’LL read a few verses. The screen will let you know who’s turn it is.

#scripture/1Peter/1# (NIV)

PASTOR

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

CONGREGATION

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.

PASTOR

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. 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.

CONGREGATION

7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of [our] 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. 8 Though [we] have not seen him, [we] love him; and even though [we] do not see him now, [we] believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for [we] are receiving the end result of [our] faith, the salvation of [our] souls.

PASTOR

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.

CONGREGATION

12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but [us], when they spoke of the things that have now been told [us] by those who have preached the gospel to [us] by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

PASTOR

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

CONGREGATION

18 For [we] know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that [we] were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to [us] from [our] ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for [our] sake.

PASTOR

21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

TOGETHER

23 For [we] have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to [us].

PRAY

What are the sources of HOPE that Peter is wanting us to draw from?

Here is the 1st source. Hope comes as we…

1. Understand Our Place

Often, that can sound negative! “I’m going to put you in your place! You need to understand your place!”

This is positive. Hope comes as we understand understand how SPECIAL and UNIQUE our place is

Peter begins his letter by reminding the exiles that God knows EXACTLY where each of them are.

1Peter1:1 To God’s elect, exiles SCATTERED throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia…

To God’s elect, exiles SCATTERED throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia…

When WE see that word, “SCATTERED,” it can sound accidental.

If you drop a bag of M&M’s, and the candy SCATTERS…we have a tragedy! How will we find the M&M’s — and how can I make it look like I throw them away, but actually eat them when no one is looking.

So, SCATTER can have a negative feeling— but it’s not in this context.

the Greek word that we translate SCATTER is: DIASPORA

διασπορά

“Diaspora” was the word used by the JEWS to describe those who had dispersed all over the world — it was “their” word. (the Jewish Diaspora).

It wasn’t negative, because they KNEW that God had PROMISED to NEVER lose or forget about them — no matter where they had been exiled

#scripture/Jeremiah/29:14 (NIV)

I will…bring you [the diaspora] back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

If you were part of the Jewish Diaspora—this was your hope. God knew YOU and knew your ADDRESS.

When Peter uses this JEWISH concept for the GENTILES….

he’s essentially saying — “since YOU are God’s child, TOO…

* no matter where you are

* no matter WHO you are

* if you love Jesus, he has not forgotten you,

* he knows your address.

* HOLD ON

King David tried to grasp this and wrote…

#scripture/psalm/8:4 (NIV)

what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

That’s your GEOGRAPHICAL place…But there’s also something very special about your CHRONOLOGICAL place (your place in HISTORY)

#scripture/1Peter/1#:10-12

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets…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.

For thousands of years, prophets looked forward to the time where Messiah would come and bring salvation. They were looking for his FIRST coming. (That would have been a SPECIAL time to be alive).

In the same way, we have been looking forward to the Messiah’s SECOND coming.

(which is also a SPECIAL time to be alive)

#scripture/Matthew/24:14 (NIV)

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

many believe we’re living in THAT generation—finishing the task of preaching the Gospel to the whole world, and seeing the return of Christ.

You’re living in a place and time that makes ANGELS JEALOUS.

Where does real hope come from? It’s comes as we…Understand Our Place

Here’s the 2nd source of hope….Hope comes as we….

## 2. Look, but find no trace

meaning….you can look for the body of Jesus, but you won’t find him because he was raised to eternal life.

A few years ago, I had a conversation with an official who asked me what I did here in Beijing. I told him about the honor I have of pastoring this church.

He then asked what religion I taught about—and I told him Christianity.

He then suggested that I consider switching over to one of the local religions like Buddhism or Daoism (because they’re basically the “same”)

Don’t get EXCITED…he didn’t make me agree to that, he was just “talking.”

If he found out I ran a western restaurant, he might have said, “why waste time trying to get everyone to eat a hamburger, when the Jiaozi here is so much better, and more local?”

The problem is—When you need a BURGER, a plate of Jiaozi will not do!

When you need HOPE, religion will not do.

You need an empty grave. You need a risen savior. You need someone who can defeat DEATH itself.

Every religion in the world is a story of man trying to reach God.

Christianity alone is a story of God reaching out to man.

How did he do that? let’s read….

#scripture/1Peter/1#:18-21

18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

the FOUNDER of every religion is currently in their grave.

Mohammad…

Buddha…

The Kings of Egypt…

The emperors of ancient Rome…

DEAD and in their grave.

One exception. Jesus Christ.

When Patty and traveled to Jerusalem, we did not go visit some large square and stand in line to see the body of Jesus enclosed in a plexiglass case.

Why? Because there is no body to put in the case.

I like what the angels say to the ladies who came to the grave….

#scripture/Luke/24:5–6 (NIV)

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!…

Where does hope come from? It comes when we “look, but find no trace.”

Here’s the 3rd source of hope…Hope comes as we….

## 3. Depend on God’s grace

Most of you know that Patty took a fall and fractured her kneecap (patella bone).

Patty faces a big challenge—Beijing isn’t the EASIEST place to get around on crutches

And because of that, it’s a challenge for our family. “When one of us suffers, we all suffer”

We opted to take her to Thailand for for treatment — and we believe God gave us an amazing sign that his GRACE was with us in the middle of our challenge.

When we arrived at Beijing Terminal 3 — guess what song was playing on the loudspeakers? Amazing Grace!

Three hours later, as we were boarding the plane — Amazing Grace started to play again!

When I returned last week—guess what was playing as a disembarked?

I like to define GRACE by defining it alongside 2 other words: MERCY and JUDGMENT.

Judgment: we receive what we deserve.

We deserve to be judged for every wrong thing we’ve said or done.

But God doesn’t. In Christ, he extends MERCY.

Mercy: we don’t receive what we deserve.

In Christ, God doesn’t judge us.

Then he goes another step. He extends grace:

Grace: we receive what we don’t deserve.

Judgment: we receive what we deserve.

Mercy: we don’t receive what we deserve.

Grace: we receive what we don’t deserve.

EXTRA. That’s God’s style. he goes above and beyond. He didn’t have to have Amazing Grace playing in the Beijing airport, but that’s just what he does.

Peter writes to these early believers, and he opens his letter in this way:

#scripture/1Peter/1#:2

…Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

A few verses later, he says….

#scripture/1Peter/1#:13

…with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming…

That’s the 3rd source of hope — depend on God’s grace. God doing something we don’t even deserve.

Here’s the 4th source of hope. Hope comes as we….

## 4. Look to Jesus’ Face

Twice now, my family have gone zip-lining when we’ve been in Thailand. In some places, we’re close to a 100 meters in the air.

The guides gave us simple advice. “if you’re afraid, don’t look down, just look where you’re going.”

It’s no wonder we feel hopeless when we’re looking at those things that give us fear! How about we look where we’re going?

#scripture/1Peter/1#:7-9

7 These [trials] 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. 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.

We can’t see him yet, but we know he’ll come through. So, we look for him.

We are hope-seekers, but let us be selective as to where we turn for that hope. Peter helps us with that. He reminds us to….

1. Understand Our Place. God knows where you live….and he’s given you life at a strategic time in human history. The challenges might be greater, but so is the potential for impact. You’re making angels jealous.

2. Look, but Find No Trace. I dare you to go to jerusalem and find ONE advertisement promoting the chance to see the body of Jesus. You won’t find such an offer, because everyone knows his body isn’t there. He’s alive. Your hope is anchored in someone who battled with DEATH and won.

3. Depend on God’s Grace.

Judgment: we receive what we deserve.

Mercy: we don’t receive what we deserve.

Grace: we receive what we don’t deserve.

4. Look to Jesus’ Face. Don’t look down. Look where you’re going. The best is yet to come.

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#subject/God/Grace

#subject/Eschatology/Second Coming#

#subject/contentment

#subject/Jesus/Resurrection and Ascension#