Jesus Christ--our Living Hope

We have hope in this life and in the life to come because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead.

Died

Intro

Peter (background)—A man so transformed by the Spirit of God and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead—; sermon

Rose

Apostle (Background) of Jesus Christ

Acts 2 NKJV

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’ “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’ “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Vs. 1 Audience—the pilgrims or strangers

Seated

Vs. 1 Audience—the pilgrims or strangers—Aliens

Someone who is living in a foreign land in which they are not a citizen.

yes, they were living as Jewish Christians away from Israel

More importantly, and i believe this is what was on Peter’s Mind, They were living as Citizens of Heaven in a foreign land ().

—Jesus says His followers are not of this world as He is not of this world.

“Of the Dispersion”—means they were scattered—as a farmer scatters seed. (NASB—Who reside as aliens, scattered throughout…)

This has been demonstrated in Scripture—always when God commands the earth to be filled with His Glory

Tower of Babel—had an inward focus

Israel—had an inward focus

The Church—Has an outward focus

Believers are the Good seed Scattered by Christ to produce more fruit in the World ()

He Plants them where He wants them

He uses Persecution to Scatter the Seed

;

I find it interesting that Jews came from vs. 1 cities for Pentecost per (Did they not want to go back home? Did they stay in Jerusalem for a bit to get trained up by the Apostles?)

John 17:16-18

Vs. 2 we see the Plan of God for His Heavenly Kingdom and Salvation

The Father Chose the Son to bring Him a people by the Spirit of God through His blood (Blood of the New Covenant—Remember Moses Sprinkled blood of an animal to initiate the OC? Christ initiates the NC through His Shed blood).

Peter Gives a brief Salutation—Grace and Peace be multiplied—May what was paid for by the Blood of Jesus Christ keep multiplying in your Life!

Peter now describes the Motivation of Believers to live for Christ in a Hostile World

First things first—Peter blesses God—Describes the fact that He is worthy to be praised—and HE is our motivation

Our life is a sacrifice of Praise to God

If God did not do a single thing, He’d still be worthy of Praise, But we know that God is a God of action and He demonstrates His Greatness through acts of Love and Mercy—so Peter now describes why our lives should be a sacrifice of Praise to Him.

Why? Because of His Abundant Mercy—

He knows something about Mercy—Be restored to fellowship with Christ AFTER Peter denied Him three times

He begotten us again—HE caused us to be born again

We’ve been “Born again” into the Family of God—John 3

He’s made us His sons and Daughters—John 1

He’s given us a Spiritual Birthright—or inheritance

He has Given us a Living Hope (we’ve been born again INTO this living Hope)

says we were once without God and Without Hope in this World

“Living” is a present active verb-- We have a Hope that is Alive!

Hope—confident expectation—it’s alive and Growing!

A hope that is to be lived out now and in the future!

It Starts now— says we are raised with Christ to the newness of Life

—We are crucified with Christ...

I’m going to Cut to the Chase—we have a Living Hope because we believe in a living Savior!

“Living” is a present active verb-- We have a Hope that is Alive!

How did this Hope come about? Through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead ()

This Entire Epistle is commentary on living in Light of the Sufferings of Christ and the Resurrection of Christ from the Dead

we do not work for this Hope—it’s been given because of the Work of Jesus Christ!

We do not work for this Hope—it’s been given because of the Work of Jesus Christ!

Payment accepted!

Through Belief in the Resurrection of Christ—Romans 10:9-13

Which is our Inheritance—our Spiritual birthright—fourfold reality to it——Christ is the Firstborn from the Dead—meaning He’s been given the birthright and blessing—to give to his brothers and sisters as He choses! (Give Middle Eastern concept of Firstborn/birthright—Esau and Jacob)

It is incorruptible—It cannot decay

It is undefiled—Nothing can cause it to be removed—like when someone was defiled under OT law, it had to be removed from the Camp—Nothing can keep a believer from receiving her or his inheritance!

It does not Fade away—Does not wither like a flower—always Keeps it’s beauty and delight

It is reserved in Heaven—It’s guarded, preserved, and kept watch over by God in Heaven!

Not only is this Hope reserved—but the Person is kept “Guarded as by a soldier) by the LORD!—vs. 5

The Hope of Eternal life with the Lord is not based on our merit but by the faithfulness of God almighty!

So just as sure as Christ has raised from the dead—so is the guarantee of eternal life with God our Savior.

All a result of the Fact that Jesus Christ rose from the Dead.

Payment accepted!

Death is destroyed!

The Grave is overtaken!

the enemy is defeated!

Hope is restored!

Weak and wearied Sinner, without God and Christ, you have no hope.

But this Does not have to be the final outcome for your life!

Christian, your heart should be set on fire by the Holy Ghost because of the incredible Truth of Christ’s resurrection!