What Hope Looks Like

Scripture Reading

1 Corinthians 4:8-

1 Corinthians 4:8–16 ESV

8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. 14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

Intro

The story goes that Mark Twain was once speaking in Utah when he got in a rather heated argument with a fellow regarding marriage and polygamy. The gentleman from Utah challenged Mr. Twain, “I ask you to show me one scripture from the Bible that forbids polygamy!”

To which Mark Twain allegedly replied, “That is easy enough, the scriptures say that no man can serve two masters.”

Today’s lesson is not completely about marriage but that joke was too good not to include.

As you know, we’ve been going through 1 Peter looking at hope.

It’s amazing to me how many people I’ve had the opportunity to study with since the beginning of the year who are in desperately searching for the kind of hope that only comes through Christ Jesus.

And I hope that as we’ve gone through this series that you’ve been encouraged to learn more about the hope that we have in Christ and how that hope should mold our lives to be more Christlike.

So far we’ve discussed how 1 Peter was written largely to encourage Christians to endure. To persevere through the suffering. & the key to getting through those trials Peter says is hope. The same hope that no doubt kept the Apostles Going when they suffered the things that was read from earlier.

They were beaten, imprisoned, dishonored, slandered, reviled. And yet Paul says in the midst of that they did the opposite in return. And the point of this being that that kind of behavior is not normal in the world is it?

I mean even Proverbs makes this statement.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV

1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The idea being, whatever a person receives, is what they retaliate with. And how true is that? When we are verbally attacked, what do we want to do? Attack Back!

If someone says something about us behind our back, what do we want to do? Oh we want to play that game to!

But what we are going to discover today is that a life of hope, a christian life, is not one that follows the normal patterns of behavior. In fact, we are called to live completely differently from what the world might expect of us.

The Text

We pick up this week where we left off in .

To revisit the context and the thought from the previous verses, you’ll recall that Peter contrasted those who reject the cornerstone of Jesus Christ to those of us who have accepted Him and are being built up as spiritual stones and that we make up spiritual house as the church, that we stand strong together to make up the walls, a holy priesthood, a chosen people, a people for his own possession,

and for what reason? To Proclaim the excellencies of God who has shown us such incredible grace and mercy to make us a people when we once where not a people.

And so from there, Peter transitions to some of the most practical real world ways in which we can show the world what those kind of people look like.

1 Peter 2:11–12 ESV

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

- 3:

He uses three groups of people, all three of which are to be subject.

ALL PEOPLE

1. Be subject to every human institution

A Peaceful government is good for the spread of the gospel.

Infrastructure is good for spreading the Gospel

Exceptions to the rule

Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, would not bow down to worship the Golden statue that Nebechednzzer had set up.

Daniel 3:17–18 ESV

17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Daniel would not cease praying

Slaves

Wives and Husbands

why?

1 Peter 3:13-

1 Peter 3:13–16 ESV

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

A Hope filled life is a life that wins others to Christ!