A Living Hope

INTRODUCTION:

(NOW)

A Drifting Ship - And unanchored ship begins to drift.

(THEN)

CIT: Peter is reminding the persecuted believer that hope is based on Jesus’ resurrection alone.

A letter written to encourage the scattered Christians to maintain hope while suffering

CIM: Anchor your hope in the life changing resurrection of Jesus Christ.

PREPOSITION: How does your new life in Christ cause you to view your suffering in this world?

Your new life causes you to bless God for what only God can do. (v.3)

EXP: Blessed - praise rendered to God - Good Word. This Blessing is only given to God for things that only God can do.

ARG: This word for God is only used for God (See next page)

Mar 14:61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 

Luk 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Rom 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

2Co 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

2Co 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

ILL: Retiring a Jersey CAN NEVER BE WARN AGAIN

APP:

Your new life causes you to recognize the mercy of God’s salvation. (v.3)

EXP: Great - Multitudinous (numerous), Mercy - Covenant-Loyalty-Love-Mercy, Born Again - be renewed, re-begotten (connected to God’s merciful act).

ARG:

ILL: Woman - went through many trials. When upon life's billows You are tempest tossed When you are discouraged Thinking all is lost Count your many blessings Name them one by one And it will surprise you What the lord has done

APP:

Your new life causes you to cling to the living hope anchored in Jesus’ Resurrection. (v.3)

EXP: Lively - actively living, Hope - God inspired optimism anchored in What God is doing.

ARG: Hope is energizing/Lively

"This hope is an energizing principle, a spontaneous, overflowing, buoyant thing.  It is a hopefulness, a spirit of optimism, a looking ever upon the bright side of things, a looking forward to only that which is good, an expectancy of continued blessing and joy.  It is the opposite of that fear of the future which grips so many hearts.  This Christian optimism, this exuberant hopefulness, leaves no room for worry.  This lively hope should be the normal atmosphere of every Christian heart" (3, Treasures, 21,22).

ILL: The baby inside of the stomach

APP: the hope is anchored to the living.

CONCLUSION

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

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

All other ground is sinking sand