SF203 - MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS THE BASIS OF HOPE (1 Peter 1 3-9)
1 Peter 1:3-9
INTRODUCTION:
Upon what foundation is your life built? What do you lean on for strength and support?
We live in what many have characterized as a hopeless society. We have seen in our generation a break down in moral standards, an almost complete break down of the nuclear family, and what seems to be an irreparable decline in public and private ethics. We live in a hero-less age where almost daily we are reminded that all men have feet of clay. In fact many have lost faith and hope in their fellow man the days of trust and loyalty appear to be gone forever.
For these and many more reasons we are suffering through a time of hopelessness as has never been experienced in this country, this year literally thousands of Americans will take their own lives.
A recent study revealed that 33% of teens surveyed said that they were depressed. In the same survey nearly 6% stated that they had attempted suicide within the last six months. Suicide is the number two cause of death among teens in the U. S.
We are losing grasp on life; because we have lost our grip on our Hope. What can we trust? On what can we build our hope? If the answer is not found in material gains, and surely it is not (for we are the richest generation to ever live); then what or whom can be the bases of our hope?
Peter is writing to a group of people who have come under increased pressure from the Roman government and society because of their faith in Christ. It seems that some of these Christians had suffered material as well physical loss due to their stand for Christ. Peter through the leadership of the Spirit could sense that these believers were beginning to waver in their faith and that their hope was beginning to ebb out.
Peter restates for them the basis of our hope. The basis of all hope is that God has done something to insure our salvation. It is the fact that we can know God's forgiveness and fellowship in salvation that gives hope in hard times. Peter details why this is true in verses 3-9 of this first chapter.
1A. The Completed Elements of Our Salvation
Key word is "has caused us, begotten" which literally means "to give new life to."
The idea here is past tense (aorist ptc.) in that the entire act is seen as a single whole.
Therefore our salvation is characterized as:
1B. A "living hope" (1:3)
For which God is to be praised.
Which is a product of God's abundant mercy
Which is insured by the resurrection of Christ
2B. An "inheritance"
That is "imperishable, incorruptible" = never perish
That is "undefiled" = unstained, pure
That "will not fade away" = never grow old.
Matthew 6:19-21 " Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
2A. The Certain Endurance of Our Salvation
Key word is "protected, kept" it literally means "to guard." It indicates a continuous process (present ptc.).
Peter elaborates on God's work of guarding our salvation in these verses.
1B. The permanence of our salvation (1:5-6a)
Our salvation is insured by "the power of God"
John 10:28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
Our salvation is experienced "through faith"
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Our salvation is cause for rejoicing – “In this you greatly rejoice.”
Matthew 5:12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
2B. The proving of our salvation (1:6b-7)
The necessity of our testing - "if necessary"
2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
The duration of our testing - "for a little while”
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
The extent of our testing. - "various" = multi‑colored
The purpose of our testing. - "that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold…"
3A. The Coming Enjoyment of Salvation
1B. Based upon a present relationship. (1:8)
Of loving without having seen
John 20:29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Of believing without seeing
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Of inexpressible joy and glory
John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
2B. Assured by a promised reality (1:9)
The completion of our faith in Christ is our final and eternal salvation.
Application
The words of the old gospel hymn state:
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness."
On what are you resting today?
Do you feel hopeless when confronted with the pressures and problems of our day?
Are you trusting completely and exclusively on Christ?
Is it Jesus only or is it Jesus plus something else?
I urge you today to put your trust in Christ for your hope for today, tomorrow, and forever.
1 Peter 1:3-9
1A. The Completed Elements of Our Salvation
Key word is "begotten" which literally means "to give new life to."
Therefore our salvation is characterized as:
1B. A "living hope" (1:3)
2B. An "inheritance"
That is "incorruptible" = never perish
That is "undefiled" = unstained, pure
That "does not fade away" = never grow old.
Matthew 6:19-21
2A. The Certain Endurance of Our Salvation
Key word is "kept" it literally means "to guard." It indicates a continuous process (present ptc.).
1B. The permanence of our salvation (1:5)
Our salvation is insured by "the power of God"
John 10:28
Our salvation is experienced "through faith"
Ephesians 2:8-9
Our salvation is cause for rejoicing – “In this you greatly rejoice.”
Matthew 5:12
2B. The proving of our salvation (1:6-7)
The necessity of our testing - "if need be"
2 Timothy 3:12
The duration of our testing - "for a little while”
Romans 8:18
The extent of our testing. - "various" = multi‑colored
The purpose of our testing. - "that the genuineness of your faith, being more precious than gold…"
3A. The Coming Enjoyment of Salvation
1B. Based upon a present relationship. (1:8)
Of loving without having seen
John 20:29
Of believing without seeing
Hebrews 11:1
Of inexpressible joy and glory
John 15:11
2B. Assured by a promised reality (1:9)
1 Peter 1:9 (ESV) obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Application
1 Peter 1:3-9
1A. The Completed Elements of Our Salvation
Key word is "begotten" which literally means "to give new life to."
Therefore our salvation is characterized as:
1B. A "living hope" (1:3)
2B. An "inheritance"
That is "incorruptible" = never perish
That is "undefiled" = unstained, pure
That "does not fade away" = never grow old.
Matthew 6:19-21
2A. The Certain Endurance of Our Salvation
Key word is "kept" it literally means "to guard." It indicates a continuous process (present ptc.).
1B. The permanence of our salvation (1:5)
Our salvation is insured by "the power of God"
John 10:28
Our salvation is experienced "through faith"
Ephesians 2:8-9
Our salvation is cause for rejoicing – “In this you greatly rejoice.”
Matthew 5:12
2B. The proving of our salvation (1:6-7)
The necessity of our testing - "if need be"
2 Timothy 3:12
The duration of our testing - "for a little while”
Romans 8:18
The extent of our testing. - "various" = multi‑colored
The purpose of our testing. - "that the genuineness of your faith, being more precious than gold…"
3A. The Coming Enjoyment of Salvation
1B. Based upon a present relationship. (1:8)
Of loving without having seen
John 20:29
Of believing without seeing
Hebrews 11:1
Of inexpressible joy and glory
John 15:11
2B. Assured by a promised reality (1:9)
1 Peter 1:9 (ESV) obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Application