A Living Hope

Understanding Context

Peter writing as an apostle — authoritative messenger from Christ

To the chosen — believers, separated by God and for God, a unique possession, echoes of Israel in the OT, not on the basis of merit but God’s grace

Living as exiles (or aliens) dispersed — literally, believers who have been spread like seeds. Metaphorically, all believers living in a strange land, because this world is not our home.

The Trinity involved in salvation

Chosen by the Father’s foreknowledge (purposeful change - see also v.3)

Sanctified by the Spirit (practical change)

Purified for obedience by the Son (positional change)

Also speaks of 2/3 of the states of salvation (past and present), and the future aspect of salvation will be mentioned

There is great comfort and assurance from God’s involvement in our salvation.

Purposed in the past by God the Father (evidence of His Fatherly care in spite of our rebellion)

Evidenced in life change by the Spirit

Accomplished through Christ’s sacrifice

Hope is living

We serve a risen Savior

If hope is alive, it is active, not dead and useless

Comforting words whenever we find ourselves in the throes of life’s demands

Our living hope is attached to the certainty of our reward (imperishable, undefiled, unfading, kept in heaven, and so that we may receive it, we are guarded by God’s power through faith)

Rom8:17 “and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.”

Col3:24 “knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.”

Mt6:19-20 ““Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal.”

If we pass from this life having suffered the entire to, but enter into an eternity that is firmly secure, would it be worth it?

What do you cling to when this world seems to be collapsing around you?

V5 - The last part of our salvation, the one revealed at the end. Glorification

However, the road to glorification may be paved with difficulty (vs.6). Even still, it is reason to rejoice

Eternity is firmly fixed

Trials test and prove our faith

The end — God is glorified (v.7). We are not the center of the salvation story!

What is unseen currently becomes reality (v.8)

We receive the “goal (or result or end or reward)” of our faith

Have you ever considered:

We are not just saved from something, but to something (v.9)?

The reason you have been saved is to bring God glory?

V10-11 - The stumbling block for many (Christ’s suffering and death) was foretold by the prophets, and in this they served NT believers (v.12).

Lk24:25-27 “He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.”

Ps22

Isa53

Jesus the Messiah has always been the point

OT looked forward in anticipation

NT looks back with assurance

Finally, the beauty of this gospel that we’ve become partakers of (vv.10-12):

OT onlookers hoped in it but ultimately served us in their proclamation

Angels long to fully understand this grace, but since they are not partakers in divine redemption, cannot grasp it fully

At last and finally, we have received, drank until full at the well of salvation

So what do we take away?

There is a clear past (have you surrendered your life to the gospel?), present (are you becoming more like Christ), and future (have you attached your hope to the certainty of eternity?) aspect to our salvation.

Salvation is not just FROM something (death and hell); it is also TO something (life with Christ and giving Him glory).

Hope is living and active, not dead and useless. If you are a believer, you partake in the hope of history. Rejoice! Be glad! Let your life joy tell the story of a sinner redeemed with a hope that sees you through any circumstance!