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Christ Our Hope in Life and Death
Sunday, July 12, 2020
Pastor Jojo Ma
Sermon Notes
Christ Our Hope in Life and Death
1 Peter 1:3-9
1 Peter 1:3-9
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Sermon Series: A Living Hope
Today’s Sermon: “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death”
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9
“Human beings can live for forty days without food, four days without water, and four minutes without air. But we cannot live for four seconds without hope.”
In many ways our earthly hopes reveal our deepest longings, our greatest desires, and even our sinful idols.
Instead of wishful thinking, Christian hope is certain and guaranteed. Rather than wanting what might happen, biblical hope is longing for what is sure to happen.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith -- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire -- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I. Praising God for His mercy [vv3-5]
II. Rejoicing in God through trials [vv6-7]
III. Loving God though we do not see Him [vv8-9]
I. Praising God for His mercy [vv3-5]
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
The main thing is this: We gather to give God praise. We come together to speak well of the Lord or praise the Lord for His great mercy and our great salvation in Christ.
Since we were made to enjoy God and find our joy in Him, it is actually good for our souls to declare God’s praise and worth.
We were made to praise the One who alone satisfies. There is a true and lasting “healing” in the worship and praise of God; this big and mighty and glorious Being.
St. Augustine: You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until we find our rest in You.
3…According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Do you see how Peter anchors the promises of God and the hope of believers in the good news of Jesus’ resurrection?
4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
“When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.”
What’s the best thing about heaven? What’s the best inheritance we get? It’s Christ. It’s Jesus himself. Heaven without Jesus would be hell. He’s our deepest joy, our true happiness, our greatest reward.
Is there anything stronger than God’s power? I’m seriously asking you. Is there anything more powerful than God’s power?
So no matter whether you are up or down, no matter how hard life gets, train your heart and your lips to praise God for theenormity of His mercy.
II. Rejoicing in God through trials [vv6-7]
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith -- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire -- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The situation here in the States is changing. We who really believe on Christ and we who truly stand on his Word above every earthly power, we are going to find ourselves in more and more trying circumstances.
How should Christians who know Jesus and who have a living hope respond to unjust treatment and persecution?
Responding to trials with joy is counter-intuitive. It’s not intuitive, it’s not natural. It almost seems absurd.
Matt 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Col 1:11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.
1 Thes 1:6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.
Rather, the New Testament command to rejoice in suffering is always seen from a redemptive, purposeful lens.
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith -- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire -- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Where is your joy? Where are you tempted to place it other than in the gospel of Jesus Christ?
III. Loving God though we do not see Him [vv8-9]
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.