Easter Service -The Promise of Living Hope
Notes
Transcript
The Promise of Living Hope
The Promise of Living Hope
1 Peter 1:3–9 (NKJV)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
Introduction:
Think back to a moment when hope felt more like a concept than a reality.
Maybe it was in the midst of loss, facing failure, or in the grip of uncertainty.
Now, imagine someone tells you there's a hope that's unshakeable, a hope so real and so powerful, it can transform your entire life.
That's not just wishful thinking; it's the promise of Easter.
Today, we're diving into what it means to have a "Living Hope," a hope that's not based on circumstances but on the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This hope isn't blind optimism.
It's anchored in the historical event of the resurrection, a fact that changes everything about our present and our future.
I. A Living Hope
1 Peter 1:3 celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the birth of a living hope.
1 Peter 1:3 (AMP)
Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
This hope is alive because Jesus is alive.
It's not a concept; it's a person.
Let’s define a few words here.
Lively or living means to live or to live again, resurrection life.
This is the eternal life that we find through Christ at salvation.
Let’s look at the word Hope, it means to look forward with confident expectation.
This is what Peter was pointing out, that we have ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
But here's the question:
How does this living hope change the way we face life's ups and downs?
We all have them, right?
It means we're not swayed or moved by the temporary because we're anchored in the eternal.
If you could look through the lens of eternity, our momentary trials diminish to less than a speck of dust.
II. Inheritance That is Imperishable
to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
Peter goes on to talk about an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade.
In a world where everything seems temporary, this promise is life changing.
This isn't just about heaven someday; it's about living today with the confidence that our future is secure.
It's about knowing that our true worth and destiny are not defined by our achievements or failures.
It's about understanding that our genuine value and purpose are not determined by our successes or setbacks, but by Christ.
III. Faith Tested by Fire
1 Peter 1:5–6
who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
The term "trials" is not something anyone wishes to encounter. Yet, Peter tells us they are unavoidable.
But here's the thing..
They're not just obstacles; they're opportunities.
They're not just obstacles; they're opportunities.
Opportunities for our faith to be proven genuine, just like gold refined by fire.
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
This doesn't mean we celebrate suffering, but we see it through the lens of resurrection hope.
It's not meaningless; it's molding us
It's not meaningless; it's molding us
Preparing us for what's to come.
What is our takeaway this morning?
Living hope means living differently.
It means choosing joy even in trials, not because the trials are pleasant, but because we know they're producing something eternal in us.
It means our outlook, our decisions, and our priorities are shaped not by fear or despair but by hope.
Conclusion:
It's a hope that speaks into our darkest days and brightest moments, saying, "The best is yet to come."
Call to Action:
This week, let's identify one area of our lives where we need to apply this living hope.
Maybe it's in a strained relationship, a challenging work situation, or a personal struggle.
Let's approach it with the confidence and joy that come from knowing we serve a risen Savior.
Have a blessed Easter Sunday!
Have a blessed Easter Sunday!