This is Not Our Home #1 - A Living Hope
1st Peter 1:3-9 - Victory Fellowship
April 16, 2023 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
I. Introduction:
a. We’ve jumped from the frying pan of COVID-19 to the fire of woke-ness and cancel culture.
b. The best way to handle any crisis is to first have new life in Christ. Be born again. Even then, it won’t be easy.
Have you noticed that the world (our culture) is increasingly hostile to the faithful, conservative Christian? People of faith in Jesus Christ are being criticized, even condemned for their biblical values and worldview. The New Testament Epistle, 1st Peter, reveals that there is nothing new under the sun. Peter's audience in the early 60's A.D. was being severely persecuted for their faith. The Holy Spirit inspired Peter to share encouragement with them (and us) for how to live out our faith in such an environment. Join us for the next several weeks as Pastor Rod shares insight from Peter's letter to the churches in Northern Asia Minor. As Peter relates, there is hope of a better home awaiting - this world is not our home.
II. A Living Hope (vv. 3-5)
a. He has given us a new birth into a living Hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
b. An Inheritance that is kept in heaven for you.
i. Imperishable - indestructible
ii. Uncorrupted – fresh, unpolluted
iii. Unfading – Vital
c. Protected by God’s power through Faith
i. For a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
III. Triumph over Trials (vv. 6-9)
a. Even Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:35) – when He knew He would raise him!
b. In our faith, this living hope allows us to rejoice even in our trials. Trials that are underserved, unexpected, and unexplainable.
i. We experience trials and as a result our faith is proven to be genuine.
ii. This results in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. You love Him, though you have not seen Him.
c. The Joy of Trials – We rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy.
i. Not from the abundance of possessions
ii. Inward joy, fueled by the Holy Spirit
d. We are receiving the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls.
IV. Conclusion:
a. (Little boy in burn unit. Mentor comes in to teach verbs and adverbs.)
b. We have to look at trials we endure (like Covid) through an eternal perspective.
c. In all things, we have Hope. We have Joy. We have Salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.
d. As Peter relates, there is hope of a better home awaiting - this world is not our home.
PRAYER
SONG: No Other Name
1st Peter 1:3-9: (HCSB) Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
