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A LIVING HOPE

Text: 1 Peter 1
5 February 2012

(I) AN UPLIFTING DESCRIPTION OF THE HOPE WE HAVE IN CHRIST

1. A living hope (1 Peter 1:3)

2. A hope that is truly alive (1 Peter 1:3)

(II) THE SOURCE OF THIS LIVING HOPE

1. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

2. A special phrase used by both the apostles Paul and Peter

a) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ( 1 Peter 1:3 )

b) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ( Ephesians 1:3 )

3. Significance of the usage of this phrase

a) It has an important historical link

i) Israel to the Church

ii) Old Testament to the New Testament

b) It has an important theological link

i) Between God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

ii) Between the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and our relationship with Him through the Lord Jesus Christ

c) It is this great and Almighty God who has created this living hope in all believers

(III) HOW IS THIS HOPE LIVING?

1. It is tied in to the resurrection of Christ (1 Peter 1:3)

2. Just as Christ has risen from the dead and is alive so is this hope truly alive

(IV) THE CHALLENGE TO UNDERSTAND AND HOLD FAST TO THIS LIVING HOPE

1. A deep understanding is vital

a) We have the hope of the resurrection in Christ

b) We may die physically, but we will live in Christ

c) We have an eternal inheritance in heaven

2. A deep and living hope in Christ

a) We may go through trials and tribulation ( 1 Peter 1:6 )

b) We must remember that we are being kept by the power of God ( 1 Peter 1:5 )

c) We must exercise our faith in God while enduring trials ( 1 Peter 1:6 )

d) We must look forward with faith to full and final salvation “in the last time” ( 1 Peter 1:5 )