Introduction

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. What a blessing it is to gather together in His name, to feel the warmth of fellowship and the power of collective faith. Today, we have the privilege to sit at the feet of our Lord and learn from His Word. It's a privilege, indeed, to be able to open our Bibles and our hearts to the timeless truths and life-changing lessons found within the sacred pages of Scripture.

We turn our attention today to 1 Peter 1. Here, the apostle Peter, a man who walked with Jesus, who shared meals with Him, who witnessed His miracles, and who was entrusted with the keys of the kingdom, writes to us about hope, promises, and the renewing of our minds.

Harnessing Hope in God

When we look at the world around us, it's easy to see why so many people are searching for hope. The daily news is filled with stories of conflict, hardship, and heartbreak. It can be overwhelming. But in the midst of all this, we find a beacon of light in the words of Peter. He reminds us that we have been given a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope is a gift, freely given by God in His great mercy. It's a hope that is anchored in the reality of the resurrection, the ultimate demonstration of God's power over sin and death. This is the hope that Peter is calling us to harness.

But how do we harness this hope? How do we make it a reality in our daily lives? Peter gives us some clues in his letter.

First, he tells us that this hope is linked to our new birth in Christ. When we put our faith in Jesus, we are born again. We become new creations. The old has gone, the new has come. This new birth brings with it a new perspective, a new way of seeing the world. It's a perspective that is shaped by the reality of the resurrection, by the certainty of God's promises, and by the hope of eternal life. This new perspective can transform the way we live, the way we relate to others, and the way we face the challenges of life.

Second, Peter tells us that this hope is kept in heaven for us. Our hope is not tied to the things of this world, but to the eternal realities of heaven. Our hope is not in wealth, power, or success, but in the promises of God. This hope is secure. It's kept safe for us by God Himself. It's a hope that can never perish, spoil or fade. This gives us confidence and assurance, even in the face of uncertainty and change.

Third, Peter tells us that we are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. This tells us that our hope is not just for the future, but for the present as well. God's power is at work in us, protecting us, guiding us, and empowering us. We are not alone. We are not helpless. We are not without hope. God is with us, and His power is at work in us.

Finally, Peter tells us that in all this we greatly rejoice, though now for a little while we may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. This reminds us that our hope does not exempt us from suffering. In fact, it's often in the midst of suffering that our hope is tested and strengthened. But even in the face of trials, we can rejoice. We can rejoice because we know that our hope is secure.

Heeding God's Eternal Promises

We now find ourselves drawn to the eternal promises of God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO