Text: 1st Peter 3:8-16
Introduction: Over the past few years, our world has definitely experienced a massive amount of uncertain times. According to scripture there will be many more times of uncertainty in the future. During the previous century, which ended in 1999, it can be argued that we saw more fulfillment of major prophecy than all of the generations before us.
The events unfolding around the globe today are another significant step closer to the conclusion of history as described in the scriptures. I am not seeking to sensationalize the political and military actions being taken. However, I am intending to share with you my conviction that we must not overlook their significance to the spiritual climate of the world.
Many non-Christian people are sensing for the first time a genuine hopelessness. There is an anxiety as to how this escalating conflict will radically change life on this planet. There is a continued fear of increasing terrorist attacks, political fanaticism, and social unrest.
What hope can there possibly be for a better world for our children? Where can we find new hope for the present, let alone our future? Where can our friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues turn for hope?
1st Peter 3:8-16 (NASB) 8To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 10For, "THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. 11"HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. 12"OR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL." 13Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? 14But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, 15but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
I. Living in a Hopeless World
A. The Bible fully understands and recognizes that hope is vital and necessary to all living people.
B. Proverbs 13:12 (NASB) 12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
C. There are so many different ways that hope can be shattered.
1. Broken bodies
a) Sickness
b) Disease
c) Disaster
2. Broken Homes
a) Divorce
b) Violence
c) Debt
d) Death
3. Broken lives
a) Drugs
b) Alcohol
c) Crime
d) Bereavement
e) Desertion
4. Broken dreams
a) Ambition
b) Failure
c) Defeat
d) Disappointment
5. These all seem to be symptoms of our modern society.
6. Today, these symptoms are affecting millions of people, depriving them of peace, happiness, and ultimately hope.
D. We can live forty days without food.
E. We can live 8 days without water.
F. We can live 4 minutes without air.
G. However, we can only live a few seconds without hope.
II. Understanding Hope in a Hopeless World
A. What do we mean by hope?
B. What do the scriptures mean by hope in our text?
C. The word used in the Greek is Elpis and means ‘a favorable and confident expectation’.
D. It has to do with a positive vision of the unseen and the future.
E. It is most frequent use in the NT talks about the ‘happy anticipation of good.’
F. Titus 1:1, 2 (NASB) 1Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago.
G. Hope is not dreaming, or a vague aspiration.
H. It is not just simply wanting things to turn out well, whilst remaining uncertain that they actually will.
I. Hope is the absolute certainty we have that God is good and that His promises are true.
J. Hope is actually personalized in Jesus himself!
K. He is our hope!
L. Colossians 1:27 (NASB) 27to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
III. Possessing Hope in a Hopeless World
A. This world needs people with a confident hope.
B. Not a misplaced hope but a secure hope.
C. The words of Jesus himself teach us that things are going to get worse before they get better, especially for the Christian.
D. Matthew 24:3-8 (NASB) 3As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" 4And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. 5"For many will come in My name, saying, ’I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6"You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. 7"For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. 8"But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
E. In order for us to convince others that there is hope we need ourselves to be convinced.
F. God’s people are not expected to live dictated to by world circumstances but by the principles and promises of God’s kingdom.
G. We have the greatest hope of all.
H. Titus 2:11-14 (NASB) 11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
I. Romans 8:35-39 (NASB) 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
J. Psalm 65:5 (AMP) 5By fearful and glorious things [that terrify the wicked but make the godly sing praises] do You answer us in righteousness (rightness and justice), O God of our salvation, You Who are the confidence and hope of all the ends of the earth and of those far off on the seas.
K. We should be the possessors of an undying hope, a favorable and confident expectation that our lives and futures are in the hands of one greater than the worlds strongest and most awful leaders.
L. Other men see life as a hopeless end but Christians rejoice in an endless hope.
IV. Sharing hope in an endless world
A. 1st Peter 3:15 (NASB) 15but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.
B. The despair, anxiety and fear that we see in people around us is the very opportunity we have to share the good news of Jesus with them.
C. Peter’s words remind us of the need for READINESS.
D. Live with the willingness to respond to the moment that God grants you, the Divine appointment.
E. Peter’s words tell us clearly that our hope should be VISIBLE.
F. Be prepared to tell those who ASK us, those who can see that difference within us.
G. Some Christians live with no obvious difference in their lives presenting no alternative hope to anyone.
H. How selfish we are if we rejoice in our HOPE but refuse to share it with those who need it.
I. You may be thinking how we can respond positively to the awful things that have been happening in our world for the past few years.
J. PLACE Jesus Christ at the centre of your affections.
1. ‘In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.’
K. PERSEVERE in living with a positive heart towards others.
1. Always be prepared to give an answer.’
L. PASS on your HOPE with the conviction with which you hold on to it.
1. ‘Give the reason for the hope that you have.’
Conclusion: Psalm 25;1-5 (NASB) 1To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. 2O my God, in You I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me. 3Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed. 4Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. 5Lead me in your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.
