Cornerstone Church November 12, 2006
“JESUS CHRIST – OUR LIVING HOPE!”
“Too Blessed to be Distressed!”
1 Peter 1:3-9
DO ANY OF YOU EVER GET DISCOURAGED?
Feel frustrated?
Want to give up?
Have lost hope?
If you have, you are not alone!
A few years ago this happened to me:
On my day off, the day I was finally going to put up our Christmas Tree, the basement was flooded. I made some arrangements for my father-in-law to call the builder and a cleaning company and as I was getting ready for a shower, before everyone arrived, the Elk were eating our shrubs and breaking the branches off of the other trees with their antlers. Christmas was coming, too many extra curricular school events were scheduled, and at church the leaders were still having long meetings to decide on the budget!
I now understand completely why Moses struck the rock in the wilderness! It was a sinful act. But I can no longer look down on Moses knowing how my own heart works!
SOME DAYS JUST STINK!
Then the thought occurred to me!
Jesus didn’t just come as a baby in the manger. Jesus came as the Hope for the world! Jesus also promised to give me strength and hope if my mind is fixed on Him!
DID HE UNDERSTAND DAYS LIKE I WAS EXPERIENCING?
DOES HE UNDERSTAND THE DAYS YOU MIGHT
HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING?
Yes He does! This is one of the great truths of the incarnation of God in human flesh! He understands and He cares!
Hebr. 4:15-16 NIV For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
WHERE DO WE FIND HELP AND HOPE?
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that
we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Do you believe that? I hope that you do!
America as a Nation has faced some difficult days since the terrorist attack on 9/11/01! The fear that struck our hearts, the agony of those who lost loved ones was just the beginning of our trial as a nation.
The economy slumped
Layoffs and unemployment increased exponentially
Brave men and women left their homes to fight for the cause of freedom on foreign fields.
We are fighting on two battlefields – Afghanistan and Iraq.
We have also had to fight on the home front.
Where it is all going to end as Israel?
A few months ago they were fighting for their survival.
Many of you have personally faced or are facing personal hardships and tragedy!
Your trial might be an unexpressed, secret hardship, that no one knows but the LORD!
The death of a loved one
The diagnosis of a long term or life threatening disease
A child alienated from you and your family
Family Conflicts
Trouble with your marriage
Job loss
Financial difficulties
Work related difficulties (you know the stuff seen in Dilbert)
Trials and testings come to everyone! They are supposed to have a positive effect in our lives. That is if we keep our eyes on the LORD.
When we don’t, however, keep our eyes on the LORD trials can easily divert our attention from what is important and lasting and cause us to look at circumstances and the temporal – what does not last.
It is good for us to be reminded that The LORD Jesus Christ is our living hope!
KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON CHRIST!
Not on society!
Not on the pastor!
Not on the elders and deacons!
Not on one another!
Each one of us needs to keep our eyes focused on Christ and His sovereign plan!
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade —kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Pet. 1:3-5 NIV
THE APOSTLE PETER WROTE THOSE WORDS TO THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS:
1 Pet. 1:1-2 NIV Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
WHAT AMAZING TRUTHS ARE REVEALED:
Chosen by the God the Father
Redeemed by God the Son
Sanctified by God the Holy Spirit
WHAT ISN’T SAID AT FIRST IS WHY PETER WROTE THIS BOOK
God wanted this book and the verses we read written. Peter under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote in approximately AD 63. In AD 64 the Great Fire of Rome took place. Nero tried hard to blame Christians for the catastrophe.
Soon Nero would instigate and unleash one of the world’s greatest persecutions of the saints. Thousands of saints will die for professing Christ as their Savior. Many will live in the catacombs beneath the city.
Their faith in Christ was strong. They did, however, need to be encouraged to keep their eyes on the LORD.
We are reaching similar levels of persecution in the world today.
I wonder how this type of persecution would affect American Christians?
I wonder if some of the stuff we are bugged about would matter?
We are like children fighting on the playground or in the sandbox!
Peter wanted the saints focused on Christ, their salvation, and the future inheritance that awaited them with Christ!
Our life on earth is temporary – here today – gone today!
Planet earth is also doomed!
The Lord Jesus Christ and His plan is eternal! Our reward for faithful and fruitful service is also eternal!
HOW DOES DISCOURAGEMENT GAIN
A FOOTHOLD IN OUR LIFE?
Perhaps we can learn a lesson from Nehemiah.
God’s chosen people had faced another dark period in their history. Because of disobedience God’s people were scattered and deported to Babylon for 70 years (30 years more than their wilderness adventure).
They lost their land
They lost their inheritance
They lost their pride
They lost their identification
The lived as aliens in a foreign land because of their disobedience to God. After the period of discipline was over God wanted them back in the land that He had promised them. In order to live there, protected, the walls of the city needed to be rebuilt.
Now the LORD could have spoken a word and had all of the neighbors who had encroached on their land for 70 years disappear. He didn’t!
Soon God’s people found that Rebuilding and Revival was not acceptable to the pagans surrounding the area. They enjoyed the 70 year void of not having the Children of Israel around.
God raised up Ezra the Priest – to mend the broken hearts of His people and Nehemiah to rebuild the broken walls of the city of Jerusalem
This is why satan works overtime trying to discourage God’s people. He wants them to give up!
Satan didn’t want God’s people living victoriously in their land.
Satan doesn’t want God’s people at Cornerstone Church living victoriously as a church body witnessing in our neighborhood and community.
Joy is a disarming apologetic!
People can argue against what you believe but not against a Savior who fills your heart with peace and joy – unspeakable!
Satan doesn’t want you to live victoriously in your own walk with the LORD so that you will not make a difference in your family, your place of work or in your sphere of influence (i.e. the realm of contacts with whom you regularly interface).
Dr. David Jeremiah helps to unpack the following tools satan uses to cultivate despair amongst God’s people. The sub-points are from his book: Slaying the Giants in Your Life.
FACTOR ONE: FATIGUE
Neh. 4:10a NIV Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out,
When physical and spiritual strength is eroded we can easily become despondent! The enemy was keep the workers up at night causing them to lose rest. We live in a fixed world of God’s physical and metaphysical Laws. God’s Laws cannot be broken!
Dr. Jeremiah said that everyone is governed by a mathematical equation of: time, pressure and exertion. When a person’s limits are violated cracks begin to appear in your life and hopelessness can take root.
Cracks show up as: Irritability Discouraegment Distress
FACTOR TWO: FRUSTRATION
Neh. 4:10 NIV Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.”
The workers rebuilding the wall worked amidst too much rubbish. When each day finished, and each new day began the workers saw little progress made.
They were probably thinking to themselves, what’s the use! My pagan neighbors are trying to kill me. I only build so much each day. And piles of rubbish surround me, daily reminding me of the past, I QUIT!
Have you ever invested lots of time and effort in something or someone and wondered if you were making any difference?
Tired of serving in the church?
Tired of helping with some ministry?
Tired of investing in your spiritual growth (Prayer and Bible Study)?
Burnout and frustration don’t come from working hard. There is nothing wrong with being tired at the end of the day.
Burnout comes from working too hard on the wrong priority!
FACTOR THREE: FAILURE
Neh. 4:10 NIV Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is giving out [fatigue], and there is so much rubble [frustration] that we cannot rebuild the wall [failure].”
Many say, if I can’t do it right, I won’t even try!
Who hasn’t failed at some time?
Who said that perfection is the goal?
The truth is that failure is often the backdoor to success! Here is some early advice given to hockey superstar, Wayne Gretsky, from his coach:
“YOU MISS 100% OF THE SHOTS
YOU NEVER TAKE.”
Fearing failure can paralyze individuals!
I must confess that many a Sunday when I’m going to speak, I fear failure.
Am I going to keep their attention? Am I going to say what God wants me to say?
What if, what if, what if…?
I’ve come to the conclusion that you have two choices. If you think I need to improve, then pray! Ask the LORD to help me get better. If you don’t like what I’m saying, tell God!
But as far as fear, He is the only one I want to fear and please!
FACTOR FOUR: FEAR
Neh. 4:11-12 NIV Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.” Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”
Daily God’s people lived with the fear of having their lives snuffed out! Fear easily leads to discouragement.
REVIEW POINT: WHAT CAN LEAD TO DESPAIR?
Focusing on circumstances and not on Christ!
What are some of satan’s schemes or tactics?
Factor One: Fatigue
Factor Two: Frustration
Factor Three: Failure
Factor Four: Fear
JESUS CHRIST – OUR LIVING HOPE
Peter is so excited about what we possess as believers that from the second part of verse three until verse five is one long run on sentence.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade —kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Pet. 1:3-5 NIV
No wonder Peter is so excited! Did you hear those truths?
As Christians we have so much to look forward to! Why do we worry so much about life on earth?
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Our new birth is because of His great love and mercy! Salvation isn’t about God helping those who help themselves! Salvation is about God helping the helpless!
Rom. 5:6-8 NIV You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
1 John 4:9-10 NIV This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Not only did He die for us! He is still alive!
Our hope is a living hope because our Savior is a living Savior! He was resurrected from the dead!
Rom. 8:34 NIV Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died —more than that, who was raised to life —is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
This hope in a living, risen and coming again Savior is not a sedative! Trusting in Christ does not mean Christians should live apathetic lives!
This type of hope and trust is a shot of adrenaline!
A confidence comes from knowing Christ.
Knowing that He will guide, He will protect and He will be present with us no matter what the circumstances!
WHAT DO WE LOOK FORWARD TO IF WE DIE?
“…and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil
or fade —kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Pet. 1:4-5 NIV
Our Inheritance!
PERFECT AND COMPLETE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD!
PERFECT KINGDOM IN WHICH TO LIVE!
No more terrorists
No more sickness
No more death
No more suffering
No more financial problems
No more hunger in the world
No more relationship problems
No more being tired!
Praise the LORD!
The Old Testament Saints knew about looking forward to their inheritance!
For years they eagerly awaited the Promised Land! That had to keep pressing on waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise to them. They also had to wait for the Messiah to come!
Hebr. 11:8-10 NIV By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Strange isn’t it? Following God with no knowledge of where you are going!
What this is saying is that Abraham had to trust God’s leading and direction to get to where he was going and not in his five year, ten year, or fifteen year plan that he had mapped out!
We live by faith with a similar hope as did Abraham
Phil. 3:20-21 NIV But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
“…and into an inheritance that can never perish,
spoil or fade —kept in heaven for you,”
1 Pet. 1:4 NIV
OUR INHERITANCE WON’T PERISH, SPOIL OR FADE!
Many earthy hopes can easily fade! Hope lasts for awhile but fades with time.
It reminds me of the scene from “You’ve Got Mail” where Meg Ryan is eagerly waiting for her date in a coffee shop. At this point she has never met her date. Her date knows who she is and decides not to introduce himself at the time.
At first she is eager to met him with some apprehension. As the night wears on she still has her dreams. Slowly but surely her hope fades until she is discouraged that her date didn’t come!
Circumstances may cause a Christian to miss the joy and blessing of trusting in the LORD Jesus Christ as their living hope.
But the Christian never, I repeat, never, has to fear that the LORD Jesus Christ will disappoint! THAT ISN’T GOING TO HAPPEN!
We might be wasting away, but Christ’s promise of our inheritance:
Will never Perish!
Will never Spoil!
Will never Fade!
Why?
“…kept in heaven for you,”
Kept is a military term = to be constantly guarded and constantly kept! Who is the One who guards our inheritance 24/7 365 days of the year?
“…who through faith are shielded by God’s power
until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed
in the last time.
1 Pet. 1:5 NIV
This is talking about God’s Omnipotent Power and Ability! It is not kept safe by our strength but by God’s power and ability!
Romans 8:35-36 NIV Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
Rom. 8:37-39 NIV No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“…kept in heaven for you,”
This also reflects the thought reserved in heaven for you!
Have you ever had a reservation canceled on you?
In 1999 we went on a trip to California and had an important reservation canceled. We thought we were making a simple drive from Solvang to Anaheim on Saturday. It took hours! We had a reservation for 9 people at a Disneyland Hotel. Our reservation was canceled! What do you mean canceled? Where do you think that nine weary and hungry people are going to find a room this late in the day in Anaheim?
When you put your faith and trust in the LORD Jesus Christ you reservation is certain! One warning, make sure that you have a true reservation because you might not like what Jesus does with those not registered!
Rev. 20:15 NIV If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
PETER GIVES INSIGHT TO WHY
TRIALS AND TESTINGS COME OUR WAY!
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith —of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire —may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Pet. 1:6-8 NIV
No one likes trials. They are like adding additional hurdles in life to jump over.
But God has designed trials for a purpose. Peter the fisherman says that they are precious!
They perfect us!
They Purify us!
Trials help to burn off the slag in our life! I’m familiar with slag. I have had lots of it removed from my own life over the years. Slag isn’t pretty stuff! I use to drive by a US Steel Plant in Lorain, Ohio and see mountains of slag from the steel making process! Steel making takes intense heat!
The Master Refiner knows just how to purify us and to temper us! He like the gold refiner keeps the heat on until His face and glory can be seen in our lives!
2 Cor. 3:18 NIV And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism states this:
Question #1: What is the Chief end of Man?
Answer: Man’s chief end is to Glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
But if we remove ourselves too quickly from God’s smelting process He may have to turn up the heat or leave us in longer!
REVIEW POINT: WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO?
Our inheritance! What keeps us? Our living savior and living hope in Him!
What do trials accomplish? They purify us and perfect us!
Trials are temporary!
Life on Earth is temporary!
HOW DO WE OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT?
Dr. David Jeremiah gives us these insights to overcome from a lack of hope!
RESPONSE ONE: CRY OUT TO GOD
Pray first!
Daddy, Help!
I told you earlier that I was downhearted in the past. I prayed an unusual pray that morning. I said, “Lord if you care at all for me please send someone today to encourage me.”
Now the LORD doesn’t always answer this quickly. But He does when His servants need it! Within two hours the LORD sent John McArthur (the local pastor) to my office. He heard about a neat opportunity to minister to a young mother in need and off we went!
I needed encouragement, but guess what, so did this young woman! The LORD also sent another Pastor friend my way to encourage me!
RESPONSE TWO: CONTNIUE THE WORK GOD HAS GIVEN YOU TO DO!
Neh. 4:6 NIV So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.
They finished what God gave them to do! Satan loves to play with our emotions and tempts us to give up.
People give up on their marriages
People leave their jobs
People leave their churches
Most of this happens right before God is going to do something in their lives!
RESPONSE THREE: CONCENTRATE ON THE BIG PICTURE
You are part of the Body of Christ
You are part of God’s great plan!
You are part of God’s Kingdom work
Stay focused on the main thing and the main One – Jesus Christ and spreading the gospel!
God’s people rebuilding the wall were separated and disheartened.
They didn’t see the big picture.
Finally they pooled all of their talent together into one effort, under God, and they were an army of God’s people.
Sometimes we think we are a minority in this world. We aren’t! Leith Anderson found these facts:
More people attend church on one Sunday morning than all of the people who attend professional sporting events: basketball, baseball and football in one whole year!
102 Million Attend Church Weekly
94 Million attend professional athletic events yearly
Is church just for mature saints? Leith goes on to say that for every 100 worshipers in their 70’s who attend church there is 160-200 worshippers in their 20’s attending church!
RESPONSE FOUR: CLAIM GOD’S PROMISES
Read God’s word and know His promises!
RESPONSE FIVE: CARRY SOMEONE ELSE’S BURDEN
Depression and discontent can lead to withdrawal. Stop the pity party! Get involved! Minister to another’s needs even if your needs are being overlooked!
REVIEW POINT: HOW DO WE OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT?
Response One: Cry out to God
Response Two: Continue the Work God has given you!
Response Three: Concentrate on the big Picture
Response Four: Claim God’s Promises
Response Five: Carry someone else’s Burden
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
Our hope isn’t based on a whim! It is based on the LORD Jesus Christ Who is our Living Hope!
Circumstances blind us to the reality of what is going on in our lives (like being in a blinding snow storm or heavy fog)!
Trials are perfecting us and purifying us!
Satan tempts us to bring out the worst in us!
God tests us to bring out the best in us!
Our inheritance is eternal! It is already reserved for us who have
placed our faith and trust in the LORD Jesus Christ!
WE CAN PUT OUR FULL HOPE IN OUR LIVING HOPE!
Jude 24-25 NIV To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though
you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled
with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving
the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Pet. 1:8-9 NIV
“Too Blessed to be Distressed!”
