Gird up your Minds: A Lively Hope with Eternal Ramifications
David Tack: November 18, 2011 (1)
INTRODUCTION
As we go through each day of our lives it is filled with hopeful expectations. For some it may be as simple as hope for better health, more success, better sleep ect… It is alright to hope for such things; but, this morning I want to share with you the Biblical hope and expectation that we, as Christians, must constantly meditate and abide within. Such a WONDERFUL HOPE: The hope of the imminent return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is returning very soon! Are you ready for His return? Are you hopefully expectant for His return?
Our Selected Text: 1 Peter 1:13 (2)
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope [An active Imperative (command): elpizō= expect] to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”;
“Gird” Has the idea of getting ready for work. “The loins of the human body comprising the five lower vertebrae of the back, so-called perhaps from the labor they can do and sustain when a man exerts his strength.” Ref: Zodhiates, Spiros (ed). The Complete Word Study Dictionary, Loins. Strong’s #G3751 (Old and New Testaments). Chattanooga: AMG, 1993. E-Sword, Version 9.5.1.
“And hope to the end: “Better, as Rev., set your hope perfectly: wholly and unchangeably; without doubt or despondency.” Ref: Vincent, Marvin R. Word Studies in the New Testament, 1 Peter 1:13. Covenant Parsonage, NY. 1886. E Sword, Version 9.5.1. ON WHAT: The “revelation” or return “of Jesus Christ.”
RECEPIENTS
Here Peter is encouraging a specific class of listeners: (vs.1) To the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God… (Vs.2). Peter is speaking to scattered (literally the dispersed) Christians (Jew and Gentile) throughout these particular Roman Providences.
Let us examine this wonderfully heaven sent expectation this morning. Notice Peter thematically stresses the “end of the ages” in this short epistle. I am convinced that Peter thought he was living in these “end” times; more so is it apparent that we are also living in this day and age. See the thematic thread here:
(1 Peter 1:5): in the last time; (1 Peter 5:7) … at the appearing of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:9) … Receiving the end of your faith; (1 Peter 1:13) … and hope to the end for the … at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:20) … in these last times for you; (1 Peter 2:12) … in the day of visitation.
I. First, our HOPE is one that is a LIVELY HOPE (1 Peter1:3) (3)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten [regenerated] us again unto a lively [zao= living] hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
It is termed “lively” because it stems through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
It is a living hope because it is the result of a living word
1 Peter1:23: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
II. Secondly, our HOPE is one that is a LASTING Hope (1 Peter 1:4) (4)
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Incorruptible: “… which once being possessed, cannot be taken away. . .” Ref: Poole, Matthew. A Commentary on the Holy Bible: Volume III: Matthew- Revelation. McLean: McDonald Publishing, n.d. 899.
Undefiled: . . . incapable of any pollution or defilement…” Ref: Poole, Matthew. A Commentary on the Holy Bible: Volume III: Matthew- Revelation. McLean: McDonald Publishing, n.d. 899.
The word “reserved” is from tereo which means “to watch, to observe, to guard, to reserve, to set aside.” Heaven is the safe deposit box where God is guarding our inheritance for us under constant surveillance. The participle is in the perfect tense, speaking of a past completed action having present results. We could translate, ‘has been laid up and is now kept guarded in a safe deposit.” Ref: Wuest, Kenneth S. Wuest’s Word Studies; First Peter in the Greek New Testament for the English Reader. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978.
III. Thirdly our HOPE is one of PROVISIONAL PROOFS (5)
The Hope of Salvation (1 Thess. 5:8)
“But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.”
Hope: “Joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation.” Ref: Thayer, Joseph Henry; Gerhard Kittel (ed). Thayer’s Greek Dictionary. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. 1 Thessalonians 5:8. n.d. e-Sword, Version 9.5.1.
The Purpose of a soldier’s helmet is designed specifically to protect the head during battle. The hope (expectation) of our completed salvation is to our minds what a helmet was to a Roman combat soldier. It protects our minds, which is where one of our greatest battlefields exists, against the constant assaults of our enemies. Ref: Tack, David. November 15, 2011.
The Hope of Righteousness (Gal. 5:5) (6)
“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.”
“Righteousness,” in the sense of justification, is by the believer once for all already attained: but the consummation of it in future perfection above is the object of hope to be waited for . . . For instance, the hope laid up for you in heaven” (Col. 1:5; 1Pet. 1:3-4).
The Hope of Christ’s Glorious Appearing (Titus 2:13) (7)
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Why? In the remainder of verse 13 Paul qualifies why Jesus is our blessed HOPE: (1) He is returning in His full glory and consummation (2) He is the great God and our Savior (3) In verse 14 we find (1) He gave himself for us (2) He redeemed us from ALL iniquity (3) he purified us and made us a peculiar [chosen, special] people
The Hope of a Resurrection (Acts 24:15) (8)
“And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”
In this chapter Paul is giving his defense to the Roman governor Felix. Paul is implying that he has a hope because of the resurrection.
The resurrection of both classes is an exercise of sovereign authority; but in the one case it is an act of grace, in the other of justice.
John 5:29- “And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
E) The Hope of Eternal Life (Titus 1:2) (9)
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began”;
“Eternal life is a hope because it is not yet a completed reality in our experience. In one sense we have eternal life in Christ now. But in another sense, it is yet to come. To be in Christ is to have eternal life. "He who has the Son has life" (1Jn. 5:12).” Ref: Ogilvie, Lloyd J. (ed). The Preachers Commentary (e-sword): Titus 1:2. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982-1992.
The Hope of Glory (Colo. 1:27) (10)
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”:
In this verse Paul is talking to Gentile believers, though they had put their trust in Christ they were limited in understanding (much like you and I are). Vincent explains, “The full glory of the inheritance was a hope, to be realized when Christ should appear the ‘second time unto salvation.” Ref: Vincent, Marvin R. Word Studies in the New Testament, Colossians 1:27. Covenant Parsonage, NY. 1886. E Sword, Version 9.5.1.
IV. LASTLY, our HOPE is one that is an ILIISTRATIVE HOPE
An Anchor (Heb. 6:19) (11)
“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil”;
“This anchor of hope will not slip (alpha privative and sphallō, to totter) or lose its grip (bebaia, from bainō, to go, firm, trusty).” Ref: Robertson, Archibald Thomas. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Hebrews 6:19. n.d. e-Sword, Version 9.5.1.
The ancient anchors were much like the modern ones with iron hooks to grapple the rocks and so hold on to prevent shipwreck (1 Tim. 1:19).” Ref: Robertson, Archibald Thomas. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Hebrews 6:19. n.d. e-Sword, Version 9.5.1.
It is Residing in God (1 Pet. 1:21) (12)
“Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”
We see in verses 19-20 that we are redeemed (bought back) by the precious blood of Christ. Now in verse 21 we see that because God hath raised Christ from the dead… that our hope resides in God and we are assured that we are to be resurrected as well (1 Cor. 15). Do you believe God is able this morning? I truly hope so!
CONCLUSION
Almost Morning: “Dr. W. A Criswell, Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas Texas, said on one occasion on an airplane flight he found himself seated beside a well-known theologian. He desperately wanted to start a conversation and they did get to talk. The man told Dr. Criswell about how he had recently lost his little boy through death. Dr. Criswell listened as he told his story: He said he had come home from school with a fever and we thought it was just one of those childhood things, but it was a very virulent form of meningitis. The doctor said we cannot save your little boy. He’ll die. And so this seminary professor, loving his son as he did, sat by the bedside to watch this death vigil. It was the middle of the day and the little boy whose strength was going from him and whose vision and brain was getting clouded said, "Daddy, its getting dark isn’t it?" The professor said to his son, "Yes son it is getting dark, very dark." Of course it was very dark for him. He said, "Daddy, I guess it’s time for me to go to sleep isn’t it?" He said, "Yes, son, it’s time for you to go to sleep." The professor said the little fellow had a way of fixing his pillow just so, and putting his head on his hands when he slept and he fixed his pillow like that and laid his head on his hands and said, "Good night Daddy. I will see you in the morning." He then closed his eyes in death and stepped over into heaven. Dr. Criswell said the professor didn’t say anymore after that. He just looked out the window of that airplane for a long time. Then he turned back and he looked at Dr Criswell with the scalding tears coming down his cheeks and he said, "Dr. Criswell, I can hardly wait till the morning." Ref: Charles Lindquist, Jr. Sermon Central Illustrations. Hope. Accessed November 14, 2011.
CHALLENGE
How about you this morning? Are you looking forward to that morning when PERFECTION of your HOPE becomes reality?
Maybe, you have no hope today? Circumstances got you down?
You can have a HOPE that IS: Living, Lasting, Provisional and Secure. (13)
(14) Do you know of this BLESSED HOPE: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13)
Jesus is the way the truth, the life (He is the blessed hope) that fadeth not away or is corrupted, reserved in Heaven.
Won’t you call upon His name this morning? He wants you too! The Bible says in Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
IF you haven’t done this: Won’t you do so THIS MORNING?
