Series: Saved, Settled, and Sanctified
Hope that Exceeds our Doubt
1 Peter 1: 3-8
At this point in the history of the church, she was growing exponentially. The Gospel was being shared and many were coming to saving faith in Christ. Such rapid growth had gotten the attention of the authorities and devout Jews. The rapid growth had not dispelled opposition and persecution, rather it had caused an increase. Those in positions of influence were concerned with this new movement, and the majority sought every means possible to defeat it.
Physically, militarily, and financially, Peter had nothing to offer the church. He couldn’t promise the church any external resources in their struggle for religious liberty. Although the church was experiencing amazing growth, they remained a minority among society. He had nothing external to offer, but Peter was convinced the believer possessed something within that would carry them through whatever adversity they faced. After his greeting, Peter immediately reminded the churches of the hope they had in the Lord. In the face of increasing opposition, their hope remained and it would provide all they needed to endure. They just needed to be reminded of the hope they had in Christ, keeping it always before them.
Our situation is much different, and yet it is much the same. We are facing increased pressure to conform to society and abandon our faith. Our modern society isn’t interested in a biblical worldview, living according to biblical standards, and would rather the voice of the believer be silenced. Numerically it may appear that the church is in decline, but we too must maintain faith and hope in the Lord. These will sustain us as we deal with increased opposition. I want to examine the principles Peter shares as we consider: Hope that Exceeds our Doubt.
I. The Hope of the Believer (3-5) – When all else appeared to be gone, Peter reminds us that hope is not lost. Every believer enjoys a lively hope in Christ. Consider:
A. The Source of our Hope (3) – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…Peter reminds them they are never alone in the journey. They were not born of corruptible seed, but of the Lord through the righteousness in Christ. God had graciously provided for their redemption through the sacrifice of the Son. He loved them enough to allow His only begotten Son to die in their place. Such love was not to be marginalized or forgotten. They were loved and kept of the eternal, omnipotent Lord. He knew where they were in the journey and He was more than able to provide all they needed to endure. Their hope wasn’t in the abilities or policies of men, but in Christ Jesus their Savior and Lord. The Romans may threaten, and even martyr some, but even in death, hope remained!
We would do well to remember the source of our hope. We serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Our hope is not in those around us, the policies and legislation of government, or the resources obtained through Wall Street. When it appears all hope has been removed, remember the source of our hope. It wasn’t given by earthly means and nothing we face in this life can remove or diminish our hope! Eph.3:20 – Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
B. The Significance of our Hope (3b) – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Their hope wasn’t temporal or fickle. It was lasting, enduring, and eternal. Every believer had experienced the abundant mercies of God, being born again in Christ, risen in the lively hope He provides of eternal life. Christ had faced death at the hands of the Romans. He gave His life on Calvary for the sin of the world. They placed His lifeless body in the tomb and rolled the stone in front of the entrance. For His followers it appeared hope was buried in the grave, but three days later Life came forth triumphant! Christ had faced death and He had conquered it along with the grave. Their hope wasn’t in one who had been, but in a risen Lord who provides eternal life for all who come to Him by faith!
What comfort and joy that brings to my heart. We have no way of knowing what we be asked to endure before this life is through, but I know this life is temporal. It serves as a time of preparation for the life to come. Death is certain for each of us if the Lord doesn’t return for His church in the near future. It is possible that some of us may even be called to give our lives for our faith. Regardless of the cause of death, I know I am secure in Christ my Lord. He came forth triumphant over death, and through Him I have the assurance of eternal life. When I lay aside this body of flesh, whenever that may be, I will enter the glorious presence of my Lord and Savior. Death is not final for the church. We have the promise of life in Christ! He will come again, calling for His church. When He does, the dead in Christ will rise first, then those who are alive and remain, will be caught up together with Him, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be! Titus 2:13 – Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Rom.8:11 – But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
C. The Splendor in our Hope (4) – To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Peter reminded them, not only of their hope of resurrection, but also of the hope of an eternity in heaven. Those who are in Christ are heirs of the promise. The troubled life they were facing at the present time would not last forever. The future was bright for the believer. Jesus had resurrected from the dead and was ascended back to the Father, but He was not idle. He stands now as our Mediator and Intercessor, and He is preparing a place for us to join Him in the splendors of heaven. John 14:1-3 – Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
The environment in which the early believers lived left much to be desired. Theirs was not an easy existence. We too can identify with that. I am certain we have not experienced anything like the early church did, but life is difficult at best. However, the home that awaits us will be unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. Our inheritance will be incorruptible. This means “it cannot perish; it does not age, deteriorate, or die; it does not have the seed of corruption within it.” It will be undefiled, meaning “it cannot be polluted or defiled, dirtied or infected. It means that our inheritance will be without any flaw or defect; it will be perfectly free from sickness, disease, infections, accident, pollution, dirt—from any defilement whatsoever.” Also this inheritance will never fade away. Our heavenly home will be eternal, never ending. We will never have to make preparations to leave or say goodbye again! Col.3:4 – When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
D. The Security in our Hope (5) – Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. If anything was certain in the lives of the early believers, it was uncertainty. They never knew what a day would bring forth, or what type of struggles they would be called on to endure. In the midst of such uncertainty, Peter reminds them of a very secure future. In fact, it was so secure that it was unchangeable. They had been saved by the grace of God, placed within the body of Christ, and they were slated for heaven. They may not have realized it yet, but they were as good as there. When their race on earth was complete, they would enter the presence of the Lord to never leave.
Most of us probably realize this fundamental truth, but it does us good to be reminded from time to time. Our lives here will not last forever. Death is coming to each of us, but that will not be the final moment in our existence. We too are kept by the power of God. We are simply waiting for the time to make the transition from this life into the next. If you are saved, you are ready to be accepted of the Lord in heaven. Receiving Christ by faith is all God requires. Granted we want to live for Him and accomplish all we can for Christ, but that doesn’t secure our salvation. I am ready to meet the Lord if He were to call today! 1 John 3:2 – Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
II. The Help for the Believer (6-8) – Peter reminds them that along with their hope in the Lord, there is help from Him as well. Consider:
A. Our Perspective in Temptation (6) – Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. Peter reminds them to keep a proper perspective while facing adversity. They may endure heaviness through various trials and temptations, and when those times came, they were encouraged to look at them through the lens of faith. He had spoken to them of their hope of heaven, and the anticipation of eternity with Christ should outweigh and overcome any temptation they faced.
Temptations and difficulties will remain as long as we live in this body of flesh, but they do not have to defeat us. We must keep our focus on the Lord, greatly anticipating our eternal future with Him. If we can maintain a spiritual perspective, focused on the Lord instead of the burdens, we will find great help in our times of need! 1 Peter 4:13 – But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
B. Our Potential in Trials (7) – That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Peter does not insinuate their trials are enjoyable, but he knows they are very beneficial, being much more precious than gold. As they endured the trials of life, God was refining them, removing the doubts and failures while conforming them to the image of Christ. Their faithfulness to Christ in the midst of adversity would strengthen their faith and bring honor and glory to the Lord they served. Nothing would speak louder to unbelievers than determined faith among believers while facing adversity.
I don’t know anyone who enjoys adversity and struggles in life. We like things to run smoothly with the least amount of resistance possible. However, it is in the storm, facing the fires of life that God refines us. It is then we learn to trust the Lord and become more like Him. Our lives then shine for His glory, bearing witness of His strength and power, not our own. Our lives become a living testimony for Christ as we faithfully endure our struggles. I don’t enjoy trials, but if they serve to draw me closer to the Lord, then I should be thankful and welcome them! Job 23:10 – But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
C. Our Patience through Faith (8) – Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Their love for Christ would provide the help they needed to endure whatever they faced. Those who held a spiritual perspective, anxiously awaiting the coming of the Lord would experience victory in life. The trials and burdens could never diminish the unspeakable joy that comes from serving the Lord. One day their faith would end in sight. There was no place to abandon their faith or even consider giving up on the Lord. He was faithful and He would provide.
We will face continued struggles, and as they come, I pray they will be tempered with joy unspeakable and full of glory. We too must endure faithful until the end. There is a home awaiting the saved by grace that is beyond description. We will enter the presence of our Lord, the one who died for our sin, purchasing our redemption. We will spend eternity praising Him in the glories of heaven. What could we possibly face in this brief life that will even compare with the glories we will share throughout the endless age? Patience isn’t my strongest character trait, but I do want to patiently endure for Christ my Lord!
Conclusion: I am sure everyone here has faced hardships and trials. Some of you may be in the midst of a raging storm today. The enemy would have you believe that hope is gone and there is no reason to continue. We have been reminded that our hope is not in this world, but in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have much to gain in the life to come. He is able to equip us to endure the struggles we face down here.
If you are struggling today, why not come and seek the Lord to renew your hope and provide the help you need to press on another day? He will meet you and provide for your need. If you are yet unsaved, having never received Christ as your personal Savior by faith, you haven’t experienced this hope and can’t rely on this help. Come to Christ today and begin life with Him!
