"The Hope Of The Believer”

I Peter 1:1-12

July 16, 2008

Pastor John L. Harper

“THE HOPE OF THE BELIEVER”

Introduction: (vs. 1-2)

• Who is the author? Apostle Peter

• Who is the audience Christians scattered throughout Northern Turkey

• What is the message? We have been given hope

• that will last through our trials

I. What does our future hold for us? (vs. 3-5)

A. The hope of the Resurrection

1. This is true because Christ arose from the dead

2. We have this same Spirit (Rom. 8:11)

B. The hope of our inheritance

1. It is not capable of being destroyed

2. It can never perish or fade away

C. The hope of the finality of salvation (the process will be completed)

1. God’s power is what keeps us

2. God’s power is what will be revealed when we have finished the process of salvation

a. the power of sin has been broken

b. the penalty of sin has been paid

c. the presence of sin is to be removed

II. What brings us joy? (vs. 6-9)

A. Our faith is more precious than gold

1. Trials remove the impurities, and make us pure

2. Trials prove the reality of faith

3. Trials give us faith that will last longer than pure gold

B. Our faith will stand the test

1. As long as our faith is in Christ

2. As long as our faith is not based on what we see with our eyes

C. Our faith will end in sight

1. We have received salvation as the goal of our faith

2. We can experience joy because each day brings us closer to the finality of our faith.

III. What has been revealed to us (vs. 10-12)

A. The prophet’s view of salvation

1. They looked toward the Cross, and looked in the Scriptures to see how Christ would fulfill what was written.

2. They looked at the time in which they lived , and tried to understand how it was part of the big picture of God’s plan

B. The prophet’s view of the suffering of Christ

1. The prophets did not understand what the Holy Spirit inspired them to write about Christ suffering.

2. They could not see how suffering could lead to glory

C. The prophet’s view of scripture

1. They knew they were not writing for themselves, but for us. And our children.

2. They could not comprehend “the grace that was to come.”

CONCLUSION:

• Our future is bright

• Our present is working for our good

• Our past is working to remind us of what the Lord has in store for His children

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I am a disciple of His and I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, live by prayer and labor by the Holy Spirit’s power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is Heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, but my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the case of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He comes, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He stops me. My banner is clear. I am a part of the fellowship of the unashamed.