Sermon Notes
We Have A Living Hope
SEARCHING FOR GOD IN TURBULENT TIMES – Part 6
October 27, 2024
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
3 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, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 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. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 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, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
1 Peter 1:1-12
Three Great Themes of 1 Peter:
1. You have a living hope.
2. There is purpose for your suffering.
Blessed are the poor in
spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3
My sacrifice, O God,
is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
Psalm 51:17
3. Live with a future glory in mind.
28 “And
afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Joel 2:28-29
1In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he
has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
Hebrews 1:1-2
He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
1 Peter 1:20
Small Group Discussion Questions for the Week of October 27, 2024.
Opening
As we transition to 1 Peter in our series, “Searching for God in Turbulent Times,” what is one reflection about the first 5 weeks in the Old Testament book of Habakkuk?
Digging Deeper into the Scriptures
Read 1 Peter 1:1-12.
1. How does the idea of a 'living hope' in verse 3 contrast with the conventional idea of hope in the world?
2. How does Peter describe our inheritance in verses 3-5? In light of this, how does this affect our view of worldly possessions?
3. How does understanding the Old Testament prophets' struggle to comprehend Christ's coming (verses 10-12) deepen your appreciation of the Gospel?
Applying the Scriptures
1. Reflect on verse 13. How can you practically prepare your mind for action in your daily life?
2. How does the metaphor of gold tested by fire relate to our present-day struggles?