Christian Hope - Part 1

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Scripture Reading

1 Peter 1:1–12 NIV84
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout 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, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by 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—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 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 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. 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 goal 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 Christ 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 1:1–21 NIV84
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout 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, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by 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—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 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 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. 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 goal 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 Christ 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. 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Introduction

As we are in this time of national lock-down, a time where there is worldwide pandemic with the Corona-virus, I sought last week to bring some encouragement through , a Psalm which focuses on the sovereign power of God, even in trying and challenging circumstances in this world. God rules and reigns supreme. About that, there is no doubt.
Last week we considered God’s sovereign power, even in trying and challenging circumstances in this world. God rules and reigns supreme. About that, there is no doubt.
This morning, I would like to bring another word encouragement to us as God’s people by reminding us as to where our hope lies. The title of my sermon this morning is “Christian Hope”.
Pentz, C. M. (1972). 150 Expository Sermon Outlines (p. 64). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
As Christians, when times of testing and difficulty face us, one of the things that must encourage us and spur us on in our Christian life, is that of a properly directed, Christ-centered, future-oriented hope.
James 1:2–3 NIV84
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:3–5 NIV84
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
In the midst of trials, there is a testing of our faith. It is inevitable.
If we enter into a trial and a time of testing, one of the things that must encourage us and spur us on in our Christian life, is that of a properly directed, Christ-centered, future-oriented hope.
The Apostle Peter writes this wonderful letter to believers in dispersion, exiles in the world - meaning by that those who belong in heaven with Christ, but are for now continuing as sojourners in this world. He writes to bring these believers some much needed encouragement.
The people to whom Peter was writing were those who were facing severe suffering and persecution, particularly as a result of their faith.
Peter writes then, to encourage them, and to give them hope.
1 Peter 5:12 NIV84
12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
If you have no hope of the trial passing, if there is no hope of ever having circumstances change for the better, then it will tend to lead us even deeper into despair.
This is a letter of encouragement.
I think of some difficult days that I’ve encountered and experienced in my own life, and at times even a sense of hopelessness that the trial I am facing has no reasonable prospects of change. And it can be despairing.
I trust that it will be of encouragement to us
But if we, by God’s grace, are reminded through the Word of God of the great hope that we as Christians live with in this life, I believe that it should be of great encouragement to our hearts, even in the midst of the most severe of trials.
As we consider this subjedct of Christian Hope, we are going to do so from this wonderful passage in First Peter. This morning, we will consider two main points:
A Promising Hope (vv.3-5)
A Patient Hope (vv.6-12)
In my next sermon, I would focus our attention again on this hope, but on the fact that it is “A Purifying Hope” and that will be from verses 13-21.
So let us consider this hope that Peter speaks of. Notice firstly that it is...
Written to give hope. A word that is used 5 times through this letter.
1 Peter 5:12 NIV84
12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
This is a letter of encouragement.
As Christians, we are to live lives that are filled with hope, but that hope must be properly understood within the framework of God’s revealed plan for the salvation of His people.
And so, this morning, we will consider Christian Hope from

1. A Promising Hope (vv. 3-5)

Christian Hope is a Promising Hope.
It is a hope that has been promised to us by God, and it is a hope that has the basis of its certainty in the very nature and character of God.
As Peter begins this letter, he begins with praise at the beginning of verse 3: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!”
The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1984). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.”
Peter is not unaware of the suffering and the pain and the turmoil that these believers are enduring. He’s not writing to them, thinking that they’re sailing effortlessly upon the still waters of comfort and relaxation.
He knows that they are enduring suffering and persecution. He knows that they are facing the sword, and that their lives are in danger for the mere fact that they profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
And yet, Peter begins with praise and blessing to God! The very reason that he can do that is because Christians live with such a great promising hope.
Note that it is a promising hope, because it comes...

1.1. By the Mercy of God (v.3)

As Peter begins his amazing description of the great hope of the believer, he does so by reminding the believers that this hope is rooted in the profound mercy of God.
“In his great mercy God has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
2 Corinthians 1:3 NIV84
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
The God that we serve is a merciful God. Our salvation and our hope is based upon and founded on the mercy of God.
Deuteronomy 4:31 NIV84
31 For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.
Indeed, God is a God who keeps His covenant with His people. He enters into covenant with them by His own mercy and grace, and then He is faithful to keep that covenant with them, also by His mercy.
Psalm 25:6 NIV84
6 Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
Ephesians 1:3 NIV84
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Psalm 119:132 NIV84
132 Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
God is a merciful God. That mercy is expressed most fully in His sending Christ into the world in order to die on the cross for the salvation of a people who hated Him and had turned their backs on Him.
in this verse lies the clear promise of hope.
According to his great mercy...
Titus 3:5 NIV84
5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Dear friends, if we have turned in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ, and are trusting Him for our salvation, believing on Him for the forgiveness of our sins, it is because of God’s great mercy, and in accordance with His covenant promises to us.
Peter writes here that “In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope...”
1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV84
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
If you are in Christ, it is through the new birth - being born again, as Christ explained it to Nicodemus in . We have been regenerated by the working of the Holy Spirit of God.
One commentator writes:

Just as we are passive in natural birth, so we are in spiritual birth. That is, God is active in the process of begetting us, for he causes us to be born again.

This new birth is into a living hope. The living hope is Christ Himself.
Just as we are passive in natural birth, so we are in spiritual birth. That is, God is active in the process of begetting us, for he causes us to be born again.
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude (Vol. 16, p. 41). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
In , Paul introduces his letter to Timothy with these words...
1 Timothy 1:1 NIV84
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
Our hope is Christ Jesus Himself. He is our living hope.
While this is n , we read of the blessed hope that we wait for, and then Paul speaks of this hope as “the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ...”
Titus 2:13 NIV84
13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Jesus Christ is our living hope. Peter says here in this letter that this new birth into a living hope is “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Dear friends, here is great encouragement for us. We have a living hope. Christ our Saviour is the risen Saviour. He was raised by the power of God from the dead, and He is seated in power and glory, and will one day return in final judgment, and to take His people to be with Him! Salvation in its full and final sense is coming!!!
Christ is risen - this is our hope!!!
I want to ask you, have you experienced this new hope because of Jesus Christ. Is this hope filling you, taking hold of your heart and your entire being, and do you live your life in response to this?
Let me reiterate, it is all by God’s mercy. It is undeserving, it is unmerited. But precisely because it is unmerited we may have confidence that God will bring to completion the work that he has begun in us! God is building His church. God is at work in the midst of his people.
Today, God is at work in our midst, among us as His people, and He is preparing us for that great day when we will be united with our Lord and Saviour.
This is a blessed hope indeed!!
We note further that this hope, and the inheritance that accompanies it, is imperishable.
Note that this is a promising hope because it is imperishable...

1.2. It is Imperishable (v.4)

In verse 4, Paul writes...
1 Peter 1:4 NIV84
4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,
There is a promised inheritance for the children of God.
If we had to consider the world’s approach to an inheritance, it is certainly the case
The world is full of desires for earthly inheritances. Children hope to receive inheritances from their parents. And the bigger the inheritance, the better.
When someone you know gets a large inheritance, there is perhaps just a hint of jealousy. When an inheritance needs to be divided by siblings, and their relationships are not the best, suddenly their true colours are exposed. Fighting, arguments, tensions. All because of the desire to get their hands on the greatest share possible of that inheritance.
Now, I trust this description is not true of us. But friends, this is the nature of greed in the heart of man.
But in the Scriptures, we read of the inheritance that is prepared for us by God Himself, our heavenly father. The inheritance from our heavenly Father is of far greater value and worth than any earthly inheritance could ever be. It will bring us greater joy, delight and satisfaction in our souls than any temporary earthly pleasures.
In the Scriptures, we have the account of the prodigal son, who wanted his inheritance early, and then squandered it.
And this inheritance that is stored up by God Himself is imperishable.
Oh dear believers, why do we strive for the temporary things of this world, when the treasure houses of the next, with its imperishable treasures await us?!
The Christian’s hope is not fixed on earthly treasures. We are not looking for fleeting treasures that will degrade over time, and perish with the elements.
Our hope is in Christ, and the fullness of the riches that will be supplied in Him one day. What a great encouragement.
When you’re promised such treasures; when you’re promised such treasures of greater value than any gold, sliver, diamonds; treasures kept for you by the eternal creator, the one who owns all things; when this is true, and you’re convinced of it in your mind and heart, you fix your eyes on that. What a great hope is ours!!
An inheritance that is imperishable...
Romans 8:17 NIV84
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
According to , we are co-heirs with Christ!
Unfading...
Paul had this perspective. He writes these words to Timothy...
1 Peter 5:4 NIV84
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Kept in heaven for you...
Colossians 1:5 NIV84
5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
2 Timothy 4:8 NIV84
8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Dear friend, are you fixing your eyes on this future inheritance, an inheritance that is imperishable.
It is precisely times such as we face right now that lead us to question where precisely our hope is lying.
If
In a time such as this, where is your hope fixed? Is it on earthly treasures? Is it on
Or is your hope a true Christian hope, rooted in Christ, focused on His return?

1.3. It is Protected by God (v.5)

Not only is the inheritance, and our hope, promised, imperishable, but the certainty of receiving that hope is most secure because we as God’s children, are protected by God until we are brought to that place where this hope will become a reality.
1 Peter 1:5 NIV84
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.
The people of God, who by God’s great mercy have been granted new birth into a living hope, this covenant people of God, will be kept. They will be shielded.
Peter writes here that it is through faith that they are shielded.
If it is through faith, doesn’t this mean that I have to keep my faith? Something I must do, dependent on me?
If it is through faith, doesn’t this mean that I have to keep my faith? Something I must do, dependent on me?
Not when we realise that genuine faith is the gift of God.
Ephesians 2:8 NIV84
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
Faith itself is the gift given by God to us. And it is through this faith, given by God as a gift, that we will be shielded by God’s power.
Take a moment and consider the immense power of God. Who just through the mere spoken word brought everything that was created into existence.
Our minds cannot even begin to comprehend the great power of Almighty God, and yet we worry about if he will be able to keep very small, me...
He will keep His people until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed at the last time.
It is God who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude 24).
Colossians 1:5 NIV84
5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel
2 Timothy 4:8 NIV84
8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2. A Patient Hope (vv. 6-12)

The hope that we have as Christians is a hope of great patience. Our great God has never been in a rush to accomplish His purposes. He has the times and the dates set in place, but what a vastly different schedule God has to us.
It was in the very garden of Eden that God first mentioned the promise of a Messiah to come. In , God said to the serpent in proncouncing a curse upon it...
Genesis 3:15 NIV84
15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Here was the promise of a Messiah - one that would come and crush the head of Satan, and whose heal would in turn be bruised.
But think of all of salvation history that unfolded. Men and women multiplied on the earth. Descendents came, promised children came, the earth was filled. Even until the days of Noah. Then God sees that the wickedness of man is great upon the earth and He sends a flood. Wipes out the entirety of humanity, because of his evil and wickedness and pride of heart. Only 8 people are left.
Then the process of repopulating the earth begins again, and slowly over time, hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years pass by, as God eventually begins to fulfil his purposes through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the 12 sons. A nation is slowly built. Then this nation is in captivity in Egypt for 400 years.
Friends, God’s time frames are not ours.
This is a patient hope. A hope that has long time frames...
And as we await this unfolding plan of God as we progress towards the final consummation, here are some important points that Peter raises concerning this patient hope.
Firstly...

2.1. Now will bring trials (v.6)

This is what Peter explains in verse 6.
1 Peter 1:6 NIV84
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
Peter says that in the hope that is to come - the inheritance that can’t spoil - we greatly rejoice..
Though.... now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
Well firstly, we must ask why he speaks about the now being a little while?
We’ve just spoken about these long time-frames of God. Well the reality is, the trials that we face in this world are so momentary and short compared to the glory that awaits us.
2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV84
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
So we must see and keep in mind, along with Peter and Paul, that this life is exceedingly short. This life is but a breath and a vapour. Eternity awaits us.
But notice that Peter explains here that even believers suffer grief in all kinds of trials in this world.
The trials that we face are real trials. There is grief involved in these trials, even for believers.
We must never make out, even as Christians with this profound hope, as if pains and struggles are never going to be experienced, or shouldn’t be experienced.
We must also be careful to never make out that such struggles will not cause real grief and a good measure of suffering for us as Christians. We are going to face trials and difficulties in this life.
Peter uses the phrase here “all kinds of trials...”
Specifically for the people that he wrote to, was persecution for the name of Christ. But those trials can be any kinds of trials that may come our way and afflict us in our lives.
Later on in this very letter, Peter will go on to write...
various trials...
James 1:2 NIV84
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
1 Peter 4:12 NIV84
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
Momentary trials (trials in this life) will come, and we should expect them as Christians.
Notice further, that...
Notice further, that...

2.2. Now our Faith will be tested (v.7)

In fact, Peter’s argument here is that the very reason that such trials and challenges and difficulties arise in our lives as Christians in this world is for the testing of our faith.
Note what he says in verse 7...
1 Peter 1:7 NIV84
7 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.
This is very consistent message for God’s people through the Scriptures.
James 1:2–3 NIV84
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
thought tested by fire...
tested genuineness...
James 1:3 NIV84
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
thought tested by fire...
Job 23:10 NIV84
10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Psalm 66:10 NIV84
10 For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.
Proverbs 17:3 NIV84
3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
Isaiah 48:10 NIV84
10 See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
by fire...
God tests His people. He tests us as Christians today, seeking through such trials to test the genuineness of our faith.
1 Corinthians 3:13 NIV84
13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.
The question is, what does the testing reveal about the heart of God’s people. What is the testing going to reveal about the state of the church. What is the testing going to reveal about our commitment to Christ? Will we endure and come through.
Let me encourage you : if you are in Christ, and longing for Him, if you are trusting in Him entirely, he will bring you through. But do not think that we will not face such trials.
I was reading an article in the last week which indicated that divorce rates and seen a sharp increase as a result of the COVID-19
Ultimately, says Peter, the result of such testing will be praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. I’m not going to delve into the details of this little phrase right now (due to time constraints) but it is very likely that this praise, glory and honour refers to that which will come upon the believer, as they are united with Christ. In other words, we will hear the words, well done, good and faithful servant!
This is most notably seen in ...
Romans 2:7–10 NIV84
7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Romans 2:7 NIV84
7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
Romans 2:10 NIV84
10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV84
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

2.3. It is a Hope Fixed on the Unseen (v.8-9)

As we endure these trials in this world, and as we seek to set our hope on that which is permanent, we need to keep in mind that the object of our hope is unseen.
1 Peter 1:8–9 NIV84
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 goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
We see in verse 8 that Christ is the object of our affection. Although we have not seen him, we love him.
In , Jesus, in speaking to Thomas - the one who doubted the resurrected Christ, said to him:
John 20:29 NIV84
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
We are those who have received the Gospel message, initially preached by the apostles, but then handed down through the ages by the church, and it is through this beautiful Gospel message about Jesus Christ and the work that He has done for us, that we believe in Him, and that we love Him.
2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV84
7 We live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV84
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
We live in anticipation of the final hope to be received, but our hope, focused on Christ, is for the moment that which is unseen.
It is through our knowledge of Him that we are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy! The way that Peter describes this joy here demonstrates that it is not a joy that can be explained by human reasoning. It is a supernatural joy, one that is cultivated within us as we place our trust in Christ. Christ is the one that brings us true joy and contentment. As we are filled with Christ, our joy begins to overflow.
1 John 4:20 NIV84
20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
That said, it is through our knowledge of Him, revealed in the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit, that we are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy!
The way that Peter describes this joy here demonstrates that it is not a joy that can be explained by human reasoning. It is a supernatural joy, one that is cultivated within us as we place our trust in Christ. Christ is the one that brings us true joy and contentment. As we are filled with Christ, our joy begins to overflow.
Why? Because it is through this glorious Saviour that we are obtaining the goal of our faith - the salvation of our souls.
The salvation that Peter is referring to here is not the present reality of having been saved. We are indeed presently saved as those who are believers.
But Peter is speaking here about the final salvation that is going to be true of every believer at the return of Christ. It is that hope that we look forward to!
Is your mind fixed and focused on that final salvation that is to be revealed? Is this the hope that keeps you going? A hope of being united with Christ? A hope of being in the very presence of Christ?
Hebrews 11:27 NIV84
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
John 20:29 NIV84
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
obtaining the outcome
When struggles and trials come in this life, which they will, do you make it your goal to focus not so much on temporary relief from the suffering you face, but rather on future permanent relief with Christ?
Romans 6:22 NIV84
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

2.4. It is a hope long anticipated (v.10-12)

2.4. It is a hope Long Coming (v.10-11)

Furthermore, under this second main point, we must remember that this hope, this salvation has been long anticipated, but also highly anticipated!
1 Peter 1:10–11 NIV84
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 Christ and the glories that would follow.
In verse 10, we read...
1 Peter 1:10 NIV84
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,
Peter writes here that that the prophets of old spoke about this grace that was to come to a future generation.
Not only that, but they searched intently, and with the greatest care. Here was something of exceedingly great value, and it was something that was eagerly anticipated. Something that was looked forward to and something that was longed for.
As Peter writes these words, he does so seeking to encourage the believers concerning their privileged position in the course of history, given that this salvation has been revealed to them on the other side of history. If anything, this should lead them to deep gratitude and appreciation for what in the past was concealed, but now revealed.
Christ said to His own disciples in ...
Luke 10:23–24 NIV84
23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
Luke 10:24 NIV84
24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
2 Peter 1:19 NIV84
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Returning to our text, Peter goes on in verse 11 to say some further important words of encouragement to the believers in dispersion. He writes that these prophets of old were...
1 Peter 1:11 NIV84
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 Christ and the glories that would follow.
Peter brings in here the sufferings of Christ, but then contrasts those sufferings with the glories that are going to follow. The sufferings of Christ were foretold in various places, but most notably in .
This letter that Peter writes is going to point repeatedly to the suffering of Jesus Christ as an example to believers so that they will endure suffering also. I encourage you to spend some time reading through the entirety of this letter of Peter, and you’ll find that he points believers to the sufferings of Christ, and essentially says to them that since Christ suffered in all his perfections, you as a believer ought to endure suffering, and honor God through it.
Just one example...
1 Peter 2:21 NIV84
21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1 Pet 2:
But Peter doesn’t merely mention the sufferings of Christ. He also mentions the glories that would follow. And this is the real encouragement for believers. There are glories that will follow.
This is significant, because
But as Peter goes on in verse 11
The point that Peter is making in these verses is that the salvation that is in Jesus Christ was looked forward to, and was prophesied of, by the prophets in the Old Testament. It was a salvation that they sought out, and that they longed to see. It was a salvation that they eagerly anticipated.
And significantly, it was a salvation rooted in the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. The sufferings of this Christ were predicted, they were known in advance, they were prophesied of - most prominently through the prophet Isaiah - particularly in .
In fact we find in Scripture a principle that glories will only come once the sufferings have been faithfully endured. The example of this is Christ himself, as we see it recorded by the writer to the Hebrews:
Hebrews 2:9–10 NIV84
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Daniel 8:15 NIV84
15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man.
Now Christ’s “being made perfect through suffering” is not speaking about His moral perfection. Rather, through the sufferings that He endured, he was found to be perfect, and thus the perfect sacrificial lamb for our sakes.
Nonetheless, the principle of enduring suffering in this life, as a testing of the genuineness of our faith, and then entering into glory following times of suffering, is par for the course in the Christian life.
Romans 8:17 NIV84
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Matthew 13:17 NIV84
17 For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
Luke 10:24 NIV84
24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
Daniel 9:24–26 NIV84
24 “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy. 25 “Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed One, the ruler, comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. 26 After the sixty-two ‘sevens,’ the Anointed One will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.
the Spirit of Christ in them...
Romans 8:9 NIV84
9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
2 Peter 1:21 NIV84
21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 16:7 NIV84
7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
when he predicted
Matthew 26:24 NIV84
24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
the sufferings of Christ
Isaiah 52:13–53:12 NIV84
13 See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. 14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness— 15 so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. 1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Isaiah 52:13 NIV84
13 See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
isa 52:13-53:12
Luke 24:26 NIV84
26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
Acts 3:18 NIV84
18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer.
Peter then confirms that the prophets of old were in fact prophesying what they did in service to the saints of that day (and the same could be said of us in our day).
Peter then confirms that the prophets of old were in fact prophesying what they did in service to the saints of that day (and the same could be said of us in our day).
1 Peter 1:12 NIV84
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.
Peter here makes mention of the Gospel preachers of his current day who preached the Gospel to believers, speaking of this great salvation that is found in Christ. These New Testament Gospel preachers, says Peter, were merely preaching the message that was prophesied by the Old Testament prophets.
There is unity in Scripture - a unified message, in the Old Testament pointing forward to the great Saviour that would come, and the great salvation that would be revealed; in the New Testament, the revelation of that great Saviour, and the salvation that comes to the church through this Saviour.
Daniel 12:4 NIV84
4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
As he closes that verse, Peter remarks that “even angels long to look into these things.”
Daniel 12:9 NIV84
9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.
Daniel 12:13 NIV84
13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
they were serving not themselves...
Matthew 13:17 NIV84
17 For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
Hebrews 11:39–40 NIV84
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
by the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:2–4 NIV84
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
ats 2 2-4
The Apostle Paul wrote...
Daniel 8:13 NIV84
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host that will be trampled underfoot?”
Daniel 12:5–7 NIV84
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?” 7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.”
Ephesians 3:10 NIV84
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
Ephesians 3:8–11 NIV84
8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Angels are being shown wonderful things through this salvation in and through Christ, this great salvation that we have the great blessing of participating in.

Application / Conclusion

3.1. It requires our diligent efforts (v.13)

3.2. It requires our holy conduct (vv. 14-16)

3.3. It requires our reverent fear (vv. 17-21)

Application / Conclusion

As we draw to a close, I want to recap the significance of this great hope that we have, the flows out of the great salvation that we have in Christ Jesus.
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