WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.700 Our text for this morning's Bible study is 1 Peter 1, verses 3-9. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:10.439 So please take your Bible and join me there. 00:00:12.660 --> 00:00:16.219 Last week we concluded our study of the book of Hebrews, 00:00:16.219 --> 00:00:21.800 which was a pastoral letter to beleaguered Christians living on the outskirts of Rome. 00:00:22.240 --> 00:00:26.560 The letter was written to encourage hope and enduring faith 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:30.960 in these beat-down, tired, suffering Christians. 00:00:31.619 --> 00:00:35.560 This Easter Sunday we're going to consider a passage from a letter written by Peter 00:00:35.560 --> 00:00:39.119 to the beleaguered churches of Asia Minor. 00:00:39.119 --> 00:00:42.719 This seems to be a recurring theme in the scripture, 00:00:42.920 --> 00:00:47.679 that Christian people will need encouragement as they suffer. 00:00:48.719 --> 00:00:54.019 They were being abused by unjust masters, chapter 2 and verse 18, 00:00:54.020 --> 00:01:00.120 threatened by unsaved spouses, chapter 3, verse 1 and verse 6, 00:01:00.920 --> 00:01:05.500 and insulted by an unbelieving world, chapter 4 and verse 14. 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:11.740 On top of this, there were rumors of a much more severe form of persecution 00:01:11.740 --> 00:01:16.480 that was coming their way, chapter 4, verses 12 through 18. 00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:21.040 And it is into this context that Peter, much like the author of Hebrews, 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:24.560 wrote to encourage hope and enduring faith. 00:01:24.860 --> 00:01:29.760 Perhaps this morning, God will use this text to encourage the very same in us. 00:01:30.540 --> 00:01:33.900 Immediately following his greeting in verses 1 and 2, 00:01:35.040 --> 00:01:38.540 Peter declares a blessing toward God because of his saving work. 00:01:38.540 --> 00:01:45.840 And in verse 3, he states that we have been born again to a living hope. 00:01:46.440 --> 00:01:48.380 Living hope. 00:01:48.379 --> 00:01:54.959 I want to ask and answer three questions this morning about this living hope. 00:01:55.099 --> 00:01:56.959 Number one, what is it? 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:00.119 Number two, how do we obtain it? 00:02:00.739 --> 00:02:05.199 And number three, how does it change the way we live? 00:02:06.099 --> 00:02:09.599 Before we get to those questions, let's read the text in its entirety. 00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:12.780 1 Peter chapter 1, verses 3 through 9. 00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:16.819 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:23.020 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope 00:02:23.020 --> 00:02:25.860 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 00:02:26.360 --> 00:02:30.500 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, 00:02:31.000 --> 00:02:35.520 kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith 00:02:35.520 --> 00:02:38.639 for our salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 00:02:38.639 --> 00:02:43.019 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, 00:02:43.359 --> 00:02:45.699 you have been grieved by various trials, 00:02:45.979 --> 00:02:48.839 so that the tested genuineness of your faith, 00:02:49.219 --> 00:02:53.419 more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire, 00:02:53.799 --> 00:02:59.599 may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:03:00.359 --> 00:03:02.579 Though you have not seen him, you love him. 00:03:02.580 --> 00:03:07.300 Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy 00:03:07.300 --> 00:03:10.140 that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 00:03:10.660 --> 00:03:14.900 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 00:03:15.960 --> 00:03:20.560 So, number one, living hope, what is it? 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:25.820 The New Testament uses the word hope much differently than we typically do today. 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:28.439 Not long ago, someone asked me, 00:03:28.439 --> 00:03:32.439 do you think we will be able to meet in person on Easter Sunday? 00:03:33.400 --> 00:03:37.020 And I replied, I don't know, but I hope so. 00:03:38.219 --> 00:03:42.939 The word hope used this way expresses a desire for something in the future 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:46.539 with the uncertainty of it happening, right? 00:03:46.659 --> 00:03:50.099 That was a hope I expressed that was not fulfilled. 00:03:50.240 --> 00:03:53.039 Here we are meeting via a computer. 00:03:54.139 --> 00:03:58.280 Peter means something quite different when using the word hope. 00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:03.219 Similarly, the author of Hebrews states in Hebrews chapter 6 and verse 19, 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:08.740 we have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, 00:04:09.319 --> 00:04:14.319 a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain. 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:18.920 So, this hope that Peter is referring to is a sure hope. 00:04:19.019 --> 00:04:21.540 It is a confident hope. 00:04:21.540 --> 00:04:28.140 So, in the case of 1 Peter, we can understand that the hope he is referring to is a strong hope. 00:04:28.780 --> 00:04:34.520 It is a surety that the promises of God will, in fact, have their fulfillment. 00:04:35.560 --> 00:04:39.780 Peter mentions some of those promises in this immediate context, 00:04:39.779 --> 00:04:42.199 namely verses 4 and 5, 00:04:42.199 --> 00:04:47.479 an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, 00:04:47.779 --> 00:04:52.019 and our final and full salvation. 00:04:53.019 --> 00:04:56.939 But Peter doesn't just say that we are born again to a hope, 00:04:57.339 --> 00:05:01.459 but that we are born again to a living hope. 00:05:01.459 --> 00:05:04.759 So, what is a living hope? 00:05:04.859 --> 00:05:12.120 It seems right off to be a bit of a play on words as he speaks of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 00:05:12.159 --> 00:05:15.000 and I think he intends that to be the case. 00:05:15.240 --> 00:05:20.000 But a living hope is the opposite of a dead hope, 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:25.479 a lifeless, unproductive hope. 00:05:25.480 --> 00:05:30.759 So, a living hope must be a productive hope, right? 00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:32.860 It produces something. 00:05:33.220 --> 00:05:36.840 It's not inactive, but it's rather very active. 00:05:37.040 --> 00:05:42.040 It's a hope that produces a change in us. 00:05:42.920 --> 00:05:47.319 And that change gives evidence to the fact that there is a hope. 00:05:48.220 --> 00:05:50.040 So, what is living hope? 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:51.680 In a very simple definition, 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:55.819 living hope is a surety that the promises of God will have their fulfillment 00:05:55.819 --> 00:05:59.459 that produces a change in us. 00:06:00.579 --> 00:06:01.579 So, the second question, 00:06:01.720 --> 00:06:02.340 living hope, 00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:05.160 how do we obtain it? 00:06:06.180 --> 00:06:10.220 We do not obtain living hope by our own fruition. 00:06:10.840 --> 00:06:16.620 Verse 3 tells us that God grants to us living hope by a new birth, 00:06:17.319 --> 00:06:20.060 and this is His doing. 00:06:20.060 --> 00:06:23.740 He has caused us to be born again. 00:06:24.519 --> 00:06:26.500 It is according to His great mercy, 00:06:27.019 --> 00:06:28.720 and He is the causation of it. 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:32.899 You have the power to declare yourself born again to a living hope, 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:39.120 but you do not have the power to cause yourself to be born again to a living hope. 00:06:40.019 --> 00:06:41.139 Some will say, 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:42.620 I have faith, 00:06:42.699 --> 00:06:46.399 and it is that faith that caused me to be born again to a living hope, right? 00:06:46.399 --> 00:06:47.000 After all, 00:06:47.459 --> 00:06:51.620 verse 9 states that the outcome of my faith is the salvation of my soul. 00:06:52.739 --> 00:07:00.359 I will say to you that verse 5 states that it is by God's power you are being guarded through faith 00:07:00.359 --> 00:07:03.699 for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:09.060 So, it is God's power that empowers your faith. 00:07:09.420 --> 00:07:10.860 God is the cause. 00:07:11.659 --> 00:07:13.879 Your faith is the effect. 00:07:14.860 --> 00:07:19.099 Paul agrees with Peter in Ephesians chapter 2, verses 8 and 9, 00:07:19.159 --> 00:07:19.719 where Paul wrote, 00:07:19.839 --> 00:07:21.740 For by grace you have been saved through faith, 00:07:21.740 --> 00:07:25.900 And this is not your own doing. 00:07:25.960 --> 00:07:27.060 He's referring to the faith, right? 00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:28.460 It's not your own doing. 00:07:29.240 --> 00:07:31.579 It is the gift of God, 00:07:31.819 --> 00:07:33.319 not a result of works, 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:36.160 so that no one may boast. 00:07:36.579 --> 00:07:38.060 So again, Paul is saying, 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:39.840 God is the cause. 00:07:40.379 --> 00:07:41.819 He is the gift giver, 00:07:41.900 --> 00:07:43.720 because He is gracious. 00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:47.199 Your faith is the effect. 00:07:47.199 --> 00:07:51.500 It is itself the gift that God has given. 00:07:52.699 --> 00:08:00.259 Far too many of us try to define our reality by how we feel. 00:08:00.459 --> 00:08:07.560 The basis for who we believe that we are is our feelings about who we believe that we are. 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:11.800 Our feelings become the arbiter of truth for us. 00:08:11.879 --> 00:08:14.240 They reign in our lives. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:17.819 And beloved, this just should not be so. 00:08:18.699 --> 00:08:24.519 Only God has the ability to define your reality, 00:08:24.840 --> 00:08:29.840 to declare who you are in actuality. 00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:35.539 And this is really good news for beleaguered Christians, right? 00:08:35.799 --> 00:08:37.539 Christians who feel tired, 00:08:38.060 --> 00:08:39.639 who feel strained, 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:42.379 who feel misguided, 00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:46.240 who feel like the affections of their soul 00:08:46.240 --> 00:08:50.500 are not placed on the things they ought to be placed on. 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:55.340 We find ourselves perplexed, 00:08:55.340 --> 00:08:59.799 trying to understand how it is we are in fact in Christ. 00:08:59.939 --> 00:09:04.919 Too many of us let our feelings dictate the truth for us, 00:09:04.919 --> 00:09:08.819 rather than running our feelings through the truth 00:09:08.819 --> 00:09:11.759 and seeing what sticks. 00:09:12.559 --> 00:09:16.979 What has God said to be true? 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:23.240 So very much more important than what our feelings declare about us. 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:29.240 So this is really, really good news for tired, beleaguered Christians. 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:31.980 It was good news for the churches of Asia Minor, 00:09:32.299 --> 00:09:35.899 and it is good news for us. 00:09:37.100 --> 00:09:39.580 If we have been born again to a living hope, 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:43.360 then it is because God has acted on our behalf 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:49.180 through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:09:49.179 --> 00:09:52.559 But how does the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:56.259 produce a living hope in you and I? 00:09:56.319 --> 00:09:59.379 We don't always feel that hope, do we? 00:09:59.819 --> 00:10:02.979 Verses 23 through 25 of chapter 1 00:10:02.979 --> 00:10:05.279 can help us a bit with this. 00:10:05.339 --> 00:10:08.899 So Peter says in 1 Peter 1, beginning in verse 23, 00:10:08.899 --> 00:10:38.340 And this word is the good news that was preached. 00:10:38.899 --> 00:10:43.459 Good news preached. 00:10:44.340 --> 00:10:49.059 The gospel coming to us produces hope. 00:10:49.559 --> 00:10:51.079 Produces in us hope. 00:10:51.319 --> 00:10:53.819 It does so at the point of our salvation, 00:10:53.819 --> 00:11:00.259 and it continues to do so as we hear of the hope of the gospel. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:03.319 This is why we must be constantly preaching it to each other 00:11:03.319 --> 00:11:06.600 and preaching it to ourselves. 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:10.500 The gospel coming to us produces hope, 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:14.740 but the gospel must come to us credibly. 00:11:14.920 --> 00:11:17.480 That is, we must believe it, right? 00:11:17.560 --> 00:11:21.000 Simply hearing it does us little to no good. 00:11:21.100 --> 00:11:22.920 Those are just words, 00:11:23.120 --> 00:11:26.300 but we must take it up into ourselves. 00:11:26.420 --> 00:11:29.879 We must hold it to be true in our hearts. 00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:33.679 And I suppose this is why Paul labored to build confidence 00:11:33.679 --> 00:11:36.259 in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:39.100 Jesus was not raised. 00:11:39.659 --> 00:11:42.779 And the good news is not really even news, 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:44.659 much less good. 00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:48.120 In 1 Corinthians chapter 15, verse 3 and 4, 00:11:48.439 --> 00:11:50.600 he defines the gospel. 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:53.420 So here's a brief gospel presentation. 00:11:54.440 --> 00:11:54.779 Paul says, 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:58.300 For I deliver to you as of first importance what I also received, 00:11:58.600 --> 00:12:01.720 that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:03.420 that he was buried, 00:12:03.560 --> 00:12:07.500 that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures. 00:12:08.440 --> 00:12:10.620 Then in verses 5 through 8, 00:12:10.720 --> 00:12:14.060 he goes on to build credibility, right? 00:12:14.059 --> 00:12:17.479 That people would believe that that is in fact true. 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:19.479 Beginning in verse 5, he says, 00:12:19.699 --> 00:12:23.000 And that he appeared to Cephas, that is Peter, 00:12:23.799 --> 00:12:24.759 then to the twelve. 00:12:25.459 --> 00:12:28.019 Then he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, 00:12:28.119 --> 00:12:29.759 most of whom are still alive, 00:12:29.839 --> 00:12:31.279 though some have fallen asleep. 00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:33.259 Then he appeared to James, 00:12:33.339 --> 00:12:34.359 then to all the apostles. 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:37.459 Last of all, as to one untimely born, 00:12:38.599 --> 00:12:40.479 he appeared also to me. 00:12:40.479 --> 00:12:42.919 So he labors to say to them, 00:12:42.919 --> 00:12:47.719 this good news is a good news worth believing in, 00:12:47.839 --> 00:12:51.819 because Christ is raised from the dead, right? 00:12:51.879 --> 00:12:55.459 He showed that to be true to all of these people, 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:57.759 is what he is saying to us. 00:12:57.860 --> 00:13:02.319 And we now have their testimony declaring the very same thing to us. 00:13:03.219 --> 00:13:06.599 John Piper, in a sermon on this text, said, 00:13:06.599 --> 00:13:08.740 Christian hope arises in the heart 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:11.299 through hearing a credible testimony 00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:14.759 of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:17.699 Incredible gospel proclamation 00:13:17.699 --> 00:13:21.099 gives to its born-again hearers, 00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:25.819 first, confidence that Jesus is with us, 00:13:26.099 --> 00:13:27.620 that he is alive, 00:13:27.699 --> 00:13:29.599 and that he is seated at the right hand of God, right? 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:31.259 He's interceding for us, 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:32.799 that he's given to us his helper, 00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:35.299 as he said that he would. 00:13:35.299 --> 00:13:40.399 This should give us confidence even to pursue hope, 00:13:40.559 --> 00:13:42.079 living hope. 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:43.779 Secondly, 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:47.799 credible gospel proclamation gives to its born-again hearers 00:13:47.799 --> 00:13:53.199 confidence that all that Jesus said is true, 00:13:53.579 --> 00:13:57.639 that Jesus died for me and for you, 00:13:57.719 --> 00:13:59.120 John 15, 13. 00:13:59.699 --> 00:14:00.339 Jesus said, 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:10.440 We are counted in that number through faith. 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:14.019 That he ransomed me and you. 00:14:14.139 --> 00:14:15.840 Mark chapter 10, verse 45, 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:16.360 Jesus says, 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:19.480 For even the Son of Man came not to be served, 00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:24.400 but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:27.840 You're counted in that number through faith. 00:14:28.699 --> 00:14:30.799 That he is my and your righteousness 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:35.500 and has restored my and your relationship with God. 00:14:35.959 --> 00:14:38.360 First Peter chapter 3 and verse 18, 00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:41.220 For Christ also suffered once for sins, 00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:43.159 the righteous for the unrighteous, 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:46.100 that he might bring us to God, 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:48.019 being put to death in the flesh, 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:50.699 but made alive in the Spirit. 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:55.460 Paul states in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 and verse 17, 00:14:56.140 --> 00:14:57.960 If Christ has not been raised, 00:14:58.100 --> 00:14:59.480 your faith is futile, 00:14:59.780 --> 00:15:02.460 and you are still in your sins. 00:15:03.220 --> 00:15:04.400 But because he is risen, 00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:07.400 my and your sins are forgiven, 00:15:08.060 --> 00:15:10.420 and God is for us. 00:15:11.060 --> 00:15:13.759 Romans chapter 8, beginning in verse 31, 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:16.560 What then shall we say to these things 00:15:16.560 --> 00:15:17.780 if God is for us? 00:15:18.400 --> 00:15:19.580 Who can be against us? 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:21.639 He who did not spare his own Son, 00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:22.900 but gave him up for us all, 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:24.680 how will he not also with him 00:15:24.680 --> 00:15:27.620 graciously give us all things? 00:15:28.400 --> 00:15:30.879 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:33.200 It is God who justifies. 00:15:33.680 --> 00:15:34.520 Who is to condemn? 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:36.639 Christ Jesus is the one who died. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:39.259 More than that, who was raised. 00:15:39.780 --> 00:15:41.000 Who is at the right hand of God, 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:45.160 who indeed is interceding for us. 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:49.540 So, how do we obtain living hope? 00:15:50.240 --> 00:15:55.740 By hearing and believing the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:15:56.160 --> 00:15:58.259 And this is a thing for people to do 00:15:58.259 --> 00:16:00.240 when they're not in Christ, right? 00:16:00.280 --> 00:16:03.220 When they've never repented and believed in Jesus. 00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:07.560 And this is a thing for those who have been found in Christ, 00:16:07.680 --> 00:16:09.160 who are now in Christ, 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:12.860 who have been caused to be born again to a living hope, 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:14.700 to do once again, 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:17.940 to do it now and probably later today 00:16:17.940 --> 00:16:22.180 and on into tomorrow and all the days that follow. 00:16:22.180 --> 00:16:24.139 That we would once again, 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.440 fresh and new, 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:28.519 hear and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:32.980 This will produce in us a living hope. 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.840 Third question, 00:16:35.440 --> 00:16:36.139 living hope, 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:39.720 how does it change the way that we live? 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:45.680 Remember that this letter was written to encourage 00:16:45.680 --> 00:16:48.779 the beleaguered churches of Asia Minor. 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:49.339 Peter, right? 00:16:49.339 --> 00:16:54.459 But Peter does not encourage them toward quiet introspection, 00:16:55.459 --> 00:16:56.299 self-pity, 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:57.319 like he doesn't say, 00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:59.879 make everything in the world about you 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:01.500 because you're going through something hard, 00:17:02.059 --> 00:17:04.059 or self-service, 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:07.279 but rather toward holiness 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:09.700 and all that that means. 00:17:10.639 --> 00:17:12.399 Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1, 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:14.919 verses 13 through 15, 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.259 therefore, 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:18.299 preparing your minds for action 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:19.559 and being sober-minded, 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:22.899 set your hope fully on the grace 00:17:22.899 --> 00:17:23.759 that we brought to you 00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:25.480 at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:27.500 As obedient children, 00:17:28.139 --> 00:17:29.700 do not be conformed 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:31.839 to the passions of your former ignorance, 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:34.419 but as he who called you is holy, 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:36.079 you also be holy 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:38.480 in all your conduct. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:40.839 He doesn't call them to inactivity, 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:43.220 but to activity, 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:46.240 to get outside their present circumstance 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:49.279 and live for the glory of God. 00:17:49.419 --> 00:17:52.859 Those promises that will be fulfilled 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:55.839 because of the living hope 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:58.740 that Christians can have. 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:01.019 And he hints at this in our text 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:02.619 in the last half of verse 6 00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:05.180 and the first half of verse 7, 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:05.900 where he writes, 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.359 though now for a little while, 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.379 if necessary, 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:12.400 you have been grieved by various trials. 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:15.160 There's suffering that's been going on. 00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:18.980 So that the tested genuineness 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:20.299 of your faith, 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:22.559 more precious than gold that perishes, 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:25.639 though it is tested by fire. 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:30.100 Difficult times are meant to test 00:18:30.100 --> 00:18:32.200 the genuineness of our faith. 00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:33.880 How do we respond 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:36.940 when things are difficult in our lives? 00:18:37.280 --> 00:18:40.540 And I'm not just talking about COVID-19. 00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:41.580 For some of us, 00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:43.000 this is really easy. 00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:43.420 For some, 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:45.300 it's been really difficult. 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:47.940 But all of the circumstances of our life 00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:49.980 that press at us, 00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:51.740 how do we respond? 00:18:51.880 --> 00:18:53.040 Do we respond to those opportunities 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:54.200 to grow in holiness? 00:18:54.639 --> 00:18:55.980 Or do we recoil, 00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:57.259 turn inward, 00:18:58.299 --> 00:19:00.720 use them as excuses for sin? 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:04.200 Something should be produced in us. 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:06.180 Something should be happening in us 00:19:06.180 --> 00:19:09.220 as we walk through the trials of life. 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:11.399 And that is holiness. 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:14.220 What is it that Peter expects 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.299 will be produced in them 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:15.940 and in us 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:17.920 as our faith is being tested, 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:21.279 as our living hope is on trial? 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:21.440 Well, 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:23.180 he expects to see 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:24.519 a number of specific activities. 00:19:24.639 --> 00:19:25.799 You can read the entire letter 00:19:25.799 --> 00:19:28.019 to pick up on those things. 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:29.579 Things that will be put off 00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:31.279 and things that will be put on. 00:19:31.619 --> 00:19:32.619 But in this text, 00:19:32.859 --> 00:19:34.180 we can observe two 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:36.039 that I think will be helpful to us 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:36.619 this morning. 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:40.220 The first one is love for God. 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.059 Love for God. 00:19:42.119 --> 00:19:43.420 The first part of verse eight says, 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:45.680 though you have not seen him, 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:47.599 you love him. 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:52.939 Living hope transforms our desires. 00:19:53.419 --> 00:19:57.639 It changes what we are affectionate toward. 00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:59.919 This love that Peter writes about 00:19:59.919 --> 00:20:01.439 is a holy love. 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:04.039 It's a supernatural love, right? 00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:05.480 Though we have not seen God, 00:20:05.599 --> 00:20:07.099 we love him. 00:20:07.179 --> 00:20:09.639 It's a love that's produced in us. 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:12.099 We were once enemies of God. 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.279 We hated him. 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.559 But now, 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:15.980 being in Christ, 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:17.519 we love him. 00:20:17.619 --> 00:20:19.000 And if you love God, 00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:21.039 then you will love what he loves. 00:20:21.379 --> 00:20:22.339 You will love his will 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:24.700 and you will love his ways. 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:28.399 John wrote in 1 John 2, 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:30.099 verse 15 and following, 00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:31.839 Do not love the world 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:33.240 or the things in the world. 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:34.859 If anyone loves the world, 00:20:34.939 --> 00:20:35.699 the love of the Father 00:20:35.699 --> 00:20:36.859 is not in him. 00:20:36.959 --> 00:20:38.159 For all that is in the world, 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.179 the desires of the flesh 00:20:39.179 --> 00:20:40.279 and the desires of the eyes 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:41.240 and pride of life 00:20:41.240 --> 00:20:42.879 is not from the Father, 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.179 but is from the world. 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:46.679 And the world is passing away 00:20:46.679 --> 00:20:47.799 along with its desires. 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:50.619 But whoever does the will of God 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:52.819 abides forever. 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:55.099 So living hope produces in us 00:20:55.099 --> 00:20:57.939 a love for God. 00:20:57.940 --> 00:21:00.799 also produces in us joy. 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:02.779 Last part of verse 8. 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:05.279 Though you do not now see him, 00:21:05.380 --> 00:21:06.460 you believe in him 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:09.600 and rejoice with joy 00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:11.480 that is inexpressible 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:13.140 and filled with glory. 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:17.620 Living hope transforms our feelings. 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:20.900 When we allow God to define our reality 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:24.220 and hold the good news in our minds, 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:26.440 the good news that has caused us 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:27.900 to be born again to a living hope, 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:31.160 then we will be joyful. 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:34.200 I think most of you know this about me, 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:35.200 but if you don't know, 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:38.539 I battle a bit with depression, 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.779 with what I would call 00:21:40.779 --> 00:21:42.500 dismeasured sorrow. 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:44.799 And typically it's in moments, 00:21:45.100 --> 00:21:46.920 maybe across a couple of hours 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:48.420 of a day for me. 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:51.380 But the trouble of this life, 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:53.420 often as I see it 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:56.080 beating up on you all 00:21:56.080 --> 00:21:57.480 who I love immensely, 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:59.220 just the hard things 00:21:59.220 --> 00:21:59.940 that you go through 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:02.500 will cause me to feel down. 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:03.920 And I can tell you 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:05.460 that every time I feel that way, 00:22:05.520 --> 00:22:07.440 it is because I am not rightly 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.940 holding the truth of the gospel 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:10.220 in my mind. 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:11.960 Because I kind of, 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:13.680 I get it as a distant reality, 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:16.900 but it's not close and present. 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:19.140 I don't have a living hope 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:20.500 in those moments. 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.780 In those moments, 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:23.660 I've just disbelieved altogether 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:25.880 that God can and will, 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:26.880 in fact, 00:22:27.040 --> 00:22:29.280 accomplish all that He has said 00:22:29.280 --> 00:22:30.740 He will accomplish. 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.720 As I see my beloved brothers 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.720 and sisters suffering, 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:35.940 that should bring me 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:37.740 to some measure of sorrow. 00:22:38.580 --> 00:22:39.580 But rightly, 00:22:39.840 --> 00:22:40.940 if I put that under the truth, 00:22:41.060 --> 00:22:41.940 what God will accomplish, 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:43.519 I know that He is going to complete 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.580 the good work that He began 00:22:44.579 --> 00:22:46.839 in each and every one of you. 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:49.500 I know that He is growing you 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.019 in holiness. 00:22:50.240 --> 00:22:51.859 I know that He will bring you 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:53.059 to the day of Christ 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:54.539 and that He'll say of you, 00:22:54.679 --> 00:22:55.039 well done, 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:56.679 my good and faithful servant. 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:58.639 When I'm believing that, 00:22:58.819 --> 00:23:02.500 I'm not turned to dismeasured sorrow, 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:04.779 but to joy. 00:23:05.139 --> 00:23:07.399 Even amidst the measure, 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:08.579 the proper sorrow, 00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:10.439 the weeping with you, 00:23:11.439 --> 00:23:12.740 I have joy. 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:14.740 Because I know the eventual outcome 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:17.420 of everything that we're walking through 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:18.900 together. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:21.319 So when we define, 00:23:21.400 --> 00:23:22.019 I'll say it again, 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.980 God to define our reality 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:27.160 and we hold the good news 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:28.160 in our minds, 00:23:28.240 --> 00:23:29.839 the good news that has caused us 00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.480 to be born again 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:31.740 to a living hope, 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:35.720 then we will be joyful. 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:38.539 King David wrote in Psalm 16 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.279 and verse 11, 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:51.099 The born again 00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:53.839 do not have perfect love for God 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:55.619 or perfect joy. 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:58.859 Both must be fought for. 00:23:59.099 --> 00:23:59.979 I've just told you, 00:24:00.059 --> 00:24:02.659 I fight for joy sometimes. 00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:05.199 But our lives ought to be growing 00:24:05.199 --> 00:24:06.159 in these aspects 00:24:06.159 --> 00:24:07.859 and all the more 00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:09.439 as we see the day drawing near 00:24:09.439 --> 00:24:11.000 when all that God has promised 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:14.419 will fully and finally come to pass. 00:24:15.139 --> 00:24:17.539 So how does living hope 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:19.539 change the way we live? 00:24:19.979 --> 00:24:22.139 Living hope produces in us 00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:23.860 love for God 00:24:23.860 --> 00:24:26.920 and inexpressible joy.