One night at dinner a man, who had spent many summers in Maine, fascinated his companions by telling of his experiences in a little town named Flagstaff. The town was to be flooded, as part of a large lake for which a dam was being built. In the months before it was to be flooded, all improvements and repairs in the whole town were stopped. What was the use of painting a house if it were to be covered with water in six months? Why repair anything when the whole village was to be wiped out? So, week by week, the whole town became more and more bedraggled, more gone to seed, more woebegone. Then he added by way of explanation: "Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present." (Source: Halford E. Luccock, Unfinished Business.)
Today we have faith in the One who holds the future…the One who knows the end from the beginning…the One who is able to care for our every need and promises to supply our every need. The believer must seek no other hope than the hope found in Jesus Christ!
The Vice-President of a well-known college shared a story at the “Parent’s Weekend” during opening week of the fall semester. The true story was of a college student who told her parents she couldn’t eat lunch because of her schedule and could never start her homework until 10 PM each evening because of college requirements demanding her time. The parents of this college student called the college … and they were upset! The Vice-President listened to their elevated concerns and assured them he would investigate and get back to them the next day. What did the Vice-President find out? He discovered context. He found out the back story to these accusations. He discovered this young lady didn’t have class at 11 AM and could have lunch then (if she wanted to). He discovered she had 4 hours open with no scheduled classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but she had chosen to use that time for socializing. Although she often had campus requirements during the evenings, she had chosen to give higher priority to socializing than her course work. Once the Vice-President shared this back story with the parents, they were much calmer understanding the whole picture…and they also assured the Vice-President they would be talking to their daughter and advising her in a different way (now having the whole story).
The background to any specific situation always helps color in the picture with far more detail and understanding. Consider the background to I Peter chapter 1.
Background Considerations:
1. Persecution
This epistle is addressed to those walking through severe times of persecution. Consider these passages: 1 Peter 1:6-7; 1 Peter 3:14; 1 Peter 4:1, 1 Peter 4:12-19.
2. Edification
They are the elect by God’s foreknowledge (I Peter 1:2)
They have a living hope (I Peter 1:3)
They have an inheritance (I Peter 1:3-6)
3. Motivation
They can’t lose sight of their hope & the love of their unseen Savior (I Peter 1:6, 8)
They will see their salvation (I Peter 1:9)
It is one of these encouragements the divinely inspired apostle Peter mentions that we will take time to consider today: a lively hope by the resurrection!
A Living Hope (I Peter 1:3)
Archaeologists have dug up first century cemeteries in Greece and Rome and have found many tomb stones that bear the Greek or Latin inscription for “No hope.” Imagine living your entire life with no hope! Imagine going to your death, to that eternal night, with no hope! (Source: Unknown)
The word “lively” in today’s usage often refers to active, animated, or quick; however, I Peter 1 it means LIVING.
Consider Peter’s earlier experiences in John 20:1-10 as he writes these inspired words. He didn’t understand exactly what was going on, but he had the evidence of the resurrection right before him!
John 20:18 – Mary Magdalene tells the disciples she saw the Lord
John 20:19-24 – Jesus appears in a room with a closed door. The doors were closed because of fear of the Jews. Jesus showed them His hands and side – He’s alive…He is Risen!! At that moment everything changes from thoughts of fear to victory!! Peter would soon after receive his commission from the Lord – “Go!”
The hope of salvation – forgiveness of sin and a home in heaven – isn’t dependent upon a dead man. The hope of salvation is a living hope…this living hope is:
Allowed by God’s abundant mercy…abundant refers to “much” -- no small amount. They had no claim to God’s favor, and the favor they received was great!
Mankind isn’t saved because of our favor with God
Mankind isn’t saved because it wouldn’t be right for God to withhold such favor (Ephesians 2:4).
Living Hope is secured by Jesus’ resurrection.
The resurrection of the Lord Jesus is the foundation of our hope. It was a confirmation of what he declared as truth when he lived.
It was a proof of the doctrine of the immortality of the soul (I Corinthians 9:24-25)
It was a pledge that all who are united to him will be raised up. See the 2 Timothy 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:14.
“If there is anything for which a man should be grateful, it is that God has so loved him as to give him the hope of eternal life; and since he has had an eternal purpose to do this, …our gratitude should be PROPORTIONALLY INCREASED.” (Source: Barnes Notes Commentary)
The believer will be raised up the last day…eternity in heaven’s glory is yet before us…The God of all -- loved you so much that this was His plan from the beginning!!
Oh believer, give your gratitude with your voice of praise!
Give your gratitude with your worship as His servant!
Give your gratitude with your obedient service! (Hebrews 13:15)