How Should We Respond to This Living Hope? | 1 Peter 1:13-25

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Series: A living Hope in a dying world

Title: How should we respond to this living hope?

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-25

Bottom line: We respond to this living hope in 2 ways: Be Ready. Be Holy.

SERMON OUTLINE
NOTES
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
OUTLINES
MAIN REFERENCES USED

SERMON OUTLINE

Introduction

V Formation

Picture the V formation of a flock of geese. V. 3 and v. 21 are the back and v. 13 is the point (pun intended). The point of this is to fully set your hope on the grace to be revealed through Jesus Christ.

Context

“Last week, we saw Peter open his letter by laying out the nature of our future hope, our imperishable and unfading inheritance. We marveled at the fact that we are able to understand the good news we have received in a way not even God's prophets and heaven's angels could comprehend.

This week, Peter will transition from description to prescription. Having described our salvation, Peter will now tell us how we should respond to the good news of grace, even as we endure opposition and trial during our time of exile.” -Jen Wilkin

Crows Nest

So the picture is of Peter up in the crow’s nest of a large sailing vessel during a long, turbulent journey, where he can see land before anyone else. So he can shout down to the crew hope because land is near. This helps the crew persevere through the storms because they believe that land (hope) is near.

So Peter is in the crow’s nest. We’ve been at sea for months searching for a new land. We’re nearly out of food and water. We’re discouraged and on the edge of mutiny. The captain sends Peter up to the crow’s nest to see if there’s any sight of land. And sure enough Peter spots land. Land-ho!

Immediately, hope springs from despair. Our circumstances have not changed at all. But our belief that Peter sees land changes everything about how we see life. The captain goes from enemy to hero.

God is allowing trials and tribulations to come our way to test our faith and to make us better (not bitter) through persevering in a living hope.

Verse 13 helps us persevere.

Trials/tribulations

“A picture from ancient Roman times shows the method by which grain was threshed. One man can be seen stirring up the sheaves, while another rides over them in a crude dray equipped with rollers instead of wheels.

Attached to the rolling cylinders are sharp stones and rough bits of iron. As they grind over the recently tossed sheaves, the stones and iron help separate the husks from the grain. The simple cart was called a tribulum.

This agrarian piece of farm machinery is the object from which we get our word tribulation.

Do you ever feel as if you are under the inescapable weight and force of the tribulum? If so, Peter wants to remind you that no thresher ever operated his tribulum for the purpose of tearing up his sheaves.

The thresher's intentions were far more elevated than that. The farmer only wanted to cull out the precious grain. And as it is with the ancient farmer, so it is with God.

Understanding that God's purposes for us include various trials is important, for by them we are tempered. The extracts of this world are removed from us, and we are made fit for Heaven. A simple bar of iron ore, pulled from the earth, might be worth $5.00. However, that same bar, when made into horseshoes, would be worth $10.50. If the owner decided to make the bar into needles for sewing, it could be worth as much as $3,285. And if he turned it into springs for watches, its value could jump as high as $250,000.

What made the difference? Simply the amount of heat by which the iron bar was tempered and honed.

What Peter is saying is that our faith is far more precious to God than a bar of iron. According to the text it is even more precious than gold! So be encouraged. You may find yourself on the anvil of suffering, but God is at work. He is testing the genuineness of your faith. And for him, that faith has eternal value.” -Helms, p. 41

Outline

Last 2 weeks

I. The SOURCE of our Hope. (1:1-2)

II. The GUARANTEE of our Hope. (1:3-5)

III. The JOY of our Hope. (1:6-9)

IV. The PROPHETS and our Hope. (1:10-12a)

V. The ANGELS and our Hope. (1:12b)

This week

VI. The RESPONSE to our Hope. (1:13-17) aka “The 2 Marks of a Decided Hope” (Helms)

A. In regard to ourselves (1:13): We are to be

Alert, and
Fully sober
The idea is the “gird up your loins of your mind” (literally)

B. In regard to our Savior (1:14-17)

We are to be holy before God. (1:14-16)
We are to be respectful toward God. (1:17)

VII. The COST of our Hope. (1:18-21)

A. The price (1:18-19)

Negative (1:18): It was not purchased with silver or gold.
Positive (1:19): It was bought by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

B. The planning (1:20-21): Christ was chosen before the foundation of the world to do this.

VIII. The VEHICLE of our Hope. (1:22-25)

A. The new birth (1:22-23a): One must experience regeneration to be saved.

B. The old book (1:23b-25): It is God’s word that bring this about.

Conclusion

Bottom line: We respond to this living hope in 2 ways: Be Ready. Be Holy.

“Peter’s cry from high above the ship’s decks now comes to rest. He has finished his early call. He wants us to do one thing: set our hope on the grace that is to be brought to us at the revelation of Christ. He has shown us the two distinguishing marks of those who are doing so—a healthy mind and a holy life. And he put forward three reasons to motivate us to it—God’s holy character demands it, his impartial judgment warns us to it, and Christ’s sacrifice compels us in it.” -Helm

Immediately, hope springs from despair. Our circumstances have not changed at all. But our belief that Peter sees land changes everything about how we see life. The captain goes from enemy to hero.

God is allowing trials and tribulations to come our way to test our faith and to make us better (not bitter) through persevering in a living hope.

Do you believe that Peter, in his letter, sees land? Do you believe that your circumstances, which haven’t changed, can be seen and persevered through in a different light? The light of the living hope of God!

I pray that right now you’d surrender your lives to Jesus Christ trusting him with your immediate future and your eternal future. He has risen from the dead. He has proven that he creates and sustains life. Rest in that truth today!

Pray

NOTES

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Discovery Bible Study process:

Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story

What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really God’s word, what changes would I have to make in my life?

Who am I going to tell about this?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Q. What do I want them to know?

A. What 1 Peter is all about.

Q. Why do I want them to know it?

A. Because I want them to have a living hope in a dying world.

Q. What do I want them to do about it?

A. Stand firm in the grace of God and persevere through trials as they share the good news with those around them.

Q. Why do I want them to do it?

A. Because this will sustain them through any trial.

Q. How can they begin to do this?

A. Ask someone today, “How can I pray for you today?”

OUTLINES

The Visual Word - 1 Peter

“Paradoxes fill 1 Peter. It is a letter written to encourage a slandered and marginalized minority living in the midst of the Roman Empire. They live in the world but are not of the world. They dwell in the cities, but as sojourners. They look, speak, and dress like everyone, but they pass their days on earth as exiles waiting for their inheritance.” (See the Epistle to Diognetus 5)

Peter seeks to encourage believers in Asia Minor in the midst of suffering to stand firm as they consider the blessings of being in Christ, who is the primary example of one who suffered well and now has received glory and honor. If they also continue in their good conduct, become the true household of God, and don’t revert to their old idolatrous practices, they too will receive the crown of life. They need to have hope as exiles (1:3-2:10), live faithfully as exiles in the world (2:11-4:11), and stand firm until the end (4:12-5:11). Their ultimate enemy, that roaring lion, stands ready to devour them, but they have the conquering, suffering Shepherd at their side. (P. Schreiner)

Hope as Exiles 1-2

Elect Exiles 1:1-2
New future 1:3-12
New family 1:13-2:10

Exile Identity 2-4

Submit 2:11-3:7
Suffer well 3:8-4:11

Stand Firm 4-5

Suffer joyfully 4:12-19
Resist the devil 5:1-11
In Babylon 5:12-14

I. They need to have hope as exiles (1:3-2:10)

II. They need to live faithfully as exiles in the world (2:11-4:11)

III. They need to stand firm until the end (4:12-5:11)

“Their ultimate enemy, that roaring lion, stands ready to devour them, but they have the conquering, suffering Shepherd at their side.” - P Schreiner

Hope as Exiles - The church has hope amidst trials because of their new future and new family. (1-2)

Elect exiles (1:1-2)
New future - Their new birth grants them an inheritance that can never be taken away. (1:3-12)
New family (and new calling) - Their new birth grants them the rights and responsibilities of God’s people. (1:13-2:10)

Exile Identity - In the midst of the world, they are to live as chosen exiles. (2-4)

Submit - They are to submit to authority figures because this is how Christ acted. (2:11-3:7)
Suffer well - Like Christ, they are to suffer for good because suffering leads to life. (3:8-4:11)

Stand Firm - To keep their exile identity, they must stand firm to the end. (4-5)

Suffer joyfully - They are to entrust themselves to God while doing good. (4:12-4:19)
Resist the devil - The elders should shepherd the people, recognizing the danger they are in. (5:1-11)

In Babylon (5:12-24)

Elect Exiles (1:1-2)

“Peter presents the paradox in the first two verses. The God, those in Asia Minor are chosen, but to the world, they are exiles and sojourners. This becomes the theme of the letter (1:17; 2:11; 5:13). It also ties their story to Abraham, who was chosen but also a sojourner on the earth (Gen. 15:13), and Israel, who were God’s wandering people. These elect exiles are dispersed across Asia Minor and living in societies not friendly to the new Christian faith. They are elect exiles according to God’s foreknowledge, but His sanctifying works, and chosen for obedience. This is God’s wonderful plan for their lives.”

Hope as Exiles (1-2)

“After labeling them as elect exiles, Peter’s first section bolsters their hope by praising God for their new future, new family and new calling. Those scattered have been born again and promised a new land. But this new hope cannot be taken away from them because it resides in heaven. Though they suffer now, they a re being guarded for this future (1:3-12). Not only do they have a new future but a new family and calling (1:3-2:10). They are the new exodus people, the new covenant people, and the new temple people. In all of these they have not only a new identity but a new vocation.”

According to the New Testament of the Bible, what is the difference between faith and hope?

“In the New Testament of the Bible, faith and hope are distinct but interconnected concepts. Faith is often described as a firm belief or trust in something, particularly in God or His promises. It involves having confidence in what is unseen or yet to be fulfilled. Hope, on the other hand, is the optimistic expectation or anticipation of something good. It involves looking forward to future blessings, both in this life and the next.

While faith is focused on belief and trust, hope is centered around expectation and anticipation. Faith provides the foundation for a relationship with God and is essential for salvation, while hope sustains believers through trials and challenges, keeping their focus on the promises of God. Both faith and hope are important aspects of the Christian life, working together to inspire and strengthen believers in their journey of following Christ.” -ChatGPT

SUMMARY SO FAR

1 Peter, “Live Such Good Lives”

Let’s live such good lives in this world today that, though they think we’re wrong, they’ll see how we live and follow Jesus anyway because…

They’ll see who we are and that’s we’re different. A new identity: As chosen exiles scattered around the world until Jesus returns+ (1:13-2:10)

Chosen
Exiles/Holy people in the wilderness
New people
New covenant with God
New temple/a people
Kingdom of priests
What else?

They’ll see us living for what matters even though it costs us. Suffering as a witness to Jesus multiplying and magnifying his kingdom (2:11-4:11)
They’ll see us willingly suffer because of our living hope in the future. Suffering in light of an unshakable hope in the future. (4:12-5:9)

From Schreiner:

“To encourage believers to persevere in their suffering as exiles and strangers because of their future eternal reward in Christ.”

“Called to suffer (like Jesus) but suffering characterized by hope.”

“Their lives would demonstrate that they belonged to another king and another kingdom.”

Schreiner is thankful to God who has reminded him through 1, 2 Peter, & Jude of our

“Unshakable hope in Christ,
Of the grace poured out on his people, and
Of the call to live holy and beautiful lives for the glory of his name.”

Though “spiritual exiles” “recipients of a great salvation” “gave them a future hope and inheritance”

“They were homeless spiritually, but they were also bound for a home and an inheritance from which they would never be displaced.”

“As believers, most lived on the underside of society—under:

the authority of Rome
Unbelieving and cruel masters
Unbelieving husbands

From Helms:

“Theme of Christian identity and conduct in light of a settled hope.”

3 biblical correctives for why and how to respond to life’s difficulties.

God’s plan for his followers: “We are (therefore, live as) the elect (chosen) exiles of the dispersion (scattering).”

Peter’s inversion theme: “the way up comes by going down.”

Suffering always proceeds glory. Christ exemplified this.

So, Peter calls these scattered Christians to live as God’s chosen exiles/strangers/foreigners/sojourners with unshakable hope because of you great salvation through Jesus Christ. (My summary)

Questions answered by Peter:

How are Christians supposed to bear witness to Christ’s glory?
How are we to live in the wilderness world?

Peter’s answers to these questions center on the word “conduct” or “live” and it’s various forms.

THE BIBLE PROJECT

I. Greeting (1:1-2)

II. Song of praise (1:3-12)

III. A New Family Identity (1:13-2:10)

IV. Suffering as a Witness to Jesus (2:11-4:11)

V. Suffering & Future Hope (4:12-5:9)

We have a new family identity that propels us to bear witness to a living hope that leads us to live such good lives that we willingly suffer for his glory in light of our glorious future.

We have a new family identity & future hope that compels us to live such a good life that it demands a gospel explanation.

We have a new family identity & future hope that compels us to live like no one else because we will live like no one else in the future

We have a new family identity & future hope that compels us to live a life that includes suffering but that leads to glory—for God and us.

HELMS

Life is hard even for Christians.

3 biblical correctives for why and how to respond to life’s difficulties.

God’s plan for his followers: “We are (therefore, live as) the elect (chosen) exiles of the dispersion (scattering).”

So, Peter calls these scattered Christians to live as God’s chosen exiles/strangers/foreigners/sojourners with unshakable hope because of you great salvation through Jesus Christ. (My summary)

Peter’s inversion theme: “the way up comes by going down.”

Suffering always proceeds glory. Christ exemplified this.

“Peter begins his letter with these 2 seemingly incompatible truths:

Our status in Christ AND
Our sufferings on earth.”

Questions answered by Peter:

How are Christians supposed to bear witness to Christ’s glory?
How are we to live in the wilderness world?

Peter’s answers to these questions center on the word “conduct” or “live” and it’s various forms.

Be holy (1:15)

live out (1:17)

Way of life (1:18)

Live such good lives (2:12)

Behavior (3:1)

Your lives (3:2)

Behavior (3:16)

“Theme of Christian identity and conduct in light of a settled hope.”

Turning point 2:11-12

Peter continues to encourage through examples and exhortation.

He appeals specifically to elders before the community.

“God has

Established our salvation,
Given us our identity,
Conformed our present-day calling,
Secured our future inheritance by means of an inverted irony—namely, the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ. Therefore, just as the exaltation of Jesus followed a season of humiliation, so too our share in his eternal glory will appear after we have learned to follow in his true and gracious ways.”

Subtitle? How to live as God’s fireproof children in this dumpster fire world.

“We are the elect exiles of the dispersion.”

As God’s chosen, I am encouraged and reminded of his great love for me. And I need this as I live in this broken world.

Elect = chosen, those whom God loves

Israel was sent into exile by God because of their presumptuous sin.

Exiles of a different sort? Peter doesn’t mean it wrt Israel’s ancient sin—or their own—for they were living faithful and fruitful lives at this time. Peter means this is simply “the normative state of any follower of Jesus, so long as he or she remains in this world.”

CS Lewis quote, p. 26

Schreiner

OUTLINE OF 1 PETER

1 Opening (1:1-2)

2 Called to Salvation as Exiles (1:3-2:10)

3 Living as Exiles to Bring Glory to God in a Hostile World (2:11-4:11)

4 Persevering as Exiles in Suffering (4:12-5:11)

5 Concluding Words (5:12-14)

1 Opening (1:1-2)

2 Called to Salvation as Exiles (1:3-2:10)

2.1 Praise for Salvation (1:3-12)

2.2 The Future Inheritance as an Incentive to Holiness (1:13-2.3 Living as the New People of God (1:22-2:10)

3 Living as Exiles to Bring Glory to God in a Hostile World (2:11-4:11)

3.1 The Christian Life as a Battle and Witness (2:11-12)

3.2 Testifying to the Gospel in the Social Order (2:13-3:12)

3.3 Responding in a Godly Way to Suffering (3:13-4:11)

4 Persevering as Exiles in Suffering (4:12-5:11)

4.1 Suffer Joyfully in Accord with God's Will (4:12-19)

4.2 Exhortations to Elders and the Community (5:1-11)

5 Concluding Words (5:12-14)

SECTION OUTLINE

2 Called to Salvation as Exiles (1:3-2:10)

2.1 Praise for Salvation (1:3-12)

2.1.1 A Promised Inheritance (1:3-5)

2.1.2 Result: Joy in Suffering (1:6-9)

2.1.3 The Privilege of Revelation (1:10-12)

2.2 The Future Inheritance as an Incentive to Holiness (1:13-21)

2.2.1 Setting One's Hope on the Inheritance (1:13-16)

2.2.2 A Call to Fear (1:17-21)

2.3 Living as the New People of God (1:22-2:10)

2.3.1 A Call to Love (1:22-25)

2.3.2 Longing for the Pure Milk (2:1-3)

2.3.3 The Living Stone and Living Stones (2:4-10)

Schreiner is thankful to God who has reminded him through 1, 2 Peter, & Jude of our

“Unshakable hope in Christ,
Of the grace poured out on his people, and
Of the call to live holy and beautiful lives for the glory of his name.”

1 Peter “sets forth what it means to be Christians in a hostile world, in a world where Christians were persecuted for their faith…”

Though “spiritual exiles” “recipients of a great salvation” “gave them a future hope and inheritance”

“They were homeless spiritually, but they were also bound for a home and an inheritance from which they would never be displaced.”

“As believers, most lived on the underside of society—under:

the authority of Rome
Unbelieving and cruel masters
Unbelieving husbands

They suffered both in:

Every day life
From imperial authority”

IDENTITY

“People of God” “The Lord’s new temple” “priests”

“They are exhorted not to live in fear of human beings but in fear of the Lord, and such fear, paradoxically, would give them confidence and hope.”

“Called to suffer (like Jesus) but suffering characterized by hope.”

“Obedient children”

“Their lives would demonstrate that they belonged to another king and another kingdom.”

“God’s chose race” “royal priesthood” “holy nation”

PURPOSE

“To encourage believers to persevere in their suffering as exiles and strangers because of their future eternal reward in Christ. They demonstrate their hope in this future by standing firm despite injustice and persecution by living holy, blameless lives submitting to their authorities with patient endurance. This shows their belief that this is temporary and that they are citizens of another kingdom and see Jesus as their Lord and king.

MAIN REFERENCES USED

“1 - 2 Peter and Jude,” by David Helm, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes

“1 & 2 Peter ” by RC Sproul

“1 & 2 Peter and Jude” by Thomas Schreiner

“The Message of 1 Peter” by Edmund Clowney

“The Visual Word,” Patrick Schreiner

“1 Peter: A living hope in Christ”, Jen Wilkin Bible study

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/

ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org