Do You Have A Living Hope Even in Your Own Death?
Good Morning Friends,
Today we risk the blending of the thoughts of Peter and Paul. I do so because as Christians we are to offer hope and encouragement that someday we will be as one. You see, everyone needs to be reminded from time to time of the hope that God, Jesus and the Bible offer to us, not just in our daily lives, but in the legacy we leave for others. It is so much stronger a case when we do so in unity and with an affirming anticipation. There are, of course, a lot of things to look forward to in life, but with them all there are challenges, but one event more so than all the rest. Still we are not to have just a boastful hope or a glorious hope or present hope or a future hope. There is something more enduring. Do You Have A Living Hope Even in Your Own Death?
Scripture: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:3-9 (NRSV)
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die.
Romans 5:1-7 (NRSV)
Message: There are a considerable number of similarities between Peter and Paul. The two men were very spiritual and they both became apostles of the Church. But amid their similarities there are contrasts that they exemplify, too. As far as similarities they both had a former occupation prior to preaching, they both were bold preachers, they both wrote books in the Bible, both healed others and they both suffered for the cause of Christ. But even in these similarities there are contrasts between the two individuals especially on the Gospel they preached and to whom they preached and who formed them. Today we consider what they both have to say as it relates to hope. Peter’s letter has been called the gospel of hope. And Paul’s letter to the Romans gives a hope that flips the expectations of suffering and though it seems crazy it really about teaching us how the power of Jesus overcomes the power of the world. Both these men had a great hope. A great characteristic of the Christian life is that we live in hope. You see, Christian hope sustains in the midst of difficulties, for hope is born out of full confidence, belief, and trust in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Living in the light and life of Jesus’ resurrection does not, of course, exempt us from life’s evils, ills and tribulations. Yet resurrection hope does diminish the debilitating power of distressing trials. We thus can not only endure, but live victoriously as we experience the life and joy of Christ which is a foretaste of glory divine. Hope gives us confidence and lets us live with inner strength for we know that one day we will be radically different than we are now. “A living hope” are the words of Peter but I think it is such a hope that Paul boasts. This living hope means that the believer’s hope is sure, certain, and real, as opposed to the deceptive, empty, false hope the world offers. Here the living Christ is the source of our new birth and our living hope. Human hope tends to get weaker and dimmer, and finally dies altogether the farther one goes down the road of life. The truth though about our trials and tribulations are that they all are lessons in Godliness in preparation for the life to come. And the Good News is this, if we endure, we will discover that God’s love will ultimately use everything for good. In the process however the promise is that we get what we need…not what we might want and certainly not what we sinners deserve. The amazing thing is that God’s grace can and does turn even the evil intents and actions in this world to some good purpose. What Paul learned and we should too…is that God desires for us to allow His love to change us so that our broken and sinful lives can be used by Him. Peter focused on the Kingdom and Paul and the Body of Believers but both had their hope in Christ. In this I find comfort.
Pray for a living hope that arises out of the assurance of our salvation…a hope that is stirred up within us by the Spirit of God… a hope that is purifying us, making us better realizing that when the time has fully come God will again send His son. Pray we believe in the living hope of the resurrection. Pray we focus on what is happening in us and not just to us as we move each day closer to the end of this earthly life.
Pray that when trouble comes our way that we will let it be an opportunity for joy. Pray that God enable us to focus on the process not the pain. Pray we learn to endure and develop the strength of character that leads to confidence and trust in Jesus. Pray God would give us the gift of hope that lasts.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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