The Faithful Way

Last time we talked about two things primarily.  First, we are each different as Christians.  We are different from the world and the culture around us.  And, we are different from each other.  However, the beauty of the gospel is that it universally addresses these unique differences.  The same cross makes God available to each of us.  Of course, because of our uniqueness we interact with the message in different ways.  But, the good news is that Jesus in his sacrifice made it possible for us to have a restored relationship with God.  Some of the ways different people come to God include:

1. A fear of judgment and death.
2. Release from guilt and shame.
3. An appreciation for truth.
4. A search for the meaning of life.
5. The need for help with a problem.
6. The simple desire to be loved.[1]

Finally, we ended last week with the idea that we are chosen (after looking at the first two verses of 1 Peter 1).

This week, the big idea in vv. 3-9 is that we can be sure that our hope in Jesus is not in vain.  Rather, our inclusion into the Christian community gives us something different.  Indeed, it makes us into something different.  This difference gives us hope.  Therefore, vv. 3-9 further explains this difference first mentioned in vv. 1-2 when Peter calls the Christians in these communities as “aliens” (v. 1).

Let’s READ 1 Peter 1:3-9

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

The opening of this letter is an encouragement for Christians who are in conflict with the culture around them.  In verse 1 to 5, Peter reviews basic beliefs of Christian faith including:

1. Salvation is based in God’s mercy not man’s initiative, verse 3.
2. The words “born again” appear, echoing Jesus in John 3.  This signals a new way of life with the metaphor of “born again.”  Verse 3.
3. Our hope is living (we’ll touch more on this in a few minutes).  Verse 3.
4. As a result of being born into this new family we have an inheritance.  This inheritance is contrasted with the earthly experience (imperishable, undefiled, unfading).  It is glorious, and it seems it is material.  Verse 4.
5. We are therefore protected by our Father, God.  Verse 5.
6. And, finally, a full and final salvation is one day coming to which we look forward longingly.  Verse 5.  Peter will develop this more in the last half of chapter 1.

Then, in the second portion of our study tonight (vv. 6 to 9) Peter shifts to applying this way of understanding one’s relationship to God to their present situation.  He wrestles with the reason why Christians suffer.  This is not an argument for pain and suffering in general.  Rather, he touches on the specific reason why these communities in Asia Minor are suffering.

So, let’s look at these two things tonight.

• First, what is this hope we have in Christ?
• Second, why then should Christians suffer?

I would like to talk a little about the living hope in verse 3.  The concept of hope in this context is maybe a little different than our American understanding of hope.  What are some ways in which we use the word “hope”?

I hope that. . .

• I hope that I get an “A” on this exam.
• I hope that I can pay all of my bills this month.
• I hope dinner is ready when I get home.

The difference between a NT understanding of the word “hope” (ελπιζω) in this context and the way we use the word “hope” in English is:

1. The Greek has the idea of looking forward to something that is coming.
2. The English is simply a desire that something beneficial would happen.
3. The Greek then has an understanding that this future benefit is expected.
4. The English way we use the word “hope” is not as certain or concrete.[2]

So, as we see in verse 3, new birth gives us this hope.

 Does anyone not understand the “new birth?”

Then, the results of the new birth are (look in vv. 4-5):

1. _____________________   an inheritance (described in material terms…imperishable, etc.)

2. _____________________  a salvation

Wait!  Why “a salvation”?  I thought new birth was the salvation!  Of course, we would say that we “are saved” when we experience new birth because we have this concrete hope.  And, in fact, we are saved from many things as our lives are drastically changed.  But, a full and final salvation is yet coming.  If we are saved, we are saved from something.

What are we saved from?  What are we rescued from?  You can be general or personal.

Finally, this hope is “living”.  Hope is alive because Christian hope is based on something real, tangible, and never ending.  We must contrast this with the Greek thought in the afterlife since Greek culture is the culture of context for this letter of Peter’s.  Pagan religion and philosophy was dead because it had no hope.  Sophecles said it is better to not be born at all and the second best is to die at birth (Oedipus).[3]  And, Catullus writes that though the sun can set and rise again, once our brief light sets, there is but one unending night to be slept through.[4]  In stark contrast with worldly hope, the new birth in Christ grounds the Christian in living hope.  We will live forevermore.  Our lives have meaning and value.  We have a certainty to look forward to.

Name something you hope for.

In the context of 1 Peter, these Christians are surrounded by the fact that society has rejected them.  They feel hopeless.  Moreover, they might be questioning why they joined this “Christian thing” anyway!  We often allow suffering to have a negative influence on our attitude.  However, they actually have specific hope although they might not realize it in the midst of suffering:

• They can be sure that something far better awaits them.
• More than that, they are saved already from the futility of this world.

This leads us naturally into the next portion of tonight’s passage (vv. 6-9).  Let’s read it again.

1 Peter 1:6-9

6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Why then do Christians suffer?  Again, this is not a question of why evil and suffering exist.  Rather, Peter is grappling with the difficulty that while Christians are saved and promised an inheritance, yet these folks in Asia Minor are suffering.  Where’s the inheritance?  He gives several obvious answers to this question:

1. _____________________  A test to prove your faith is genuine, v. 6) 
2. _____________________  To refine your faith and to build you up (v. 7).
3. ______________________  To bring praise, honor, and glory to Jesus (v. 7).  How do you suppose your bearing up under trial would honor Christ?
4. _______________________  To demonstrate your faith although you have not seen him physically, yet believe (v. 8).
5. Finally, it seems in v. 8 that your very salvation is the outcome of trials.

Could it be?

• Salvation in the spiritual sense of being “born again?”
• Or, salvation from a particular trial?

It seems salvation is not possible without a trial.

There could be other reasons for Christians to suffer not enumerated here in vv. 6-9.  I believe, however, that one of the worst things you could do is to waste your suffering.[5]  When God brings suffering into your life, it is not out of a sense of revenge or punishment.  God’s revenge and punishment is taken out on Jesus on the cross.  What is left for you and me is for our good from a good God.

READ Andi’s story, Keller, 160.[6]

Can we end tonight by asking if anyone is going through anything right now that doesn’t square somehow with God and it doesn’t make sense?