Born Again To A Living Hope
Jeremy Bell
1 Peter 1:3-7
April 12, 2020
Sermon Audio & Video
I. The Father’s Mercy Offers Us Living Hope (verse 3a)
Sin represents two realities in our lives:
- A debt we could never pay
- A power we could never overcome
God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Hi should not perish but have eternal life.
–John 3:16
II. The Son’s Resurrection Secures Our Living Hope (verse 3b)
Four ways the resurrection plays a central role in our salvation:
1. The resurrection affirms that Jesus is alive today
2. The resurrection (along with Jesus’ death) secures our forgiveness
[Christ] was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. — Romans 4:25
3. The resurrection of Jesus guarantees our own resurrection
I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believe in me, though he die, yet shall he live. — John 11:25
He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus — 2 Corinthians 4:14
4. The resurrection means our inheritance is secure
III. God’s Power Guarantees Our Living Hope (verses 4-7)
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”– Romans 10:13
Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer
Death is strong, but Life is stronger
Stronger than the dark, the light
Stronger than the wrong, the right
Faith and Hope triumphant say
Christ will rise on Easter Day!
— Phillips Brooks, 1870
Questions For Discussion/Application:
- Re-read the text, 1 Peter 1:3-7. What initial observations and insights do you have from reading this text?
- “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope (verse 3)…” In reading the rest of the passage, in what ways has God shown us “great mercy” ? How has God shown you “great mercy” ?
- One of the primary ways God has shown us mercy is He “has caused us to be born again.” What does it mean to be “born again?” Consider inviting everyone in the group to give the 2-3 minute version of how God saved them.
- What is the inheritance God has called us to that Peter speaks of in verse 4?
- What Jesus’ resurrection mean for us today? How does the resurrection give us hope?