Sermon Summary

This week, Pastor Chris continued in 1 Peter, sharing that the word for Easter is hope. He defined hope as “confident expectation of good from God”. This hope is different than a wish or a desire. This hope is firm and steadfast. Each of us chooses to put our hope in something or someone. Is yours in someone or something that will never leave you or forsake you? There is hope to be found when you choose to put your hope in a sure, steadfast, eternal, resurrected King. 

Job 14:7–9 (ESV)

7 “For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. 8 Though its root grow old in the earth, and its stump die in the soil, 9 yet at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant.

1 Chronicles 29:15 (NLT)

15 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.

Jeremiah 17:7 (ESV)

7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.

Romans 5:3–5 (ESV)

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

John 11:25–26 (ESV)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

The Resurrection of Jesus gives us: 

  • Hope that Lives: This hope is active. This hope energizes. It directly affects your daily life. It’s an attitude of expectancy of our inheritance.

1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

New Birth = Living Hope

  • Hope that Lasts: This hope is not just for Easter, it’s forever. It is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, and protected.

1 Peter 1:3–4 (ESV)

to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 

“There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown hopeless about them.”

Clare Boothe Luce.

  • Hope that Loves: This love beckons us to respond to it. This hope ignites us to love Jesus back and to live for Himwith joy and expectancy.

1 Peter 1:5 (ESV)

5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Matthew 24:12 (ESV)

12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Revelation 3:15–17 (ESV)

15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Romans 15:13 (ESV)

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Discussion Questions

  1. How would you define hope? How is it different from a wish or a desire?
  2. Have you ever put your hope in something of this world (examples: a significant other, a pay raise, a change in circumstance)? Why do you think you did that? Did it deliver?
  3. Why does the resurrection of Jesus give us hope? 
  4. How does one put their trust and hope in Jesus? What does this look like in your daily life?

Application Questions

  1. Think about a time you put your hope in a relationship, your money, or another worldly thing. Ponder whether that specific thing delivered what you thought it would.
  2. Is your life marked by joy? If your answer is no, search your heart this week and answer why. 
  3. Determine this week whether you are on fire for the Lord, cold toward the Lord, or lukewarm in your faith. Depending on where you’re at, bring your answer to the feet of Jesus this week. Repent of any lukewarm living and put your hope in the Lord.