Hope that is in you

1 Peter 3:15
  1. Introduction
    1. Many times we read this passage and are reminded of our responsibility to study and understand God’s word.
      1. While this is true there are other lessons to be learned from this passage.
      2. Sanctify (Honor) the Lord God in hearts
      3. Also tells us the correct attitude when answering questions asked of us.
    2. Peter tells us that we should be able to give and answer or explain what we do and why.
      1. Similar to what happened to Paul in Acts 26
      2. Standing before King Agrippa to be "judged for the hope of the promise" v. 6
    3. For our study today consider what is called into question
      "the hope that is in you"
  2. First let’s understand what hope is
    1. Webster defines as: "the expectation of something desirable"
    2. The definition shows 3 aspects of Hope
      1. It is pointed toward something. There is an object of Hope
      2. It is a desirable thing
        1. Something to be admired, or longed for
        2. I can desire to be given an hour of prime time by ABC Television Network
        3. But it is not expected therefore NO HOPE
      3. There is a confidence that we will get the thing we desire
    3. These same ideas are confirmed by the inspired writing of Paul in Rom 8:24,25
      1. Hope is on something that we have not seen. (Walk by faith not by sight, 2 Cor 5:7)
      2. It is something we are to wait for
      3. Desire plus expectation
  4. Well then, what is it that we hope for?
    1. The Christians hope is not like those of a cult by hoping for things the Bible does not instruct us in.
      1. The Heavens Gate followers of Marshall Applegate hoped to ride into heaven in a spaceship behind a comet
      2. The Jehovah’s Witness are hoping for a new rejuvenated earth
        1. 2 Peter 3:7 – the earth is being reserved for destruction
        2. Not for the righteous and purification
      3. False hope based upon delusions or feelings or false teaching from obscure OT and NT passages with double meanings.
    2. We hope for a new home for our spiritual bodies 2 Cor 5:1,2
      1. Tabernacle is our body
        1. The physical will be done away with and the spiritual shall be given a new place to abide.
        2. For the faithful that new home is heaven
      2. Figuratively described in Rev. 21:2
        1. New Jerusalem
        2. And the inhabitants are given in vs. 22-27
        3. Those which are saved
        4. Nothing that defiles, only those which are written in the book of life.
    3. How shall the new dwelling come to pass, because of the hope of a resurrection of the dead
      1. 1 Cor 15
      2. In Corinth it was preached that Christ was raised from the dead, and there were those who say there is no resurrection v. 12
        1. Paul says that if the dead rise not then Christ did not rise and their faith was vain or empty. There is nothing to believe if Christ did not rise from the dead. v. 13-16
        2. And all Christians who have died have perished v. 18
        3. What a miserable life to live to only have hope in Christ while we are alive v. 19
      3. But Christ is risen from the dead v. 20 and gives us hope of being raise to meet him.
    4. How can we hope for resurrection to be with Christ, because our hope in God’s promise.
      1. Remember why Paul was judged in Acts 26
        1. Because of "the Hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers"
        2. The promise made to Abraham that in his seed (Jesus Christ) all nations shall be blessed.
      2. In opening the letter to Titus Paul states his hope of eternal life which God promised before the world began. Titus 1:2
      3. And those that are justified by his grace are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life Titus 3:7
  5. What then are some results of that Hope that Christians have?
    1. The final result is after this life is over – eternal life with God in heaven
      1. The mansions that are prepared John 14:1-3
      2. But the hope of the future provides blessings in our present lives as Christians.
    2. Hope is an important part in the life of a Christian.
      1. As we have seen we must be ready to give answer for the hope in us.
      2. We are the take hold of the hope set before us Heb 6:18
      3. It is an essential and fundamental element of Christian Life like faith and love, hope itself can designate the essence of Christianity – 1 Cor 13:13
    3. Hope is what makes our Faith more pleasant
      1. Rom 12:12 Rejoice in Hope
      2. Not just a belief in God but that god is able and will reward those that seek him Heb 11:6
    4. Hope gives patience to obedience.
      1. How many of you with children have ever promised them something if they will be good at the store?
        1. It may be difficult for them to be on their best behavior
        2. But they endure because of the reward offered.
      2. Hope helps us to focus on the goal, and not on what we must endure to obtain the goal.
      3. Example of this is found in Heb 6:13-15
        1. God made a promise to Abraham
        2. Abraham through hope patiently endured
        3. And obtained the promise
    5. Later in Heb 6, another blessing or result of hope is described
      1. Hope is the anchor of the soul
      2. With hope there can be nothing that will shake us
        1. No Tribulation that we can’t endure
        2. No Distress that we can’t face
        3. No Persecution, famine, peril that we can’t conquer
        4. With Hope not even death should upset those that are faithful
      3. Reminded of song "We have an Anchor"
        (614 songs of the church)
  6. Those that have no Hope
    1. All of what we have discussed is for everyone that is obedient to God.
    2. This blessed hope of eternal life is a result of a life of service to God
    3. However there are those like the gentiles that Paul speaks of in Eph 2:12
      1. Those that are without Hope
      2. Those that are without Christ
  7. Conclusion