Audio Sermons

Reflecting Christ, Redeeming the Time
Our Lively Hope
Life B-P Church Worship Service, 4th January 2026
Text: 1 Peter 1:1-5

 
· The apostle Peter wrote his first epistle in AD 64 to encourage Christians who were suffering intense persecution.
· He wanted them to focus on their hope in order to cope with their suffering. Cf. Acts 12:1-6)
· We can rejoice in all dark moments of life by remembering three facts about our lively hope:
 
1.    Its Cause: Our Established Relationship with God (vv.1-3)
· God the Father chose us to be His own long before we existed.
· God the Holy Spirit sanctifies us to do His will with obedience.
· God the Son shed His blood to cleanse us from all our sins.
· By God’s mercy we are now His children. (Cf. John 1:12,13)
· By Christ’s resurrection from the dead our hope is secured. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:17-20)
 
2.    Its Content: Our Eternal Inheritance in Heaven (v.4) 
· We live for a while as strangers and pilgrims in this world.
· We should look forward to living forever as residents in heaven. (Cf. Matthew 6:19-20)
· Our heavenly inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, unfading and kept safely for us. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 2:9)
 
3.    Its Comfort: Our Enduring Security to the End (v.5) 
· God’s power will keep us securely. (Cf. v.3) 
· It ensures that we will be guarded and protected constantly in all circumstances. (Cf. Jude 24)
· It will also rescue us and restore us when we fall. (Cf. Matthew 26:69-75; John 21:1-19)
· It will not rest until we have reached that salvation ready to be revealed at the last time.
· With such comfort we can persevere faithfully to the end.
 
How should we respond to this? 
· Praise God with our hearts. (v.3; cf. Revelation 5:9-10)
· Keep obeying His Word. (v.2)
· Keep our hearts focused on our lively hope! 
 
 
Questions for Personal Reflection:
1. How should knowing all that God has done for you change your response to the challenges you face? 
2. What are some practical ways for you to live differently from unbelievers, with a sense of hope and anticipation of your inheritance in heaven?
3. What New Year resolutions can you make in response to what you have learned about your lively hope?