A Living Hope 1 Peter 1:3

A Living Hope The Nature of the Christian Hope: Living “Living” is a present tense verb (continuous & abiding) A living hope is never extinguished by circumstances of life! Hope carries a confidence of expectancy—it keeps me going. The Source of the Christian’s Living Hope: The Living God He is the “living God” (cf. 1 Tim. 3:15; 4:10; 6:17) We serve a God who is “worthy to be praised!” The Reason for the Christian’s Living Hope: God’s Abundant Mercy God’s mercy is patient and forbearing God’s mercy does not give us what we (by our sins) deserve

A Living Hope The Foundation of the Christian’s Living Hope: The Resurrection of Jesus The resurrection proves that Jesus is the Son of God (Rom 1:4) His resurrection assures our own resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-23) Our living hope is made possible only because Jesus was raised! The Exclusiveness of the Christian’s Living Hope: Only for the Born Again Only for those who have God as their loving Father Only for those who are a “new” person with a “new” life To be born again requires obedience to God’s Word (1:22-23) It requires believing Jesus is God’s Son – 1 John 5:1 It requires repenting of sin and turning to God – Acts 17:30 It requires confessing one’s faith in Jesus – Romans 10:9-10 It requires being born of water and the spirit – John 3:3-7 It requires abiding in the new life and walk with Christ – 1 John 1:7