Hope Through Resurrection
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Spiritual Vitality
1 Peter 1:3-9 (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, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Sermon Outline
Is it possible that tomorrow can be better than today?
1. Why is it important to have a living hope?
v3 “a living hope… from the dead”
2. How does the resurrection of Jesus give us living hope?
v3 “through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead”
v3 “according to his great mercy”
v5 “by God’s power”
3. What difference does a living hope make?
v4 “imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept…”
v6 “in this you rejoice, though now… you have been grieved…”
v8 “you love him… you believe in him and rejoice”
Prayer of Confession
Our loving and merciful Father, we are in great need of living hope. We appeal to you for grace and forgiveness. We admit we have sinned. We have hoped in the wrong things. We have suffered discouragement and despair. We have lacked faith in you. According to your great mercy, don’t treat us as our sins deserve. According to your great power, grant us eternal life. May the life of Christ be at work in us so that your love becomes our love, and so that this living hope becomes a source of increasing joy. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What happens when people don’t have hope? How are people affected when they don’t believe the future can be better than the present?
In what ways are many of our hopes “dying” hopes?
When something you hoped in fails or doesn’t materialize, what do you typically do? How do you cope?
What makes the resurrection of Jesus unique?
How does the resurrection of Jesus give hope to those who have faith in him?
How does the costliness of the life given to us (Jesus’ death) help us understand the value of the new life we have?
What makes the hope promised to Christians secure?
How can Christians experience joy in what has been given and what is ahead? What perspective helps you when facing difficult circumstances?
How can the love of God for us help us with the radical call to love others? Why is a “living hope” helpful in doing that?