Resurrection Hope

Sunday, 21 February 2021
1 Peter 1 v 3 - 12

“…and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory…” (vers 8)

Why do you believe in Jesus and if you do not believe in Him, what will it take for you to believe in the work that He has done on the cross?

There is this twisted belief that once you become a Christian you will become wealthy, not to mention that no illness will strike you. It is clear from this scripture (vers 6), which is supported by countless other passages, that we will suffer for His Name sake.

There will be trials and tribulation during your walk with Christ. This is to teach you and help you mature in your faith. The reason being that this life is about preparation for what is to come. We can therefore look forward to an eternity with our Lord and Savior and our Creator.

Again, why do you believe in Jesus? Do you wait on Him like the Jewish people longed for someone to come and relieve them from their oppression, therefore it was all about what they could gain from the promised Messiah.

Jesus suffered the most horrible, humiliating death on the cross, something we cannot even begin to comprehend and He Himself said that should we choose to take up our cross and follow Him, we too will experience persecution.

If you have not yet accepted the saving grace of the Lord through His death and resurrection, what is preventing you from receiving His salvation. Is it simply because it doesn’t seem plausible that someone can take our burdens on Him or does it seem impossible for a man to rise from the dead?

Think about this… Why would anyone preach the gospel and be prepared to sacrifice their life for the sake of sinners. Let’s take it further. Why would so many continue to preach what He did and also be prepared to give up their lives for this truth?

We look forward to a time when Jesus will return and just as it was prophesied that He would come the first time, He Himself predicted His own death, resurrection and return to conquer the darkness.

“May (the) grace (of God) and (His) peace be yours in the fullest measure” (vers 2) as you receive His forgiveness, His underserved mercy, in order “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled, which will not fade away, reserved for you in heaven“! (vers 4)

“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation”