Finding Hope and Guidance in God's Holiness

 

Summary

In our gathering today, we reflected on the profound truth of God's holiness and His unwavering presence in our lives. We acknowledged that while we strive to align ourselves with God, the true power lies in His willingness to come alongside us, guiding us to places of peace and hope. This hope is firmly rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who sees, cares, and is intimately aware of our individual journeys. As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the significance of these events and the opportunity to engage deeply with our faith through practices like the Stations of the Cross.

Continuing our exploration of 1 Peter, we delved into the concept of living as exiles in a world that is not our ultimate home. Our worldview, shaped by various influences, often leads us to believe that doing the right things will result in a good life. However, life is not as straightforward as math or baking, where following the right steps guarantees success. Instead, we are called to place our hope in Jesus, our co-suffering Savior, who understands our struggles and offers us His presence and grace.

Peter's letter encourages us to live distinct lives, marked by our identity in Christ, and to be prepared to share the hope we have with gentleness and respect. Our lives should reflect a different set of values, prompting curiosity and questions from those around us. We are not called to defend Jesus but to live as hopeful people, ready to testify to the transformative power of His love and grace.

In the face of suffering and injustice, we are reminded of Jesus' own suffering and His victory over evil. His death and resurrection are not just historical events but present realities that offer us hope and a new way of living. As we navigate the challenges of life, we are invited to trust in God's goodness and to engage with Him in our doubts and struggles. This journey of faith is not easy, but it is marked by a deep hope and love that sustains us.

As we partake in communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice and the new life He offers. We are not alone in this journey; we have each other and the presence of our Savior. May we continue to live in the reality of His love and grace, sharing it with a world in need of hope.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Presence and Guidance: We are reminded that while we strive to align ourselves with God, the true power lies in His willingness to come alongside us, guiding us to places of peace and hope. This hope is firmly rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who sees, cares, and is intimately aware of our individual journeys. [00:00]

2. Living as Exiles: As followers of Christ, we live as exiles in a world that is not our ultimate home. Our worldview, shaped by various influences, often leads us to believe that doing the right things will result in a good life. However, life is not as straightforward as math or baking, where following the right steps guarantees success. Instead, we are called to place our hope in Jesus, our co-suffering Savior, who understands our struggles and offers us His presence and grace. [23:47]

3. Distinct Lives and Hopeful Testimonies: Peter's letter encourages us to live distinct lives, marked by our identity in Christ, and to be prepared to share the hope we have with gentleness and respect. Our lives should reflect a different set of values, prompting curiosity and questions from those around us. We are not called to defend Jesus but to live as hopeful people, ready to testify to the transformative power of His love and grace. [42:29]

4. Jesus' Suffering and Victory: In the face of suffering and injustice, we are reminded of Jesus' own suffering and His victory over evil. His death and resurrection are not just historical events but present realities that offer us hope and a new way of living. As we navigate the challenges of life, we are invited to trust in God's goodness and to engage with Him in our doubts and struggles. [53:34]

5. Communion and Community: As we partake in communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice and the new life He offers. We are not alone in this journey; we have each other and the presence of our Savior. May we continue to live in the reality of His love and grace, sharing it with a world in need of hope. [01:01:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer
- [02:00] - Dependence on God
- [04:15] - Easter and Stations of the Cross
- [06:45] - Series on 1 Peter
- [09:30] - Worldview and False Beliefs
- [12:00] - Life's Injustices
- [15:00] - Hope in Jesus
- [18:30] - Living as Exiles
- [21:00] - Distinct Lives and Testimonies
- [24:00] - Jesus' Suffering and Victory
- [27:00] - Baptism and Noah
- [30:00] - Submission to God
- [33:00] - Communion and Community
- [36:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Peter 3:13-22
2. Hebrews 4:14-16
3. Romans 15:13

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Observation Questions:

1. In 1 Peter 3:13-14, Peter asks, "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?" How does this question relate to the experiences of early Christians living in the Roman world? [23:47]

2. According to the sermon, what does it mean to live as exiles in a world that is not our ultimate home? How does this concept shape our worldview? [19:49]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus as our "co-suffering Savior"? What does this mean for our understanding of suffering and hope? [42:29]

4. What are some examples given in the sermon of living distinct lives that prompt curiosity and questions from those around us? [49:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. In 1 Peter 3:15-16, Peter encourages believers to be prepared to give an answer for the hope they have. How does the sermon suggest we should approach this task with gentleness and respect? [49:33]

2. The sermon discusses the idea that life is not as straightforward as math or baking. How does this analogy help us understand the complexities of living a faithful Christian life? [23:47]

3. How does the sermon interpret the significance of Jesus' suffering and victory over evil? What implications does this have for our own experiences of suffering and injustice? [53:34]

4. The sermon mentions the importance of community and communion. How does this practice help us remember Jesus' sacrifice and the new life He offers? [01:01:05]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt like an exile in your own life. How did your faith help you navigate that experience? What can you do to strengthen your sense of belonging in God's kingdom? [19:49]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living distinct lives that reflect our identity in Christ. What specific actions can you take this week to live out your faith in a way that prompts curiosity and questions from others? [49:33]

3. Consider a situation where you have faced suffering or injustice. How can you draw on the example of Jesus' suffering and victory to find hope and strength in your own circumstances? [53:34]

4. The sermon encourages us to share the hope we have with gentleness and respect. Identify one person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week? [49:33]

5. As we approach Easter, how can you engage more deeply with your faith through practices like the Stations of the Cross or other spiritual disciplines? What steps will you take to prepare your heart for this season? [19:49]

6. Reflect on the role of community in your faith journey. How can you contribute to building a supportive and loving community within your small group or church? [01:01:05]

7. The sermon mentions the importance of trusting in God's goodness even in the face of doubts and struggles. What specific doubts or struggles are you currently facing, and how can you bring them to God in prayer this week? [53:34]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Presence in Our Journey
God's presence is a constant in our lives, guiding us to places of peace and hope. This presence is not dependent on our efforts to align with Him but is a testament to His willingness to walk alongside us. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the foundation of this hope, as He intimately knows and cares for each of our journeys. As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the significance of these events and the opportunity to deepen our faith through practices like the Stations of the Cross. [00:00]

"For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'" (Isaiah 41:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you become more aware of God's presence in your daily life, especially in moments of uncertainty or fear?


Day 2: Living as Exiles in a Temporary World
As followers of Christ, we are called to live as exiles in a world that is not our ultimate home. Our worldview, often shaped by societal influences, can lead us to believe that doing the right things will result in a good life. However, life is not as predictable as a formula. Instead, we are invited to place our hope in Jesus, our co-suffering Savior, who understands our struggles and offers us His presence and grace. [23:47]

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from worldly expectations to a heavenly perspective in your daily decisions and interactions?


Day 3: Distinct Lives and Hopeful Testimonies
Peter's letter encourages believers to live distinct lives, marked by their identity in Christ. This distinctiveness should prompt curiosity and questions from those around us. We are not called to defend Jesus but to live as hopeful people, ready to testify to the transformative power of His love and grace. Our lives should reflect a different set of values, characterized by gentleness and respect. [42:29]

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to live a life that reflects the hope and values of Christ, prompting curiosity in those around you?


Day 4: Jesus' Suffering and Victory
In the face of suffering and injustice, we are reminded of Jesus' own suffering and His victory over evil. His death and resurrection are not just historical events but present realities that offer us hope and a new way of living. As we navigate life's challenges, we are invited to trust in God's goodness and engage with Him in our doubts and struggles. [53:34]

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you find strength and hope in Jesus' victory over suffering as you face your own challenges today?


Day 5: Communion and Community
As we partake in communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice and the new life He offers. We are not alone in this journey; we have each other and the presence of our Savior. Living in the reality of His love and grace, we are called to share this hope with a world in need. [01:01:05]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your community of faith to encourage and support others in their spiritual journey today?

Quotes


So thank you for leading us, besides still waters, to green pastures, to a hope that is just rock solid, that is grounded in you, Jesus. Grounded in your life, grounded in your death, grounded in your ascension, grounded in the fact that you see, you are aware, and you care about each and every one of us. [00:16:44] (38 seconds)


But part of it also is to have our faith be strengthened, to be maybe rebuilt, to have the things that are maybe challenging that faith, that are maybe causing our eyes to be, and lives to be distracted, but to recenter. [00:17:35] (18 seconds)


One of the things that Ben talked about at the beginning of this series, he introduced this concept that I'm sure is not new to you, but this idea of we all have a worldview. Right? We all sort of have a lens by which we view life. And that worldview is shaped in so many different ways. [00:21:13] (18 seconds)


If I do the right things right, it'll all be good. Now, that can be true in math. If we add up, I actually handed in something recently, oh my goodness, for the, you know, expenses here at the church and all that. And I'm pretty committed to doing math right. [00:22:23] (20 seconds)


My belief and my value and my premise now if you like my worldview that I'm trying to continue that to live by and and it's why when I gather here with you it is so helpful to be reminded of the true realities of life maybe not always seen maybe it's unseen but I'm striving for the worldview that my hope and I hope is yours is putting my faith in our co-suffering savior Jesus Christ our co-suffering savior Jesus and it's so easy to lose sight of that it's so easy there's so many competing values and alluring ideas and we do live in such a beautiful part of the world now as we have gone through this series um we've been reminded and maybe we're discovering over and over that as christians disciples we are displaced right this is not our home we're we're distinct we do live in a different we have a different uh sort of set of values and whys and hows that we live we we are distinct and certainly uh we're deployed and it's been so helpful to be just reminded over and over and over and peter just keeps coming back to that theme in his letter followers of jesus christians disciples if you like find their identity purpose and belonging in god's design and christ's redemption i can quote that i can fire that off really quickly but i can get distracted [00:24:45] (94 seconds)


We're distinct as as christians as christ followers we are surrendered people we are striving to live by the spirit empowered by the spirit living lives trusting in god's grace and truth in all of life and for all of life no matter what life may throw at us no matter what inequity or injustice seems to find our way we're deployed in a society to live out our faith in all that we do and showing the hope that that buoys us showing the love to all of those that we encounter you see peter assumed that the church would live before the world in such a way that the the world would recognize something different something different about them and that would be what god would use to bring redemption and renewal through the testimony of men and women like you and i the testimony and witness to the resurrection the life and the death and the ascension and the hope of our lord and savior jesus christ [00:26:21] (75 seconds)


People may threaten people may be antagonistic they may they may think we're a little strange so all of those things may be true but these people are going to be observing your life they're going to be watching they're going to be watching as you go through those hard things and your hope as it is challenged in your own life will be admired maybe observed for sure maybe even questioned a little bit and we have the opportunity as people who are deployed in relationship throughout your life to testify to give witness to share the reason for the hope that you have it's so needed i mean i know that you need it i know that i need it i know that others need it as well [00:32:40] (63 seconds)


Jesus experienced something that we experience and yet you find it throughout if you read the gospels you see it throughout jesus life and and you can see it in hebrews chapter 2 and hebrews chapter 4 verses 14 to 16 both both chapters there it talks about how jesus became a human became a man who lived and understood and faced the trials and temptations what we have what we have a reminder of here is that jesus was a co-sufferer he suffered on our behalf we understand that we are going to suffer we we've experienced that but here we see that jesus suffering was and is a part of the human experience and not just broken people's experience but the experience of our savior now jesus suffering went to the next level if you like in his death and although an apparent defeat was the means by which jesus confronts and defeats evil in all its forms both physical and spiritual and that's really important for us to see those two things and to remember those two things that jesus suffering went to another level in his death although an apparent defeat was the means by which jesus confronts and defeats evil in all its forms both physical and spiritual [00:37:37] (93 seconds)


He defeated sin he offers us that forgiveness that is completely true and that is absolutely a significant part of his death and his resurrection it was through the sacrifice of his life of course his resurrection exhibiting his rule and reign to all powers and authorities both of the physical and spiritual world but don't miss this point he's there for you like he gets it the physical realities of what we experience it's not just some hopeful thing in the future it's the here and the now [00:44:04] (41 seconds)


This morning we're going to to take communion we've been doing this every week as we head up to Easter as just the physical reminder the cup and the bread that reminds us of Jesus' life the life he lived physical realities of what he experienced and and the shed blood that offers us this new life this new covenant this new relationship with him allows us to live in his presence beautifully gloriously [00:57:58] (39 seconds)


Lord Jesus, this juice speaks to us and demonstrates your complete commitment to offer us forgiveness, to offer us a reminder that we can have a new life. We can be called your children becoming part of your family when we surrender, when we revere you, Christ, as Lord. [01:01:54] (31 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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