Hope and Preparation: Living in Light of Resurrection

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the profound truth that Jesus is the Word that gives life, holds all things together, and fills us with grace and truth. As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the significance of Jesus' resurrection, which is the cornerstone of our hope and faith. This hope is especially vital in times of personal and global uncertainty, where questions about God's presence and care often arise. We explored the concept of "recency bias," which can lead us to believe that our current times are more significant than any other. However, history shows us that suffering and tribulation have always been part of the human experience.

Peter's message in 1 Peter 4:7-19 encourages us to live with the awareness that the end is near, not in fear, but in preparation to meet Jesus. This preparation involves being sober-minded, prayerful, and loving. We are called to maintain constant love for one another, be hospitable, and use our gifts to serve others, all for the glory of God. The Christian life is a balance of living in the kingdom now while anticipating its full realization upon Jesus' return. This dual reality allows us to navigate suffering with hope and faith, knowing that our ultimate security is in Christ.

As we partake in communion, we remember Jesus' sacrifice and the promise of His return. This act of remembrance is a declaration of our faith in the resurrection and a reminder of the hope we have in the new heaven and new earth. We are encouraged to live with a vision for heaven, cultivate a relationship with Jesus, and commit to the church community. In doing so, we testify to the resurrection reality and the divine kingship of Jesus, navigating our times with faith, hope, and love.

Key Takeaways:

1. Living with Hope Amidst Uncertainty: In times of personal and global uncertainty, it's natural to question God's presence and care. However, history shows that suffering is a constant part of the human experience. Our hope lies in Jesus' resurrection, which assures us of His ongoing work in us and the promise of His return. [12:46]

2. Recency Bias and Historical Perspective: Recency bias can lead us to believe that our current times are more significant than any other. By understanding history's cyclical nature, we can see that suffering and tribulation have always existed. This perspective helps us focus on preparing our hearts for Jesus rather than getting caught up in predicting end-time events. [24:15]

3. Preparing for Jesus, Not Just Events: Peter encourages us to prepare for Jesus' return by being sober-minded, prayerful, and loving. This preparation is not about predicting events but about cultivating a heart ready to meet Jesus. It involves living with an awareness of His kingdom now and anticipating its full realization. [36:22]

4. The Power of Love and Hospitality: Maintaining constant love for one another and being hospitable are vital aspects of our Christian walk. This love is not transactional but unconditional, allowing us to navigate relationships without fear. Hospitality opens our lives to others, creating an environment of welcome and support. [48:10]

5. Using Our Gifts for God's Glory: Each of us has been given unique gifts to serve others and build up the church. There are no spectators in God's kingdom; everyone has a role to play. By using our gifts, we declare our strength in Him and bring glory to God, contributing to the mission of the church. [56:41]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:02:30] - Opening Prayer
- [00:05:00] - Preparing for Easter
- [00:08:45] - The Significance of Jesus' Resurrection
- [00:12:46] - Facing Uncertainty with Hope
- [00:18:30] - Recency Bias and Historical Perspective
- [00:24:15] - Preparing for Jesus, Not Just Events
- [00:30:00] - Living in the Kingdom Now
- [00:36:22] - Sober-Mindedness and Prayer
- [00:42:00] - The Power of Love and Hospitality
- [00:48:10] - Using Our Gifts for God's Glory
- [00:54:00] - Communion and Remembrance
- [00:56:41] - The Promise of Jesus' Return
- [01:02:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation for Prayer
- [01:14:16] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Peter 4:7-19

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Peter mean when he says, "The end of all things is near"? How does this statement set the tone for the rest of the passage? [49:33]

2. According to the sermon, what are the three ways Peter encourages believers to prepare for Jesus' return? [49:33]

3. How does the sermon describe the concept of "recency bias," and how does it relate to the way we view current events? [49:33]

4. What role does love play in the Christian community according to 1 Peter 4:8, and how was this emphasized in the sermon? [49:33]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the idea of living with the awareness that "the end is near" influence a believer's daily life and priorities? [49:33]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that suffering can be used by Jesus to increase faith, hope, and love in a believer's life? [49:33]

3. How does the sermon interpret the call to be "sober-minded" and "prayerful"? What practical steps can believers take to embody these traits? [49:33]

4. What does it mean to use our gifts to serve others as "good stewards of the varied grace of God," and how does this contribute to the mission of the church? [49:33]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you questioned God's presence during personal or global uncertainty. How did you find hope in Jesus' resurrection during that time? [49:33]

2. How can you guard against "recency bias" in your own life, ensuring that you maintain a historical perspective on suffering and tribulation? [49:33]

3. What specific actions can you take this week to prepare your heart for Jesus' return, focusing on being sober-minded, prayerful, and loving? [49:33]

4. Identify one way you can show unconditional love to someone in your life this week, especially in a relationship where you might have been transactional in the past. [49:33]

5. Consider your unique gifts. How can you use them to serve others in your church community this month? What steps will you take to get involved? [49:33]

6. How can you cultivate a vision for heaven in your daily life, especially when faced with fear or envy? What practical reminders can you set for yourself? [49:33]

7. Reflect on your current level of commitment to your church community. What is one tangible way you can deepen this commitment in the coming weeks? [49:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Hope in the Resurrection Amidst Uncertainty
In times of personal and global uncertainty, it is natural to question God's presence and care. However, history shows that suffering is a constant part of the human experience. Our hope lies in Jesus' resurrection, which assures us of His ongoing work in us and the promise of His return. This hope is especially vital when we face challenges that seem insurmountable. By focusing on the resurrection, we are reminded that Jesus has overcome the world, and in Him, we find peace and assurance. [12:46]

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of uncertainty in your life where you need to invite the hope of Jesus' resurrection today?


Day 2: Overcoming Recency Bias with Historical Perspective
Recency bias can lead us to believe that our current times are more significant than any other. By understanding history's cyclical nature, we can see that suffering and tribulation have always existed. This perspective helps us focus on preparing our hearts for Jesus rather than getting caught up in predicting end-time events. Recognizing that every generation has faced its own challenges allows us to trust in God's eternal plan and remain steadfast in our faith. [24:15]

"Do not say, 'Why were the former days better than these?' For it is not from wisdom that you ask this." (Ecclesiastes 7:10, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from the present challenges to the eternal truths of God's kingdom today?


Day 3: Preparing for Jesus with Sober-Mindedness and Prayer
Peter encourages us to prepare for Jesus' return by being sober-minded, prayerful, and loving. This preparation is not about predicting events but about cultivating a heart ready to meet Jesus. It involves living with an awareness of His kingdom now and anticipating its full realization. By maintaining a disciplined spiritual life, we align ourselves with God's purposes and remain vigilant in our faith journey. [36:22]

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to cultivate a sober-minded and prayerful heart in anticipation of Jesus' return?


Day 4: The Transformative Power of Love and Hospitality
Maintaining constant love for one another and being hospitable are vital aspects of our Christian walk. This love is not transactional but unconditional, allowing us to navigate relationships without fear. Hospitality opens our lives to others, creating an environment of welcome and support. By embodying these virtues, we reflect the character of Christ and build a community that honors God. [48:10]

"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." (Romans 12:13, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone you can show love and hospitality to this week, and how can you practically extend this to them?


Day 5: Using Our Gifts for God's Glory
Each of us has been given unique gifts to serve others and build up the church. There are no spectators in God's kingdom; everyone has a role to play. By using our gifts, we declare our strength in Him and bring glory to God, contributing to the mission of the church. Embracing our God-given talents allows us to participate actively in His work and experience the joy of serving. [56:41]

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: What is one gift or talent you have that you can use to serve others and glorify God this week?

Quotes

"Let's pray And so, Lord Jesus, we come into this place And we declare that you are the word That you are the words that give life That you are the word that holds all things together That it is you who give us the grace and the truth To make our souls come alive That we might see you in your greatness That we might see you in all of your glory And fulfill our original purpose Which is to give you praise Lord, as we find refuge in this place And refuge in being reminded of the gospel This truth that you love us and have saved us We give you the praise We would ask, Lord, that you would remove any distraction Or doubt this morning through your word That we might come before you with full confidence To have our faith restored Lord, to have our hope expanded And to have our love deepened Because from your grace We've all received more and more of your goodness Lord, we want to taste and see again That goodness And so, Lord, we invite you to open our eyes To see spiritual reality Open our ears to hear your voice Open our lungs to sing your praises today That we might leave this place With an anticipation and an expectation That we would see your ongoing work In us, around us, and through us Lord, it is good to gather here It is good to have our souls mended and healed Father, minister to us this morning In your name and for your glory we pray Amen" [00:15:45] (99 seconds)


"We are two weeks away from Easter Did you know that? Right? It seems later this year But we are making plans And we're getting prepared And there's a couple of things We want everybody in the church to know about So if you're at WRC Or you're at CPC Set aside some time Even this week To begin to prepare and plan for Easter On Good Friday Centennial Park is hosting A Stations of the Cross A self-guided tour Through the last hours of Jesus' life And it's going to be a great time Of just kind of contemplation And meditation We would love for you If you would sign up for that Again, you can do that on the link tree Which the QR code around you will do You can do it on the website You can do it by calling the church office We just want to make sure That everyone's got the time they need To make it through all of that And so we're setting aside 15 minute blocks And I was just asking that Maybe you sign up And participate in that way And then on the Sunday In each location We're going to have a big celebration service We're going to have church But a little bit different Okay We're going to kind of Make it a little more celebratory A little more exciting I'm going to ask you all To do something a little bit different That is different these days But might not have been different Years ago And that is to put on your Sunday best We'll call it your Easter best Like maybe guys Dig out dust off a suit Maybe remember how to put on a tie And come a little bit more dressed up Because it is a celebration And we're going to mark that day We don't want you just to get dressed up for that We're going to actually have a photo booth available And we'll take family pictures And we'll give you something to remember And we're going to do a bunch of different other things But it's going to be a great celebration service And we'd love it if you invited your friends out to that Just an awesome time to get them to come to church So be planning for that Be preparing for that We're excited about that day It's the biggest day of the church year It's bigger than Christmas Why? Because Jesus' resurrection changes everything It's what actually gives us hope Hope when our hope is often challenged I don't know about you But when I face kind of suffering That despair about the future I ask questions It's a pretty natural thing to do when we suffer Right? Is to ask questions And if you're spiritual or you're a Christian You may ask a question like Does God really care about me?" [00:18:11] (148 seconds)


"Is God really near to me? Does God actually exist? That personal suffering often brings up A bunch of those questions And it's worth exploring those questions Those questions can really point us to different things In our life that we may have been relying on Apart from faith in God As long as I have my health As long as I have some money in the bank As long as everybody in my life is happy And is happy with me Then I'm good Right? But if any of those things become threatened or fragile It'll bring up some of these questions And those questions are good questions When we face uncertain global times Where corporately our future is uncertain We also ask questions Right? One of the questions that Christians ask Is, is this the end?" [00:21:32] (55 seconds)


"We don't want to do Things like this Wow, there's a There's a war In the Middle East There's always a war In the Middle East But there's a war In the Middle East And the book of Revelation Says there will be Plagues of locusts At that time Well look There's Black Hawk helicopters Those look like locusts What are they doing? Adding a prophecy This picture of destruction The locusts represent destruction Not necessarily literal Actual events Right? It's just saying There will be destruction Worldwide destruction And people attach A very spiritual A highly elevated Spiritual reality To a historical event And it can be very dangerous Because what we end up doing Is like I said Preparing for the event Instead of preparing To meet Jesus So what does that mean To prepare for that?" [00:36:22] (56 seconds)


"be sober-minded for what for prayer so that we can look and we can see how to pray not prepare" [01:04:42] (10 seconds)


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Transcript
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