Living Hope: Anchored in God's Mercy and Resurrection

Devotional

Day 1: Born Again to a Living Hope

Through God's great mercy, we are born again to a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, giving us a confident expectation that transcends all earthly trials. This hope is not wishful thinking, but a sure and living reality rooted in the resurrection—God’s ultimate display of power and love. No matter what clouds of stress, anxiety, or hardship may try to block your view, remember that your hope is alive because Jesus is alive. You are evidence of His goodness, faithfulness, and power to redeem. Let this truth lift you above your circumstances and fill you with joy that cannot be shaken. [17:07]

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV)
"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, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have let disappointment or fear cloud your hope? How can you remind yourself today that your hope is living and anchored in the resurrection of Jesus?

Day 2: An Inheritance That Will Not Fade

Our heavenly inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading—unlike anything on earth that spoils, disappoints, or loses its luster. Earthly blessings, no matter how wonderful, are always tinged with imperfection and destined to fade, but what God has prepared for you is untouched by sin, time, or decay. Let your heart be encouraged to pursue what is eternal, not what is temporary, and to set your sights on the glorious inheritance that awaits you as a child of God. [38:52]

1 Peter 1:4 (ESV)
"To an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: In what ways are you tempted to chase after things that fade away? What is one practical step you can take today to invest in your eternal inheritance instead?

Day 3: God Guards Our Salvation

God not only keeps our inheritance secure, but He also guards us by His power through faith, ensuring that nothing can separate us from the salvation He has promised. This assurance is not based on our own strength, but on God’s faithfulness to complete the good work He began in us. Even when you feel weak or uncertain, you can rest in the certainty that your future is secure in Christ, and that He will bring you safely home. [41:43]

John 10:28 (ESV)
"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."

Reflection: When doubts or fears about your salvation arise, how can you remind yourself of God’s promise to guard and keep you? Who can you encourage with this truth today?

Day 4: Letting Hope Transform the Present

Living with a confident hope in Christ changes everything about how we face today’s challenges, empowering us with joy and peace even in the midst of suffering or uncertainty. This hope is not passive; it actively shapes your outlook, your choices, and your ability to praise God in every circumstance. As you let your mind marinate in the truths of God’s Word, you become more resilient, more joyful, and more able to reflect Christ’s light to those around you. [51:25]

Romans 15:13 (ESV)
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

Reflection: What is one difficult situation you are facing right now? How can you intentionally let the hope you have in Christ shape your response and attitude today?

Day 5: Invited to Rest and Belong

No matter your past, your struggles, or your doubts, Jesus invites you to come to Him and find rest, belonging, and a new identity as evidence of His grace. You are not disqualified by your failures or your pain; instead, you are welcomed and made whole by the One who gives living hope. Today, receive His invitation to lay down your burdens and step into the fullness of life and hope that He offers to all who trust in Him. [08:02]

Matthew 11:28 (ESV)
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Reflection: What burden or sense of unworthiness do you need to bring to Jesus today? How can you accept His invitation to rest and belong as a beloved child of God?

Sermon Summary

Today, we rejoice in the truth that we are living evidence of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and resurrection power. No matter what we face—addiction, depression, anxiety, or rejection—Jesus is Lord over it all. Our hope is not a vague wish, but a living, confident expectation rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This hope is not earned by our own merit, but is a gift of God’s great mercy. Through Christ, we are born again into a new life, and with that new life comes a hope that is alive, vibrant, and unshakeable.

This living hope is not like the fleeting hopes the world offers, which so often disappoint. Instead, it is anchored in the unchanging promises of God. Our inheritance in Christ is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading—unlike anything this world can offer. Earthly blessings fade, but what God has prepared for us is eternal and secure. Even when life’s trials and clouds threaten to block our joy, we are called to lift our eyes above our circumstances and fix them on the glorious truths of the gospel.

God’s mercy is the foundation of our hope. We did not earn it; we deserved only judgment, but God, in His love, sent Jesus to bear our punishment and rise again, securing our future. The resurrection is not just a past event, but a prototype of what awaits all who trust in Him—new, glorified life in God’s presence forever. Our hope is guarded by God Himself, and He is also guarding us for that inheritance. Nothing can separate us from this salvation—not suffering, not sin, not even our own weakness.

This assurance should not make us complacent, but rather fill us with gratitude, joy, and perseverance. We are called to let these truths marinate in our hearts, not just skim over them. As we do, our perspective shifts, and we find strength to endure, joy in the midst of sorrow, and peace in uncertainty. If you have not yet experienced this living hope, it is available to you today through faith in Jesus. Let us live as people of hope, praising God for His grace, and encouraging one another to hold fast to the hope that will never disappoint.

Key Takeaways

1. Living Hope Transcends Circumstance: The hope we have in Christ is not a fragile wish, but a living, confident expectation that stands firm even in the face of suffering, disappointment, or loss. This hope is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus, which guarantees that our future is secure, no matter what clouds may gather in the present. Let your heart be lifted above your circumstances by the certainty of what God has promised. [20:54]
2. God’s Mercy, Not Our Merit: Our hope is founded solely on God’s great mercy, not on anything we have done or could ever do. We deserved only judgment, but God, in His compassion, gave us new birth and a future through Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. This truth humbles us and fills us with gratitude, reminding us that every spiritual blessing is a gift, not a wage. [23:09]
3. An Inheritance That Will Not Fade: Unlike earthly treasures that perish, spoil, or fade, our inheritance in Christ is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. This means that nothing in this world—no loss, no failure, no decay—can diminish what God has prepared for us. Let this eternal perspective shape your priorities and free you from chasing after what cannot last. [38:52]
4. God Guards Both Our Inheritance and Our Journey: Not only is our heavenly inheritance kept safe for us, but God Himself is guarding us for that inheritance. Our salvation is secure because it is God’s power, not our own, that preserves us. This assurance gives us peace and confidence, knowing that nothing can snatch us from His hand or derail His purpose for our lives. [41:43]
5. Let the Truth Marinate Deeply: The transforming power of this living hope is not found in a hurried glance at Scripture, but in letting these truths soak deeply into our hearts and minds. Like marinating a steak, we must give time and space for God’s promises to saturate our souls, so that hope becomes the lens through which we see all of life. This practice brings lasting joy, resilience, and a heart that overflows with praise. [50:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:07] - We Are Evidence of God’s Goodness
[01:20] - Jesus Is Lord Over All
[02:09] - Expecting Great Things
[04:18] - Living Without Hope
[05:14] - Overflow Church YouTube Launch
[06:39] - God Welcomes All
[08:23] - Praying for Great Things
[11:36] - Reading 1 Peter 1:3-5
[13:12] - Joy and the Clouds of Life
[17:07] - Born Again to a Living Hope
[22:09] - The Foundation of Our Hope
[30:11] - The Nature of Our Inheritance
[39:33] - The Certainty of Our Salvation
[49:22] - Letting Hope Marinate in Our Hearts
[53:45] - Living a Life of Hope and Praise
[58:24] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Peter 1:3-5 (ESV) — 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, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Peter 1:3, what is the source of our new birth and living hope?
How does Peter describe the inheritance that believers receive? List the three words he uses and discuss what each means.
In verse 5, what does Peter say about how our salvation is kept secure? Who is doing the guarding?
The sermon says, “The hope we have in Christ is not a fragile wish, but a living, confident expectation that stands firm even in the face of suffering, disappointment, or loss.” What examples of suffering or disappointment were mentioned in the sermon? [[13:50]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says our hope is “not earned by our own merit, but is a gift of God’s great mercy.” Why is it important to remember that our hope is based on God’s mercy and not our own efforts? [[23:09]]
Peter calls our hope “living.” What does it mean for hope to be “living” instead of dead or empty? How is this different from the kind of hope the world offers? [[18:52]]
The sermon compares our inheritance in Christ to earthly treasures that “perish, spoil, or fade.” Why do you think Peter uses these contrasts? How might this shape the way we view our priorities? [[38:52]]
The sermon says, “God is guarding both our inheritance and our journey.” What does this mean for someone who feels weak or afraid of losing their faith? [[41:43]]

Application Questions

The sermon encourages us to “lift our eyes above our circumstances and fix them on the glorious truths of the gospel.” What is one current situation in your life that feels like a “cloud” blocking your joy? How can you intentionally shift your focus this week? [[14:43]]
The message says, “Let these truths marinate in our hearts, not just skim over them.” What is one practical way you can let God’s promises soak into your heart this week, instead of just reading quickly and moving on? [[50:43]]
The sermon says our hope is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.” Are there things in your life you are chasing after that are actually perishable or fading? What would it look like to pursue what is eternal instead? [[38:52]]
The pastor said, “We are evidence of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and resurrection power.” Can you share a specific way God’s hope or mercy has changed your life or helped you through a hard time? [[00:25]]
The sermon says, “Nothing can separate us from this salvation—not suffering, not sin, not even our own weakness.” Is there something in your life that makes you doubt this? How can you remind yourself of God’s promise this week? [[44:24]]
The message invites anyone who hasn’t experienced this living hope to receive it through faith in Jesus. If you haven’t taken that step, what questions or hesitations do you have? If you have, how can you encourage someone else who is searching for hope? [[52:21]]
The sermon says, “Let us live as people of hope, praising God for His grace, and encouraging one another to hold fast to the hope that will never disappoint.” What is one way you can encourage someone else in your group or community to hold on to hope this week? [[53:45]]

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