Unshakeable Hope: Finding Assurance in Christ
Summary
In the first Epistle of Peter, we are reminded of the profound truth that as believers, we are called to desire the pure spiritual milk of the Word, which is the foundation of our faith and growth. In a world filled with uncertainty and confusion, the quest for a place of peace and assurance is universal. The scripture assures us that those who believe in Christ, the Chief Cornerstone, will not be confounded. This is the essence of the Christian message: the promise of a foundation that will never shake, regardless of life's challenges.
The world offers many philosophies and teachings, but none can provide the certainty and peace that the Gospel offers. The Gospel is not merely about enduring life but about being placed on a foundation that withstands all trials. This is the good news that has been testified by countless believers throughout history, who have found in Christ a source of unshakeable hope and assurance.
To attain this assurance, we must start with the Bible, the Word of God, which is the ultimate source of truth and guidance. The Bible is not just a collection of human thoughts but a divine revelation that provides insight into God, the world, and humanity. It reveals the cause of our troubles—the fall of man—and God's plan for redemption through Jesus Christ. This plan involves God calling out a people for Himself, a new humanity that will ultimately dwell in a restored universe free from sin and suffering.
The Bible's message is clear: while the world is in turmoil, God is preparing a people for Himself, a people who will live in the new heavens and new earth. This is the hope and assurance that believers have, knowing that they are part of God's eternal plan and that nothing can separate them from His love.
Key Takeaways:
- The quest for peace and assurance in a world of uncertainty is fulfilled in Christ, the Chief Cornerstone, who offers a foundation that will never be confounded. Believers are called to desire the pure spiritual milk of the Word to grow in faith and understanding. [02:01]
- The Gospel is unique in its promise of unshakeable hope and assurance, unlike any philosophy or teaching the world offers. It is not about merely enduring life but about being placed on a foundation that withstands all trials. [04:44]
- The Bible is the ultimate source of truth, providing divine revelation about God, the world, and humanity. It reveals the cause of our troubles—the fall of man—and God's plan for redemption through Jesus Christ. [09:08]
- God's plan involves calling out a people for Himself, a new humanity that will ultimately dwell in a restored universe free from sin and suffering. This is the hope and assurance that believers have, knowing they are part of God's eternal plan. [37:12]
- Believers are assured that nothing can separate them from God's love, and they are destined to live in the new heavens and new earth. This assurance allows them to face life's challenges without being confounded. [53:54]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to 1 Peter
[01:08] - The Quest for Peace
[02:01] - The Chief Cornerstone
[03:03] - The Gospel's Unique Promise
[04:44] - A Foundation That Never Shakes
[06:03] - The Importance of the Bible
[09:08] - Divine Revelation
[11:39] - The Enduring Word
[13:37] - The Paradox of Man
[20:18] - God's Revelation
[25:21] - The Cause of Our Troubles
[37:12] - God's Plan for Redemption
[47:08] - The Role of Jesus Christ
[53:54] - Assurance in Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 Peter 2:2, 6
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Peter mean by "desire the sincere milk of the word" in 1 Peter 2:2, and how does this relate to spiritual growth? [00:27]
2. In 1 Peter 2:6, what is the significance of Christ being referred to as the "Chief Cornerstone"? How does this metaphor relate to the foundation of faith? [02:01]
3. According to the sermon, what is the unique promise of the Gospel that differentiates it from other philosophies or teachings? [03:03]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Bible in providing assurance and guidance to believers? [09:08]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of Christ as the "Chief Cornerstone" help believers understand their relationship with God and their place in the world? [02:01]
2. The sermon emphasizes the Bible as the ultimate source of truth. How does this perspective influence a believer's approach to other sources of knowledge and wisdom? [09:08]
3. What does it mean for believers to be part of God's eternal plan, and how does this understanding impact their daily lives? [37:12]
4. How does the assurance that "nothing can separate them from God's love" empower believers to face life's challenges? [53:54]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual diet. Are you actively desiring and consuming the "pure spiritual milk" of the Word? What changes can you make to ensure you are growing in your faith? [00:27]
2. In what ways can you build your life on the foundation of Christ, the Chief Cornerstone, to ensure you are not confounded by life's uncertainties? [02:01]
3. The sermon highlights the Gospel's promise of unshakeable hope. How can you share this hope with someone in your life who is struggling with uncertainty or fear? [03:03]
4. Consider the role of the Bible in your life. How can you prioritize reading and understanding Scripture to gain deeper insight into God's plan for you? [09:08]
5. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did your faith in God's eternal plan and love help you navigate that situation? What might you do differently next time? [37:12]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel separated from God's love. What steps can you take to remind yourself of the assurance that nothing can separate you from His love? [53:54]
7. How can you actively participate in God's plan of redemption by being a light in your community and sharing the message of hope and assurance found in Christ? [37:12]
Devotional
Day 1: Christ, Our Unshakeable Foundation
As believers, we are called to desire the pure spiritual milk of the Word, which is the foundation of our faith and growth. In a world filled with uncertainty and confusion, the quest for a place of peace and assurance is universal. The scripture assures us that those who believe in Christ, the Chief Cornerstone, will not be confounded. This is the essence of the Christian message: the promise of a foundation that will never shake, regardless of life's challenges. [02:01]
Isaiah 28:16 (ESV): "Therefore thus says the Lord God, 'Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: 'Whoever believes will not be in haste.'"
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel shaken or uncertain? How can you actively seek Christ as your foundation in these areas today?
Day 2: The Gospel's Unique Assurance
The Gospel is unique in its promise of unshakeable hope and assurance, unlike any philosophy or teaching the world offers. It is not about merely enduring life but about being placed on a foundation that withstands all trials. This is the good news that has been testified by countless believers throughout history, who have found in Christ a source of unshakeable hope and assurance. [04:44]
Hebrews 6:19 (ESV): "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain."
Reflection: Consider a recent trial you faced. How did the Gospel provide you with hope and assurance during that time? How can you share this hope with someone else today?
Day 3: The Bible as Divine Revelation
To attain this assurance, we must start with the Bible, the Word of God, which is the ultimate source of truth and guidance. The Bible is not just a collection of human thoughts but a divine revelation that provides insight into God, the world, and humanity. It reveals the cause of our troubles—the fall of man—and God's plan for redemption through Jesus Christ. [09:08]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Reflection: How often do you turn to the Bible for guidance in your daily life? What is one specific way you can deepen your engagement with Scripture this week?
Day 4: God's Eternal Plan for Redemption
God's plan involves calling out a people for Himself, a new humanity that will ultimately dwell in a restored universe free from sin and suffering. This is the hope and assurance that believers have, knowing they are part of God's eternal plan. [37:12]
Ephesians 1:9-10 (ESV): "Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."
Reflection: Reflect on your role in God's eternal plan. How can you live out this calling in your community and relationships today?
Day 5: Assurance in God's Love
Believers are assured that nothing can separate them from God's love, and they are destined to live in the new heavens and new earth. This assurance allows them to face life's challenges without being confounded. [53:54]
Romans 8:38-39 (ESV): "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Reflection: What is one fear or challenge you are currently facing? How can the assurance of God's unending love help you confront this today?
Quotes
The quest and the search for some resting place, some place of peace, some place of quiet, some place of assurance, something which is certain in a world that has become so uncertain. Now, that is all put very perfectly for us in this sixth verse. [00:01:19]
The business of the Gospel is not so much to tell us how to just go through this world and stick it and just manage to get through it anyhow, somehow. No, no, its whole message is to tell us that we can be put onto a foundation which will never shake. [00:04:29]
The Christian message comes entirely out of this book. We've got nothing to say apart from what we find here. That is what differentiates Christianity from everything else. We are utterly confined to this. There are other books; we don't derogate from their value. [00:08:56]
The Bible is not a collection of men's thoughts. If you're not clear about this, my friend, I don't expect you to believe its message. The only reason for believing this message is that it's God's message. It doesn't come from men. Men wrote it, but the men who wrote it said it wasn't their idea. [00:16:47]
Here is God making known to the human race these vital things that are essential to our happiness, that are essential to our coming into a position in which we shall never be confounded. What does he talk about? What is the revelation? Well, it is a revelation about God himself. [00:19:10]
The first three chapters are still the only adequate explanation of why the world is as it is. What is it? Well, here it is. I'm giving you a summary tonight of the one great message of this book. Here it is: you start with Creation. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth. [00:25:51]
God has got a plan. He's got a way of enabling us to come back to the place of rest and peace and communion with him so that we shall never be confounded. But this is the thing: it is God's way, it is God's plan, and it is only possible to us as long as we submit ourselves to it. [00:37:03]
God's purpose is to make for himself a people. He made the original men that out of him he might have a people for himself, but it all went wrong. There it is still wrong. What's God's purpose? Oh, to make a new people for himself. [00:38:49]
The ultimate purpose is this: the restoration of God's world and universe to its original condition. That's God's purpose. That's why he's preparing this people. He's preparing a people that are going to people and live in the renovated, regenerated universe. [00:50:44]
The Christian's not surprised that the world is as it is. It must be like this while man is the slave of the devil and commanded and governed by his lusts and passions and desires. It's inevitable. So the Christian is not confounded. [00:54:55]
The Christian's never surprised, never disappointed. This is what he's been taught to expect. He's got a view of past, present, and future. God has shown it to him, and what he knows is this: that as long as he's one of the people of God, nothing can ever harm him. [00:55:57]
Do you see that God sent his only son into the world to make you one of his people, to get rid of your guilt, to adopt you, give you the new nature, make you a joint heir with him? Do you believe it? If you do, take it from me, you're one of the people of God. [00:56:56]
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