Expression of Hope

Introduction

How long does it take to get comfortable in a new job? Marriage? With a newborn? In a friendship? One of the things that we prefer is predictability. Human beings, in general, are quite predictable. As much as we long for some excitement from time to time, we really like predictable outcomes. We like knowing that our car will start when we need it to. We like having meals at regular times. We like being able to count on friends. There are those who are risk takers but even then there is some semblance of predictability included so that one can enjoy the risk. The person who loves skydiving wants to know that the parachute has been carefully packed. Here’s the point—we like comfort. We like a certain amount of routine. Relationships are hard enough without the added edge of “you never know what he is going to do.”

Peter is writing to people whose lives have become unpredictable. Because of their faith, some have lost jobs, many are being ostracized, family has turned against them. Life is no longer easy and comfortable. Real hardship in terms of relationships, finances, and a sense of fitting in with society is no longer present. The result is predictable—discouragement, uncertainty, doubt, fear. Peter writes to help these people remain committed to their faith. These are not easy times. These people are not merely socially isolated, there is a freedom to attack these who are so different from the societal norms.

Peter’s first letter is to remind them that they have a new identity. This identity comes from God. They have been born into a new family. With this new birth comes a new hope based on the resurrection of Jesus. This single event has changed their lives. In our section today we are going to see that because of this hope they have a new motivation, a new character, a new way to love, and a new desire. This letter applies to our time as well. Our identity is found in the resurrection of Jesus. Let’s celebrate him.

Imperatives

There are four imperatives in this section that allows us to know that Peter wants his readers to focus on four things. These four imperatives or commands are based upon the new birth that has come. Peter goes to great length to explain each imperative so let’s begin.

First, 1:13 we are to set our hope on Christ’s return. This is going to happen. Just as surely as the resurrection took place, we will see Jesus again. For Peter living in a world where you do not belong means that we anticipate this event as a remedy for our discomfort now. Every aspect of life is viewed through the lens that we will see Jesus one day. How do we set our hope on a future event? Peter says there are two things we must do.

We must prepare our minds for action. The wording is actually “gird up your loins for action.” This is an old image of one tucking his robe into his waist band so that one can move more easily. In our vernacular we would say “roll up your shirt sleeves.” To set our hope on Christ’s return means that we have to get our mind working correctly.

Second, we must be sober or self-controlled. While this word would have been used about refraining from drunkenness, Peter has more than this in mind. Because we are trying to get our minds to think about Christ’s return then we do not immerse ourselves in the things that this world values—money, status, acceptance, intelligence—These things distract our minds from what is important.

To set our hope on Christ’s return means that we are motivated by that return rather than what we can accomplish in this life.

Second, we are to be holy. Not only do we have a new motivation but we have a new character. It is a character that imitates God’s character. While we cannot be pure as God is pure, we can be holy in our obedience. This is what Peter writes in verses 14-15. Obedience and desire are tied together. We obey what we desire and desire what we obey. If we desire God, then we obey. If we obey God, then our desire turns to him. This is not disconnected from the previous. As our minds must be set on Christ’s return this means we desire to see God. Desiring to see God means that we obey him.

Do not think this is merely obedience to God’s commands. This is included and there are times that we all need to be reminded of God’s commands. But in this case, this has to do with character. We desire for God to be seen through us.

We know that God has paid a significant price for us to be with him (vss. 17-21). We do not take such for granted. The resurrection reminds us that a price was paid and then it reminds us that this is the basis of our hope.

What is it that you really desire? Every generation must answer that question. If we desire comfort, sexual freedom, luxury, relaxation, ease, leisure, status, then we set our hearts on what it takes to accomplish such. Our hope is Christ. Our holiness reflects our hope.

Third, we are to love each other more deeply (vs. 22). This is where we find refuge. It is with our spiritual family that we find that our hope is accepted, encouraged, flamed into fire, and verified. Again Peter in verse 23 mentions that we have been born again. This spiritual birth means that we are no longer of the temporary but of the eternal. Our hope is found in the word of God and his word will not pass away. Turn to Isaiah 40. Isaiah prophesies of Israel’s return to be with God. Isaiah 40 is used to describe the work of John the Baptist in announcing God has entered the land. Isaiah 40 assures the readers that rulers come and go. Verse 24, God merely blows on the nations and they blow away. Do you think Christians under persecution needed to hear that? Do you think we do? So if God’s word is forever then we turn to those who believe as well for encouragement and acceptance.

It isn’t just in this building. But it is loving God’s people who share common values, goals, thoughts, motivation and intent. We share a common purpose and a common Savior.

Lord’s Supper.

Fourth, We crave God. Back in 1:3, Peter wrote that we had a new birth. Babies need lots of milk. In fact they crave it. The hungry infant craves to be fed. The hungry infant drinks milk as if there is nothing better. Because we love deeply; because we have God’s word; because God’s word will last forever, we reflect that deep love for each other. We do not tear each other apart. We speak words of courage not discouraging words. Craving the spiritual word means that we want our minds flooded not just by God’s word, but by God himself as Peter writes “now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” Turn to Psalm 34. Peter quotes from this psalm in verse 3. The idea of craving milk is a metaphor. In this case with the quoting from Psalm 34, Peter has in mind that we would crave God himself. Listen to 34:8-16. This is what Jesus says in John 6 that those who want to follow him must eat his flesh and drink his blood. The idea is metaphorical. It is to ingest Jesus means that we are filled with him. This is what the psalmist writes as well in 34.

This is what hope looks like. Those who have hope have a new motivation anticipating Christ’s return. Those who have hope reflect the character of God in holy obedience. Those who have hope have a new love that willingly encourages others. Those who have hope are filled with God.

So What?

What does this hope look like? It looks like this:

Day after day we wake up anticipating that this may be the day the Lord returns. Whatever happens on this day will not matter when Christ returns. The loss of job brings uncertainty but Christ brings confidence. The loss of health brings doubt but Christ brings assurance. Children who disappoint brings self incrimination but Christ brings salvation.

This hope look likes spending time with God. Knowing that he has bought us with a great price, we desire a holy life. Sexual misconduct cannot win because we want to reflect God’s character. We do not pursue money but pursue God’s character. We do not allow others to dictate how we think because we obey God and reflect him.

This hope looks like genuine love here. We speak words to encourage. We share in sorrow and we share in victory. There is no room for jealousy or envy. We recognize that this world’s values are not our values and we boldly speak the truth when there is loss so that God is seen.

This hope looks like a craving for that which sustains forever. Not merely the word but God himself. We crave God. Because of the resurrection we long to be with God and nothing in this life can drive that away from us.

We have been reborn. The resurrection is real. Let’s live in true hope with confidence, boldness, love, motivation. All are result of our hope. Invitation.

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