Fixing Your Hope

 

 

"¹³ Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, ¹⁵ but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; ¹⁶ because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; ¹⁸ knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, ¹⁹ but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

I Peter 1:13-19

 

 

Good Morning my beloved,

 

Welcome to worship this Lord's day! We're so glad to have all of you here with us today. Please know, that we continue to lift all of you up in our prayers. We respectfully ask that you would do the same for us. We are so grateful for those of you who have been sharing the ministry website with all of your family and friends. Your faithfulness to share God's Word with others has brought about tremendous results.  May God pour His blessing over each and every one of you. We pray that God's Word will continue to reach those who desperately need to hear it, as we draw nearer to the coming day of our Lord. 

 

Many Christians today put on a good front when they know someone is watching them, however, their standards are much lower the rest of the time. In fact, in many cases, there’s really not much difference between many professed Christians and those who are of the world, except for perhaps, they go to church a little more frequently. Their behavior is nearly the same, they spend nearly as much time watching the same movies and televisions shows. They often go to many of the same places, doing the same activities. And, tragically, they are involved in sexual immorality to the same extent as those not naming Christ as Lord and Savior.

 

Our attitudes and speech are about the same. Divorce rates among Christians is about the same as unbelievers. In fact, the third highest divorce rate occupationally goes to pastors. Yet, as Christians, the holy people of God, we have been set apart from the world, and we are called to a much higher standard. However, for all intents and purposes, it would appear that our Christianity doesn’t have much effect, if any, on the way we choose to live our lives. 

 

Many of you here today, have accept Christ's invitation into your heart as Lord and Savior, but is that all there is to it? Can you go on about your business, safe from the fires of hell, and continue in the life you were living, in sin?

 

Jesus said in Luke 12:48 "From everyone who has been given much, much will be required." I believe that no gift could ever demand a greater response than the gift of salvation. 

 

As those who name the name of Christ, who have been called to salvation, we must be obedient to His commands in all areas of life and focused on Christ’s coming. We have an obligation to our great God!

 

Let us pray.

 

Heavenly Father,

 

Father, we are so thankful for Your Word for us today. Thank for this wonderful, much needed reminder  revealed to us, that we are to live longing to be holy as You are holy because we belong to You. Lord, we are in awe of the fact that we can be useful to You in the plan of redemption, which is unfolding in the world. Help us to realize that there are a lot of things  that we can do, may we be obedient to do our part with joy and gratitude, and a longing to be useful to You. Thank You for all that You have graciously given us, help us to live each day in the fullness and fulfillment in serving and honoring You.

 

Lord, I pray that You would protect these people You have called to salvation, keep them on the right path, going in the right direction. Guide them, that they would make right decisions, that they would experience the richest that heaven has to give to us. Strengthen each of us that we would rightly respond to the great salvation You have given us in Christ. May it all be for Christ's sake and Your glory.

In His name we pray.

Amen

 

Today's Message: Fixing Your Hope

 

As believers in Christ, we are a privileged people. We are a very privileged people. In fact, we have a privilege that is unparalleled throughout salvation history. Salvation grace then brings to us the greatest responsibility. Our problem is, however that we often take that privilege for granted.

 

As Christians, we are to live different lives because we have different goals. Several things that stood out in my mind as I was studying the text, things that mark the life of the Christian. They are obedience, holiness, reverence, and love.

 

Today, our beliefs are seen to be primitive, intolerant and even down right disturbing by those around us. I believe that it is because as God changes the things we love, with it, our lives change. Our lives begin to change to reflect the holiness of God’s own character. If holiness stood out in Peter’s day, I believe, that it should certainly be no less distinctive in our own.

 

In Hebrew, the word "hágios ," translated "holy" and "holiness" in English, have to do with being "set apart," "separate," and "different." The absolute moral purity of God’s character sets Him apart, making Him different from every other being. In fact, God is morally and ethically perfect by nature. Therefore, we are to conduct ourselves in the light of His presence and character, and in the light of what He’s done for us in Jesus Christ.

 

In returning to this wonderful epistle, which I believe is so helpful so instructive for us, please open with me your Bibles to the book of I Peter chapter, verses thirteen through sixteen. It is my prayer, that all that God is for you in Christ,  will explode with faith, and joy, and love.

 

I invite you to follow along with me as I read to you to set the text in our minds, as we prepare our hearts for what the Spirit is saying to each of us. I Peter 1:13-19. 

  

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ."

As we look back at the opening twelve verses of this wonderful chapter in Peter's epistle, in verses 1 and 2, he introduced the marvelous reality to be chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood.

 

In verses 3 through 9, Peter focused in on the nature of salvation and in those verses, salvation was majestically described. Then, in verse 10, he began to look at the greatness of salvation, illustrating that salvation was the great theme of the prophets' study. They who prophesied would come made careful search and inquiry, looking into the very salvation of which they spoke. They did so, in order that they might understand what person and what time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories which were to follow. Salvation is great because it is the primary subject of the prophets' study.

 

In verse 11, we learn that they sought to know what person, what time; the details of the very things which they wrote. The Holy Spirit that was within them, was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. Therefore, salvation is great because it is the substance of the Holy Spirit's inspiration. 

 

Then, toward the end of verse 12, he says that it was revealed to them that we're not serving themselves but you in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel. Salvation is great because it was the theme of the apostles' proclamation. At the end of verse 12, he says that the angels long to look into the greatness of salvation. 

 

Now, we come to verse 13, where there seems to be a definite shift in Peter's thoughts. All the verbs up to this point have been in the indicative mode, meaning they state a fact. He now begins to be use them in imperative mode, meaning they make commands. In other words, he's saying all the facts have been stated, now, here are the commands. Salvation has been described, now the responsibility to those who have received it is commanded. This dramatic shift, these exhortations, are based on the great privilege of receiving the gift of salvation. Salvation has implications for all our relationships.

 

In verses 13 through 21, he discusses our response in obligation to God. In verses 22 through 25, he talks about our responding obligation to others. And, in the first part of chapter 2, he discusses our responding obligation to ourselves. Peter is embracing all of our relationships; to God, to others, and our relationship to self. 

 

First, our obligation toward God. Here, he begins to apply the obligation that comes upon those who have received this great salvation. We have an obligation to God  because of this great salvation which He has granted to us by His grace. 

 

Verse 13, "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." The word can equally be translated "self-control." Allow me to draw your attention to the main verb, the exhortation in this verse, "fix your hope." At the beginning of the verse is the word "therefore" which is always a word of transition. Fix your hope, is an aorist active imperative, meaning that he is stating a direct. In fact, almost a military command, it is a call for a decisive kind of action, hope. A command on the part of every Christian that calls for an act of the will, rather than an emotional response. 

 

He says because we have received this great gift,  this great gift of salvation, given to us by God, fix your hope. We have an obligation to live in hope. I fear that many Christians today, particularly in our current culture, do not live in hope. It seems to be a missing element of Christian experience. I am inclined to believe, the reason is we really seem to like this life. And, I suspect, a little too much.   

 

In Scripture, hope is defined as the Christian's attitude toward the future. In essence, hope is the same substance as faith, meaning it's believing God. It is trusting God. The difference however, faith is believing God in the present and hope hope is believing God for the future. Hope is believing God for the future. It's trusting God for the future. Faith believes God for what He has done and hope believes God for what He will do. In other words, faith appropriates while hope anticipates. Peter is telling us that we owe it to God, to live for the future, anticipating the fulfillment of God's glorious promises for the future.

 

I'd like you to notice, that after the word hope, is the word "completely," unalterably without equivocation, without doubt, fix your hope on the one who saved you. Not half heartedly, but completely. Fix your hope of the God Who has proven Himself trustworthy. The God who saved us, who by His great grace has given us this great salvation. The God who by grace was generous to us beyond anything we can imagine. The God who has redeemed us, forgiveness us, who has transformed our lives. 

 

Because if God has been faithful in the past, He will be faithful in the present, therefore, He will be faithful in the future. Hope transcends us from this passing world, hope elevates us beyond the circumstances that would debilitate most people! But that's not why Peter calls us to hope because of all the things it does for us. No. He's calling us to hope because it glorifies God. When you fully trust God for the future, you affirming that He is worthy of that trust, and that brings glory to God.

In contrast, you deny God, you doubt God, you disbelieve God, you are saying that He is not trustworthy. That you're unsure as to whether or not you can trust Him. Because of all He has already done, you had ought to be able to live in hope!

 

Allow me to illustrate this a bit. Turn to Romans chapter 4, verses 16 through 21. "For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform." He has respect for the promises of God!

 

One thing more I'd like to put out before we move on, notice he doesn't say fix your eyes on the event, the Second Coming. In fact, he doesn't even say fix your attention on Christ. He say's fix your hope on the grace! The grace being brought to you. You do that by "preparing your minds for action." Peter applies it metaphorically to the mind. Because that will give you a grateful heart, remembering that God has purchased the church with His own blood. Therefore, stay away from the corruption from which you have been saved. Don't become so worldly that the second coming of Christ, would be an intrusion. Don't be so worldly that you hope that Christ doesn't return for a long time!

 

This is the point that Peter is making in verses 14 and 15, "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior" As obedient children of God, be holy yourselves. Derive your character from obedience, to the parent whose image you bear. He's talking about when we were ignorant of the truth of God. You've been transformed, so act like it! He's defining our new nature.We have a responsibility to obey God

 

Verses 16 through 19, "because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." Peter is saying "Be like the Holy One who called you be holy." He's talking about your futile way of life, your vain, empty, powerless pointless, valueless, useless way of life. Don't act like you used to act. Act like God! We have a responsibility to honor to God.

 

The main verb in verse 17, is conduct yourselves fear. If you are close to God, then you well know that He is that close to you and He judges according to a man's work and He will deal with sin. The more intimately a Christian knows God, the more he fears God. And the more he fears Go, the more fearful he is to offend Him. Therefore, the more he longs to honor God. If you're so intimate with God that you can call Him Father, the more you should be living in a healthy fear of Him.

 

Verse 18, "knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things" Redeemed is more specific than salvation. Salvation looks at the whole saving work of God; whereas redemption looks at the cost involved, the means by which salvation is achieved. "Not by silver and gold from your futile way of life."

 

Verse 19, "but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." The word "knowing" is very important here. Because as believers, this is not some mystery to you. This is an appeal to elementary knowledge, you know that you were redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. The price He paid was not some earthly commodity, it wasn't perishable. He paid with His own blood. And blood means death. His sacrificial death. Therefore, honor God because you know the infinite price He had to pay. 

 

Redeemed is really a marvelous word, in fact, we don't use it often enough in the modern church. I believe that every time we speak about salvation, we had ought to be talking about redemption. very time we call Jesus Savior we ought also to call Him Redeemer. Every time we call Jesus our Savior, we also ought to call Him our Redeemer. 

If you stop and think about it, it cost God far more to redeem us than to create us! Redemption focuses on how God bought us back. Redemption illustrates man in bondage, who was in a hopeless condition from which he must be delivered.  

 

Paul says in Romans 1:21, "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." 

 

Living in disobedience to God's Word, is not only a modern trend, which is evidenced throughout Church, this disdain is a blatant rejection of His gracious offer of salvation. Although every Christian knows Christ as their Savior, they know Him in their intellect, however, not many today know Him as their Lord. Their hearts have become hardened to His Word. Their unrepentant for their ongoing sinful lives. Living in disobedience., rather than in the acknowledgment of the true, incorruptible, infinite Living God. Oh we plunge into His presence, then quickly forget His Word. Your Father, even as a believer, is but your Judge.  Not that He will eternally condemn you but that He will deal with your sin. I believe this is a very profound thought!

You may profess the name of Christ, you may even attend church, you may quote chapter and verse, however, every person who has not been truly redeemed by Christ, yielding to His Lordship is in bondage to sin and death. You can fool people here on earth, but you cannot fool God!

 

In Closing...

 

 

Beloved, disentangle yourselves from this world and devote yourself in a clear-cut fashion to live in the light of the grace to come at Christ's return. Fixing your hope on the grace that is to come to unfold your eternal inheritance.

 

In our former lives we were controlled in ignorance by lust, the sinful passions of the flesh. However, because of the grace of Christ we should obey God. We are to be characterized as children who are obedient. We are not allow ourselves to be shaped by our sinful desires. This refers to all kinds of self-seeking, whether directed toward wealth, power, or pleasure.  

 

I believe this is a clear indication of just how shallow the Christianity of our day has become. Most often, people invite Jesus into their heart because they’re being told that He will give them an abundant life. That you can live your Best Life Now! Therefore, they’ve never repented of sin or yielded to Christ as Lord. The only difference is that now they’re trying to use Jesus to fulfill selfish desires. Allow me to boldly tell you, that’s not saving faith. Saving faith involves repentance. Saving faith involves obedience. It breaks free from the past lifestyle and seeks to follow Jesus as Lord. Apart from living for the glory of God, apart from being redeemed and knowing Christ intimately, your life is useless. Because heaven is a place where glory is given to God throughout eternity.

 

As Christians, we don’t have to be controlled by selfish desires. We can accomplished by paying attention to what shapes us, focusing on the Hope of our future grace, and by conforming ourselves to God's purity. When I sin, and I still do, I feel terrible. I hate myself for giving in to sin. And, if I feel this way with my occasional sin, I can only imagine how Jesus felt. Never having known sin, then, all of a sudden taking on all the sin ever committed by everyone in the world since the beginning of creation! Jesus felt pain, both emotionally and physically. Oh, the unimaginable pain He must have felt that day, and we caused it!

 

When Jesus was there, hanging on the cross it became dark and He cried out "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" A righteous and holy God could not look upon these sins of the world and upon His Son. This alone should prove just how much God loves us!

 

For everything that God has done, everything thing that He has graciously given you, get your priorities right and be ready at any moment. Living on constant anticipation!

We have an obligation to God to live in hope, holiness and honor.

 

May it be so.. 

And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen

 

 

 

 

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