BEGOTTEN UNTO A LIVING HOPE

Scripture: I Peter 1:1-9

TEXT: I Pet. 1:3, Jn. 1:13

INTRO: As I have pointed out in previous messages, the folks to whom this epistle is addressed are pilgrims who have been scattered and are facing some severe trials. He would later mention this to them. 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. In view of what they were already experiencing and would experience, Peter is reminding them of how blessed they are. In the text for this message they are reminded of the gracious blessing of regeneration.

Let no one under estimate the importance of the new birth. And, in light of that, let us rejoice that God has graciously regenerated us.

WE PILGRIMS HAVE BEEN REGENERATED BY THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Peter does not hesitate to affirm that God is the one who regenerates. 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Peter also affirms that the instrumental means which God uses in this regeneration is his word. 1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

John also attributes our regeneration to God. John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Paul declares that it is God who quickens dead sinners into spiritual life. Ephesians 2:1-5 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Scripture also affirms that this regeneration is wrought by God when and where he wills and in whom he wills.

It is not a result of the will of man. John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

It is wrought wherever the Holy Spirit wills to work. John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

It is solely of God’s will. James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

It must be according to mercy and grace because we were dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1-5 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;),

It must be according to mercy and grace because of our inability to effect the change ourselves. Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. Romans 8:6-8 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

It must be by grace because of the inability of an unregenerate person to receive spiritual truth. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

It must be of grace and mercy because we cannot open our own hearts so that we may perceive spiritual truth. Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

It must be of grace for if we were to be saved we must come to Christ and no man in his depraved state of spiritual deadness can come to Christ. John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:63-65 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

I might also point out that we were so unworthy and depraved that it must be abundant mercy that God would have toward us before he would regenerate us.

WE PILGRIMS HAVE BEEN BEGOTTEN UNTO A LIVING HOPE

It is a hope that is so alive that even death cannot dim it. Proverbs 14:32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

It is a hope that is laid up in heaven for those who have believed the gospel. Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.

It is a hope that anticipates the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

It is a hope that serves as a sure anchor for our souls. Hebrews 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.

It is a hope that will never be a reason for us to be ashamed. Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

It is a such a living hope that we can patiently wait for its fulfillment. Romans 8:24-25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

It is a living hope because Christ who is our hope lives in us. Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

It is a good hope because it is grounded in grace. 2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace.

It is a living hope because it is according to God’s own promise and God cannot lie. Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.

It is a hope that is grounded in the certainty of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

His resurrection is the blessed assurance of our resurrection. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

We can be assured that the one who raised up Jesus from the dead will also quicken our mortal bodies. Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 2 Corinthians 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.

He has the keys of hell and of death so nothing can prevent him from raising us up. Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

It is a hope that so lives that we are able to say it is a blessing to die when you die in the Lord. Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

CONC: How wonderful and marvelous it is to be the object of God’s mercy and grace by which we have been begotten to a living hope that is both sure and stedfast being grounded in grace and mercy and the Lord’s own resurrection from the dead. He has promised, John 14:19 "because I live, ye shall live also." John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? He is our life and when he appears we shall appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:3-4 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. He lives forever and so shall we. Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

  rwcamp@gpp-5grace.com

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