LIVING
HOPE
1
Pet. 1:3-21 A living hope whose faith is aimed at an
incorruptible inheritance
vs.
3 A living
hope - not dead, but an
expectation
of its object.
vs.
7 Faith must be tested
to determine its
genuineness.
vs.
8 Faith is based
on HOPE
- an expectation
not
a wish
I
may hope
to win a million dollars in the lottery. But I don't
expect
to win because I haven't played
the lottery. I don't have a reason
to hope because it is not based on an active
participation (faith). In reality, I have no
hope
of winning.
Heb.
11:1 Hope
(expectation)
for
that which is
unseen is based on evidence that
gives
reason
for hope.
"Faith
is the substance
(essence, litv) (assurance,
alt) (substantiation)
of
things
[being]
hoped
for
(or, confidently expected), the
evidence
(or,
confident assurance, or,
proof
) of things
not seen."
Example
vs. 3 "By
faith we understand
(or
comprehend
)
that
the worlds
[ages]
(universe)
were
framed
(prepared / thoroughly completed) by
the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made
of things which are visible."
Gen.
1:1 "In
the beginning God created the heavens
and the earth."
Importance
- Not a passive
faith or an indifferent
hope.
vs.
6
"But
without faith it is impossible
to please Him, for he who comes to God must
believe that He is,
and that He is
a rewarder
of those who diligently
seek Him."
The
testing of our faith
Jas.
1:2-3 Trials prove
or test
our faith. Faith
must be proven
by action.
Jas.
1:22-25 Continuing
in our conviction by
action
- obedience
Jas.
2:14-20 Faith that is not substantiated
by
works is dead.
Example
- Abraham Gen. 22:1-19
cf
Heb. 11:17-19
Jas.
2:21-24 Abraham acted
upon his conviction
against
the unseen:
The raising of the dead which had never been done before Without
previous evidence of such, Abraham acted on trust
: In
God's power
The
immutability
(unchangeableness
of
His word
promises His
mercy
Mt.
3:1-10 Jews boasted in Abraham
- They
couldn't ride on Abraham's coat tails,
but
needed to prove their faith in
obedience as he did.
Heb.
4:12 Word of God is living
(not
dead)
&
powerful
It
has the power to discern
[kritikos]
= be critical [from krites]
= judge, discriminate
Compare
Acts
2:37 it
pricked
the hearts of those on Pentecost
INVITATION
Is
our hope an expectation
that is built upon an active
faith?
Acts
22:16 "And
now why are you waiting? Arise
and be baptized, and wash
away your
sins, calling
on the name of the Lord."
Acts
2: 21 Hosea quoted: "And
it shall come to
pass that whoever calls on the
name of
the Lord shall be saved."
Acts
2:38 "Then
Peter said to them, 'Repent, and
let every one of you be
baptized in the
name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins; and you shall receive the gift of the
Holy
Spirit."