1. A Living Hope
1 Peter 1:3

2. A Living Hope The Nature of the Christian Hope: Living
“Living” is a present tense verb (continuous & abiding)
A living hope is never extinguished by circumstances of life!
Hope carries a confidence of expectancy—it keeps me going.
The Source of the Christian’s Living Hope: The Living God
He is the “living God” (cf. 1 Tim. 3:15; 4:10; 6:17)
We serve a God who is “worthy to be praised!”
The Reason for the Christian’s Living Hope: God’s Abundant Mercy
God’s mercy is patient and forbearing
God’s mercy does not give us what we (by our sins) deserve

3. A Living Hope
The Foundation of the Christian’s Living Hope: The Resurrection of Jesus
The resurrection proves that Jesus is the Son of God (Rom 1:4)
His resurrection assures our own resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-23)
Our living hope is made possible only because Jesus was raised!
The Exclusiveness of the Christian’s Living Hope: Only for the Born Again
Only for those who have God as their loving Father
Only for those who are a “new” person with a “new” life
To be born again requires obedience to God’s Word (1:22-23)
It requires believing Jesus is God’s Son – 1 John 5:1
It requires repenting of sin and turning to God – Acts 17:30
It requires confessing one’s faith in Jesus – Romans 10:9-10
It requires being born of water and the spirit – John 3:3-7
It requires abiding in the new life and walk with Christ – 1 John 1:7