Introduction:   Notice VERSE 3a- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The word: Blessed can be translated PRAISE. Objective: These Christians were experiencing great trials, so they needed to be encouraged. One way of encouraging your self is to think POSITIVE. Yes, Negatively they were hurting, but Peter wanted them to think POSITIVE, which would enable them not to give up. Yes, they were hurting, but Peter was going to share with them about the “hope” and the “home” of the Christian.

I.          WE CAN PRAISE GOD FOR THE HOPE OF A CHRISTIAN

“…begotten us again unto a lively hope. (not speculation, but confidence)

A.        The Description Of That Hope

V.3c – He begotten us again unto a lively hope or a LIVING HOPE.

Our Hope is not a dead hope, vain hope, but a living hope.

B.        The Discernment Of That Hope

Two QUESTIONS can be asked to help us understand the Christian Hope.

1. How Was Our Hope…Initiated? – “which according to his abundant mercy hath He begotten us again” - Mercy is withholding what we deserve. He not only had MERCY, but He had abundant mercy. Thank God for the Mercy of God!

2. How Was Our Hope…Activated? - by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Not only do we see MERCY, but a MIRACLE, Yes Jesus died, but thank God, He got up on the third day. Out of the grave He arose, praise God! (1 Cor.15:13-21).

God did not rebuild me, or over haul my old nature, but He made it new. The Lord told Nicodemus that he needed to be born again. (2 Cor.5:17)

C.        The Dependence Of That Hope

(not speculation, but confidence) V.5a kept by the power of God > is a military

term. It means to guard or keep. Let us think about two things:

1. The Protection By The Guard

God guards our soul constantly you don’t have to worry, because of the never ending guard who constantly guards your soul.

2. The Power Of Our God - 5b –Who are kept by the power of God. (Jn. 10: 28-29) “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand.” (2 Tim. 1:12b) “For I know whom I have believed; and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”

We Can Praise God For The Hope Of A Christian

II.        WE CAN PRAISE GOD FOR THE HOME OF A CHRISTIAN

Not Only When You Get Saved Do You Receive That Blessed Hope, but a Beautiful Home.

A.        It Is A Place Which Will Not Deteriorate 4a –To an inheritance incorruptible

We don’t have to worry about our inheritance corrupting. It is not that way with our natural homes on this earth. Our MANSION will be there when we get there and we won’t have to work on them when we get there, it will be a perfect home and without any flaws.

B.        It Is A Place Which Will Not Be Defiled V.4a – and undefiled.

Friend, in this world sin has defiled our society!!! A true born again Christian does not feel comfortable in this sin cursed world.

C.        It Is A Place Which Will Not Disappear V.4a – and that fadeth not away.

Friend, you won’t have to worry about your inheritance vanishing, or disappearing. Notice V.4c – the word RESERVED in Heaven for you-

The Revelation Of That Home

The Recipient Of That Home - Notice V.4 again- To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled,

and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you.

The reference is to all saved people. So, if you are saved, this you is you.

Conclusion:     Do you have a home reserved in Heaven for you? One might ask? What must I do to get a home reserved for me in Heaven? Answer: Trust In Jesus Christ As Your Savior!! (Rom.10:9-10; 13) Now, do you see why Peter said in V.3a – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.