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Click on "Download File" to play the sermon. Right-click to save the file on your computer.
Click on "Download File" to play the sermon. Right-click to save the file on your computer.
Click on "Download File" to play the sermon. Right-click to save the file on your computer.
“A Bridge called Hope”
Hope is essential to a life well-lived Oxygen for the soul “Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how.'” (Victor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning) The center of gravity in Peter’s letter is hope Verse 13 a bridge verse “Therefore, prepare your minds for action: be self-controlled, set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (I Peter 1:13) God’s grace is active; it will not “sit still” “Prepare your minds for action” Powerful metaphor [Gather up one’s robe in order to run] “This is how you are to eat [the Passover meal]: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.” (Exodus 12:11) Be vigilant—alert—ready “Roll up your sleeves” “Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning….” (Luke 12:35) Fireman and EMTs in our church Note: Interior work precedes exterior work We need to gather our mental robes! The mind and the heart is the place of the most crucial Kingdom activity “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2a) “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (II Corinthians 10:5) Note: Interior work will find exterior expression Ideas have consequences “As a man thinks, so is he” (Proverbs 3:27) How do we prepare our hearts for action? [A] Be self-controlled Be sober Lean and mean and focused [B] Be hope-full Hope is a strong word Carries the assurance that what is hoped for will come to pass Because it is based on what has already happened in the past: The death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Hope pushes and pulls us toward heaven Gives meaning to all our moments here on earth [C] Fixyour eyes on Jesus Fixing our eyes on Jesus is the way to stay both sober and hopeful “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith….” (Hebrews 11:2) [D] Salvation is a community project Keep each other prepared….sober…..hopeful [1] Encourage each other [2] Pray together “They all joined together constantly in prayer…” (Acts 1:13) [3] Worship together |