Resurrection: A Foundation for Hope

1 Peter 1:3-9
Darrin Marriot, Lead Pastor

Big Idea: Jesus’ resurrection and the promise of heaven give us a firm place to stand in the face of trials and tribulations.
1 Peter 1:3-5
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

I. Resurrection: A Foundation for Hope (vv. 3-5)

A. Peter starts here with praise for God’s mercy, His gracious gift of salvation, and the hope that results (v. 3). This reminds us that praising God isn’t just for good times, but for tough times as well. While Satan seeks to exploit our trials and struggles to destroy us, God can use them to strengthen our faith and increase our witness.

B. Our foundation to praise God in all things is:

1. Jesus’ bodily resurrection (v. 3; cf. Acts 2:29-33) – The resurrection is a solid foundation for our faith.
Acts 2:29-33
29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.

2. Our heavenly inheritance (vv. 4-5; cf. Jn. 14:1-3; Phil. 3:20) – As God’s children, heaven is our inheritance and true home, and it cannot be stolen.
John 14:1-3
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Philippians 3:20
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

C. Peter’s point here is that no matter what happens to us, we have a firm foundation in Christ for our faith, hope, and praise. God’s power, promises, and presence are our source of security, not our circumstances (cf. Rom. 8:31-39).
Romans 8:31-39
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long;we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

II. Resurrection: A Response of Joy (vv. 6-9)
1 Peter 1:6-9
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

A. Peter’s call to rejoice even amid hardship is because of the living hope we have through Jesus’ resurrection and the promise of heaven. Peter doesn’t hide the fact that Christians will face trials and tribulations, but he reminds us that such challenges have a greater purpose in our spiritual lives.

B. We are reminded that trials and struggles have the purpose of:

1. Refining our faith (vv. 6-7a; cf. Js. 1:2-4).
James 1:2-4
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

2. Refining our witness (v. 7b).

3. Refining our love (v. 8a; 2 Cor. 1:3-4).
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

4. Refining our joy (vv. 8b-9).

C. In considering the myriad challenges we face daily, let’s also remember the significant challenges many Christians around the world are facing for their faith in Jesus. Let’s keep them in prayer and ask God to strengthen, protect, and encourage them.