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1 Peter 1:3-6 ESV

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, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials

I. HOPE IN THE MIST OF HEARTACHE
A. Hope for the Christian is always alive because Jesus is alive.
B. Our hope is based upon God being rich in mercy & not how tough we are.
C. Our hope is in God and not circumstances of life.
D. Hope is a fragile idea but the hope we have in Jesus is a sure bet.

II. HOPE ASSURED
A. The hope we have in Jesus is not just to be forgiven but an imperishable reward.
B. In Jesus we hope for an unfading inheritance that is guarded and kept safe for us by God Himself.
C. The temporary suffering we endure now cannot compare to the eternal hope God offers us in Jesus.
D. We receive the hope God offers by faith in Jesus.

III. THE HOPE OF SANCTIFICATION
A. We have the hope that as Jesus’ followers our suffering can have a point and some good come from it.
B. We have the hope that God uses all things to refine us and make us look like Jesus.
C. We have the hope that sin cannot stop the good purposes of God for our lives. (Rom 8:28-29)
D. We have the hope that suffering does not mean God has forgotten us.

APPLICATION
1. Value sanctification through suffering as infinitely valuable in your life.
2. Suffering only lasts for a little while & cannot compare to the glory and inheritance that await us.