BIG IDEA:
I. LIVE FOR ETERNITY: (3 LIVING REALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH OUR SALVATION)
– FOCUSING ON OUR LIVING HOPE
– FEEDING ON THE LIVING WORD
– FUNCTIONING AS LIVING STONES
A. Focusing On Our LIVING HOPE (1:3 – 1:21)
Joy in Suffering — Our Guaranteed Future Spurs Overflowing Joy Despite Fiery Trials
1. We Have Been Guaranteed An Eternal Destiny and a Heavenly Inheritance (:3-6a) — emphasis on the work of God the Father
a. Our Destiny Has Been Changed From Death to Life (:3)
(1) New Birth gives us new life and new family identity
(2) New Goal / New Orientation — described as a LIVING HOPE
(3) New Head — Headship of Christ instead of Adam
Our destiny has been changed from death to life because of the resurrection of Christ from the dead. The resurrection is the key to our guaranteed future. Our future is as certain as His resurrection.
b. Our Inheritance Has Been Changed From Earthly to Heavenly (:4a)
(1) Imperishable
(2) Undefiled
(3) Unfading
c. Our Future Has Been Totally Guaranteed (:4b-5)
(1) Our inheritance has been totally guaranteed — it will be there when we get there — “reserved in heaven for you”
(2) Our destiny has been totally guaranteed — we will get there to enjoy it — “protected by the power of God through faith”
d. Application: “In this you greatly rejoice” (:6A)