Living Hope

1 Peter 1:3-5,23 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time…For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Ephesians 1:3 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Titus 3:4-7 - But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Hebrews 3:6 - But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.

1 Peter 2:21 - To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

1 Peter 3:15-16 - But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Conclusions:

• God’s comfort flows to all believers when they suffer for Jesus’ sake, and it equips them to comfort others who are in trouble
• Paul perceives that in the exaltation of Christ and in the Christian’s union with the exalted Christ ultimate issues are involved—issues that pertain to the divine realm and that in the final analysis are worked out in and from that realm
• Salvation is not achieved by human effort or merit, but comes through God’s mercy alone
• The imperishable seed is doubtless the word of God, which is imperishable, living and enduring
• Failure to persevere reveals that a person is actually not a child of God, whereas perseverance is the hallmark of His children
• The patient endurance of injustice is part of God’s plan for the Christian
• The Christian is always to be a gentleman or gentle woman, even when opposed by unbelievers

Application:

• Do you suffer for Jesus sake?
• Are you spiritually united with Christ?
• Your salvation is from God's mercy alone.
• Have you repented and believed in Christ?
• Are you persevering?
• Are you patiently enduring?
• Are you a gentleman or gentle woman?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Elders

James 5:12-14 - Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned. Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Psalm 50:14-15 - Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Psalm 23:5 - You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

1 Timothy 5:17 - The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

Conclusions:

• God is honored with praise in the fulfillment of the vows—and, implicitly, with obedience to His covenant law
• The word of Christ refers especially to Christ’s teaching, which in the time of the Colossians was transmitted orally
• But by implication, the word of Christ includes the Old Testament as well as the New Testament
• Some of the most important doctrines were expressed in Christian hymns preserved for us now only in Paul’s letters
• Psalms refers to the Old Testament psalms, some of which may have been set to music by the church
• Psalm could also describe a song newly composed for Christian worship
• A hymn was a song of praise, especially used in celebration, much like the Old Testament psalms that praised God for all that He is
• A song recounted the acts of God and praised Him for them, much like the Old Testament psalms that thanked God for all that He had done
• The heavenly Shepherd-King receives David at His table as His vassal king and takes him under His protection
• In the ancient Near East, covenants were also included with a meal expressive of the bond of friendship; in the case of vassal treaties or covenants, the vassal was present as the guest of the overlord
• Anointing the head with oil was customary treatment of an honored guest at a banquet
• All elders were to exercise leadership and to teach and preach, and all were to receive honor
• Those who excelled in leadership were to be counted worthy of double honor
• This was especially true of those who labored at teaching and preaching
• Such honor should include financial support

Application:

• Are you obedient to God's law?
• Does the word of Christ dwell in you richly?
• Are you under God's protection?
• Do you honor your elders?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible