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I PETER 1:3 

"THE LIVING HOPE"

I. HOPE IS A BEAUTIFUL GIFT OF GOD
        A. He knew that life would not be easy.
                1. None of us are immuned from trouble.
                2. We each face daily difficulties.
        B. When times are bad, it is hope that sustains us.
                1. In times of draught we hope for rain.
                2. In the storm we hope for the sunshine.
                3. We hear of an accident we hope for survivors.
                4. When sick we hope to feel better.
                5. In a hard game, we hope to win.
        C. Hope gives us the power to endure hardships.
                1. It keeps us from giving up.
                2. It causes us to try again.

II. HOW TRAGIC IS A HOPELESS PERSON
        A. It is sad to see a person who has lost hope.
                1. He has given up, no fight left in him.
                2. He is hard to be around for he refuses to be encouraged.
        B. Before Christ came; the world was pretty hopeless.
                1. We speak of one period of history as the dark ages.
                        a. More accurate to say darker ages.
                        b. Every age of man has been dark.
                2. The strong oppress the weak.
                3. The rich oppress the poor.
                4. Man through greed takes advantage of another's hardship.
                        a. Many professional men today are becoming wealthy from people's
                           problems.
                5. Paul speaks of the gentiles as without hope and without God in this world.
                        a. When hope dies cynicism is born.

Ill. THE COMING OF CHRIST BROUGHT NEW HOPE TO THE WORLD
        A. The prophets had foretold a better day.
                1. They had promised a righteous king.
                2. They spoke of an end of war and universal peace.
                3. They envisioned a world without sin, pain, or sorrow.
                4. Some had believed the prophets and had hope.
        B. But there had been no prophet for 400 years.
                1. It was as though God had given up on man, and who could blame Him?
                2. Their hope had almost died.
        C. But as Jesus healed the lame, the blind, the sick and oppressed.
                1. As He preached the gospel to the poor.
                2. As He proclaimed a kingdom of love.
                3. Their spark of hope was fanned into a blazing inferno.
                        a. They hoped to see the kingdom established immediately.

IV. THE CROSS BROUGHT AN END TO THEIR HOPE.
        A. They were filled with disappointment.
                1. Shocked, they could not believe what they saw.
                2. For three days they were in stunned sorrow.

V. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS REKINDLED THE BLAZE.
        A. Now they have more than lust hope, it is "living hope."
                1. The hope of eternal life, victory over death, the kingdom of heaven.