Because He Lives: A Living Hope

 Because He Lives

Introduction:

Good morning Eastern Shore Baptist Church. Good morning visitors and guests. My name is Stuart Davidson. If you are tuning in online, thank you for taking the time to worship with us this morning. If you are visiting with us this morning, I want to meet you after the service has concluded. I will be in the foyer at the end of our time together. Come back and let me say “hello”. 

This week, we are in the second week of a four part series entitled “Because He Lives”. Everything is different because He lives. Last week we learned that our faith is not false nor futile because He lives. This week, we will learn that we have a living hope, grounded in the reality of Jesus’ defeat over death. 

In fact, that is the title of today’s message. “A Living Hope”.

Today’s Message:

“A Living Hope”

Illustration:

I’m not sure if you heard this story but two weeks ago a Peruvian fisherman was rescued after being lost on the open sea for 95 days. Imagine that! Imagine being lost at sea for nearly 100 days.  His name is Gaton. He is an experienced fisherman. He had prepared for 30 day trip but his motor stopped running and he was stuck. After a month on the sea, his food storage dwindled to nothing. Imagine being stranded with no food, no water, no company or conversation. How in the world did the man survive?  Gaton had to do a great many things that seem almost impossible to us. He was able to stay alive by eating cockroaches, birds, fish, and the occasional turtle. When he ran out of water, he began to hunt turtles. That’s right, he was forced to drink their blood in order to not die from thirst. 

Gaton tells the story of one depressing dark night where he thought of ending his life. He was lonely. He thought that God had forgotten about him. He had not seen a plane, a boat, or any other sign of life in days. He started to wonder if he was actually dead and in hell. Gaton says the only thing that kept him going was his faith in the Lord. He said that he would talk to God when he felt alone. He would pray, asking God to deliver him. 

In an interview with a reporter from CNN, Gaton proclaimed that God was his “only hope”. 

On day 95, he was about to fall asleep inside his boat. 30 minutes later he heard a loud voice shouting his voice: “Gaton”! It was a rescue worker on a helicopter. 

In the same interview, Gaton stated, “That’s when I said to God: You did it Lord! You saved me!”

In the last line of the interview with CNN, Gaton delivered the following quote, “When I had no hope, God became my hope”. 

Isn’t that a beautiful illustration of all of us before Christ saved us? Before Christ we were lost. We were lonely. We had nothing to live for. We were drifting in a sea of despair. Then suddenly, Jesus came. He brought salvation with him. We were saved. 

Friends, do me a favor this morning, fill in the blanks under “Today’s Thought”. Are you hurting? Feeling helpless? Are you looking for a heading or seeking a new direction…a new path? Take heart! You have a living hope! 

Today’s Thought:

Are You Hurting? Feeling Helpless? Are You Looking For A Heading?  Take Heart! You Have A Living Hope! 

Every week, I read from a book that I have been reading in relation to my message. If you have ever attended any Baptist seminary in the last 20 years, you will know this author. His seminal  academic work is a book entitled “Systematic Theology”. Of course I am talking about the great Wayne Grudem. I love Dr. Grudem’s books as they have singlehandedly informed a great deal of my doctrinal beliefs. Believe it or not, he has informed a great deal of your doctrinal beliefs as well because you have sat and listened to my preaching for the last 14-15 years. You have heard his theology, you may just not have known it. He has other books of course. This quote came from his New Testament Commentary on I Peter. Listen to what Dr. Grudem states about Jesus being our living hope. 

“The ‘living hope’ which Peter speaks of is not a mere wishful thinking or vague optimism. It is a hope that is alive, active, and dynamic because it is grounded in the historical reality of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Just as Christ has been raised and lives forever, so also our hope is alive—it is anchored in a living Savior. This hope gives us strength for today and assurance for the future, and it marks a radical change from our old life before we were born again.”

Today’s Quote:

“The ‘living hope’ which Peter speaks of is not a mere wishful thinking or vague optimism. It is a hope that is alive, active, and dynamic because it is grounded in the historical reality of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Just as Christ has been raised and lives forever, so also our hope is alive—it is anchored in a living Savior. This hope gives us strength for today and assurance for the future, and it marks a radical change from our old life before we were born again.”

— Wayne Grudem, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: 1 Peter

Background and Context:

First off, let’s remember who is writing. Peter. Yep, that Peter—bold, passionate, imperfect Peter. A man who knew failure firsthand. A man who once denied Christ but was restored by grace and became a pillar of the early church. He’s writing to believers scattered across what we now call modern-day Turkey—followers of Jesus who were suffering, hurting, and feeling like strangers in a hostile world.

Sound familiar?

These were people under pressure—facing persecution, uncertainty, and loss. They were likely asking, “Where is God in this? Is there still hope?” And Peter doesn’t start with sympathy—he starts with praise. He says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” Why? Because in the middle of their mess, God had given them something the world couldn’t take away: a living hope.

Not a dead wish. Not empty positivity. But a living, breathing, strong, anchored hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!

Peter wants us to know: “Yes, you may be hurting. Yes, you may feel helpless. Yes, you may be wondering which way is up. But take heart—you have a living hope!”

This hope sustains us in trials, it shapes our perspective, and it reminds us that even when we’re walking through fire, our faith is being refined like gold. There’s purpose in the pain, and there’s glory on the other side.

So if you’re feeling beat up by life today, lean in. This passage is for you.

Statement of Belief:

We believe the Bible is inspired, infallible, and authoritative. It is vital for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. God’s Word brings life, peace, and protection, and it profoundly touches the human soul. As a unique and powerful book, let us stand in reverence and respect for it.

Today’s Scripture:

1 Peter 1:3-9 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, [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. [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.

Pastor: “This is the Word of the Lord.”

Congregation: “Praise His name. Praise His holy name.“

Because We Have A Living Hope, 

I. We Are Reborn To A New Existence vs. 3

I want to reveal to you our first point this morning. Because we have a living hope, we are reborn to a new existence. 

Go back to verse three this morning. 

“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…”

“Through God’s abundant mercy, we have been born again into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This new birth grants us a fresh perspective and a transformed life anchored in hope.”

You know friends, you can’t say the words “reborn” or “born again” without thinking of the great Nicodemus. We are first introduced to ole Nicodemus in John’s Gospel, specifically chapter three. Nicodemus was a leading figure among the religious elite. In fact, Nicodemus was a Pharisee. That’s right, the same Pharisees that hated Jesus, tried to trip Jesus, and eventually had our Lord crucified. That’s the bunch that Nicodemus was running with in the early accounts of the Gospel. In John 3, Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. He was hoping that no one would see him speaking to Jesus, asking the Lord questions about faith and everlasting life. 

John 3:4 ESV

Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

You see friends, Jesus had just told Nicodemus that if he wanted to gain eternal life, he must be “born again”. In order to find everlasting life, Nicodemus would have to be reborn to a new existence. 

John 3:3 NKJV

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”

Nicodemus was fascinated by Christ. My theory is that the words of Christ had penetrated Nicodemus’ heart. His spirit was coming alive and he wanted more. 

Still, he was unwilling to be seen with Christ. 

The next time we see him is in John 7:50-52. The Pharisees were demanding that Nicodemus bring Jesus before them so that they could condemn Jesus. Nicodemus refused bluntly. 

John 7:51 ESV

"Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?"

There is clearly a change between the Nicodemus in John 3 and John 4. Something is happening. A boldness is arising in Nicodemus. 

The last time we see Nicodemus is in John 19:38-42. Nicodemus is exposed. There is no more hiding. After Jesus is crucified, it was Nicodemus that arranged for Joseph of Arimathea to bury Jesus. He brings with him 75 pounds of spices equating to a King’s burial. 

In the course of three separate chapters, we see Nicodemus go from cowardly curious to bold believer. That’s what happens when we are reborn 

We are made new.

We are made whole. 

We are forgiven.

We are free.

We are adopted into God’s family.

We are washed clean.

We are filled with the Holy Spirit.

We are no longer condemned.

We are citizens of heaven.

We are God’s workmanship.

We are heirs with Christ.

We are a new creation.

Russell Brand! 

Ever heard the name? Brand is a British comedian and actor who was widely known his wild living, reckless behavior and frankly…his debauchery. For years, his life was full of addiction, immorality, fame and chaos. The world would say that Brand had it all. He was rich. Powerful. Sought after. 

However, Brand would later say that he was empty. He was searching. He felt lost. Brand is quoted as saying at his lowest point, he felt hopeless. 

After a night of heavy drinking and drug use, Brand came to his senses. He wanted more. He wanted purpose and he wanted to discover meaning for his life. 

On his podcast, Russell Brand began to talk about having a deep spiritual hunger. A yearning in his spirit. You and I know what that yearn is don’t we? The Holy Spirit was calling out to Brand. Jesus says in John 16:8 ESV that when the “Holy Spirit comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement…”.  Jesus again in John 6:44 ESV states that “no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him.”

Russell Brand was being draw to God. He tried everything, from eastern religions to meditation, but nothing filled that void. Finally, someone gave him the Bible. He read it from cover to cover. No, he didn’t understand it all but he heard the Gospel. He started attending church, watching pastors, and even quoting Scripture. He started asking questions about sin, forgiveness and truth. 

In early 2024, Brand received Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. He was baptized in obedience to Jesus. Now, let me be clear: he’s still growing. He doesn’t claim to have all the answers. But that’s what rebirth looks like—it’s not perfection; it’s a new direction. It’s a soul once dead now alive. It’s a life once driven by self now drawn to Christ.

Friends, that’s a living hope. That’s what it means to be reborn to a new existence! 

Because We Have A Living Hope, 

I. We Are Reborn To A New Existence vs. 3

II. We Have Reserved an Eternal Inheritance vs. 4-5

Because we have a living hope, we are reborn to a new existence. We have also reserved an eternal inheritance. Go back to verses 4-5. 

[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.

“As children of God, we are promised an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for us. This eternal inheritance provides us with a steadfast hope that transcends earthly circumstances.”

If I were to ask you to think of a story in the Bible involving an inheritance, where would your mind go? 

You might think of Jacob and Esau. Esau, the older brother was swindled out of his birthright, or his inheritance, by his younger brother Jacob. That inheritance was stolen. Sad story. 

You might think of King Saul and Jonathan. Jonathan’s inheritance was to be King over all of Israel. However, Saul abused his royal position. He was disobedient and obstinate. Even though Jonathan was meant to be King, Samuel anointed another. Samuel anointed Jesse’s youngest boy. The shepherd. The musician. God looked in David’s heart and liked what he saw. Esau’s inheritance was stolen. Sad story. Jonathan’s inheritance was misplaced and lost. Another sad story. 

What about the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. The youngest son demands his share of his father’s estate essentially telling dear old Dad that he would prefer him to go ahead and die so that he can have his wealth. The Father relents and gives the lad what he wants. Scripture tells us that the boy takes his inheritance and squanders it on wild living. An inheritance wasted. 

It seems that whenever we mention the word inheritance, it generally leads to a sad story. 

But then we come to I Peter 1:4-5. Peter is not talking about a human inheritance that can be stolen away, misplaced, or wasted. Listen again to what Peter tells us. God’s inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, and safeguarded in heaven for us. 

Church, this means that everything God has promised you—eternal life, a heavenly home, peace with Him, a forever future—is secure. 

It won’t spoil like food. 

It won’t rust like metal. 

It won’t fade like old photos. 

It’s imperishable, undefiled, and unfading—and it’s got your name on it. 

God’s keeping it safe until you get home.

The idea of an inheritance came alive to me about 10 years ago when we adopted our third son Jett. Jett was outside of our family. He did not share our name then, in fact he had a completely different name. Not only did he not share our name, he was not bound by our blood. He was outside our family, alienated, removed, far away. He was a stranger. He certainly did not have an inheritance to speak of. 

However, all of that changed when we adopted him. Jett was chosen as it says that we were chosen by God in Ephesians 1:11. 

Ephesians 1:11 GW

“In Christ we were also chosen to be God’s own people by his own plan. And this was done so that we, who had already focused our hope on Christ, would bring him praise and glory.”

We celebrated his “Gotcha Day” in March. That “Gotcha Day” is significant, maybe even more significant than his birthday. That “Gotcha Day” Jett was officially adopted. In that moment, Jett inherited everything that was missing from his life: parents, brothers, a home, a country, and a future. 

I’ll never forget coming back from China and sitting down with our family attorney Adam Gober…a member of our church. The main reason that I met with Adam was to divide what little inheritance that Angela and I would give to our children. You see, before the adoption, the inheritance was split two ways. After the adoption, it was split three ways. 

You see friends, upon Jett’s adoption, he received the full rites of a son naturally born into our family. An inheritance that he didn’t earn. It was given. An inheritance of love, born of adoptive parents. An inheritance of identity, gone was his former name, now sharing the name of his father. An inheritance of a new future. Just the other day, Jett had a realization…

“Dad, would I have even heard the Gospel if I had stayed in China?”

That’s a good question. 

The good news is that in Christ, because He lives, we have an inheritance. We have been adopted. 

Galatians 4:4–7 (ESV)

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son… to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’”

We didn’t earn this salvation. It was gifted to us by a gracious loving God. It is an inheritance that cannot be stolen, wasted, abused, or missed. It is protected by God Himself and it awaits all of us. 

Because We Have A Living Hope, 

I. We Are Reborn To A New Existence vs. 3

II. We Have Reserved an Eternal Inheritance vs. 4-5

III. We Rejoice in Trials  vs. 6-7

So, because He lives, we are reborn to a new existence, we have reserved an eternal inheritance and lastly…we rejoice in trials. 

You heard me correctly, we REJOICE in trials. 

Let’s reread verses 6 and 7 this morning. 

[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.

Friends, remember…

“Even amidst various trials, we can rejoice, knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance and proves its genuineness. These refining experiences lead to praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Im reminded of James, the brother of our Lord, his words captured in chapter 1 of his letter to the 12 tribes…

James 1:2-4 NLT

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

When is the last time you rejoiced in the middle of a period of suffering?

When is the last time you rejoiced in the midst of hardship?

When is the last time you rejoiced when you were discouraged, when you were persecuted, when you were hurting?

It goes against our sensibilities as humans to rejoice in trials. 

The word for “rejoice” in I Peter is χαίρω (chaírō) and it is pronounced KHAI-ro. It has all the normal meanings that you might expect. 

To be glad, to be filled with joy, to be exceedingly glad. 

However, there is one meaning that surprised me. It means to be well or to thrive!

So you might translate verse six like this, “In this you shall thrive, though you have been grieved by various trials”. 

Let’s get this right. You are telling me that when I am grieved by my circumstances, when I am suffering beyond what I can bear, when I am hurting far beyond what I can comprehend, I should thrive?

Preacher is that what you are saying?

“Yes”! That is exactly what I am saying. 

We can thrive in the midst of trail because Jesus has defeated the greatest trial there is. He has defeated the greatest threat, the greatest darkness, the biggest problem, our greatest foe, our most dangerous enemy. We can thrive because death is no more. Because Jesus lives, because He thrives, we too can thrive. 

So, if you are suffering today, you are well on your way to thriving. Rejoice. 

If you are depressed, anxious, battling, you may not have arrived yet, but thriving is in your future. 

I want to thank all of you for praying for my son Jay. Jay is a college baseball player and he suffered a season ending injury a few weeks ago. He suffered a posterior labrum tear requiring surgery. He was devastated. If you know anyone who plays sports, especially a young person, much of their core identity is wrapped up in athletics. My son is no different. 

It was heartbreaking. Tears were shed. It was a very dark period. You know what church, it is still a dark period. 

There is not day that goes by that I don’t talk to my son and him tell me that his heart, his spirit, hurt more than his shoulder. He wants to play but can’t. He wants to perform but the injury precludes that activity. Jay has said to me many times, “Dad, I wish this would have never happened”. I second that motion. I know that as believers we are not supposed to say the word “hate” but I hate it for him. If I could cut my right shoulder off and give it to him I would. 

Parents, you understand exactly what I mean right? No one wants to see their kid hurt. 

Still, through it all, this is the message that I have delivered to my son. 

Jay, the pain that you are experiencing is today has a purpose. God has a plan. God never wastes pain. Not one drop will go unused. 

God never wastes our pain—He weaves it into His purpose. What we see as suffering, He sees as storytelling. In the hands of our Redeemer, even our deepest wounds become windows for His glory.

So church, what do we do with all of this?

We take heart.

We lift our eyes.

We may be grieved, but we are not defeated.

We may be hurting, but we are not hopeless.

We may be walking through fire, but we are not alone in the flames.

Why?

Because Jesus lives.

Because His tomb is empty.

Because our hope is alive.

And when your hope is living, so are you.

You are reborn to a new existence.

You have a reserved inheritance in heaven.

And yes—you can rejoice in trials.

Not because the pain feels good… but because God is doing something good through it.

So if you’re in a season of suffering—hold on.

If your heart is breaking—look up.

If you feel like giving in—don’t.

You are not abandoned. You are not forgotten. You are not alone.

Take heart…

You have a living hope.

Take Heart You Have A Living Hope!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the incredible hope we have because Jesus rose from the dead. This hope isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s a sure thing that keeps us going, no matter what we’re facing. 

Life throws all sorts of challenges our way, and sometimes it’s tough. But we know You’re using these moments to strengthen our faith and shape our character. Help us to trust You more each day, even when things don’t make sense.

Even though we can’t see You with our eyes, we love You and believe in You. Fill us with a joy that doesn’t fade, reminding us that our faith leads to the ultimate reward—the salvation of our souls.

As we step into this week, let these truths sink deep into our hearts. Guide us to live in a way that reflects this living hope, bringing glory to You in all we do.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.