Grosey's Messages

Soul Survivor Series 2

1 Peter 1:1-5 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1. THE ESSENTIAL BIRTH OF YOUR LIVING HOPE

A. THE MERCY

B. THE MEANING

C. THE MIRACLE

D. THE MUST

2. THE ETERNAL BENEFITS OF YOUR LIVING HOPE

A. YOUR LIVING HOPE IS NOT DESTROYED

B. YOUR LIVING HOPE IS NOT DEFILED

C. YOUR LIVING HOPE IS NOT DIMINISHED

D. YOUR LIVING HOPE IS NOT DEPLETED

3. THE EVERYDAY BLESSINGS OF YOUR LIVING HOPE

A. YOU ARE COVERED

B. YOU CAN BE CONFIDENT

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The series Australian Survivor is becoming one of the most popular series on television. It is even displacing Blue Healers for the number one show on Wednesday night TV. They are now up to day 26 and the contestants are showing weariness. They are slimming down, finding food able to sustain them being the major task of each day. What makes a person persevere under difficulty? What causes a person to keep on going? Viktor Frankl was a survivor of the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz. He was a Jewish psychiatrist from Vienna who concluded that the way people survived and kept their sanity was that they had hope. The people without hope committed suicide or just died.
Viktor Frankl endured years of unspeakable horror in Nazi death camps during World War 2, and partly because of his suffering, Frankl came to believe that the primary motivational force is man’s search for meaning. He said that there was a case for “Tragic Optimism.” That is, that one is and remains optimistic in spite of the “tragic triad” of pain, guilt and death that circumscribes human existence. It is saying “Yes to life in spite of everything.” That life is meaningful under even the most miserable of conditions. Frankl maintains that war time conditions in the death camps could lead a person to giveupitis; where, instead of getting up in the morning a soldier in a prison camp would just role over, lay there in the straw, urine and feces, then reach down to some hidden place and take out a cigarette. He said that then the others present knew that they had about 48 hours in which they would watch this person die. The bottom line issue was the issue of Hope. A person could live for a couple of months without food, a few days without water but only 2 days without hope. We all need hope to go on. We need hope when we lose our jobs. We need hope when our marriages break apart. We need hope when our lives seem to go nowhere. We need hope when our hearts are broken.

I saw a “Far side” comic in enjoyed. It showed a deer during hunting season with a strange birth mark of a target etched on its body. Another deer was looking at it and remarked “Bummer of a birth mark Harold.” In other words ..you got no hope boyo.

The hope that the contestants on the Survivor’s show have is that maybe they may win the $500, 000 prize money by outlasting the others. The other hope they have is that it will all be over in a couple of weeks, and they can go back to a nice warm bed, nice food and a shower.

How do you have hope when you are in the most miserable of conditions? What if there is not going to be any improvement?

Like the government geologist who had been authorized by the government to go around and conduct some seismographic tests at certain locations. He approached a farmer and said, “I need to go out into your pasture and take some readings.” The farmer looked at the government man and said, “You can’t go out in my field.” The worker got a little irate and pulled out an official government document signed by the Secretary of the Interior. He showed it to the farmer and said, “This piece of paper says I can go wherever I need to in order to conduct these tests.” The farmer said, “I don’t care what the paper says, you can’t go out in my field.” Well, the govt. employee was getting tired of this, so he just ignored the farmer and climbed over the fence. He walked out into the middle of the pasture and set up his equipment while the farmer was leaning on the fence. In a few minutes the ground began to shake and the geologist thought there was a minor earthquake—that is until he looked up and saw a huge angry bull charging across the pasture at him. The bull had his head lowered and was zeroed in on the poor geologist. The terrified guy forgot his equipment and started running toward the fence screaming to the farmer for help. The farmer hollered out to him, “Show him your papers!”

Where are you going to have hope when life comes barrelling down on you like a ton and a half of bull? How can a person have this Tragic Optimism, when truly all of life is circumscribed by pain, guilt and death? You and I need a hope that presses on beyond the conflicts of this life. We need an optimism that is not tragic, but one that is real. There is real hope that can undergird the life of a Christian! The Good News Is There is HOPE!!

1. THE ESSENTIAL BIRTH OF YOUR LIVING HOPE

A. THE MERCY

B. THE MEANING

John 1:(10) He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. (11) He came unto his own, and his own received him not. (12) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, {even} to them that believe on his name: (13) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

C. THE MIRACLE

The reason he can talk to them about a "LIVELY HOPE", is because Jesus, who came, died, was buried and was raised to life again, made this promise in John 14:19: "…Because I live, ye shall live also."

When I ws in teacher's college at Wollongong, the Steelers were not known as powerful football team. Every week, there would be a little banner. For instance, when they were playing Cronulla, they put a big banner up that said, "Kill Cronulla." They lost. They were playing Manly Warringah. They put up a big banner that said, "Whip Warringah." They lost to Manly Warringah. They were playing Newcastle. I mean, we’re talking about Newcastle, that great football team. So the bookstore put up a banner in the window that said, "Maintain dignity against Newcastle" You know what they were saying? They’re saying, "It’s hopeless. I mean, there’s just no for us to win this game. We hope we’ll win, but we’re not real sure." We have a far better hope than that. It is based on the irrefutable fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

"While there's life, there's hope is an ancient Roman saying still quoted today and, like most adages, it has an element of truth but just having life gives no certainty about life.

Peter is saying, "Where there's Christ, there's hope.

On one occasion Michel Angelo turned to his fellow artists and said with frustration in his voice, " Why do you keep filling gallery after gallery with endless pictures on the one theme of Christ in weakness, Christ on the cross, and most of all, Christ hanging dead?" he asked. "Why do you concentrate on that passing episode as if it were the last word, as if the curtain dropped down there on disaster and defeat? That dreadful scene lasted only a few hours. But to the unending eternity Christ is alive; Christ rules and reigns and triumphs!"

Before His death, Jesus told the crowds that he must die, and be raised to life again, but they simply did not believe He could do such a thing.

The reason we have a "LIVELY HOPE" is because we have a "LIVING SAVIOR!" The Lord’s resurrection is proof that He is who He said He was.

(Ephesians 1:(19) and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, (20) which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, (21) far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (Romans 8:(10) But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. (11) And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

D. THE MUST John 3:7 You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.' You must have this living Hope. It is found in Jesus. You must be born again to have hope. The Lord Jesus explained John 3:3-5 "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 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?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

2. THE ETERNAL BENEFITS OF YOUR LIVING HOPE

Scottish preacher and hymn writer Horatius Bonar told about an unbeliever who said scoffingly, "It is upon an empty tomb that Christianity is founded." That critic felt he was making a damaging remark, but he was actually stating a powerful proof for Christ's claims. Christianity is what it is because of that empty tomb. As believers in Christ, we know that our faith has a solid foundation because He arose from the dead. The angelic announcement "He is not here but is risen" confirmed the fact that sin's penalty had been paid in full. As a result, salvation can be offered to all men everywhere.

Bonar also told about a certain man who wanted to destroy Christianity and replace it with a religious system of his own. When he failed to interest anyone in following him, he went to the French statesman Talleyrand for advice. Talleyrand replied, "Go and be crucified, and then raise yourself from the grave the third day."

All that He said and claimed is vindicated by His resurrection. All that Christ urged on his disciples is vindicated by His resurrection. The resurrection is God's way of saying, in language the world can understand, that Christ is all he claimed to be.

An agnostic professor once said to a little girl who believed in the Lord Jesus, "There have been many who have claimed to be Christ. How can you be sure who told the truth? Which one do you believe?" Without hesitation the youngster replied, "I believe in the One who rose from the dead!"

As a result we have the assured eternal benefits of that living hope:

We have A Lasting Inheritance.

A. YOUR LIVING HOPE IS NOT DESTROYED It's Death Proof. " incorruptible"

PACKAGED 2CO 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (NIV)

CORDED HOS 11:4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. (NIV)

LABELLED EPH 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, (NIV)

PAID FOR 1CO 6:20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

WAITING Revelation 21:(1) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. (2) I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. (3) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (4) He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (5) He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

B. YOUR LIVING HOPE IS NOT DEFILED It's Sin Proof. "undefiled"

The word amianton is used to describe a mineral that was made into a fire resistant cloth. Whenever this material got dirty, the folks back then would throw the cloth into the fire which would turn it pure white without destroying it. The romans used it to wrap the bodies of their deceased loved ones in preparation for cremation. The fire would penetrate it, burning the remains, but the cloth was not affected by the heat, keeping the ashes intact. The fire of judgement cannot affect the believer’s inheritance.

Revelation 21:(21) The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass. (22) I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. (23) The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. (24) The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. (25) On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. (26) The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. (27) Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

C. YOUR LIVING HOPE IS NOT DIMINISHED It's Time Proof. " fadeth not away"

The Greek word here amaranton signifies that its beauty and loveliness are not affected by the passing of time. The Christians inheritance does not wither and die.. it is eternal as God Himself is eternal.

D. YOUR LIVING HOPE IS NOT DEPLETED It is Eternal. "reserved in heaven"

Peter teaches that not only is the inheritance of the Christian safe for time and eternity, but so is the believer himself kept eternally secure. The word “kept” here is a military term meaning to garrison to guard and protect. This is in the perfect tense, signifying that the work having been once begun, will be brought to completion.

Phil 1: 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

“The work which wisdom undertakes, Eternal mercy ne’er forsakes.”

“Determined to save, he watched o’er your path,

When Satan’s blind slave, you sported with death:

And can he have taught you to trust in his name,

And thus far have brought you to put you to shame?”

3. THE EVERYDAY BLESSINGS OF YOUR LIVING HOPE

A. YOU ARE COVERED

’My name from the palms of his hands

Eternity will not erase;

Impressed on his heart it remains

In marks Of indelible grace.

Yes, I to the end shall endure,

As sure as the earnest is given;

More happy, but not more secure,

Are the glorified spirits in heaven.”

ROM 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (38) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, (39) neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

JOHN 10:(27) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (28) I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. (29) My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. (30) I and the Father are one."

PHI 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Psalms 121:(1) I lift up my eyes to the hills; where does my help come from? (2) My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (3) He will not let your foot slip; he who watches over you will not slumber; (4) indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (5) The Lord watches over you; the Lord is your shade at your right hand; (6) the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. (7) The Lord will keep you from all harm; he will watch over your life; (8) the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

B. YOU CAN BE CONFIDENT

Rom 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Forget thee, I will not, I cannot; thy name

Engraved on my heart doth for ever remain;

The palms of my hands whilst I look on, I see

The wounds I received when suffering for thee.”

When the harbour Bridge was being built, I understand that the construction of the first half of the Bridge was extremely slow. There were about a dozen deaths as workmen fell from the bridge, and the whole process seemed so slow. Around the half way mark someone got the bright idea of building a safety net to catch falling workmen. Only one or two lost their lives in the remaining construction on the bridge, and the work went ahead at a great pace. What made the difference was confidence.

“Millions of years my wondering eyes,

Shall o’er thy beauties rove;

And endless ages I’ll adore

The glories of thy love.”

To use an old figure: be sure that you take a ticket all the way through. Many people have only believed in God to save them for a time; so long as they are faithful, or so long as they are earnest. Beloved, believe in God to keep you faithful and earnest all your life: take a ticket all the way through. Get a salvation which covers all risks. There is no other ticket issued from the authorized office but a through-ticket. Other tickets are forgeries. He that cannot keep you for ever cannot keep you a day. If the power of regeneration will not last through life, it may not last an hour. Faith in the everlasting covenant stirs my heart’s blood, fills me with grateful joy, inspires me with confidence, fires me with enthusiasm. I can never give up my belief in what the Lord hath said, “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.”

“His honor is engaged to save The meanest of his sheep;

All that his heavenly Father gave, His hands securely keep.”

# posted by Groseys messages @ 12:54 PM