New Birth into a Living Hope (1 Peter 1:3-12)
This sermon explores the transformative power of the 'new birth' described in 1 Peter, revealing it as the foundation of Christian life. It delves into how this spiritual rebirth profoundly shifts our hopes, grounding them in an inheritance that can never perish.
The new birth gives Christians a spiritual life rooted in an imperishable hope, a down payment of God's renewing power. This hope is refined through suffering and made certain by Christ's perishing on the cross.
Overview
This sermon unpacks the concept of the 'new birth' from 1 Peter, presenting it not as a specific type of Christianity, but as the essence of being a Christian. It explains that this spiritual rebirth imparts a new vitality and identity, signifying a new life implanted within believers.
The sermon highlights that this new birth is a first installment of God's cosmic renewing power (*palengenesia*), active in individual lives now. It is primarily experienced as a radical shift in one's hope, redirecting the heart's deepest desires from the perishable things of this world to an imperishable inheritance kept in heaven.
Furthermore, the message explores how this new spiritual life grows and strengthens, particularly through suffering. While painful, trials are presented as a means to refine faith and push believers deeper into their living hope, making them more joyful and robust in their relationship with God.
Finally, the sermon addresses the certainty of this imperishable hope, grounding it in the gospel—specifically, Jesus Christ's suffering and perishing on the cross. It emphasizes the profound and inexhaustible beauty of the gospel, noting that even angels long to look into it, suggesting that believers should similarly gaze upon it for healing and enduring hope.
Key points
- The 'new birth' is presented as the universal experience of all Christians, giving a new spiritual vitality and identity.
- This new birth is a down payment of the *palengenesia*, the renewing power of God that will make all things new.
- The new birth radically shifts one's hope from perishable worldly desires to an imperishable, eternal inheritance.
- Hope is defined as a desire and an expectation for what will satisfy one's deepest longings.
- Suffering, though agonizing, functions to refine a Christian's faith and drive them more deeply into their true source of joy and hope in God.
- The imperishable nature of a Christian's hope is guaranteed by Jesus Christ's suffering and perishing on the cross.
- The gospel holds infinite beauty and implications, so much so that even angels long to look into it, offering profound healing for hearts weary of the world.
In Tim Keller's words
“New being born again is not a type of Christianity. It is Christianity. And if you're not, if you haven't experienced the new birth, you aren't a Christian.”
“Your hope is imperishable because Jesus Christ perished.”
“Even angels long to look into these things.”
Outline
- I. What Happens When You Believe? The New Birth (1 Peter 1:3-5a)
- A. New Birth is Not a Type of Christianity; It Is Christianity
- B. The New Birth: A Metaphor for New Vitality and Identity
- 1. New vitality: New life is imparted
- a. Not always dramatic (stories of David Martin Louie Jones, C. Everett Koop, Ruth Graham)
- b. The power of *palengenesia* (renewal of all things, Matthew 19:28)
- 2. New identity: You become a new person (St. Augustine story)
- II. Where Does It Happen? In Your Hope (1 Peter 1:3b-5)
- A. Changing a Person's Hope Changes Their Entire Life
- B. Hope Defined: Desire and Expectation of Satisfaction
- C. Worldly Hopes vs. Imperishable Hope
- 1. Worldly hopes (career, love, causes) are infinitely deep and ultimately unsatisfying.
- 2. Crisis points: Restlessness, bitterness, cynicism, despondency
- 3. Living hope: Setting the heart on something eternal (1 John 3, 1 Peter 1:8)
- III. How Does This New Life Grow? Through Suffering (1 Peter 1:6-7)
- A. Rejoicing Even While in Agonizing Pain
- B. Suffering Drives Believers Deeper into God, the Source of Joy
- C. Suffering Refines Faith Like Gold
- IV. Why Is This Possible? The Gospel (1 Peter 1:10-12)
- A. Our Hope is Imperishable Because Jesus Perished
- B. Angels Long to Look Into the Gospel
- C. The Gospel: Infinite Implications and Beauty (J.R.R. Tolkien quote)
- D. Looking Into the Gospel Heals Hearts of World Weariness
Scripture references
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Insights
The new birth is not a spiritual option; it defines Christian life.
A down payment of God's future renewing power is already active within you.
Your deepest hopes reveal where your heart truly rests.
Questions & answers
What does the sermon mean by 'new birth'?
The 'new birth' is a metaphor for a spiritual experience where new vitality and identity are imparted. It signifies a person becoming spiritually reborn, receiving a new spiritual life from God.
Is the 'new birth' always a dramatic experience?
No, the sermon emphasizes that while it can be dramatic, the new birth doesn't have to be. Its external manifestations can be diverse, with some experiencing it gradually over time without a specific identifiable moment.
How does the 'new birth' connect to God's power?
The new birth is described as a 'first down payment' or 'installment' of God's *palengenesia*, the renewing power that will ultimately make all things new. This power is active in a Christian's life now.
What is the sermon's definition of 'hope'?
Hope is defined as a desire coupled with an expectation. Specifically, it is what one believes will satisfy their deepest desires for meaning, love, significance, and security.
How does suffering relate to the Christian's hope?
Suffering, though agonizing, helps the Christian's new life and hope to grow. It tends to push believers back into God, the true source of their joy, and refines their faith like gold refined by fire.
Why are angels said to 'long to look into these things' (1 Peter 1:12)?
The sermon states 'these things' refer to the gospel. Angels are said to 'passionately, desperately' look into the gospel, constantly fascinated by what Jesus Christ did, implying its infinite beauty and implications.
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