Everything to Live For (1 Peter 1:1-12)

Big Idea: Christians can endure difficulties due to new life, purpose in suffering, joy in Christ, and a profound salvation beyond the comprehension of prophets and angels.

So you think you're having a bad day? I've learned that it could always be worse.

Two German motorists were guiding their cars at a snail's pace in opposite directions in very heavy fog. Both of their heads were out of the window when the cars passed by each other, and their heads smacked together. Both men were hospitalized with severe head injuries, but ironically, their cars were undamaged—a rare outcome for a head-on collision.

In 1977, a man in New York City hit by a car stood up unharmed but then lay back down in front of the vehicle after a bystander suggested he pretend to be injured to claim insurance money. The car then rolled forward and crushed him to death.

A thief breaking into a house in Antwerp, Belgium, escaped through the back door, climbed a nine-foot wall, and ended up in the city prison.

Don't ever complain that you're having a bad day, because it could always be worse.

Some of us have a hard time coping even when things are going fairly well. Life can be challenging, with daily pressures like work, family time, health issues, and financial stress affecting us all. Many people in this room are going through a tough time, even without facing major issues.

What's going to keep us going when things get really tough? Open your Bibles to 1 Peter. I want to share with you four things that keep you going, even in times of tremendous difficulty. Four things that God has given us that offer us joy and hope in times of trouble.

1 Peter was written by the apostle Peter – one of the key disciples of Jesus. The time was in the early 60s – just decades after the return of Jesus Christ to heaven. Read with me verses 1 and 2:

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. (1 Peter 1:1-2)

I want to tell you that the recipients of this letter were going through a very difficult time, and it was only going to get worse. Peter calls them "God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered…" throughout what today would be the area of Turkey. The recipients were probably primarily Gentile converts to Christianity. The word "strangers" identifies the recipients of this letter as belonging to a very low social condition. At that time, "stranger" referred to a resident alien who was neither a Roman citizen nor a slave. Strangers or aliens had restrictions on marriage, voting, and owning property. You were also subjected to higher taxes and severer forms of civil punishment. You were away from your country and faced fear, slander, discrimination, and manipulation. In other words, life was very tough for the recipients of this letter.

But don't complain that life is tough, because it's only going to get tougher. Because as difficult as their life had been, it was about to get worse. These "scattered strangers" had already suffered as a result of their faith. Initially, the Roman Empire tolerated believers, but once it was clear that Christians were distinct from Jews, they faced beatings, imprisonment, and even death. Probably, at the time that Peter wrote, the great persecution under Emperor Nero had begun. During the Roman Empire, Christians faced torture and execution for their beliefs, and the church in Jerusalem was scattered worldwide due to persecution. This persecution peaked when Rome decided to eliminate those who refused to bow to Caesar – the "Christ ones." And according to tradition, Peter himself was martyred by being crucified upside down.

Peter could say, "Life is tough, and it's about to get tougher." I don't think many of us are facing the sort of problems that the recipients of this letter were facing. What's going to keep us going when things get really tough?

Four Truths

In this morning's passage, Peter gives us four truths that are so great, they overcome any difficulty we're going through. Four things that God has given us that make all the difference.

God has given us a new life.

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. (1 Peter 1:3-5)

Peter begins in verse 3 by saying that we have received “new life” or “new birth.” We have been "born again." Peter's letters acknowledged that, by God's grace, they were chosen to be part of his family and granted new life. In verse 4, Peter describes what they have received – “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade, kept in heaven for you.” This inheritance is eternal: it will never decay, wear out, or lose its value. It is pure, undefiled, and enduring, retaining its beauty and glory forever.

Peter's audience likely doubted their ability to stay faithful to Christ amid rising suffering and persecution. He reassures them in verse 5: through God’s power, they are protected by faith, secured for a salvation that will be fully revealed in the end.

Peter states, “God has given you a new life full of hope – a future in heaven that starts now and can't be taken from you.” We face a choice: do we base our happiness on changing factors like success, possessions, or relationships, or do we find it in what Christ has done for us? According to Peter, external circumstances may falter, but we can always rely on what God has done through Jesus. Though it may feel intangible, this new life is real, present, and eternal. Whatever pain or trials we endure now will not be our final experience. In the end, we will live with Christ forever. That’s why Peter confidently declares that we truly have everything to live for, even in the face of hardship.

I don't know what circumstances you're facing this morning, but I imagine that for some of you, life might be tough. If you trust Jesus Christ for salvation, this passage says you are a new person with a new life. And regardless of circumstances, that new life will last forever. This new life has led to an inheritance that is guaranteed. And this new life is more real than even the troubles we're going through.

I need to pause here and ask if this is your experience. Jesus Christ came to give us eternal life, and that life begins now, in the present. All the failures and sins in your life can become ancient history as you are made a new creature. And what's more, Jesus can give you an inheritance that is yours forever. No one can take it away. It won't depreciate. It won't decay. And it can be yours this morning. I invite you to pause right now and make this experience yours.

That's the first truth that Peter gives us. God has given us new life. Here's the second:

God has given us a purpose even in our suffering.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Peter says we rejoice in our future hope, despite facing numerous challenges and troubles now. These believers are rejoicing even though they're going through every kind of grief. Peter reminds them that their suffering serves a purpose: to prove that their faith, which is more valuable than gold, is genuine. Testing in life is a purposeful way for God to refine and purify our faith, much like precious metal is refined in fire. Isaiah 48:10 says, "See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." God tests his people for a purpose. God never afflicts us without cause. We experience grief in this life only as it serves God's great and wise purposes for us. Peter then shows us that simultaneous grief and joy are normal in the Christian life. Even when times are tough, we can rejoice – because even when things are tough, God has a purpose in our sufferings.

Does that sound trite? Some may wonder, "People are facing persecution and death, and all Peter can say is 'Stay strong; what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.'" I'm not an old person, but already I can look back at periods of trouble in my life. Not once have I enjoyed going through troubles in my life. But do you know what? In almost every case, I can look back and say, "Thank God I had to go through that difficulty." It’s important to recognize that God is involved in every situation and trouble, guiding our lives for his glory. Even in tough times, we can find joy because God has a purpose for us.

Knowing that in everything that takes place – even in our suffering – God has a purpose. Peter believes we persevere through challenges because God has granted us new life and has a purpose for our suffering. There's a third truth:

God has given us an inexpressible joy that comes from knowing Christ.

A man once entered a pharmacy, and the pharmacist said, "Oh dear, you must be sick – you don't look well at all." The man replied, "Don't worry, I'm a pastor – I always look like this." Or you might have heard about the church where all the members were sour and joyless. One day they figured out why. It turns out they had been filling the baptistry with pickle juice. Do you ever wonder why so many Christians are joyless? I'm baffled, because look at what verses 8 and 9 say:

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)

Peter states that we love Jesus Christ even without having seen him. A personal and daily relationship, if you will, with the ascended Lord Jesus. And this love for Jesus and belief in him has given us "an inexpressible and glorious joy." Have you ever been so overwhelmed by something that you literally are speechless? Peter says that our love and belief in Christ bring a profound joy that words cannot fully express. We might have to sing to really express it – words sure aren't going to do it alone. Peter explains that our response to the Lord is powerful and brings us the salvation of our souls, which is the ultimate goal of our faith.

That's the Christian's experience, even in the middle of great suffering. A joy in the Lord that is so profound that it can't be expressed in words. That's the joy that Christ has given us – and that keeps us going even in the midst of difficulties. I love the words of G.K. Chesterton: "Joy is the gigantic secret of the Christian." And it's a secret that keeps us going in tough times.

Peter believes we persevere through challenges because God has granted us new life and has a purpose for our suffering, and has given us inexpressible joy. There's one more thing.

God has given us what Old Testament prophets longed for and angels seek to understand.

I don't want you to miss verses 10 to 12, because they're verses that are incredible.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. (1 Peter 1:10-12)

Let's try to find out what Peter is saying. The Old Testament prophets received various revelations, which are recorded in the Old Testament.

Many times, I find myself thinking, "Wouldn't it be amazing to fully understand everything the Old Testament prophets knew?" But Peter reminds us, "Hold on! The prophets of the Old Testament searched earnestly and diligently for insight about salvation. Their search and revelations were important, but ultimately, they played only a preparatory role in God's grand plan. They were tasked with preparing the world and God’s people for what was to come – and that time is now. Their mission was to point forward to God’s salvation through Christ. Our role is different: it’s to embrace and enjoy it.

We are fortunate to experience salvation in this era, living in the time of fulfillment, the "A.D." instead of "B.C." What the prophets longed for, we have the blessing of enjoying.

But look what else Peter says in verse 12: "Even angels long to look into these things." Both angels and people fell into sin. Christ did not die for angels. Not one angel has been saved by grace through faith. The eternal destiny of an angel has never been transformed from death to life. And Peter reminds us that angels long to look into the amazing salvation that we often take for granted. As one translation puts it, "Don't you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this!" What an amazing salvation!

Christians can withstand challenges because of their new life, the purpose of suffering, joy in Christ, and a deep salvation that even prophets and angels cannot fully understand.

So I don't know what kind of day you're having. I don't know what suffering is ahead in your life. But I know that God has given you everything to live for. Why? Because he's given you a brand new life. He's given you a purpose in suffering. He's given you an inexpressible joy that comes from knowing Christ. Indeed, what he's given you is truly amazing.