A Living Hope: Pilgrims on the Way Home

 Living Hope in Suffering   
1 Peter 1:1–8
The Grove, January 4, 2026

Hearers of the Word


I. Background on the Letter & Author

A. The Author

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, writes this letter around AD 64 from “Babylon” (likely a code name for Rome) to scattered believers in several provinces of modern-day Turkey. 

Peter himself is a well-known figure: a Galilean fisherman from Bethsaida, brother of Andrew, married, and the most frequently mentioned disciple in the Gospels after Jesus. He was bold, impulsive, outspoken — the one who walked on water, confessed Christ, denied Him three times, and was later restored.

B. Historical context

Nero and the fire of Rome, produces intense Christian persecution. These Christians are facing intense persecution following Nero’s blaming of Christians for the great fire of Rome in AD 64, which led to brutal martyrdoms.

C. The Recipients: Pilgrims in the Dispersion

Peter addressed his letter to scattered believers in Asia Minor (Pontus, Galatia, etc.).  They are Called “pilgrims/sojourners” thus, Christians are temporary residents here on earth as “pilgrims of the dispersion” — sojourners passing through this world, not at home here, heading toward a better country. Peter writes these words with one clear purpose of the letter:  To encourage them to stand firm amid suffering.

Two central themes emerge: Heaven is our reward and Jesus is coming again.

II. Theological Foundation of Our Hope 

A. Chosen (elect) according to God’s foreknowledge

B. Trinity mentioned: Father (chooses), Spirit (sanctifies), Son (saves)

C. New birth (“born again”) + living hope through Christ’s resurrection

III. The Nature of Our Inheritance

A. Incorruptible, undefiled, unfading, reserved in heaven 

B. Kept/protected by God’s power through faith 

C. Balance of divine sovereignty & human responsibility

Statement of Truth:
Salvation is not dependent upon us to initiate or maintain because God is a saving God and a keeping God.


Key message (vv. 3–8): Praise be to God who, according to His great mercy, has caused us to be born again to a living hope through Jesus’ resurrection. We have an inheritance that is:

• Incorruptible

• Undefiled

• Unfading

• Reserved in heaven for us

IV. Joy in the Midst of Trials

A. Present grief/trials are temporary (“a little while”) 

B. Trials refine faith — more precious than gold 

C. Faith will be rewarded with praise, honor, glory at Christ’s revelation 

D. Love & joy in Christ even without seeing Him

We are protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this we greatly rejoice, even though for a little while we may suffer various trials. These trials test and prove the genuineness of our faith — far more precious than gold refined by fire — so that it may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though we have not seen Him, we love Him and believe in Him, and are filled with inexpressible joy.

Core encouragement: In a world of suffering (especially suffering for Christ’s sake), remember two great truths:

1. Heaven is our certain reward.

2. Jesus is coming again.

This living hope sustains us as pilgrims until that day.


Doers of the Word

Pilgrims in a Temporary World
Peter calls believers “pilgrims of the dispersion” and “sojourners.” What does it practically look like in your everyday life to live as someone who is “just passing through” this world rather than treating it as your permanent home? How does that perspective change the way you handle possessions, time, or disappointments?

Born Again to a Living Hope
The sermon emphasizes that God, according to His great mercy, has caused us to be “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).
What does being “born again” mean to you personally?
Why do you think Peter describes this hope as “living”? How is it different from a vague wish or optimism?

An Inheritance That Cannot Be Destroyed
Peter describes our inheritance as “incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).
Contrast this inheritance with things people usually work hard to build or protect in this life (career, savings, reputation, etc.).
How does knowing your true inheritance is safely kept in heaven change the way you face loss, failure, or uncertainty here on earth?

Joy in the Midst of Trials
Peter says believers “greatly rejoice” even though they may be “grieved by various trials” for a little while, because those trials test and refine the genuineness of their faith (1 Peter 1:6–7).
Share a time when a trial or suffering actually strengthened your faith rather than weakened it.
How can we train our hearts to rejoice in trials instead of merely enduring them?

Two Anchors in Suffering
The preacher highlighted two major truths Peter wants suffering believers to hold onto: (1) Heaven is our ultimate reward, and (2) Jesus is coming again.
Which of these two truths feels most real and comforting to you right now, and why?
How can we keep both of these realities in the front of our minds when life feels discouraging or when we face pressure to compromise our faith?



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