Sermon Notes
- Hope: Christian hope is an eager expectation of a guaranteed result, not wishful thinking about a desired outcome.
- Peter’s purpose: To establish believers in believing, direct them in doing, and comfort them in suffering.
01 · 1 Peter 1:3–5
We can hope for the future
- Living hope: God has caused believers to be born again to a living hope through Jesus’ resurrection.
- Born again: Austin identified this as regeneration, new life given by God.
- Inheritance: It is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for believers.
- Guarded: God is guarding his people for the inheritance and keeping the inheritance for them.
Supporting references used in the sermon: 1 Peter 1:3–5.
02 · 1 Peter 1:6–7
We can hope in the fire
- Trials: Peter acknowledges that trials are real, grievous, various, necessary, and temporary.
- Refining faith: Austin used pyrometallurgy to illustrate the refining of precious metal. God uses trials to test, purify, and strengthen faith.
- Future glory: Refined faith will result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Supporting references used in the sermon: 1 Peter 1:6–7; 1 Peter 5:1; 1 Peter 5:4.
03 · 1 Peter 1:8–9
We can hope through faith
- Faith: Though believers have not seen Jesus, they love and believe in him.
- Joy: Through faith, believers rejoice with inexpressible joy and await the salvation of their souls.
- Response: Think about heaven and express gratitude to God through prayer, song, conversation with God, or telling a friend.
Supporting references used in the sermon: 1 Peter 1:8–9; Hebrews 11:1.
Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV Bible, © 2001 by Crossway. Text Edition: 2025. Used by permission. Permissions. Prepared for this small group from the September 13, 2026 sermon; questions and applications are editorial study material.