Keys to the Kingdom and the Apostle of Hope

The title of the sermon today, Keys to the Kingdom and the Apostle of Hope. How would you feel if you had to live your life and know that no matter how you lived it, your death would be through crucifixion? Even though you were very zealous for God and quick to defend Jesus Christ, even though you were given the keys to the kingdom, even though you gave the great inspired sermon on the day of Pentecost, 31 A.D. and the gift of the Holy Spirit was made available to the Jews of that day.

Remember the scripture in Acts 2.38 where they said, men and brethren, what shall we do? This is verse 37. And then Acts 2.38, Peter said, repent, be baptized for remission of sin, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. That's a shortened version of everything that's involved in leading up to baptism. On that day, 3,000 souls were added to the church roster, I guess you would say, in Jerusalem. Even though you were the instrument used to show the Gentiles that they were to receive the Holy Spirit, remember that Peter in Acts 10 went down to the house of Cornelius, and there he baptized the household of Cornelius, laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And they were astonished, especially the Jews who had accompanied the Apostle Peter to the house of Cornelius, that it was made apparent that the Gentiles, as well as the Jews, were to be recipients of the Holy Spirit. As it says in Romans chapter 3, that God is not just the God of the Jews, but he is the God of all peoples everywhere.

Even though at your hands great miracles were done, even though a deceitful man and woman would fall dead, an onyose and sapphire, at your feet as a witness to the church to show in whom God had placed his authority. God had placed his authority in the Apostles, even though you were the Apostle to the circumcision, to the Jewish nation, the leading Apostle and spokesman. When Jesus went to go anywhere, he took with him Peter, James, and John. Imagine how the other Apostles well, why doesn't he ever take me? I don't know why he never takes me, but he takes Peter, James, and John. Even though you had done all these things, God would permit you to live your life knowing your death would come through crucifixion. The Apostle Peter, the Apostle of Hope, lived his life that way. So let's look at the prophecy that prophesied how he would die in John chapter 21, John chapter 21, and verse 15. John 21 verse 15.

So when they had died, Jesus said unto Peter, Simon, son of James, Jonah said, Love you me more than these? He said unto him, Yea, Lord, you know that I love you. He said unto him, feed my sheep, and he repeated that three times. And then he got to the point to where he was asking what was going to happen in the future.

In verse 16, he said to him again the second time, and then a third time, did you love me more than these? Now in verse 18, I say unto you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you wanted to go, but when you shall be old, you shall stretch forth your hands and another shall gird you and carry you where you don't want to go. And he spoke this concerning how he would be how he would be killed, how he would meet his death, and that was through crucifixion. It was said that the apostle Peter refused to be crucified upright because he did not, it would be a dishonor to Jesus Christ, so he was crucified upside down so that his head was at the bottom of the stake and the rest of his body upon the pole. So the apostle Peter indeed was the apostle of hope.

The life of the apostle Peter dramatically shows and it proves that God has called us to eternal life and not to physical salvation. Though God is our healer, the one that we look to for healing, but God has called us to salvation. Peter is the apostle of hope, yet he knew no matter how he lived his life, the only way that he was going to get out of this life was to be crucified. So let's define the word hope. If Peter is the apostle of hope, what is hope?

Hope-defying. The Greek word translated hope in the New Testament is epsis. It's pronounced e-l-p-e-c-e-l-pis. It means earnest expectation. It means that you are earnestly expecting something to happen. It stems from faith. The general epistles are the same degree if you turn now to 1 Corinthians chapter 13. The general epistles are to some degree framed by these three frames. You could say frame, you could say outline. In 1 Corinthians 13, we see that they are outlined or framed by 1 Corinthians 13 and verse 13.

And now by its faith. We had the sermon at abiding in God's word, abiding in God and he and us and Christ. And now by its faith, hope, charity. These three, but the greatest of these is charity. Faith stems from the word of God. Faith comes by hearing. That's John 10 and verse 17. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. I'm sure you've memorized that scripture. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. And a scripture that I have for the past several years encourage you to memorize John 663.

What does John 663 say? John 663 says, The flesh profits nothing. It is the spirit that quickens or makes life. The words I speak, they are spirit and they are life. Hope is not wishing. It is based on the promises of God.

The promises of God are sure. You can count on the promises of God. Let's turn to Titus chapter 1 verse 1. Titus chapter 1 and verse 1. See what Paul wrote here. Paul is servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness in hope of life eternal, in hope of life eternal.

That is our principal hope. That is what we hope for. Above all things is life eternal. In hope of life eternal which God that cannot lie promised before the world began. He promised this really before time began. We have Aeon, we have Chronos, and we have cosmos that are translated in the New Testament as world. So Peter's life dramatically shows that his hope was not set on this world. Peter internalized what Paul wrote in 1st Corinthians 1519. 1st Corinthians 1519. Now if you're not turning to the scriptures at least, write them down and then review them.

The average person forgets 80 percent during the first 24 hours after he hears something. Most people a lot quicker than that. 1st Corinthians 1519. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are all men most miserable. So our hope is not for this life, but we hope to have a good life. We strive to have a good life. We want a good life. We need a good life and everything that goes with it. But the ultimate goal is to set our hope and focus on the hope of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Let's contrast Peter's attitude with some today who place more value and emphasis on physical salvation, place of safety.

We had a period of time in the mid-70s in which people were so caught up with the place of safety. And evangelists was going around the country talking about the place of safety. At the place of safety, we're going to build imperial schools and do all kind of great things. But as we have seen, we are many years after that right now. The main focus is eternal life in the kingdom of God.

So Peter, a man who was used by God to show that the door was open to the Jews and the Gentiles, a man who was used in performing mighty miracles. A man who's even... there was an account in Acts 5 in which they were bringing people out into the streets to be healed because there were so many flocking to Peter that his shadow passing over them, they were healed.

So we ask you today, where is your focus and where is your hope? So let's go to 1 Peter chapter 1. 1 Peter chapter 1 and verse 6. 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 6. Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be you are in heaven is through manifold trials, that the trying of your faith might be more precious than that of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, that it might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love, in whom though now you see him not, yet believing you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

I love that phrase. Joy unspeakable and full of glory. If you ever experienced that, I would hope to experience that. Joy unspeakable, full of glory, receiving the result, the end there, our familiar Talos, T-E-L-O-S, the result, the outcome, having received the outcome of your faith, even the salvation of your life essence, of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto us.

Grace has provided a way for all humanity to be in the kingdom of God. So who is your hope and where is your faith? So let's look at verse 17. And if so, be on the Father, and if you call on the Father, if you call on the Father, who without respect of person judges according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear, for as you know, that you were not redeemed, you were not bought back from sin and death with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conduct received by tradition from your fathers.

You read the first verse here in 1 Peter's class, across the page there, it says, To the stranger scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, and Asia, but then he was rewriting to people who were new in the faith. So you were not redeemed with their traditions from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ as a lamb without blemish, without spot, who verily was foreordained. Proganosco is the Greek word. It means to know beforehand, who was known beforehand before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raise him up from the dead.

Christ raised Jesus from the dead. He will raise us from the dead by the same spirit that erased Jesus from the dead, with Jesus playing a role that is not clearly defined in Scripture, that your faith and hope might be in God. So our faith and hope is in God. It is there forever and ever. And we can ask ourselves, is my faith is my hope in God and Christ? The Apostle Paul, he was ministering at the same time Peter was. He based his life. There are several scriptures, and we read one that if we have hope only in this life, we're of all men, most miserable.

Look at Acts 28 and verse 20. Acts 28 and verse 20. In Acts 28 and verse 20, we see here the Apostle Paul writing. Well, Luke probably wrote it. The Apostle Paul was the main character in Acts.

In Acts 28 verse 20. For this cause therefore I call for you to see you and to speak with you because that for the hope, the hope of Israel, I am bound with the chain. What is the hope of Israel that Jesus Christ would come on the scene and he has come on the the scene? Peter opened the door to the Jews. Peter opened the door to the Gentiles, that he is the only way whereby men must be saved. And they said unto him, We need to receive letters out of Judea concerning you, neither any of the brethren that came and showed or spoke harm of you. But we desire to hear you what you think for as concerning the sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against. And of course more and more persecution is going to come upon the Christian world, even the nominal Christian world, and especially eventually on the church of God when we really preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, the plan, the purpose, the providence of God.

We still have those who try to make merchandise out of God's people by dangling them over the fires of the great tribulation or the trials of the great tribulation. Peter describes those who would make merchandise of God's people in 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 3. We're starting verse 1. 2 Peter this time. 2 Peter.

2 Peter.

I lost my place there for a moment. 2 Peter chapter 2 and verse 1. But there were false prophets also among the people, even as they shall be false teachers among you who privately shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them. You go on YouTube today and you'll find long segments on why Jesus Christ didn't really die for our sins and Jesus Christ was fake and all and on and on it goes. And there's all kind of literature out there and people are soaking it up. Even denying the Lord that brought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction and many shall follow their pernicious ways. That is the way of yet by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feign words, not true words, fake words, feign words make merchandise of you whose judgment now for a long time lingers not and their damnation or their judgment slumbers not. So we see that we have a great role to play in telling the whole world what the true gospel really is. So what is your hope? Hopefully it is. Hopefully it is. That your hope and trust is in God and nothing else. Do you place more emphasis on the hope of escaping the great tribulation than on eternal life in the kingdom of God? Well, I would hope not. It is absolutely amazing how people are attracted to mystical relief from the future. And that's why people, so many people are interested in prophecy. And the reason why we have so many, this is my belief, the reason why that we have so many people that have left the church is because the prophecies that we preached and have preached since way back decades ago, they didn't come true as we thought they would. And so people got weary. They got impatient. We must not let impatience take control of us. There's a scripture in Luke that says, in your patience, possess you your souls or your life essence.

So in 2 Timothy, 2 Timothy, we'll go back there, chapter 4, the great admonition that Paul gives to the ministry and the great admonition that we are to study the Word of God. I charge you therefore, brethren, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead at his appearing, when at his appearing and his kingdom. Preach the Word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all knowledge and doctrine, for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears. So a lot of people that came our way in the 50s, 60s, and 70s obviously had itching ears. They were not really... The main purpose of the church is to bring all nations and peoples, kindred races, tongues into the Israel of God. See, God is about the business of bringing all peoples into his family. That's what the Bible is all about. Now there's a lot of side information, historical information.

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and they shall be turned to fables. In the messages to the seven churches, the church of Philadelphia, the church at Philadelphia, was promised protection from the great tribulation. And of course, we've talked about being in Philadelphia many times in verses chapter 3, verses 7 through 13, describe Philadelphia. In the salutation to the message to each church, the characteristics of Christ are given, like in the book of Revelation, to the church at Ephesus I write, to the church at Thessalonica I write, and so on. Every church, there is a salutation of I'm writing to you. Along with that salutation, one of the characteristics of Jesus is given, and one of the characteristics is that he possesses the keys to the kingdom. Remember the title, The Keys to the Kingdom and the Apostle of Hope, how they go hand and glove. So now we want to go to Revelation chapter 3 and verse 7. Revelation chapter 3 verse 7, the message to the church at Philadelphia. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, these things says, He that is holy, He that is true, He that has the key of David. What is the key of David? He that opens and no man shuts, and He that shuts and no man opens. I know your works, behold, I have set before you an open door and no man can shed it. Where you have a little strength, and that word for strength there is dunamis. It's the word from which we get dynamite. It means power. You have a little power, and have kept the word, and have not denied my name, God, Jesus Christ.

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews and are not.

I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Whereas I don't know for sure whether that's speaking strictly in the ethnic sense, or phenomenal Christians. Remember what it says in Romans 2, the last two or three verses there, it says, for he is a Jew who is one inwardly. So a lot of people claim to be of the Israel of God, who are not of the Israel of God, even though they are, they think they are Gentile, where they, whereas they may be descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So we see for two in the message to the seven churches, there is a characteristic of Christ. Here, he has the key of David.

So let's read another verse here. Verse 10, Behold, you have kept in the Word of my patient eye, so will keep you from the hour of trial, which shall come upon all the world to try them to dwell upon the earth. And so that's the main verse that people used to get for the place of safety. There are, according to the Bible, a place where God is going to protect people from the tribulation. So we want to focus now on Christ holds the key of David. Peter was given the keys to the kingdom, which we'll read later, but let's focus on the key of David here for a moment. We go to Isaiah 22 in verse 15. Isaiah 22 in verse 15. Thus says the Lord God of hosts. This is Isaiah 22 verse 15. Go get you unto the treasure even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say, So Shebna, the treasurer of the temple, what have you here, and whom have you found, that you have hewn out a sepulchre here, as he that hews out a sepulchre on high, and graves or engraves a habitation for himself in a rock. So Shebna thought he was eternally secure, that he was the treasurer, he was over everything. You have to come to me for anything that you might want to spend. Remember, Shebna was a type of Judas. Behold, the Lord will carry you away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover you. He will surely violently turn and toss you like a ball into a large country, and there you shall die, and there the chariots of your glory shall be the shame of your Lord's house. And I will drive you from your station, and from your state shall he pull you down.

So then, a lie of Him comes on the scene.

In verse 20, So Shebna thought he had the keys to the kingdom, especially since he was treasurer, just like Judas, as I mentioned, who betrayed Christ. He was looking at things from a physical point of view. In one sense, Shebna did hold the keys to the physical kingdom, but not to the spiritual kingdom.

As we shall see, the plan of God gives us the keys to entering into the kingdom, and you possess the keys to the kingdom. You know how to enter into the kingdom of God. You see, David was a monarch. He was the king over all of Israel. He had the keys to all of the kingdom. He knew how you could enter in. Jesus Christ is the only way you can enter into the kingdom, and He has given the keys of the kingdom to the church. More about that later. Now, we come to verse 20. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant, Elaiachim, the son of Hilkiah, and I will clothe him with your rose, so Elaiachim becomes a type of Christ, and strengthen him with your girdle. I will commit your government into his hand, and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem into the house of Judah. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulders. So he shall open, just like we read from Revelation 3, he shall open and none shall shut, and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place. Now, a nail in a sure place in the homes back then, they would have a place where you could hang your garments. Some people still have that till today. It's a place, it's a fastener, I guess you would say, that cannot be removed easily. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house. So you see how that, like him, was a type of Jesus Christ, because all the glory of his father's house is upon Jesus Christ. Remember in the prayer that Jesus prayed before he was crucified in John 17. He said, Glorify you, me, with the glory I had with you before the world began. So Jesus Christ has been resurrected. He has been glorified. The offspring and the issue and vessels of small quantity from the vessels of cups, even all the vessels of flagons. In that day, says the Lord God, shall the nail that is fastened in a sure place be removed and be cut down and fall. And the burden that was upon it shall be cut off. The Lord has spoken it. And so Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins. So the narrative, you could look at verse 25 and say the narrative shift back to Shebna, but I believe that it's still speaking of a like him and that Jesus Christ is the one who was cut off for our sins and he has now been glorified sitting at the right hand of the Father. Do you know that Jesus Christ is seated on the Father's throne at his right hand? Now, after he is after he comes again and we are resurrected, it says that we shall sit with him on his throne.

So Jesus Christ is sitting on the throne of David at the present time.

And Jesus Christ is the one that shuts and no one opens. Now let's go to Isaiah 9 and verse 6. Isaiah 9 and verse 6. Back a few pages from chapter 22 to Isaiah chapter 9. And Isaiah chapter 9 and verse 6.

For unto us a child is born and to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government there should be no end upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom, to order it, to establish it, with judgment and with justice. And henceforth, even forever, the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this. So who knows when Christ is going to return? I don't know for sure. You know, I've given the sermon on after the abomination of desolation is placed. There is a countdown that's given in Daniel chapter 12, and we're very aware of that.

So the key of David is clearly a reference to how a person enters into the key, into the kingdom of God. And Jesus Christ holds the keys to the kingdom, and if he shuts it, no man can open it, and no man can close it. Okay, let's go to John, the Gospel of John, in this case, chapter 10, the Gospel of John chapter 10, and the Gospel of John chapter 10, and verse 7.

And John 10, 7, then Jesus said unto them again, barely, barely, I say unto you, I am the the door of the sheep, and all that ever came before me are thieves, robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. By me, if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture. And of course, we've already read from Revelation 3 in another place that he opens and no man shuts. So, as we have already noted, Jesus Christ was given the throne of his father David, and the increase of his government, there shall be no end. I read it from the Bible. Isaiah 9 verse 7, and the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform it. The keys to the kingdoms can also be equated with the sure mercies of David and the throne of David. It is important to understand and keep in thought that prophetic events are structured around the fleshing out of God's promise, or promises, to Abraham and his children, not to world empires and current events. This means that the Bible is not the record of world history, or civilization, or even western Europe. It is the record of redemptive history, and redemptive history is centered around Jerusalem and the peoples who impact directly on its history. Jerusalem is the key city, has become the seat of the throne of God, or will become the seat of the throne of God, here on the earth eventually. It will be the high throne over all humankind. The throne of mercy, the mercy seat, is also called the throne of David. God is the one who gave it its name. In Isaiah 53 and verse 3, incline your ear, come unto me, here and your soul shall live, your life essence. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. It is concerning that he raised him up from the dead. I'm reading Acts 13, 34 now. Acts 13 verse 34. Maybe we should... Let's turn there. Acts 13, 34.

Acts 13, 34 is very important. It shows that, of course, that Jesus Christ was resurrected by the Father. We've already mentioned that once, read a scripture.

In Acts 13 verse 34, it is concerning that he raised him up from the dead. Now no more to return to corruption. He said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. So this virgin, who was a spouse with child, was already given this promise. And we go back to Luke chapter 1. Luke chapter 1 verse 27. What are we talking about? We're talking about the sure mercies of David can be equated with the throne of God or in the throne of David. In Luke chapter 1 and verse 27. Luke chapter 1 verse 27.

To a virgin a spouse, to a man whose name was Joseph of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came unto her and said, Hail you, your highly favored. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying and cast in her mind, What manner of greeting is this? And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you shall conceive in your womb and bring forth his son. You shall call his name Jesus. And he shall be great and shall be called the son of the highest. And the Lord God, the Lord God, shall give him the throne of his father David. And he shall reign over the house of his kingdom. There shall be no end. And as we have read, he also gave him the sure mercies of David.

So let's go back now to Revelation chapter three.

Well, let's go to chapter five. In chapter five, I'm not going to spend time with chapter five right now in verse five. Revelation 5 says, And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not, Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David hath prevailed to open the book and to the seven seals thereof. So the promises that God make regarding Jerusalem is why the city becomes the center of the world, of the world's tension as time of the end approaches. Satan knows that Jerusalem is the great city of destiny. That is why it becomes the stumbling block that brings on the great and final battle, leading up to the return of Jesus Christ. Now we go to Zechariah, Zechariah chapter 12 and verse 1. Zechariah chapter 12 and verse 1.

Zechariah 12 verse 1, we pretty much have this scenario already in place. The burden of the word of the Lord, where Israel says the Lord, which stretches forth the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth and forms the spirit of man within him. Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all people round about, when they shall be in the siege, both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day, I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people. Why? Because it is where God places his government in Jerusalem and Zion. All that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be together together against it. The future of mankind really rests on the shoulders of Jesus Christ and fulfilling all the prophecies that are given in the Bible.

It is amazing and it's a sort of kind of abuse of lying and twisting the scriptures. Well, to see people into believing that some people have a line to God that they don't and you don't have. We all have a line to God. God may reveal more truth to you than to me. And today we have a more sure word of prophecy that we can consult. So let's go to 2 Peter 2 and verse 19 and we shall see that. 2 Peter 2.19.

This verse is often used in many contexts, in many ways, sometimes wrongly.

And 2 Peter 2 and verse 19. 1 Peter 2.19.

While they promised them liberty, they themselves become the servants of corruption, for whom a man is overcome, the same is brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of this world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they're again brought into bondage. And a lot of people are in bondage reading the word of God wrongly. Now verse 19 and chapter 2, chapter 1 of 2 Peter. 2 Peter chapter 1 verse 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy. Whereunto you do well that you take heed, as unto a life that shines in a dark place until the day dawn and the day star and Jesus Christ is the day star rise in your heart. Now I'm going to quote to prove that Jesus Christ is the day star. I'm quoting Revelation 22.16. I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and offspring of David and the bright and morning star. So Jesus Christ is the bright and morning star.

So we come today and we see where Jesus Christ gives the keys of the kingdom to Peter. In Matthew chapter 16, we go back there to Matthew 16 and we'll start in probably 18. I have to see when I get there. In Matthew 16, and Simon Peter answered and said, this is Matthew 16.16. And Simon Peter answered and said, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Barzona, for flesh and blood have not revealed it unto you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I say unto you that you are Peter, and upon this rock, Peter's Petros, P-E-T-R-O-S, little rock, and upon this rock, Peter a big rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Haiti shall not prevail against it. And I will give you, under you, the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Well, there was a time in which it was said in the Church of God that the keys to the kingdom were only given to a certain person. Of course, that person has long been dead. If the keys to the kingdom were given only to a person, there's no apostle now. At least we have said there's no apostle, and the Bible hasn't revealed an apostle, so there would be no new truth, no new anything. I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, speaking to Peter, and whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. That was, he was giving him authority. Now, Peter couldn't bind error, and no man can bind error. All of God's works are done in truth and in righteousness.

The apostles Peter and Paul emphasized in their testimony and they placed more emphasis on the hope of eternal life and the resurrection than on anything physical. I should say, placed virtually all their emphasis upon the spiritual. Why? Because the carnal mind is enmity toward the law of God. Neither subject, not subject to it, neither indeed can be. We read that, of course, from Romans 8, 6, and 7.

The blessed hope that we have is the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. In second, in Titus, the book of Titus, in the second chapter, I want you to turn to Titus chapter 2 and verse 13. In Titus 2 and verse 13, looking for that blessed hope. So we are looking for that blessed hope, the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ in resurrection. Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing, the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope you read that clearly.

And then we look further at in Titus 3, 7, that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Peter knew what the trials of life were all about. He had experienced them, as I read in the introduction of all the things that Peter had done. All the great miracles, even the shadow of Him passing over people, people were healed. And yet, he knew that he would be crucified at the end of his days. Now, so we go back to 1 Peter chapter 1 and verse 6. 1 Peter chapter 1 and verse 6. 1 Peter chapter 6.

Worrying you greatly is joyous, though. Now you are for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold trials, that the trying of your faith, being much more precious than that of gold, that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto the appearing of Jesus Christ. Read that again. Might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love, and whom though now you see him not, yet believing you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, as we already read.

Receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your life essence, of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, and prophesied of the grace that should come unto you. So we are admonished in verse 13 to gird up the loins of our mind, be sober, be sober, and hope, hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Define favor, divine favor, when Jesus Christ resurrects you from the dead. So Peter knew what hope was all about and who our hope should be in. Peter and Paul hoped for resurrection of the just and being born into the kingdom of God. We should not focus on physical signs. I already read Revelation 3.8, which says you have a little strength, dunamis, power. We should focus on becoming God as God is. And I hope that we place our trust, our confidence, in God and in Jesus Christ. If we place our trust and our confidence in Jesus Christ, we will be much more happier, we'll be much more satisfied. So once again, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, and hope springs from faith. So to the extent that you are convicted and committed, you will act courageously. To the extent that you are focused on the big picture of living by faith, you will have hope. So we can safely conclude that hope centers on believing God and keeping our eyes on the goal. It requires single-mindedness. It requires wholeheartedness. It requires every fiber of our being, and I hope we will dedicate ourselves to it.