The Vineyard Church of North Grand Rapids, MI

For most of their married lives, John and Wendy Cox did their best to provide a nice home for themselves and their three daughters. John was an itinerant youth minister--even poorer than a church youth pastor. But Wendy was a nurse, so she carried them along . . . until the girls came along When they both worked, they were able to get ahead financially. But when Wendy decided to stay home with the girls, they made ends meet by cutting out coupons, shopping at thrift stores, and reclaiming furniture others had put out on the curb.

After renting apartments for longer than most folks do, John and Wendy scraped together enough money to buy their first home--a real fixer-upper in one of Los Angeles poorer suburbs. It wouldn't have been anyone's dream house, but it was special because it was theirs. The house was special to the neighbors too. It was sort of a neighborhood landmark. Painted bright blue, everyone called it The Smurf house. When hosting back yard bar-b-ques, the neighbors would tell their friends, "Turn left at the corner; we live two doors past the Smurf house!). About the only thing that John and Wendy's house had going for it was that it was located on Hope Street.

After moving in, John and Wendy discovered that the house needed a lot more work than they imagined. Water pipes were leaking and black mold was growing in the walls. John and Wendy didn't have the time, skill, or money to do major repairs, so they just had to make do and live with it. The family sometimes joked that they only way they'd ever get this house in shape was if some rich guy came along and gave them a suitcase full of money.

And that's pretty much what happened . One morning, out of a dead sleep, John and Wendy sat straight up in bed to the sound of a loudspeaker blaring, "Good morning, Cox family!" Yep . . . it was the voice of Ty Pennington and the crew from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. In case you live in a cave somewhere north of Cedar Springs, EM:HE is one of the most popular reality shows on television today, Each week Ty and his corporate sponsors pick a needy family somewhere in America, kick them out of their home for week, move in with several hundred construction workers, interior designers, and designated shoppers, and transform the family house into a dream home. For many families, it's a dramatic rescue, a life-changing breakthrough, a dream-come-true.

That's what it was for the Cox family. On the seventh day of the project--called Reveal Day--the Cox family returned from an all-expense-paid vacation to Disneyland to discover that their run down, toxic fixer-upper had been transformed into a vision of promise and beauty. They squealed, laughed, cried, hugged, and ran like maniacs through the rooms of their new home. Someone had done for them what they never could have done for themselves. They were really livin' now on Hope Street!

This morning we're continuing our Sunday teaching series on Hope--one of the Bible's major themes. This week I read that in 1990, 7 out of 10 Americans polled said that they were looking to the future with hope. In 2001, that number had slipped to 1 out of 5. As you know, last fall our president ran his campaign on a platform of hope. Whether we voted for John McCain or Barack Obama last November, all of us, I think, were voting for hope.

People followed Jesus because he gave them hope. People read the Bible today, because it offers hope. Many of us are here this morning, trusting and following Jesus, because he has given us hope. What Ty Pennington and the Extreme Makeover Crew do for run down homes all across America, Jesus and his extreme makeover crew (called ‘The Church') are doing for men and women like us all over the world--rebuilding lives from the inside out, transforming broken down relationships, giving tired hearts hope for the future.

Last Sunday we described hope as the assurance that God will never abandon us, the confidence that he will keep all his promises to us, and the expectation that we will be forever grateful that we decided to trust and obey him throughout our lives. It's hope that pulls ordinary strugglers out of destructive patterns of sin, that empowers them to give and forgive and serve like Jesus--even when it hurts. It's hope that motivates ordinary Christians to pray with passion and throw their whole hearts into worship on Sunday mornings like this. It's hope that keeps men and women forward-looking as they get older, even after the doctor tells them they don't have much longer to live.

Peter, one of Jesus' earliest followers, was a young fisherman living in third world economic circumstances. A subsistence life-style; no car, no air conditioning, no grocery stores, no medical care, insurance, or investments of any kind. A life-expectancy of about 45 or 50 years. Whatever hope Peter had for the future, his prospects for moving up any kind of ladder in life were pretty limited. Until he met Jesus. That's when Peter's Extreme Makover began--when his brother Andrew introduced him to Jesus.

Listen to this: tell me if you can hear the hope in Peter's heart as he writes his first letter, about 30 years after Jesus' death and resurrection. He's my age! READ I Peter 1:3-6. That's hope--the assurance that God will never abandon us, the confidence that he will keep all his promises to us, and the expectation that we're going to be forever grateful that we decided to trust and obey him in his life. Hope wasn't just a doctrine that Peter understood or a virtue that Peter knew about; hope lived in him and stirred his life. We can hear the hope in his letter, even if we can't see his face or hear his voice! When hope comes to stay, you can see it on a brother's face and hear it in a sister's voice. You might want to tell your face: I could use a little hope right now!

Peter's first readers were scattered around what is, today, modern Turkey. All things considered, their faith-journey had been surprisingly difficult. Many had lost homes, careers, friends, and even family for their faith. They had memories of Pentecost--the great season of revival back in Jerusalem (for many, their mega-home church). Now they were in new places, surrounded by strangers (non-Jewish people) who worshipped Greek and Roman gods, as well as other gods like money and sex. Churches were small, and persecution was common. Thirty years earlier, many of them had thought that the coming of the Spirit was going to make life and ministry a perpetual miracle-fest. They knew NOW that the path they had chosen--trusting and following Jesus--was going to be a harder and longer haul than they at first imagined. They needed their hope stirred up. So let's read Peter's words together out loud and invite God to stir up hope in our lives today. READ I Peter 1:3-6 with the congregation.

Peter isn't just writing a sermon here; he's speaking from his own story. He was born-again into a living hope. Born-again is an important phrase. Peter didn't just hang out with Jesus and, over time, become a familiar face. He didn't just attend church and learn the songs. He didn't just start admitting his struggles and praying to a higher power. Those were initial steps toward a life-changing decision: to invite Jesus into his life to take over . . . everything . . . attitudes and agendas, finances and friendships, family values and ministry commitments, secret struggles and private dreams. Peter decided to wrap his entire life around Jesus. Jesus became his center, his God. God said "Yes", moved in, and gave Peter a new birth--a new life.

As with many of our big transitions in life, Peter's one big decision was probably composed a series of smaller, but critical decisions over the course of three years. Peter's first decision was to start following Jesus (Mark 1:16-18). Peter's faith was not rock-solid, but it was being formed by the decision to check out Jesus' teachings and character and relationships and miracles. Peter was a lot like some of you. You're not completely sure about Jesus, but you're here because you think you might be on to something. Like maybe Jesus is the one true God who is pulling you toward hope. Maybe . . . so you're here taking a look.

After two years of watching and listening, following Jesus and even serving him, Peter announces that he's made another strategic decision. He's decided that Jesus' teaching makes sense, that it rings true, and it's making a positive difference in his life. In fact, Jesus' teaching, together with his relationships, along with his miracles has convinced Peter that Jesus is no mere religious teacher, spiritual guide, or prophet. Peter has decided that Jesus is God's Messiah--the Deliverer (John 6:68-69). In fact, while some of the other disciples were still playing it safe by biting their lips instead of speaking up on this edgy issue (who do you think Jesus really is?), shortly after this, Peter spoke up again and declared that this is more than just his opinion; he was completely convinced that Jesus is the Savior God has sent into the world (Matthew 16:13-16).

But, has Peter completed his life-changing decision? Maybe not. Another year into this journey, about the time Jesus is arrested and crucified, Peter challenges Jesus, stumbles in doubt and confusion, and suffers a crisis of faith. Even after Jesus' resurrection, Peter seems dazed and confused--deeply shaken. Could he have been wrong about Jesus? Peter's inner anguish was so great that he seemed to have stalled; he was a believer but his belief seemed to be up for grabs. Following Jesus hasd been a wild roller coaster ride, and Peter seems to want off. So, Peter decides to take comfort in his career and his old lifestyle. He goes back to his home village and takes up commercial fishing with his old friends and partners. Perhaps he was just being like a lot of guys who take their little bit of faith and go to church with their girlfriends or wives, but decide to make their careers the real center of their lives. Faith can be so confusing sometimes; a career is often easier, or at least simpler.

But Jesus wasn't ready to give up on Peter. So Jesus showed up at Peter's office one morning. He appeared to Peter back on the beach where Peter had launched a thousand fishing trips. Right in the middle of his work day, Jesus asked Peter to make his final decision (John 21). Jesus asked Peter to give him his heart. . . . the way a true worshipper would give God his heart. Three times Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" Do you love me more than your career? Do you love me more than your favorite places? Do you love me more than your friends?" Peter will you take what you know and give me your heart?

For you and me, that might seem like a Sunday school question: "Do you love me?" We might shout, "Go ahead Peter. Just say it. Make his day. Just say, "I love you Jesus. Here's my heart. My heart belongs to you". But even if Peter's faith isn't solid yet, Peter is thoroughly Jewish. He was raised on the Shema. He had memorized, recited it, sung it, prayed it countless times. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6;4-5). The Shema was like a Jewish man's Social Security number! You memorized it and never forgot it. Every Jewish school boy knew it by heart. The Shema was the cornerstone of Israel's faith and life.

And now Jesus has cornered Peter with another miracle--a boatload of fish--and he is challenging Peter to give his final answer: Will you give me your heart? Will you welcome me into your life as your God (the way Thomas did a couple days earlier when he dropped to his knees and declared "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28). Will you love me the way that Moses called you to love the LORD your God with heart, soul, mind, and strength?

To this point, Peter's faith journey had been up and down, hot and cold, on and off, here and there. But Peter made his final decision and in the next chapter--Acts 1--Peter is born again. He's a different person. He stepped from the back to the front--out of the shadows into the light, off the beach and into the temple courts. When others were silent he spoke up. When risks were high, he went first. When others had ideas, Peter brought a fresh prophetic word. When Jesus was absent and the Spirit came on Pentecost, Peter (the fisherman) stepped up to speak like an OT scholar. And he never slowed down or turned back again. He was imprisoned for his faith and persecuted for his leadership. It didn't matter. He had been born again into a living hope. The Shema was no longer the cornerstone of his faith; he tells us in his first letter (chapter 2) that Jesus has become his cornerstone. The resurrected Jesus has given him an extreme personal makeover!

Just as an aside, this morning, have you ever challenged someone you care about to make up their mind about Jesus . . . to make a clear and final decision to take what they know about Jesus and, give Jesus their heart? Have you ever done that with your church-going mom or dad who really don't seem to love Jesus? With friends who attend church with you but are still giving their hearts to drugs, sex, and rock & roll. To children who come to church with you but have made money and making more of it the center of their lives.

I clearly remember being a young teenager riding with youth group friends in the back seat of Bob Rudolph's car. Bob was one of our youth group leaders. He was taking us to some kind of a fun activity up north, I think. My best friends and I were in the back seat, talking trash--about girls, about each other . . . talking trash like anybody you might meet anywhere, from bars to factory floors. Bob turned around with real anger in his eyes and calmly asked us some razor sharp questions. At first I could feel that my face was hot; I was offended. i was the pastors' son, after all. But as Bob drove on and we sat in back seat silently for the rest of the trip, I felt like I had been cut to the heart. "Are any of you really Christians?", he asked. Are any of you really following Jesus? Are you sure that you really even know him? Because sitting up here watching you in the rear-view mirror and listening to this garbage, I don't see any evidence that you've given Jesus your hearts".

That hurt! But friends, I'm here today because Bob Rudolph had the courage to speak up to his pastors' kid and put a fork in my road . . . just like Jesus did for Peter. Someday I'm going to walk right up to Bob Rudolph in heaven and tell him, "Thanks for having the courage to call me on my faith. The shallowness of my spirituality became crystal clear to me. You saved my life"

Speaking of heaven . . . that's where Peter's mind goes next as he describes his living hope. READ vv. 3-6 again. As far as we know, Peter's decision to give Jesus his heart didn't have a great economic impact on his circumstances. He continued to live his life amidst third world economic realities--subsistence living, travel on foot, no savings or retirement, no dental or medical insurance. But his imagination was captured by the promise of an inheritance he was going to receive.

Later in his first letter, Peter will write, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have" (3:15). Peter's hope was anchored in his inheritance . . . and we're not talking about his parents' or in-laws' estates--his father's fishing boat or his father-in-law's farm. He tells us that his present pressures, disappointments and frustrations, couldn't rob him of his confident expectation All that belongs to his Father in Heaven, all that Jesus has purchased through his death on a cross, all that the richest of the rich in the world enjoy will someday be his. Peter could suffer all kinds of pain and setbacks; he had grace and peace in abundance (v. 2). Why, his inheritance can't be touched by the government, stolen by the stock market, or tarnished by time. All that his father owns and all that his savior has purchased will someday be his!

Like a lot of older people, Peter thought about the future and the end of this life. He may have had some idea that his life was going to come to an end sooner rather than later. Maybe the Spirit told him, as the Spirit told Paul, that he was going to Rome. Peter was ready to go to Rome and to go to heaven. Nero will have him crucified, just like Jesus, in only a few years after he wrote this letter. But all that is coming is overshadowed by the thought of this inheritance. Let's look at a few of the details.

Peter expects, first of all, to be celebrated and feasted by God himself (v. 7). Of course, in the final day, we'll all say we owe it all to Jesus, that all glory goes to Jesus. But on that first day in heaven, we will be treated like returning war heroes . . . by God himself and all his holy angels, the elders and that great multitude of witnesses that have gone before us. Jesus told Peter face-to-face that he was return to heaven to prepare a home for Peter (John 14:1-2). Isaiah said that he saw God himself preparing a great banquet for his people. Whatever is yet to come in this life, Peter tells us in his second letter that he is looking forward to "a rich welcome into Jesus eternal kingdom" (1:11), with great pomp and circumstance. At that moment, he will be crowned a victor with "an unfading crown of glory" (I Peter 5:4). Wow. Now that's cool. There's some hope in that vision!

And at that moment, every hope promised us by God in Scripture will be realized. Every seed of hope planted in our hearts by the Gospel will blossom. Every whisper of hope spoken faintly by the Lord Jesus himself in his stories and parables and kindness toward strugglers will become a like the roaring, shouting, singing of multitudes of generations of those who've gone before and welcoming us home, shouting, "It's true, it's all true, and he's giving it you to you right now without measure!

You won't just see your hopes realized--like mansions and lawns and gardens and table spread out before you. You won't just hear it like listening bands or choirs, waterfalls and cheering, or thousands of happy conversations all going on at once. You'll feel something happen inside you. In his second letter, Peter says that the Morning Star will rise in your hearts (1:19). In any long night of difficulty, the rising of the morning start, just before down is a sign of hope. After studying all night for college exams, driving through the night to visit a friend, waiting all night at the hospital, or tossing and turning all night with worry, there is nothing like the sight of the morning star. It announced that change is coming. Something may be different when the sun rises. But this is more than the rising of the Venus in the eastern sky just before dawn. Peter expects to feel the morning star rising within his body. What could he mean?

The hope you now cling to--sometimes in desperation--will literally begin to fill you from the inside out. Who knows; you may literally begin to glow with hope fulfilled. Think of all the things that fill you now--doubts and dark moods, voices that call to you from the past and remind you of your failures and weaknesses. Think of the weariness that often weighs you down or the fear that you're being passed by. Think of the attitudes that you really have to work hard to subdue, the anger that seems to erupt and wound those you say you love the most.

In a moment, that will all begin to change. Deep within the dark mixture of your faith and doubt, your humanity and spiritual vitality, your holiness and sinfulness, your love and your fear, a light will begin to glow. Hope itself--no longer something outside you, something you reach for and hang on to. But hope like a morning star, rising within you. You'll feel the warmth. . . the sense of safety and security, the anticipation and complete peace. You'll know, deep within you, that all fear and suffering ,sin and shame, guilt and loss is now behind you. You'll feel the change spreading through your bones, down your limbs, filling your heart and your head (right down to your toes) until you are completely, everlastingly, filled by the tingling warmth of hope. Pure hope--not just brightening your smile, but streaming out of your body. The Apostle Paul says it this way, "Listen, I tell you a mystery . . . we will all be changed" (I Corinthians 15:51). You'll look down at your body in amazement and, then you'll look up at him with more gratitude than you've ever felt before. And that will be just the beginning. You'll be forever grateful that you decided to trust and obey him now. These present stresses and irritations and frustrations will seem like nothing compared to the hope that is going to fill you forever.

CONCLUSION: Have you been born again into a living hope? Are you ready now to make the big decision to give Jesus your heart? The same inheritance promised Peter can become yours.

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