Christ, Our Living Hope | Pastor Adeola Ogundele | 1 Peter 1:1-5

In this sermon, Pastor Adeola highlighted the timeless relevance of Peter’s letter to Gentile churches under Roman persecution, noting its direct application to believers dispersed worldwide today, particularly the church in Nigeria. Peter used Old Testament titles to affirm these Gentile Christians as God’s elect, chosen by divine wisdom for a life in Christ, despite pressures from Judaizers insisting they first become Jews. Amid trials and persecution, which could lead to identity doubts, Peter anchored their confidence in God’s sovereign election, reminding them that obedience to Jesus naturally invites persecution, whether external loss or internal temptation to deny Him.

True faith ends in worship, not mere intellectual assent and winning arguments. Pastor Adeola urged believers to contemplate God’s greatness daily, turning Scripture reading into prayer and humble adoration of the living Christ. He contrasted fleeting worldly hope, tied to uncertain externals, with the certain, living hope rooted in Christ’s resurrection. Jesus bore our sins and through His victory, we inherit an imperishable, undefiled, and unfading reward kept secure in heaven. Earthly trials and persecution, permitted by God, deepen trust in this eternal inheritance, where even a single moment in glory will eclipse all earthly suffering for His sake.

Our perseverance is not self-sustained but guaranteed by God’s keeping power. We cannot resist Satan alone; Christ’s intercession and divine attributes ensure our safe arrival in heaven, even using persecution for our good. Pastor Adeola closed by reminding us that God Himself is our ultimate portion and man’s chief aim is to know and enjoy Him forever. Our prayer should be that the gospel remains precious and love for Christ grows ever deeper.