Series Details
When life hurts, where do you go for comfort? When dreams fade, how do you re-ignite hope’s flame?
In Hope Again, Pastor Chuck Swindoll draws wisdom from 1 Peter to reveal God’s purpose in suffering, God’s way through failure, and God’s hope despite life’s disappointments.
Peter didn’t promise a pain-free life. But he did promise one invaluable gift . . . hope! Join Pastor Chuck Swindoll for this 17-part series on 1 Peter as he shows that believers in Jesus Christ have every reason to persevere because God is at work even in their suffering.
Where do you go for comfort when life hurts? How do you reignite the flame of hope when your dreams begin to fade? In this 17-part series, Chuck Swindoll explores the book of 1 Peter to reveal God’s profound purpose in our suffering and His pathway through our failures. Peter, a man who experienced both extreme courage and shocking failure, writes to believers as a fellow-sufferer. He doesn’t promise a pain-free life, but he does offer something far more valuable: a living hope grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Learn why Christians should not be surprised by trials and how to realign your expectations with God’s eternal perspective.
Hope Beyond Failure: The Broken Man Behind the Book
Sermon Summary Peter was a man of extremes—from stirred courage to profound restitution. This message introduces the “broken man” who wrote this epistle. We explore Peter’s background, including his fishing roots and his dramatic failures, to understand why he is the perfect messenger for a letter on hope. We learn that our failures do not define us; instead, God uses our brokenness to prepare us to comfort others who are hurting.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Character of Peter: Understanding the transformation from a fisherman to an apostle of hope.
- Hope Through Restoration: How God uses our past failures to build future ministry.
Hope Beyond Suffering: How We Can Smile Through Suffering
Sermon Summary Suffering is an inevitable part of the Christian journey, but it doesn’t have to steal our joy. This message examines the opening verses of 1 Peter, highlighting the “living hope” we have through the resurrection. Chuck discusses how an eternal perspective allows us to “smile” even in the midst of various trials, knowing that our inheritance is imperishable and undefiled, kept in heaven for us.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Living Hope: Defining the foundation of Christian resilience.
- Refining Faith: Seeing trials as the “fire” that proves the genuineness of our faith.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 1 Peter 1:1–9
Hope Beyond Temptation: Staying Clean in a Corrupt Society
Sermon Summary Living as “sojourners” in a corrupt society presents constant temptations to return to our old ways. This message focuses on the call to holiness. We learn that hope provides the motivation to stay morally clean, as we prepare our minds for action and set our hope fully on the grace to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Key Facts & Themes
- Girding Up the Mind: The mental discipline required for moral purity.
- Holy Living: Reflecting the character of God in a pagan world.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 1 Peter 1:13–21
Hope Beyond Unfairness: Pressing On Even Though Ripped Off
Sermon Summary Few things test our hope like being treated unfairly. This message addresses how to respond when we are “ripped off” or mistreated. By looking at the example of Christ, who committed no sin yet suffered unjustly, we find a model for pressing on. We learn that submitting to authority and enduring grief for the sake of conscience toward God is a form of worship that brings hope to light.
Key Facts & Themes
- Following Christ’s Steps: Embracing the “unjust” path with a godly attitude.
- Submission as Witness: How our response to unfairness speaks to a watching world.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 1 Peter 2:18–25
Hope Beyond Bitterness: When Life “Just Ain’t Fair”
Sermon Summary When life is chronically unfair, bitterness often takes root. This message focuses on trading a spirit of retaliation for a spirit of blessing. Chuck discusses the practical steps to guard our tongues from evil and our hearts from malice. We discover that the key to hope beyond bitterness is seeking peace and pursuing it, even when our circumstances invite us to do the opposite.
Key Facts & Themes
- Guarding the Tongue: The connection between our speech and our internal peace.
- The Blessing Response: Choosing to bless those who wrong us as a means of personal healing.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 1 Peter 3:8–17
Hope Beyond the Culture: How to Shock the Pagan Crowd
Sermon Summary Believers are called to live such distinct lives that the pagan crowd is “shocked.” This message explores the contrast between our former lives in the flesh and our new lives in the Spirit. By refusing to join in the “dissipation” of the culture, we highlight the beauty of the Gospel. Chuck encourages us to use our remaining time for the will of God, rather than for human lusts.
Key Facts & Themes
- Distinct Living: The power of a transformed lifestyle to convict others.
- The End of All Things: How the nearness of Christ’s return affects our daily choices.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 1 Peter 4:1–11
Hope Beyond Our Trials: “When Through Fiery Trials . . .”
Sermon Summary We are told not to be surprised by the “fiery ordeal” that comes for our testing. This message helps us reframe our trials not as accidents, but as opportunities to share in the sufferings of Christ. We learn that there is a special “spirit of glory” that rests upon those who suffer for the name of Jesus, giving us hope that transcends the heat of the fire.
Key Facts & Themes
- Rejoicing in Trials: Finding purpose in the midst of the ordeal.
- Entrusting the Soul: The ultimate act of faith during a crisis.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 1 Peter 4:12–19
Hope Beyond the Battle: Standing Nose-to-Nose with the Adversary
Sermon Summary The series concludes with a warning about our adversary, the devil, who prowls like a roaring lion. This message provides the “marching orders” for standing firm in the faith. Chuck discusses the importance of being sober-minded and alert, casting our cares on God while resisting the enemy’s attacks. We find final hope in the promise that after we have suffered a little while, the God of all grace will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us.
Key Facts & Themes
- Spiritual Vigilance: Recognizing and resisting the schemes of the enemy.
- The Promise of Restoration: God’s personal commitment to the believer’s stability.
Primary Scripture Reference
- 1 Peter 5:6–11
