Title: The Church, the Hope of the World
As we start a new year, our reality is facing a major political and social crisis. Today's national crisis and economic downturn lies in the spiritual and ethical corruption of this country, which is due to the failure of leaders of all walks of life in politics, economy, and society to fulfill their responsibilities. We need to realize that there is a root cause for the church that needs to be strengthened because it failed to fulfill its mission of salt and light. But in the midst of these realities, we still have hope. Hope transcends the desperate circumstances of life and makes us look forward to a new reality and future.
I. THE CHURCH TURNING THE WORLD
We call 1 Peter the epistle of hope. In particular, 1 Peter 2:9 begins with the words, “But you.” Here, 'but' is a conjunction and means inversion. The world that disobeyed and denied Jesus Christ, who was the cornerstone, had no choice but to fall (2:8). ‘But you’ are saying that you must not pass over even if this fallen and fallen world tries to kill our saints (2:1). This is the true excellence of the church and the vision of the Church of God.
II. So, what is the church?
III. The ministry of the church is the hope of the world.
The church is ① the church that proclaims (late verse 9). What the church will proclaim is God’s ‘beautiful virtue’. Here, ‘beautiful virtue’ refers to God’s disposition. ㉮ We must declare that we have called out those who lived in darkness. ㉯You must declare that you have entered into his marvelous light and enjoyed the joy and thrill of salvation. ② The church that bears witness through life (Saints-12). ㉮ As a citizen, we must inspire them and lead them to God through righteous deeds (verses 16-17). ㉯ Even in the relationship between master and slave, we must show holiness to lead each other to God (verses 18-20). ㉰The life of a wife and husband in the family should be done with obedience and cherished love (3:1-7). Whether women or men, slaves or masters, through their lives you must make the world ask “the reason for the hope that is in you” (3:15) and make them glorify God. Therefore, the saints, that is, the church, are the hope of the world.
closing words.
The Apostle Peter is also saying that the church should show that the church is the hope of the world through internal order. ① Love one another passionately among the saints (4:8) ② Treat each other without grumbling (4:9). ③ When speaking or serving, speak as if you were speaking, and as if by the power of God (4:11). ④ Do not take an assertive stance, but set an example for the flock (5:3). ⑤ Leaders and leaders should be humble toward one another as servants (5:5). When the church shows a different image from the world, when it sees our goodness and gives glory to God (2:12), the church becomes the hope of the world. I earnestly wish in the name of the Lord to become a church.