Sunday message · Jesus Changes Everything series
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Message Summary
In the second message of the Jesus Changes Everything series, Pastor Phillip Santillan turns to 1 Peter 1:3–16 to show that Jesus is our living hope. Phil notes that the printing press made its greatest impact decades after its invention, when William Tyndale’s New Testament let ordinary readers open the Scriptures and share the gospel of 1 Corinthians 15:3–8: Christ died for our sins, was buried, was raised on the third day and was seen by many.
After the resurrection the gospel spread like wildfire, but under Nero believers were killed for their faith, and many fled. To these scattered Christians Peter wrote that God has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus. This is not motivational rhetoric or a promise that life will get better. Peter acknowledges their grief in trials that refine their faith like gold, and in verse 13 tells them to set their hope completely on the grace coming at the revelation of Jesus Christ, and to be holy as God is holy. Phil recalls older believers from his youth who longed to see Jesus, a longing he now sees as a mark of maturity.
Not everyone goes to heaven, Phil says; the gospel is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). Citing Milton Vincent’s A Gospel Primer for Christians, he explains that God gives us the gospel not just for conversion but every day; that is how Jesus changes us. So he teaches how to preach the gospel to ourselves through four themes of God’s story: creation, separation, promise, and rescue and restoration. In Genesis 3 the serpent twisted each into a lie: we are gods defined by what we do, God is holding us back, freedom comes from distrusting him, and we can save ourselves. The gospel answers that we are made in God’s image, that our sin is the problem, that God alone can be trusted, and that only he can rescue us and restore the world when King Jesus returns.
Everyone preaches some gospel to themselves, Phil says, whether of image, happiness or control. The gospel of control says I should be master of my fate, others cause my problems, and my hope lies in avoiding anyone who challenges my rule. The true gospel answers that God is in control and we find freedom in that; the problem starts with us, as James writes; at the cross, when God seemed least in control, he was completely in control; and one day he will restore all things, with no more tears, sickness or death.
Recalibrating life through the gospel takes discipline, but we have God’s Spirit and a spiritual family to build us up, in community where Scripture is discussed and people are held accountable. Phil asks each person to name one area of life, such as a relationship, job, identity or personal struggle, that needs more of a gospel perspective this week. If nothing comes to mind, they can ask someone who loves Jesus and will tell them the truth.
