HOPE
Introduction:
1. Hope - a sustaining force in anyone's life.
a. School - 'hope' for summer vacation - graduation.
b. Job - pay raise / vacation / retirement
c. Sickness - recoverery
2. Christianity only amplifies this concept..
a. Titus 1:4 -
Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;
b. 2 Tim.
1. vs. 6-8, fight the good fight of faith à laid up a crown of righteousness --
2. vs. 16-18, defense alone à preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom…
3. DEFINED
a. earnest desire COUPLED WITH expectation --
b. Desire à 'wish', but not 'hope'
c. Expectation à can be 'dread' and fear and not hope --
1. THE OBJECT OF THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE
A. MANY false hopes -- based
upon false teachings and worldliness…
1. While Paul was preserved -- was THROUGH suffering, not FROM suffering…
2. EVEN apostles were subject to death / dying -- Heb. 9:27
3. While Jesus promised 'all these things' -- is interesting HOW God meets our needs
a. poverty - rather common among first Christians!
b. sharing even in such -- provided NEEDS -- but not the abundance of USA
c. 'not work' à not eat! 2 Thess. 3:10
B. OUR Hope is 'beyond' this
world -- 1 Cor. 15:19 --
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
C. HENCE -- the resurrection 1
Cor. 15:12-19
1. 1 Thess. 4:13ff
2. Acts 24:10-16 --
D. 2nd coming --
Titus 2:11f
E. Eternal LIFE - Titus 1:1-2
1. NOT eternal 'existence' -- for that will come to all,
2. NOT just a bodily resurrection -- all will be raised -- some to damnation
3. BUT QUALITY OF SUCH EXISTENCE -- WITH GOD….
F. HEAVEN -
1. Col. 1:5
5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,
2. NEW Heaven and earth - 2 Pet. 3:10-13
2. THE IMPORTANCE OF HOPE IN OUR LIVES
A. SAVED by hope - Rome. 8:23-24
23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
B. Anchors the Soul - Heb.
6:17f
1. Example of Abraham and the promise -- patiently endured -- God's oath…
2. strong consolation --,
3. 'enters within the veil' -- i.e., hope is based upon JESUS priesthood (death / sacrifice/ intercession)
C. Causes Purification of lives
-- 1 John 3:1ff
D. Motivates us to be able to
give an answer -- 1 Peter 3:13-16
1. sufferer FOR righteouesness --
2. suffer with a good conscience!
3. suffer while living a good manner of life --
4. BECAUSE - our hope is beyond THIS life --
3. THE BASIS OF SUCH HOPE
11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
1. IN OT à looking forward to the coming of the messiah
2. In NT à trusting in his saving death / coming again…
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.