What follows is a very long lesson I prepared recently on HOPE, one of the three eternal virtues described in 1 Corinthians 13.
My hope for you, is that you will find something good and instructive from God's Word, and that you will be encouraged in your HOPE. If you do not have this true hope, perhaps you need to seriously consider God's Word and the GRACE & LOVE & HOPE contained for you therein.
--------------
What is the state of the world all around us?? Stress. Anxiety. Depression. Despondancy. War. Terrorism. Job Stress. Jobs moving overseas to India, China, and Mexico, and other places. Economic Changes. Markets are Up and Down. Housing Markets and Housing Costs are high, unpredictable, and volatile. Marital Stress. Divorce, over half of all marriages end in divorce now. Broken homes are the new norm. Children with problems. Rebellion. Promiscuity. Molestation. Abduction. Drug Abuse. Crime.
We have more and more news that is evil, dwelling on each and every evil detail for months on end. Each evil and titillating detail they can drudge up. Scott Peterson. OJ Simpson. And the list goes on and on…
This is the worlds view. Those in the world look outside themselves, and life is good for us if we have no problems, …or if all the things going on outside and around us are good and trouble free. We think if we only have enough money, and if we have all the things we want, and if we have money enough to cover all our problems, then, we will have no problems and life will be good and we will enjoy it.
WebMD states that An estimated 19 million American adults are living with major depression.
And Wikipedia says that:
My hope for you, is that you will find something good and instructive from God's Word, and that you will be encouraged in your HOPE. If you do not have this true hope, perhaps you need to seriously consider God's Word and the GRACE & LOVE & HOPE contained for you therein.
--------------
What is the state of the world all around us?? Stress. Anxiety. Depression. Despondancy. War. Terrorism. Job Stress. Jobs moving overseas to India, China, and Mexico, and other places. Economic Changes. Markets are Up and Down. Housing Markets and Housing Costs are high, unpredictable, and volatile. Marital Stress. Divorce, over half of all marriages end in divorce now. Broken homes are the new norm. Children with problems. Rebellion. Promiscuity. Molestation. Abduction. Drug Abuse. Crime.
We have more and more news that is evil, dwelling on each and every evil detail for months on end. Each evil and titillating detail they can drudge up. Scott Peterson. OJ Simpson. And the list goes on and on…
This is the worlds view. Those in the world look outside themselves, and life is good for us if we have no problems, …or if all the things going on outside and around us are good and trouble free. We think if we only have enough money, and if we have all the things we want, and if we have money enough to cover all our problems, then, we will have no problems and life will be good and we will enjoy it.
WebMD states that An estimated 19 million American adults are living with major depression.
And Wikipedia says that:
In the United Kingdom the use of antidepressants increased by 234% in the 10 years up to 2002.[22] In the United States a 2005 independent report stated that 11% of women and 5% of men in the non-Insitutionalised population (2002) now take antidepressants. A 2007 study purports that 25% of Americans were overdiagnosed with depression, regardless of any medical intervention.[25] the findings were based on a national survey of 8,098 people. Surveys indicate that antidepressant use, …has increased rapidly in most developed countries, driven by an increased awareness of depression together with the availability and commercial promotion of new antidepressants.
We can see for ourselves by looking at those in the world that many have no hope, and they are both stressed and depressed over life and life’s struggles.
What does the bible say about those in the world? Do they have HOPE?
Ephesians 2:11-12
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.
And again in 1 Thessalonians 4:13
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
God concludes in these two passages that those who are in the world have no hope.
By contrast the Christian has hope.
The word 'hope' (Gr., elpis)...
a. Means "a confident desire and expectation"
b. Hope is closely aligned with the word 'faith' - See Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:1
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
"Hope" is the happy combination of desire plus expectation. Many of us desire things we never expect and most of us expect things we never desire. Hope, however, is the combination of desire and expectation. In this lesson we will discuss how the bible describes the Christian’s hope, and learn about it, meditate on it, and hopefully understand how we can get through anything we have to in this life.
In the bible we learn that Hope is one of the three eternal virtues…
1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
In Romans 12:9-20 (esp 12) we learn that the Christian is to REJOICE IN HOPE! This is a common theme where the bible talks about hope!
9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
In the passage where God discusses the “ones” of our faith (on Lord, One Faith, One Baptism,…)
The Lord has given his people "one hope" (Eph. 4:4-6)
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
In 1 Thesalonians 5 our “Hope of Salvation” is described as part of the Christians armor – “our helmet”, in fact protecting our life and our head.
1 Thesalonians 5:4-11
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
This “One Hope” as it is called in Ephesians is described in Hebrews as the "anchor of the soul" (Heb. 6:19).
Hebrews 6:13-20
For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
[comment inserted here:"By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord" (Gen. 22:16)]
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
This sure and steadfast hope enables us to persevere in the midst of adversity.
We who are Christians are heirs of that promise - a promise from God confirmed by an oath.
The certainty of its being fulfilled rests on two immutable things:
(a) God's promise and
(b) God's oath.
God cannot lie (Tit. 1:2). Hence, we have grounds for our hope - the immutable word of God.
Titus 1:1-3
“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, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;”
Parents were exhorted to teach their children the Lord's commandments "that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments" (Psa. 78:7)
and in Romans 15:4 it is written “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
In the midst of life's uncertainties, there is only one fixed, immutable thing to which we can tie our hopes – God, His Word and the Promises therein! All else may fail us before life is over.
As Christians we are not guaranteed a wonderful and problem-free life on this earth.
Listen to Paul describe his circumstances and the circumstances of the apostles in these passages:
Paul was going through many trials and difficult times, yet was anchored in this hope when he wrote these. By these statements we learn that our hope does not center on what circumstances happen to us on the outside in our lives. They are not the product of a stress-free life, or a charmed, and blessed life free from problems.:
2 Corinthians 11:23-29
“…in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?”
1 Corinthians 4:8-16
8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! 9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. 14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.
2 Corinthians 7:5-6
For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.
Listen how Paul describes dealing with these awful and trying circumstances…
2 Corinthians 4:8-18
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Here we see Paul dealing with all kinds of troubles, afflictions, hardships, etc. Yet we see how the hope and eternal view he expresses in 1 Cor 4 renews his inward man day by day.
Back in the passage in Hebrews 6, God describes hope as the anchor of the soul.
The metaphor compares the Christian to a boat on the sea; the Christian is on the sea of life. There are storms which threaten to drive his ship from its port - the storms of persecution, adversity, doubt, death, etc. Just as the boat's anchor reaches down to the bottom of the ocean and out of sight, the Christian's anchor ascends out of sight into heaven where it is there fixed.
To serve any purpose, an anchor must hold. It must be "sure and steadfast." When sailors cast out an anchor, they want it to take hold on the bottom of the sea to prevent drifting, to keep them from being driven upon rocks which might destroy their ship. The Christian's hope also must be "sure and steadfast." It must hold.
A Christian's hope serves to give him stability in the midst of the storm. During the storm, his ship may drift a little, but the fixed anchor will bring him back to his moorings. I have witnessed hope sustaining Christian’s during the storm. I have seen Christians struggle with illness, loss, death, and the death of a beloved child. In the midst of conflict, a Christian with fixed and rooted hope will stay faithful to God.
In 2 Thesalonians we learn that we have an everlasting consolation and a good hope
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
In Romans 15 God is called the “God of Hope….” ….That we may abound in hope!!
Romans 15:12,13
“And again, Isaiah says:
“ There shall be a root of Jesse; (SPEAKING OF JESUS)
And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
JESUS CHRIST OUR HOPE
1 Timothy 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
In reference to Jesus Christ, Paul uses a title which is very unique in the New Testament...
a. He calls Jesus "our hope" - 1 Ti 1:1
b. Nowhere else is Jesus so described, other than in Co 1:27
Yet it came to be a precious title used by some in the early church...
a. "Be of good cheer in God the Father and in Jesus Christ our common hope" - Ignatius, To The Ephesians 21:2
b. "Let us therefore persevere in our hope and the earnest of our righteousness, who is Jesus Christ." - Epistle of Polycarp 8
Colossians 1:24-29
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
1 Peter 1:3-ff
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
We learn here that the hope we have should be apparent to others in the world around us!!! 1 Peter 3:13-15
And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
HOPE PURIFIES US….
1 John 3:1-3
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
Titus 2:11-15
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Hebrews 3:1-6
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
HOPE IN RESSURECTION
In Acts 23:6 Paul cried out in the council that he was being judged concerning “the Hope and Resurrection of the dead”.
Hebrews 9:29-28
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
There is a danger that we as Christians (like those in the world) can share the same view that *this* world and life is the time and place where we should be blessed with life and health and money and no problems or pain. No illness. No death. No strife. No worries. Yet we read in Revelations that that life is the one yet to come. We live here today in a cursed world, full of sickness, pain, death, living with pain in childbirth, and by the sweat of our brow. A world full of sin and evil and sinners with free will and capacity to hurt others. We read in Revelations 21 about a Christian’s hope for a trouble-free life, but it is not here in this life and in this place….
HOPE IN HEAVEN
Revelation 21:3-4
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
And we read in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “ O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Colossians 1:3-5
3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 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,
Hebrews 10:19-25
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:32-39
But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “ For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”
But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
WE HAVE A HOPE LAID UP IN HEAVEN
Colosians 1:3-5
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 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,
WE HAVE HOPE BECAUSE WE HAVE JESUS AS OUR INTERCESSOR
Hebrews 7:22-25
by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
WE HAVE HOPE BECAUSE THE SPIRIT INTERCEDES FOR US
WE HAVE HOPE BECAUSE IF GOD IS FOR US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US
WE HAVE HOPE BECAUSE THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR OUR GOOD
Romans 8:14-39
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 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? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[a] with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “ For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
WE HAVE HOPE IN TEMPTATION
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
WE HAVE HOPE IN PRAYER TO A GOD WHO CARES FOR US WHEN WE HAVE TROUBLES AND CARES!
1 Peter 5:7
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
WE HAVE HOPE IN THE WONDER OF GOD’S GOODNESS TOWARDS US
1 Corinthians 2:9
“ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
----------------------------
Summary (OUR HOPE):
Living – 1 Peter 1:3
Blessed – Titus 2:13
Good - 2 Thess 2:16
Better - Heb 7:19
Sure and Steadfast - Heb 6:19
One of the great virtues - 1 Cor 13:13
(OUR HOPE) Produces:
Purity
- 1 John 3:3
Patience
- Romans 8:25
Courage
- Romans 5:4,5
Joy
- Romans 12:12
Salvation
- Romans 8:23
Assurance
- Heb 6:18,19
Stability
- Colosians 1:23
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.
Source of Our Hope:
God’s Word
- Psalms 119:42-81
- Romans 15:4
God’s Promises
- Acts 26:6,7
- Titus 1:2
Christ
- Colosians 1:27
- 1 Timothy 1:1
---------------------
And how does the bible describe those who trust in the world and those who trust in God?
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.
Lamentations 3:20-26
20 My soul still remembers
And sinks within me.
21 This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord.
----------------------------------------------------
Psalm 33:13-22
1 Corinthians 10:13
13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
WE HAVE HOPE IN PRAYER TO A GOD WHO CARES FOR US WHEN WE HAVE TROUBLES AND CARES!
1 Peter 5:7
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
WE HAVE HOPE IN THE WONDER OF GOD’S GOODNESS TOWARDS US
1 Corinthians 2:9
“ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
----------------------------
Summary (OUR HOPE):
Living – 1 Peter 1:3
Blessed – Titus 2:13
Good - 2 Thess 2:16
Better - Heb 7:19
Sure and Steadfast - Heb 6:19
One of the great virtues - 1 Cor 13:13
(OUR HOPE) Produces:
Purity
- 1 John 3:3
Patience
- Romans 8:25
Courage
- Romans 5:4,5
Joy
- Romans 12:12
Salvation
- Romans 8:23
Assurance
- Heb 6:18,19
Stability
- Colosians 1:23
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.
Source of Our Hope:
God’s Word
- Psalms 119:42-81
- Romans 15:4
God’s Promises
- Acts 26:6,7
- Titus 1:2
Christ
- Colosians 1:27
- 1 Timothy 1:1
---------------------
And how does the bible describe those who trust in the world and those who trust in God?
Jeremiah 17:5-10
Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord.
For he shall be like a shrub in the desert,
And shall not see when good comes,
But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,
In a salt land which is not inhabited.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.
Lamentations 3:20-26
20 My soul still remembers
And sinks within me.
21 This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the Lord.
----------------------------------------------------
Psalm 33:13-22
The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
He sees all the sons of men.
From the place of His dwelling He looks
On all the inhabitants of the earth;
On all the inhabitants of the earth;
He fashions their hearts individually;
He considers all their works.
He considers all their works.
No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for safety;
Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
- Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You.
Psalm 38:15For in You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.
Psalm 39:7“And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.
Psalm 42:5,Psalm 42:11 - Psalm 43:5
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.
Psalm 71:5For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.
Psalm 71:14But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.
Psalm 78:7That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments;
Psalm 119:43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
Psalm 119:49Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope.
Psalm 119:74Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word.
Psalm 119:81My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word.
Psalm 119:114You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
Psalm 119:116Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
Psalm 119:147I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word.
Psalm 119:166LORD, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments.
Psalm 130:5I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope.
Psalm 130:7O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is mercy, And with Him is abundant redemption.
Psalm 131:3O Israel, hope in the LORD From this time forth and forever.
Psalm 146:5Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
Psalm 147:11The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.
Proverbs 10:28The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish.
Our Hope is in God:
Our Hope is in Jesus:
Our Hope is in God’s Word, God’s Plan, and God’s Promises:
Our Hope is in God’s Boundless Love for His Children…
God is Almighty – nothing is too hard for Him
God Loves us – Nothing can separate us from that Love & our Father and Jesus has gone to prepared a place for us so that we can be with Him. Every good and perfect gift descends from our Father in Heaven.
God Knows all things – No surprises, though we don’t understand, He has a plan
God is Eternal and Timeless – He knows the end & outcome before we even get there
God Did not spare his only begotten Son in order to save us
God Defends us and Protects us
God …Mediates for us (Jesus and the Holy Spirit)
He made us His Children, and gave us a spirit that cries out ABBA, Father (or Daddy)
He created us in His image, and planned for us to be conformed to the image of Christ – and transformed
He predestined us with an eternal purpose, before creation
