Introduction The Christian s Hope In Christ The hope we have in Christ stabilizes us in this life ultimately fulfilled in eternal life Devastating words at times of illness or other crises are There s no hope. The Christian s hope is unique because it is not dependent on earthly conditions but on the perfect character and work of God in Christ Fatalism and irrational optimism dominate the thinking of those whose hope is not in Christ 2 Introduction Our hope in Christ is based on reasonable evidence from the Word of God This hope helps us to be saved, overcome the trials of this life, be changed into Christ s image and be raised to eternal life Apart from Christ, we have no true hope Even if all goes the opposite of what we desire, our hope in Christ can anchor us because it is based on the promises and actions of God now and in the future 3 The Christian's Hope In Christ 1. What is hope? 2. What is the basis of our hope in Christ? 3. What are the consequences of living without hope in Christ? 4. For what things do we hope for in Christ? 4 What Is Hope? OT view - "...expectation of good...linked with trust and yearning...it is not our own projection, but confidence in what God will do... NT view - "When fixed on God, hope embraces expectation, trust and patient waiting." Kittle's Theological Dictionary of NT Words, Abridged, pp. 230-31) 5 What Is Hope? Hope is desiring and expecting things in the future Rom 8:24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? Rom 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. 6
What Is The Basis Of Our Hope Not feelings from within Not blind acceptance without deeply believing what is written Hope is based on written confirmed evidence that the Bible is the Word of God and Jesus is the Son of God Fulfilled prophesies eyewitness testimony and miracles God has spoken of His actions in the past and will act in the future 7 Hope Tied Closely To Faith Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 8 What Is The Basis Of Our Hope Rom 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 1Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope, What Is The Basis Of Our Hope 1Co 15:1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 1Co 15:2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 9 10 What Is The Basis Of Our Hope 1Co 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 1Co 15:4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1Co 15:5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. What Is The Basis Of Our Hope 1Co 15:6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 1Co 15:7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; 1Co 15:8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 11 12
What Is The Basis Of Our Hope Act 2:43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 2Co 12:12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles. Be Ready and Able To Tell Others About The Hope We Have In Christ 1Pe 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 13 14 What Are The Consequences Of Living Without Hope Those outside of Christ have no hope of being saved from sin Those outside of Christ have no hope of eternal life Without the grace of God, we stand condemned for our sins awaiting the eternal wrath to come 15 What Are The Consequences Of Living Without Hope 1Co 15:12 Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 1Co 15:13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 1Co 15:14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 16 What Are The Consequences Of Living Without Hope 1Co 15:15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 1Co 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 1Co 15:17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in What Are The Consequences Of Living Without Hope 1Co 15:18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 1Co 15:19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. 1Co 15:20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 1Co 15:21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the your sins. 17 18 dead.
What Are The Consequences Of Living Without Hope Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1Pe 1:17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 1Pe 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 20 1Pe 1:19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 1Pe 1:20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 1Pe 1:21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope Act 2:36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified." Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" are in God. 21 22 Act 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Act 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. Act 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Act 8:22 "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 24
1Th 5:8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 1Th 5:9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 1Th 5:10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together Joh 14:1 "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. Joh 14:2 "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. Joh 14:3 "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be with Him. 25 also. 26 Joh 14:4 "And you know the way where I am going." Joh 14:5 Thomas *said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" Joh 14:6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. The Christian's Hope In Christ 1. What is hope? 2. What is the basis of our hope in Christ? 3. What are the consequences of living without hope in Christ? 4. For what things do we hope for in Christ? 27 28 We Hope To Become Like Christ Col 1:27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. We Hope To Become Like Christ Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 29 30
We Hope To Become Like Christ 1Jn 3:1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him We Hope To Become Like Christ 1Jn 3:3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. just as He is. 31 32 Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Rom 5:2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 33 Rom 5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; Rom 5:4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; Rom 5:5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 34 Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Rom 8:19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. Rom 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who Rom 8:21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. subjected it, in hope 35 36
Rom 8:23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. Rom 8:24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? Rom 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Rom 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 37 38 Rom 8:27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 39 Rom 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; Rom 8:30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 40 Rom 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Rom 8:33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; Rom 8:34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Rom 8:35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 41 42
Rom 8:36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." Rom 8:37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. Rom 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, Rom 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 43 44 We Hope To Be Resurrected To Be With Christ 1Th 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. We Hope To Be Resurrected To Be With Christ 1Th 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 1Th 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 45 46 We Hope To Be Resurrected To Be With Christ 1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 1Th 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. We Hope To Receive An Eternal Glorious Inheritance 1Co 15:50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 47 48
We Hope To Receive An Eternal Glorious Inheritance 1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1Pe 1:4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, We Hope To Receive An Eternal Glorious Inheritance 1Pe 1:5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 49 50 We Hope To Receive An Eternal Glorious Inheritance Rev 21:4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." Rev 21:27 and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. 51 We Hope To Receive An Eternal Glorious Inheritance Rev 22:3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; Rev 22:4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 52 Our Hope In Christ Should Stabilize Through All Trials Heb 6:13 For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, Heb 6:14 saying, "I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU." Heb 6:15 And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. Our Hope In Christ Should Stabilize Through All Trials Heb 6:16 For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. Heb 6:17 In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, 53 54
Our Hope In Christ Should Stabilize Through All Trials Heb 6:18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. Heb 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, Our Hope In Christ Should Stabilize Through All Trials Heb 6:20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. 55 56 The Christian's Hope In Christ 1. What is hope? 2. What is the basis of our hope in Christ? 3. What are the consequences of living without hope in Christ? 4. For what things do we hope for in Christ? 57 We Must Become And Live As Christians To Have This Hope Act 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Act 8:22 "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 58