INTRODUCTION: It is sad when a doctor comes into the waiting room to tell the anxious family of a desperately ill person that there is no hope! Hope is that expectation, that desire that keeps people going in seemingly impossible situations.

But many today feel that there is no hope in their live for improvement of their situations. Christians, however, have a real, lively, hope.

BODY

I. OUR HOPE IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT MOST CONSIDER HOPE

A. Most feel today that hope is not assurance.

1. Webster-"To desire with expectation or with belief in the possibility of obtaining."

2. We might "hope" for a new suit or new car.

B. But Bible hope carries with it ASSURANCE, based on evidence, not a blind leap.

1. The definition of the Greek word for hope according to several respected Greek scholars.

a. W. E. Vine- "a favorable and confident expectation." ( Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, age 572)

b. Joseph Thayer- "...joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation:" (Thayer Greek English Lexicon, Page 205)

c. Hope is "...always the confident, sure expectation of divine saving actions.", New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, vol. 2, page 243)

2. New Testament hope, when speaking of spiritual things, in never some vague wish, but is a sure expectation of the truth of the unseen.

a. 2 Timothy 1:12 - For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

b. Titus 1:1 - 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,

c. Hebrews 3:6 - 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.

d. 1 John 5:13 - These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

 

A. Our hope is a living hope.

1. Colossians 1:27 - 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.

2. 1 Peter 1:3 - 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,

3. Our hope is not centered in a dead man, such as Buddha, Mohammed, or Moses.

4. The old hymn we sing sums up this principle- "My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' blood and righteousness."

B. Our hope is not in vain because of Christ's resurrection.

1. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 Many witnesses

2. I Corinthians 15:17-20
 
 

A. Hope of salvation.

1. Colossians 1:5 - 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. Hebrews 6:18, 19 - 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. 19 - This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,

B. We have hope of the resurrection of the Dead.

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

2. 1 John 3:2,3 - 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. 3 - And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

A. All can have it if they submit to Christ

1. Matthew 11:28-30

2. Revelation 22:17 - And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

B. The only lasting hope is found in Christ.

1. John 14:6

C. Outside of Christ is not hope!

1. Just like when the last lifeboat left the Titanic.

Copyright 1999 by Grady Scott may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.