The Christian's Hope

The Christian’s Hope

1 Jn. 3:1-3

Intro.

A. Hope: “Desire with expectation of obtaining what is desired, or belief that it is obtainable”

(Webster). W.E. Vine says “it has to do with the unseen and the future” (Rom.8:24,25).

1. Desire alone is not hope - you may desire a million dollars, but not hope to get it

2. Expectation alone is not hope - you may expect to be sick, or to pay taxes, but not desire.

B. True hope (desire and expectation) is based upon reliable evidence.

C. Hope - to trust: “Moses in (eis) whom you trust” (Jn. 5:45), God “in (eis) whom we trust that He will still deliver us” (2 Cor. 1:10) ^hope centers in^; 1 Tim. 4:10 “because we trust in (epi) the living God” ^the ground upon^; 1 Cor. 15:19 “If in this life only we have hope in (en) Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” ^the sphere (one) in whom hope is based.^

D. Discuss some false hopes, the true hope and the result of that hope.

 

Body:

A. Some false hopes (those without reliable basis, or evidence):

1. Universal salvation - God is going to save everyone.

a. Men may desire it, but there is no reliable evidence to expect it - empty wish.

b. Mt. 7:21-23; 2 Thess. 2:10-12

2. Annihilation - cease to exist at death.

a. Mt. 10:28 (Lk. 12:4,5); Lk. 23:43

b. The rich man and Lazarus continued conscious existence (Lk. 16:19-31).

c. Some cannot believe that God would punish sin eternally - and have devised doctrines

to circumvent the teaching of eternal punishment. (Same will apply to eternal reward.)

3. Earthly reign - for one thousand years, or eternally.

a. Some expect Jesus to come to earth to establish a material kingdom (same false hope

of Jews in the first century) (Jn. 18:33-38).

b. The spiritual reign of Christ is a fact (Acts 2:29-36; Rev. 3:21).

c. Those who experience the spiritual rebirth are in the kingdom (Mk. 9:1;  Jn. 3:3-5; Col. 1:13).

 

B. The true hope (Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Pet. 1:3,4,13).

1. Thinking about “Thanksgiving” - the hope of a better life and an eternal one!

2. Must have truth as basis:

a. The promise of God (1 Jn. 2:25 “And this is the promise that He has promised us - eternal life.”)

b. The resurrection of Christ (Acts 17:30,31; 1 Cor. 15:12-23).

c. Being in Christ (Col. 1:27 “To whom 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.”) (This was the “better hope,” Heb. 7:19-22. Jews did not have Christ in them, nor genuine forgiveness.)

 

C. Results of Biblical hope:

1. Anchors the soul (Heb. 6:19,20).

 

a. Faith is “substance (confidence/assurance) of things hoped for” (Heb. 11:1).

b. It gives courage in the face of danger - one the sea of life (Acts 27:25 “Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.”).

2. It gives steadfastness (Rom. 8:23-25; Heb. 3:6). Postponement of attainment gives steadfastness through developing our faith - which could be gained no other way.

a. From McGuffey’s Reader: via “Book of virtues” by William Bennett.

The fisher who draws in his net too soon

Won’t have any fish to sell;

The child who shuts up his book too soon,

Won’t learn any lessons well.

 

If you would have your learning stay,

Be patient  - don’t learn too fast;

The man who travels a mile each day,

May get round the world at last.

b. Story of tortoise and hare. (The fox marked the finish line; hare got long lead, went to  sleep, when he awoke the tortoise had crossed the finish line!)

3. It purifies (1 Jn. 3:1-3).

a. Hopelessness breeds unfaithfulness - why fight if no assurance of victory?

b. The martyr spirit comes from hope - the stronger the hope, the weaker the appeal of temptation, threat, even bodily harm.

4. It rejoices (Rom. 5:1-5).

a. Note: past (having been justified), present (we have peace) and future (have access by

faith...).

b. Rom. 12:12 “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.”

c. To say “hopeless” brings sadness, helplessness, grief - hope rejoices.

5. Hope gives a defense (1 Pet. 3:15).

a. Why do you expect to go to heaven?

b. Am I willing to risk my eternal destiny upon my reaction to God’s word? (Tit. 1:1-3;

2:11-15).

 

Concl.

A. Those without God are without hope (Eph. 2:11-13).

B. Strength of hope depends upon:

1. Desire - how strongly do I desire to go to heaven?

2. Expectation - how much trust do I put in the Lord?  (Trust and obey, for there’s no other

way...)

C. “Now may the God of hope full you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).