Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Live in Hope
Intro.
1. How Christians view life and death reveals indicates our hope (or lack of it) and how it affects our faith and lives.
2. Faith and hope are joined, 1 Cor. 13:13; Eph. 4:4-5. Our hope is secure in Christ when our faith is in Him (not self, phys. world).
3. Do you live in hope? What is your hope? In whom or what do you put your hope? Is your hope reflected in who you are, what we say and do? Why do you have hope?
I. THE CHRISTIAN’S HOPE (Christ is our hope, 1 Tim. 1:1).
A. A Living Hope, 1 Pet. 1:3.
1. “Lively,” i.e., a hope that is not frail and perishable, but having a continuing life. Hope is vigorous, strong, powerful:
2. Living hope directs us to live in faith, not fear.
B. The Hope of Resurrection from the Dead, Acts 23:6; 24:15; John 5:28-29 (“resurrection of life”).
1. We hope in Christ because of His victory over sin and death, 1 Cor. 15:19-20; 1 Thess. 4:13-14 (2 Cor. 4:14, 16).
2. Resurrection hope directs us to put greater value on life after death instead of being fearful of death, cf. Phil. 1:19-23.
C. The Hope of Eternal Life, Titus 1:1-3.
1. Faith in the promise of God compels us to obey His gospel.
2. Eternal inheritance laid up for us, 1 Pet. 1:4-5 (2 Tim. 4:7-8).
3. Hope of eternal life lays up treasures in heaven, Matt. 6:20-21.
D. Our Hope is Sure and Steadfast, Heb. 6:19 (13-20).
1. So, we confidently rejoice, Heb. 3:6 (14).
2. By faith, our sure and steadfast hope overcomes doubt, dread, and fear, Rom. 5:3-5, 12:12.
E. Our Hope is Unseen, Yet Eagerly Waited For, Rom. 8:24-25.
1. Here is the combining of faith and hope, so we hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, Heb. 10:23 (4:14).
a. Patience of hope, 1 Thess. 1:3 (Rom. 8:25). Hope urges us to endure every test of faith.
b. Helmet of protection (hope of salvation), 1 Thess. 5:8.
2. God’s grace gives us eternal comfort and good hope that strengthens us in “every good work and word,” 2 Thess. 2:16-17.
3. Unseen hope strengthens and comforts us in God’s grace.
II. THE WORLD HAS NO HOPE, Eph. 2:12 (1 John 2:17).
A. Without Hope there is Fear, Spiritual Pain, and Eternal Sorrow in Death.
1. Christians released from fear of death, Heb. 2:14-15.
2. Death swallowed up in victory, 1 Cor. 15:54-57.
3. Do not sorrow like world when death comes; Rejoice, 1 Thess. 4:13 (cf. Ps. 16:9-10).
B. No Hope in Sin, Only Eternal Death, Rom. 6:23.
Conclusion
1. The gospel contrasts hope’s joy with sin’s despair, despondency, and death (1 Thess. 4:13; Rom. 12:12).
2. Christ brought hope to a hopeless world.
3. Christians are “called in one hope of your calling” (Eph. 4:4):
a. Hope of salvation (Rom. 8:24; 1 Thess. 5:8).
b. Hope of resurrection (Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:19).
c. Hope of eternal life (Col. 1:5; Titus 1:2).
d. Hope of glory (Col. 3:4; Rom. 5:2).
4. Psalm 42: Hope in God in the midst of distress.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted September 8, 2021