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Scripture Reading:  Psalm 33:13-22

One Hope of Your Calling

Intro.

1.  The joy of hope is set in contrast to despair, sorrow and despondency (1 Ths. 4:13; Rom. 12:12).

2.  Christ brought hope to a hopeless world.

3.  Christians have been “called in one hope of your calling” (Eph. 4:4):

  a.  Hope of salvation (Rom. 8:24; 1 Ths. 5:8).

  b.  Hope in God of resurrection (Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:19).

  c.  Hope of heaven/eternal life (Col. 1:5; Tit. 1:2).

  d.  Hope of glory (Col. 3:4; Rom. 5:2).

4.  Are you living in hope? What is hope? Who has hope and why?

I.  WHAT IS HOPE?

  A.  Hope is Desire Coupled with Expectation, Rom. 8:23-25; Phil. 1:20, 23.

    1.  Object of our hope is unseen, yet eagerly anticipated & expected.

    2.  Object of our hope is not yet obtained (possessed), 1 Jno. 3:2-3.

  B.  Hope is Supported by Faith, Heb. 11:1 (Rom. 10:17).

    1.  Scriptures are the source of hope, Rom. 15:4 (Col. 1:4-5).

    2.  Scriptures give us reasons for hope, 1 Pet. 3:15.

  C.  The Hope of the Gospel, Col. 1:5, 23.

    1.  The call of Christ offers hope, Eph. 1:18 (Matt. 11:28-30; Acts 4:12); Rom. 15:8-13.

    2.  Unbelievers are lost in sin & without hope, Eph. 2:12; 1 Ths. 4:13.

    3.  The gospel message is “Christ in you, the hope of glory,” Col. 1:23-24 (Titus 1:1-3).

  D.  Sinners are Saved in Hope, Rom. 8:23-24 (5:2); Gal. 5:5.

    1.  The gospel reveals & offers hope of salvation & life!

    2.  The gospel plan of salvation brings hope when it is believed & obeyed, Rom. 15:13; 1:16; Mk. 16:15-16 (Acts 2:37-38; Gal. 3:26-27). (H-B-C-R-B; Be Faithful)

    3.  Without obedient faith there is no genuine hope of salvation, Matt. 7:21-23.

II. THE CHRISTIAN’S HOPE.

  A.  Our Hope in Christ is of Eternal Life & Glory, Col. 1:23; 3:4; Titus 1:2-3.

    1.  Christ is our hope, 1 Tim. 1:1.

    2.  We hope in Christ because of his victory over sin & death, 1 Cor. 15:19-20; 1 Ths. 4:13-14 (2 Cor. 4:14).

  B.  Our Hope is Sure & Steadfast, Heb. 6:13-20 (God does not lie, Titus 1:2).

  C.  Our Hope is Confident & Rejoicing, Heb. 3:6 (3:14) (Rom. 5:5; 12:12).

  D.  Our Hope is Living, 1 Pet. 1:3. (“lively”)

    1.  “Lively,” i.e., a hope that is not frail & perishable, but having a continuing life.

    2.  Hope is vigorous, strong & powerful:

      a.  Patience of hope, 1 Ths. 1:3 (Rom. 8:25). Hope urges us to endure every test of faith.

      b.  Helmet of protection, the hope of salvation, 1 Ths. 5:8.

  E.  Our Hope is Unseen, yet Eagerly Waited for, Rom. 8:25.

    1.  So, we are to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, Heb. 10:23 (4:14).

    2.  By God’s grace, we have hope…comforted & strengthened in “every good work and word,” 2 Ths. 2:16-17.

III. THE WORLD HAS NO HOPE, Eph. 2:12 (1 Jno. 2:17).

  A.  Where there is no Hope, there is Emotional Fear, Spiritual Pain & Eternal Sorrow in Death, Heb. 2:14-15; 1 Cor. 15:54-57; 1 Ths. 4:13 (cf. Psa. 16:9-10).

  B.  Where there is no Hope there is only the Prospect of Eternal Death, Rom. 6:23.

Conclusion

1.  The Christian lives & dies in hope, 2 Tim. 4:7-8 (1 Cor. 13:13).

2.  The world lives & dies in hopelessness.

3.  Choose to have a living hope!  Rom. 5:1-2