Hope - definition in original languages is Earnest expectation. -It is NOT a whiny "I hope so".. as it is in our english today. -Today it means "wish", But in biblical languages it is a great expectation. -It is like that laying in bed waiting for Christmas morning as a child. YOU KNOW beyond know that something good is coming. You are listening. Trying not to fall asleep. You heart is beating fast. Your whole being is expecting. -As believers, our hope is based on something much more secure than a holiday fantasy. Heb 6:17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability (inability to change) of His counsel (His Word), confirmed it by an oath, 18 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, -Soul is the mind, will and emotions. -Hope grounds as an anchor, our mind, our will and our emotions. -If you are struggling in any of these areas, press into Hope. -The anchor is our hope in what God said, that it is true and can not change. 1Co 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these [is] love. -Hope is the joiner of faith and love. -One of the three main elements a Christian life -We hear a lot about Faith, we hear a lot about Love.. but somehow Hope often falls through the cracks. If you are stumbling in areas of Love, then it is hope that you need. The connector from your faith to love.. -What is hope? Where does it come from? -The Scriptures, The Word of GOD, are the source of Hope. Ro 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance (foundation) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. -You have an earnest expectation, because you have faith, because you believe. -Because we believe, we look , expecting what God said. Without doubt. -If you get in Faith, but aren't expecting, you can't walk in Love. -And Faith works by Love. so you have to get to that level. Ga 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. 1Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, Col 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. -Christ is the actual object of the believer’s hope, - not only the object of our hope but HE is Hope itself Ro 5:2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. -In Jesus is the glory itself ---------------------------- -Hope has some jobs in our walk. Ac 24:15 "I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. -It assures us of our immortality Col 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, -Hope promises a heavenly Treasure Tit 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, -It makes us anticipate Christ’s Coming 1Pe 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, -Hope grounds us in the Resurrection of Christ -It is a living hope, it is not fragile . -Hope enabled abraham to become the Father of the Faithful Ro 4:18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be." Ro 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. -So it enables you to fullfill your calling as well Eph 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, Eph 4:4 [There is] one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; -Hope inspires to Clean Living 1Jo 3:3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. --------------------- -Hope in God , Hope of GOD Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD. Psalm:33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, Psalm 39:7 "And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. Ps 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Ps 71:5 For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; [You are] my trust from my youth. Ps 146:5 Happy [is he] who [has] the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope [is] in the LORD his God, Jer 17:7 "Blessed [is] the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. Joe 3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. ---------------------------------- -Hope Abides Forever 1Co 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Col 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. 2Th 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, - Believers Called to Testify concerning 1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ------------------------------- -Hope has always functioned pointing to Jesus, it still does today. Lu 3:15 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ [or] not, Mr 15:43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Joh 4:25 The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things." Joh 8:56 "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." Ac 26:7 "To this [promise] our twelve tribes, earnestly serving [God] night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. ------------------------------------------ Ro 8:24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? -The promise of Hope is part of your salvation. It comes with the package of salvation. All the promises. -It is not part of the unbelievers life. -Their hope is a False hope Eph 2:12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 1Th 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. Job 8:13 So [are] the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the hypocrite shall perish, Job 11:20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, And they shall not escape, And their hope––loss of life!" Pr 10:28 The hope of the righteous [will be] gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish.