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Benefits of Being a Christian Continued The Benefit of “Hope”. Assistance from the executable outline The Christian’s Hope By Gene Taylor Scripture reading Jer 29:11. Introduction. We have seen from our studies on Sunday mornings that the big of Job deals a lot with the idea of hope
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Benefits of Being a Christian ContinuedThe Benefit of “Hope” Assistance from the executable outline The Christian’s Hope By Gene Taylor Scripture reading Jer 29:11
Introduction • We have seen from our studies on Sunday mornings that the big of Job deals a lot with the idea of hope • Job 11:18-19, 17:1, 17:14-16, 19:7-10 • One of the shortest phrases we fear the most is, “There is no hope!” • In Dantesgreat work The Infernothe sign over the gates of Hell reads, “Abandon all hope ye who enter here.” • Paul remind us in his letter to the Romans that as Christians we have the benefit of a true hope • Rom 15:4, 15:13 • This morning I would like to see what the scriptures have to say concerning hope
Hope defined • As a noun • The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best • A feeling of desire for something and confidence in the possibility of its fulfillment • As a verb • To look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence • To believe, desire, or trust • To trust, expect, or believe
Hope defined • Bible Dictionary • One of the three main elements of Christian character (1 Cor. 13:13) • It is joined to faith and love, and is opposed to seeing or possessing (Rom. 8:24; 1 John 3:2) • Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so essential indeed, that, like faith and love, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity (1 Pet. 3:15; Heb. 10:23) • In it the whole glory of the Christian vocation is centered (Eph. 1:18; 4:4)
Hope defined • Bible Dictionary • Unbelievers are without this hope (Eph. 2:12; 1 Thess. 4:13) • Christ is the actual object of the believer's hope, because it is in his second coming that the hope of glory will be fulfilled (1 Tim. 1:1; Col. 1:27; Titus 2:13) • It is spoken of as "lively", i.e., a living, hope, a hope not frail and perishable, but having a perennial life (1 Pet. 1:3) • In Rom. 5:2 the "hope" spoken of is probably objective, i.e., "the hope set before us," namely, eternal life (comp. 12:12)
A list of some the hopes a Christian has • Hope of the Gospel (Col 1:21-23) • Hope of salvation (Rom 8:24-25; 1 Thes 5:8) • Hope of eternal life (Tit 1:2; 3:7) • Hope of Christ’s return and a home in Heaven (Jn 14:1-3)
OT descriptions of this hope • Hope is in God (Ps 33:22) • Hope is in God’s word (Ps 119:81) • Hope will not be cut off (Prov 24:14)
NT descriptions of this hope • Hope does not disappoint (Rom 5:5) • Hope that saves (Rom 8:25) • Hope acquired through scripture (Rom 15:14) • Hope that is beyond this life (1 Cor 15:19) • Hope that is Christ’s calling (Eph 1:18) • Hope that we are called in (Eph 4:4) • Hope that is good (2 Thes 2:16) • Hope that is in Christ (1 Tim 1:1)
NT descriptions of this hope • Hope that is Set on God (1 Tim 4:9-10 ESV) • Hope that is blessed (Tit 2:13) • Hope we should boast in (Heb 3:6 ESV) • Hope that is set before us (Heb 6:18) • Hope that is an anchor of the soul (Heb 6:19) • Hope that is steadfast and sure (Heb 6:19) • Hope that should be confessed/shared (Heb 10:23) • Hope that is living (1 Pet 1:3) • Hope that is purifying (1 Jn 3:3)
Responsibilities of those who have this hope • Stand firm in it (Rom 5:3-5) • Rejoice in it (Rom 12:12) • Eagerly wait for it (Gal 5:5) • Speak boldly (2 Cor 3:12) • Be ready to answer why we have it (1 Pet 3:15)
Why is this hope considered a benefit to becoming a Christian? • Hope is for those who are in Christ (1 Thes 4:13-14) • Outside of Him there is no hope (Eph 2:12) • One is placed in Him by baptism (Rom 6:3) • Hope is for those whom Christ is in (Col 1:27) • When one is baptized into Christ, they put Him on (Gal 3:27) • Christ lives in the Christian (Gal 2:20) • Hope is for those who are justified (Tit 3:7) • One is justified by faith (Rom 5:1; Gal 3:22-25) • One is justified by the blood of Christ (Rom 5:9) • One contacts baptism this blood through baptism (Rom 6:1-5)
Conclusion • We have seen from scripture that hope is a gift from God and a benefit to Christians • If you are not a Christian you have not received this precious gift • The gift is here before you, all you have to do is accept and act upon the rules to receive it • Why not do so while we stand and sing