A Blessed Hope

A Blessed Hope

Hebrews 6:13-20

September

Morning Service

Missionary and story of Don’t Despair

Hope brings power to people. Hope comforts people in times of pain and uplifts them in times praise.

Defining hope

How we define hope often shapes how we perceive hope. Hope is defined as the expectation of good and is often something that we must wait for.

Earthly Hope Eternal Hope

Personal strengths God’s strength

Personal glory God’s glory

Self centered Christ centered

Temporal Focus Heavenly Focus

Unrealistic God’s ability

Hope word study Research

The Greek word for hope is elipis which means to have an eagerness or expectation for something. The understanding of biblical hope is always focused on the work and Word of God. Hope gives a confidence that the good expected will happen. Biblical hope is focused on the prior works of God with anticipation for how God will fulfill His promises in the future. Hope offers a genuine confidence that impacts daily living because we are moving closer to seeing God’s promises fulfilled day by day.

The New Testament makes a direct connection between hope and the manner in which we live. Hope is seen in the character of our lives. Hope brings a sense of incredible and inexpressible joy. Hope is part of the progressive work of God in our lives. The closer we walk with Christ, the deeper and stronger our hope becomes.

New Testament hope is focused on the good that God has yet to finish. Hope flows from the expectation that Jesus has greater works to complete in the future. Hope is empowered by the promises of Christ that are yet to come. Think about what all of this entails.

• The promise of a place in Heaven

• The promise of the Second Coming

• The resurrection from the dead

• The restoration of the world and reign of Christ

Biblical hope is not some pipe dream or pie in the sky thinking. Biblical hope finds its foundation in the promises of God. Biblical hope is centered on the work and person of Jesus Christ. He is the source and support of genuine hope. The basis of true hope comes out of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Hope flows from His shed blood on the cross for the forgiveness of sin. Hope is revealed in the working of God by rolling the stone away to show an empty tomb. Hope is seen in the fact that Jesus paid the price for our sin and that He lives today. Hope is based in the fact that we will live forever with Him.

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. 16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:13-20

Hope is a by-product of faithful living

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. Hebrews 11:6

When we make the choice to follow Christ on a daily basis we can see our hope progress. The writer of Hebrews communicates the impact of diligence to our hope. When we surrender our lives over to the purpose and plan of God, we exchange our earthly hope for eternal hope. Hope progressively grows when we dedicate our lives to pursuing a deeper commitment with Christ. Hope increases when we make Christ the chief interest of our lives.

Why do so many who claim to be Christian lack hope? Many have lost Christ as their focus for living. The moment we shift from an eternal focus to an earthly focus, we lose the power of Biblical hope.

Biblical hope is sure. The meaning is that this hope has a solid foundation. Biblical hope is filled with an overflowing confidence that propels us toward the fulfillment of God’s promises. Our hope is as solid as the promises of God. God has never broken a promise and never will. We can have assurance with the hope we have in God. The same Word that promised hope in the past, still speaks to those living today. The timeless nature of God’s Word allows us to grasp the hope that Christ has for us.