Disclaimer: I don’t know where I picked up all these accrostices. I know they are not orginal but I thought they were great.
Title: Be ready to give an answer . . . of the hope
Theme:
Text: 1 Peter 3:15
Stewardship Verse: “"Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.” (De 16:17 NKJV)
“But sanctify (set apart) 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; having a good conscience(peace with God & man), that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” (1Pe 3:15-16 NKJV)
Introduction
People often wonder why Christians are so adamant about sharing their faith. Why is it that we are willing to tell everyone. Some would even say, “Why don’t they just leave me alone?” Now I believe that we should respect someone’s decision to not believe but there are two reason we are so adamant about sharing our faith.
1. Because we have a hope.
Hope is “the expectation of something desirable”
The opposite of hope is fear which is “the expectation of something undesirable”
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1 NKJV)
2. Because we are commanded to in scripture
1 Peter 3:15b 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;
What is Our H.O.P.E. Acrostic
H-Heaven
“"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3 NKJV)
Everyone is wanting an answer to the question: Is there life after death? People are searching and searching. The problem is that we don’t know of anyone who has went and came back. We hear of stories of people who have died and seen the light but we don’t know of anyone who actually could tell us.
That is except Jesus. Through His resurrection he went to heaven yet he came back to tell us what it was like.
O-Object of our hope is Jesus
The object of our hope is Jesus Christ. You see the hope or expectation you have for something or someone is only as strong as them. So I put my hope in Christ.
Paul told the Philippians jailor in Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your household.
“Remember 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. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:12-13 NKJV)
P-Peace & Purpose
Peace
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
The word peace here means quiet, rest but also wholeness. We realize today that our world is not at peace because there are too many divisions. To believe in Christ and receive Him as our savior, the Lord of our life means that we have now become complete.
Phi 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Purpose
It is what we all search for and that is purpose or significance. We want to be needed. We want to know “Why am I here for?” It is why the book “The Purpose Driven Life” sells over 1 million copies a month.
Quote: “Only one life, it will soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
E-Escape from Hell
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28 AV)
What to do now?
Receive H.O.P.E. Acrostic A simple plan to present the gospel
H represents Heed-Listen to the call of God on your heart
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn (or judge) the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17
O represents our Obedience-It is not just important to hear but we must also obey the call.
Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your household.
P represents our Posture-repentance
The third step is to repent. That means we are sorry for what we have done and ask for his forgiveness but also it means we turn in the opposite direction.
1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
E represents Endurance
To persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--
2 Timothy 2:12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him.
Conclusion
Hope is all we have. We see all around us hopelessness. We don’t know what to believe in. Yet I want to tell you that if you put your trust in Christ he will give you hop and purpose for your life.
