Title: "What is Our Blessed Hope?"
Introduction: What is the "Blessed hope" of the Christian?
Many people entered into Christianity much in the same way that people enter into marriage. They have misconception. Marriage is not all honeymoon, fun, and bliss. Nor is Christianity! Using today’s text, let me share with you some common misconceptions that people have once they have come into the salvation that comes by the grace of God as mentioned in verse 11.
What our blessed hope is not:
Today, we still have problems with the flesh.
(Titus 2:12 KJV) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts’¦
I don’t know about you, but I do not have a halo hovering above my head. For that matter, I don’t have horns attached to my head either! I have the same physical fleshly body that I had prior to my salvation experience. Within that body now indwells the Holy Spirit. I must learn to deny worldly lusts before I can ever walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. That is what it means to grow in grace. (2 Peter 3:18)
There are those that would quote the text in Isaiah 53:5, "By his stripes we are healed," as saying that once you have been saved, you can claim complete healing from all manner of disease.
If that were true, none of us would ever die! There would never be a need for a hospital or even a doctor’ visit.
No true believer doubts God’ ability to heal, but it will be done "In his time." Our prayer is a supplication. We pray, "Lord, thy will be done." In this present world, we still have trouble in the flesh and with the flesh.
Today, we still have problems with the world.
(Titus 2:12 KJV) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
The world is still under the Devil’s influence. He is the prince and power of the air. (Eph. 2:2) The world is at enmity with God. (James 4:4) After you come to Christ, the world that gave Christ a difficult time of it, is now going to set you up as their target!
Today, we still have problems even within the Church family.
(Titus 2:15 KJV) These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
A babe in Christ might expect that his newly adopted Church family will always act in perfect harmony with one another. Hopefully that is the case, but in our text, Paul mentions to Titus that there are some within the Church family that he will have to rebuke from time to time. There are some within the Church family that will challenge your authority and despise you. Sad, but true!
What then is the hope of the believer?
Our hope is that someday:
We will see Jesus!
(Titus 2:13 KJV) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
I believe that this verse is referring to the rapture of the Church. Someday, the trumpet is going to sound and we, which are alive and remain, shall be caught up with the Lord in the air! (1 Thess. 5:13-18)
When we see Jesus...
Our problem with defilement of sin will be over forever.
(Titus 2:14 KJV) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity¦
One day, at the rapture of the Church, I am going removed from every consequence of sin. I will be removed from all iniquity. Their will be no more disease. No more sickness. No more death. Even the very temptation of sin, will be removed from us!
When we see Jesus...
Our problem with loneliness will be over forever.
(Titus 2:14 KJV) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people¦
God is purifying unto himself a peculiar people. In Heaven, I will be with my new family of believers. I will be drawn unto Christ himself. I will never have the feeling of loneliness again!
Someday, when we see Jesus...
Our problem with an unappreciated and unfulfilled life will be over forever.
(Titus 2:14 KJV) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Once we are on the other side of Heaven, we will have an abundance of glorious work to do in the ministry of our Lord. Every day we will experience the abundant life as we live our lives "zealous of good works."
Conclusion:
This message is meant to be a hope for the mother who is raising a retarded child.
This message is meant to be a hope to anyone who lives their lives in constant pain.
This message is meant for anyone who has suffered great human loss or tragedy.
You have a hope:
Imagine yourself, someday, at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. You are surrounded by your loved ones. You and your loved ones have been all given new bodies incorruptible! Christ is seated upon his throne. The celebration begins. Eternity is now yours.
That is the "blessed hope" of the believer!
