The believer's hope is........
Titus 2:13 (KJV) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
1. Encouraging hope.
John 14:3 (KJV) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
a. Jesus spoke to discouraged disciples.
b. They were discouraged by Christ's departure,
c. Encouraged by His return.
d. We should encourage others. Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.
2. Comforting hope.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 (KJV) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
a. Our hope is in Jesus.
b. Our hope is in His abiding presence.
c. Our hope is in His second coming.
3. Motivating hope.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
a. Knowing that resurrection body will be obtained through death or translation, that labor isn't fruitless in service for Christ.
b. There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown hopeless about them.
4. Purifying hope
1 John 3:2-3 (KJV) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
a, We shall be like Him. Think on that and you will begin to purify yourselves.
b. We shall see Him.
c. What a day that will be.
d. Best of our hope is that now are we God's children.
OUR HOPE IN HIM, WHAT HE DID, IS DOING AND WHAT HE WILL YET DO FOR US.
PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!
