There Are Things That Are Impossible for God – fortunately! Impossible for God to learn – For someone or something would have to have taught Him. Romans 11:33-36; Isaiah 40:13-14 Impossible for God to be tempted by evil and He doesn’t tempt others with it either. James 1:13-17 Impossible for God to change. Immutability of God. If He is perfect, to change is to become less than. If He can improve, then not perfect. Impossible for God to lie or deceive. *Hebrews 6:17-20; He is faithful, constant, all-good and all-wise! This gives us……

So, what’s our hope? Is it a wish? A desire? A dream? Is it ever disappointed? Or is it an anchor? Or, do we follow it with a “but”?

Biblical Hope: “The confident expectation that good will come” Anticipation. The eager expectation and anticipation that enables us to patiently wait. I am ready to vindicate, I am ready to deliver, I will establish justice among the nations. The coastlands wait patiently for me (qawah – look with expectation); they wait in anticipation (yachal 3176 to wait with patient endurance) for the revelation of my power. Isaiah 51:5

Isaiah 40:31 “Those who wait…” I’m waiting God! You’re l….. Or is it “Those who hope…”? i.e. we are waiting with anticipation and expectation that the good God promised will occur at just the right time.

What is God’s kind of hope? 1. Hope Begins By Knowing Him *Romans 4:18; Ephesians 2:12 “Against all hope, Abraham, in hope, believed and so became…

What is God’s kind of hope? 2. Hope Is Grounded In The Hope He Gives *Romans 5:1-5

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege and ability - grace - where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to (hope in) sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and proven character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Rom 5:2-5 NLT)

What is God’s kind of hope? 3. He Gives Us The Definition of Hope *Romans 8:23-25 “we patiently wait”

For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. (Rom 8:19-25 NAU)

What is God’s kind of hope? 4. He Uses Perseverance and His Word To Nurture Hope In Our Lives Hope is holding fast to the faithfulness of God through time and circumstances. His word encourages us to do this very thing. *Romans 15:4

For the Messiah did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." Romans 15:3-5 ESV For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:3-5 ESV

What is God’s kind of hope? 5. Hope Grows Through Our Relationship With Him *Romans 15:13 6. Hope Is Supported By The Faith We Have In Him *Romans 15:13 “as you trust” or “because you trust” *Hebrews 11:1 “faith is the substance, the foundation of what we hope for.”

And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Rom 15:12-13 NIV Rom 15:12-13 NIV

What is God’s kind of hope? 7. The God of Hope fills us with Hope through the Power of His Spirit It’s that dependent on Him.

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Heb 6:19-20 NLT) (Heb 6:19-20 NLT)

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you – or demands of you – a reason for the hope you have.” 1 Peter 3:15

Hope: Waiting in the Present while looking to the Future with Positive Expectation. Faith is the Foundation That Stands on God’s Promises which are Based on His Faithfulness.