1. Hope Everybody wants some sense of hope
The future is better and brighter with hope
Hope
Some people have no hope
Eph. 2:12
1 Thess. 4:13
1 Cor. 15:19
Faithful Christians have hope – the only hope

2. The
Christian’s
Hope

3. The Christian’s Hope
The Fact of Hope
The Fact of Hope

4. The Fact of Hope Can know: I am a child of God (Rom. 8:16)
Can see: I am pleasing to God (1 John 3:19-24)
Can make: my calling & election sure (2 Pet. 1:5-10)
Can have: hope of eternal life
Titus 1:2 – “in hope of eternal life”
Titus 2:13 – “looking for the blessed hope”
Titus 3:7 – “become heirs according to the hope”
Heb. 6:11 – “full assurance of hope”
Col. 1:5 – “hope which is laid up for you in heaven”
John 14:1-3 – “I will come again and receive you”

5. The Christian’s Hope The Fact of Hope The Nature of Hope

6. + = Desire Expectation Hope The Nature of Hope What hope is:
“Favorable and confident expectation” (Vines)
“(to anticipate, ususally with pleasure); expectation” (Strongs)
“To look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence” (dictionary.com)
Desire
Expectation + =
Hope

7. The Nature of Hope What hope is:
Looks toward the unseen future (Rom. 8:24)
A living hope (1 Pet. 1:3)
In contrast to temporal – earthly (ultimately fails)
Alive – not idle
Real – produces something within us

8. The Nature of Hope What hope is:
Looks toward the unseen future (Rom. 8:24)
A living hope (1 Pet. 1:3)
An Inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4)
Word used in LXX (Deut. 15:14; 19:10) for Canaan
“Incorruptible” (undying, enduring, not perish, not decay)
“Undefiled” (unstained, unsoiled, not ruined)
“Does not fade away” (never loses beauty or worth)

9. The Nature of Hope What hope is:
Looks toward the unseen future (Rom. 8:24)
A living hope (1 Pet. 1:3)
An Inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4)
Approval and honor from God (1 Pet. 1:7)
“Praise” – approval as faithful servant – commended
“Honor” – crown, robe, reward
“Glory” – of heaven, exaltation

10. The Nature of Hope What hope is:
Looks toward the unseen future (Rom. 8:24)
A living hope (1 Pet. 1:3)
An Inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4)
Approval and honor from God (1 Pet. 1:7)
Salvation of souls (1 Pet. 1:9)
“End” = aim – goal
Eternal salvation

11. The Christian’s Hope The Fact of Hope The Nature of Hope
The Basis of Hope
The Basis of Hope

12. The Basis of Hope Resurrection of Christ ( 1Pet. 1:3)
Heart / core of Christianity
Ultimate proof of Jesus & Bible
Raised for our salvation (Heb. 9:12; Rom. 4:25)
He is the “first fruits” (1 Cor. 15:20)

13. The Basis of Hope Resurrection of Christ ( 1Pet. 1:3)
The grace of God (Tit. 3:5, 7 ; Eph. 2:5, 8)
Not because we deserve it
Sometimes act as though it is based upon merit
“If anybody will go to heaven, he will”
“I don’t think I’m good enough”
My assurance is not based upon my feeling like I am good enough!
When we look at things we’ve done – sins for which we have been forgiven…it must be by grace!

14. The Basis of Hope Resurrection of Christ ( 1Pet. 1:3)
The grace of God (Tit. 3:5; Eph. 2:5, 8)
Knowing I am doing what is right
Not based upon feeling
Knowing names is written in heaven (Lk. 10:20)
Knowing life agrees with word (Rom. 8:16)
Knowing doing what pleases God (1 Jno. 3:22)
Why knowledge is so important
If my “knowledge” is wrong – false assurance
If my knowledge is correct – true assurance

15. The Basis of Hope Resurrection of Christ ( 1Pet. 1:3)
The grace of God (Tit. 3:5; Eph. 2:5, 8)
Knowing I am doing what is right
My Diligence (2 Pet. 1:5-10)
Key: “giving all diligence” (do best you can)
Not based upon perfection

16. The Christian’s Hope The Fact of Hope The Nature of Hope
The Basis of Hope
The Function of Hope
The Function of Hope

17. The Function of Hope Patient (1 Thess. 1:3) Rejoice (Rom. 12:12)
Bold (2 Cor. 3:12)
Not Sorrow as others (1 Thess. 4:13)
Anchors the soul (Heb. 6:11, 19)
Live holy (1 Pet. 1:3, 15-16; 1 Jno. 3:3)

18. The Christian’s Hope The Fact of Hope The Nature of Hope
The Basis of Hope
The Function of Hope
The Misconceptions of Hope
The Misconceptions of Hope

19. The Misconceptions of Hope
“Eternal Security” (Once saved always saved)
Can fall from grace (Gal. 5:4)
Fearful of judgment (Heb. 10:26-29)
Can wander from truth – death (Jas. 5:19-20)

20. The Misconceptions of Hope
“Eternal Security” (Once saved always saved)
“Imputed Righteousness” (God doesn’t see sin)

21. Imputed Righteousness
Calvinism:
Christ
R. of Christ
transferred Us

22. God Sees
Perfect
Righteousness
of Christ
Sin
Inst. Music
Adultery
Error

23. Imputed Righteousness
Calvinism:
Bible:
Christ
Nothing in Rom. 4 about
the righteousness of Christ
Righteousness imputed = own
Sin imputed = own
If Righteousness = R. of Christ – then sin = sin of Christ
R. of Christ
transferred Us

24. The Misconceptions of Hope
“Eternal Security” (Once saved always saved)
“Imputed Righteousness” (God doesn’t see sin)
Continuous Cleansing (Automatic forgiveness)
“Even as we sin” – like a windshield wiper
Acts 8:22 – repent & pray (not automatic)
1 John 1:9 – cleansing as continuous as confession!

25. The Misconceptions of Hope
The Christian’s Hope
The Fact of Hope
The Nature of Hope
The Basis of Hope
The Function of Hope
The Misconceptions of Hope