1. Assistance from the executable outline The Christian’s Hope By Gene Taylor Scripture reading Jer 29:11

2. We have seen from our studies on Sunday mornings that the big of Job deals a lot with the idea of hope Job 11:18-19, 17:1, 17:14-16, 19:7-10 One of the shortest phrases we fear the most is, “There is no hope!” In Dantes great work The Inferno the sign over the gates of Hell reads, “Abandon all hope ye who enter here.” Paul remind us in his letter to the Romans that as Christians we have the benefit of a true hope Rom 15:4, 15:13 This morning I would like to see what the scriptures have to say concerning hope

3. As a noun The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best A feeling of desire for something and confidence in the possibility of its fulfillment As a verb To look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence To believe, desire, or trust To trust, expect, or believe

4. Bible Dictionary One of the three main elements of Christian character (1 Cor. 13:13) It is joined to faith and love, and is opposed to seeing or possessing (Rom. 8:24; 1 John 3:2) Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so essential indeed, that, like faith and love, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity (1 Pet. 3:15; Heb. 10:23) In it the whole glory of the Christian vocation is centered (Eph. 1:18; 4:4)

5. Bible Dictionary Unbelievers are without this hope (Eph. 2:12; 1 Thess. 4:13) Christ is the actual object of the believer's hope, because it is in his second coming that the hope of glory will be fulfilled (1 Tim. 1:1; Col. 1:27; Titus 2:13) It is spoken of as "lively", i.e., a living, hope, a hope not frail and perishable, but having a perennial life (1 Pet. 1:3) In Rom. 5:2 the "hope" spoken of is probably objective, i.e., "the hope set before us," namely, eternal life (comp. 12:12)

6. Hope of the Gospel (Col 1:21-23) Hope of salvation (Rom 8:24-25; 1 Thes 5:8) Hope of eternal life (Tit 1:2; 3:7) Hope of Christ’s return and a home in Heaven (Jn 14:1-3)

7. Hope is in God (Ps 33:22) Hope is in God’s word (Ps 119:81) Hope will not be cut off (Prov 24:14)

8. Hope does not disappoint (Rom 5:5) Hope that saves (Rom 8:25) Hope acquired through scripture (Rom 15:14) Hope that is beyond this life (1 Cor 15:19) Hope that is Christ’s calling (Eph 1:18) Hope that we are called in (Eph 4:4) Hope that is good (2 Thes 2:16) Hope that is in Christ (1 Tim 1:1)

9. Hope that is Set on God (1 Tim 4:9-10 ESV) Hope that is blessed (Tit 2:13) Hope we should boast in (Heb 3:6 ESV) Hope that is set before us (Heb 6:18) Hope that is an anchor of the soul (Heb 6:19) Hope that is steadfast and sure (Heb 6:19) Hope that should be confessed/shared (Heb 10:23) Hope that is living (1 Pet 1:3) Hope that is purifying (1 Jn 3:3)

10. Stand firm in it (Rom 5:3-5) Rejoice in it (Rom 12:12) Eagerly wait for it (Gal 5:5) Speak boldly (2 Cor 3:12) Be ready to answer why we have it (1 Pet 3:15)

11. Hope is for those who are in Christ (1 Thes 4:13-14) Outside of Him there is no hope (Eph 2:12) One is placed in Him by baptism (Rom 6:3) Hope is for those whom Christ is in (Col 1:27) When one is baptized into Christ, they put Him on (Gal 3:27) Christ lives in the Christian (Gal 2:20) Hope is for those who are justified (Tit 3:7) One is justified by faith (Rom 5:1; Gal 3:22-25) One is justified by the blood of Christ (Rom 5:9) One contacts baptism this blood through baptism (Rom 6:1-5)

12. We have seen from scripture that hope is a gift from God and a benefit to Christians If you are not a Christian you have not received this precious gift The gift is here before you, all you have to do is accept and act upon the rules to receive it Why not do so while we stand and sing