1. New Testament Reading
Hebrews 10:23-25

2. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

3. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

4. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another––and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

5. Immanuel Baptist Church
Hope
Hebrews 10:23-25
December 1, 2013
First Sunday of Advent
Communion Sunday
Immanuel Baptist Church
Rev. John W. Landis, DMin

6. What is Hope? Hope is expectation of something Good
belief that things can change for the better
Hope is an excitement about the future
Hope is about deciding to live
Instead of succumbing to death
Combination of waiting and being ready to act!

7. What is Hope? Hope is not a wish The difference between a Wish
and Hope is
FAITH

8. Formula for HOPE HOPE Vision of What could be + Desire
Willingness to do the things you can control
Perseverance and Patience
Faith
(that God has a purpose and is in control)
HOPE

9. Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (NIV)

10. Hope carries Risk!
That it becomes Idealization and therefore paralyzes
(something that becomes a prerequisite for everything else)
You will be called a “fool” for hoping in the face of evidence to the contrary
That your Hope may not be fulfilled
That you have Hoped for the wrong thing

11. Hope, like trust, can be betrayed But unless you Hope
Hope, like trust, can be betrayed But unless you Hope Hope can never be fulfilled

12. People without hope are toxic
People without hope are toxic! They drain your energy and if you are not careful your hope!

13. Hope can transform from despair to anticipation and even Joy!

14. What are we to Hope for? Peace Joy Love For Ourselves:
That we can do what is right and pleasing to God
That we can find the other symbols of Advent
Peace
Joy
Love

15. What are we to Hope for? Peace Joy Love For Others:
That they find salvation through Christ
That they find the other symbols of Advent
Peace
Joy
Love

16. What are we to Hope for? For the Church: That it serve well
That it find unity in its diversity
That it remembers who it’s Head is

17. What are we to Hope for? For the World:
That it come closer to the Kingdom of God

18. Pray for the things you Hope for!
What do You Hope for?
for Yourself?
for Others?
for the Church?
for the World?
Pray for the things you Hope for!

19. What will you do to prepare to make your hope come true?
What will you do to prepare to capitalize on it if your hope does come true?
What will you do to promote Hope in others?

20. Hope is about deciding to live instead of succumbing to death
Hope is about deciding to live instead of succumbing to death Jesus brought HOPE!

21. A Christians, we subscribe to and claim the Hope of life eternal with a God who loves us!

22. Heb 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the Hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. (NIV)