What is our only hope in life and death?

Intro

What things do you hope for?

Maybe you hope to get that one gift for your birthday or for Christmas

Maybe you hope that it will snow on Christmas day

Maybe you hope that it will snow long enough that you’ll be out of school for a week!

The world hopes in many different things:

To be successful

To make lots of money

To own really nice things

Live in a big house

Drive lots of cars

To be popular or famous

Nothing’s wrong with having nice things and enjoying what God has given you. It’s only becomes a problem when good things become god things.

I’m going to ask you a few questions and see if you know the answer as to what story it comes from:

The Prince’s only hope was to find the owner of the glass slipper. (Cinderella)

The Princess’ only hope of being rescued from the evil Bowser was by the plumber in a red hat and overalls. (Mario)

The children’s only hope was Aslan. (Narnia)

Notice how every one of those characters or people placed their hope in something.

Catechism

What should we place our hope in?

Here’s where the catechism comes into play:

Q: What is our only hope in life and death?

A: That we are not our own but belong to God.

How can we know this is the case? Let’s go to God’s Word and read what He tells us about ourselves.

Romans 14:7–8 (CSB)

7 For none of us lives for himself, and no one dies for himself.

8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

The only certain hope is found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.