True Hope
Notes
Transcript
As your faith is, such your hope will be. Hope is never ill when faith is well, nor strong if faith be weak.
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Faith is the substance because God has proven himself faithful. So when we hope for things according to the promises found in the word of God, faith is built and becomes more than just a hope, but an assurance that God will do what he said.
Hope is one of the three main elements of a christians life. 1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” And for us it is a lively hope because cause we see the evidence of that hope taking place in our lives here and have assurance in the words Jesus spoke “i go to prepare a place for you”. However the unbelieving do not have this hope.
Hope is one of the main distinguishing features between a believer and an unbeliever because the believer has a hope that stretches into eternity while the unbeliever has a hope that at best will last until his last breath.
Hope is your ability to step out on to what your natural eyes perceive as nothing because you believe and know that God has gone before you.
Introduction:
Today, I want to talk about the incredible hope that is available to sinners through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. No matter how far we have fallen or how deep our sins may be, there is always hope for redemption and forgiveness through the saving work of Jesus on the cross. As we journey through this sermon, I pray that you will be filled with hope and assurance of God's unending love for sinners.
Scriptures:
1. Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This verse reminds us that God's love for us is not dependent on our righteousness or goodness. In fact, it is precisely because we are sinners that Christ died for us, demonstrating the depth of his love and grace towards us.
2. 1 Timothy 1:15 - "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." Even the apostle Paul, who was once a persecutor of Christians, acknowledged that he was the worst of sinners. But he found hope and redemption in Jesus, who came to save sinners like him.
3. Luke 15:7 - "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." This parable of the lost sheep reminds us of the joy and celebration that takes place in heaven when a sinner repents and turns back to God. Our repentance is met with God's open arms and abundant grace.
4. Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." This passage emphasizes the richness of God's mercy and grace towards sinners. It is not by our own merit or works that we are saved, but by the unmerited favor of God through Jesus Christ.
Conclusion:
As we reflect on these scriptures, we are reminded of the hope that is available to sinners through the saving work of Jesus Christ. No sin is too great, no past too dark, for God's grace to reach and redeem. He stands ready to forgive, restore, and transform all who come to him in repentance and faith.
I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to hold on to this hope and to embrace the boundless love and mercy of our Savior. Let us never lose sight of the fact that we are sinners saved by grace, and that our hope is secure in the finished work of Christ on the cross. May we be filled with gratitude and praise for the gift of salvation, and may we share this message of hope with all who are still lost and in need of God's saving grace. Amen._
