The Blessed Hope

- Hebrews 11.1

- Romans 8:24-25

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Romans 8:24–25 (NKJV)

24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

Ever heard someone say they Hope for something?

- Hope or Wish

IE: I hope I get paid tomorrow I hope this goes away

I hope he/she is going to come?

Why not say I wish I get paid tomorrow?

I wish this goes away

I hope he/she comes tomorrow etc.

Little girls don’t hope for a rainbow colored pony, they wish for it.

We use these terms to signify something of a desire don't we?

I hope the doctor can cure me

I wish for an awesome vacation Etc.

The word wish means “To want something that cannot or probably will not happen.”

To wish for something is to say, “Id really like this to happen” but there’s really nothing to hold to that its going to happen

But when we use the word, HOPE

- Hope Affirms

We are affirming something.

We are affirming that there is a bases, or a foundation upon which we believe that what we are asking for is Attainable, and we are Hoping for its fulfillment.

This is why we don’t say, “I wish for the resurrection of Jesus for the salvation of our souls”

But rather we Hope for the resurrection of Jesus for the salvation of our souls

The difference is, by wishing we are assuming the former, that what we are asking for isn't really attainable

On the other hand, we Hope, because we do have something to hold on to.

Its called Scripture.

Romans 15:4 (NKJV)

4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

The Bible gives us hope now doesn't it?

It has yet to be proven infallible

Its Truth is still under attack today

You see, if the world today can prove the Bible wrong, it would kill our hope in Jesus wouldn't it?

Even Paul said, if Jesus didn't rise from the dead, we who believe he did would be the most to pity

1 Corinthians 15:12–19 (NKJV)

12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

Tell about Devil selling his tools (Discouragement) would remove our hope

This is where depression and Anxiety really come into the picture.

- Loss of Hope

Its a loss of hope,

Hopelessness

Your heart grows sick because you have no Hope

For what ever the reason it boils down to lost hope

For those who have never experienced it before, it is a black hole.

Its not just that you’re sad.

No, its deeper than that,

You have lost all hope over what ever triggers it.

Could be loneliness,

bad health diagnosis,

disease Betrayal,

loss of a loved one etc.

Proverbs 13:12 (NKJV)

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

They call Jesus the blesses Hope Because if He could conquer Death,

Then now through Him, we can too. AMEN!

Tell story about my fear of losing loved ones.

It gave me hope that this wasn't the end

It is the resurrection that gives us our hope!

Jesus did it, now so can we

Therefore, we can say, “I hope to see so & So” in heaven when I die

Instead of, “I wish I can go to heaven and find out all who’s there”

Tell about conversation with Cousin (He said all we can do is try to be good people and wish or a spot in)

I said no, no no.

Jesus is our hope We already have a spot,

We can hope for pleasant send off but the ticket is paid for And that should give you hope Amen!

1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

So, when and if you ever find yourself flirting with depression Recognize it for what it is.

It is an attempt by the devil to confuse you over

- Hope in Vain

What ever the issue is, by convincing you there is no hope for you or your situation.

The devil is a liar

There is always Hope in Jesus

He is yours,

mine,

theirs

and the worlds blessed hope.

God has the final word on everything.

Doesn’t matter what

illness you have

What debt you have,

What condition you are in.

You can find peace from all burdens at the feet of Jesus

Because, no matter what, how, or when we get to Heaven, He’s gonna be right there waiting for us.

Remember, we don't hope in vain

We don't WISH this

We hope in Jesus because there wasn’t a body found in the tomb

It was empty just like he said it would be

And everything else HE ever said would happen up to now has happened.

So this gives us the basis on which to hope in evidence that all thats yet to come,

will indeed come Even So,

Come Lord Jesus!