“Our Hope”

Intro:

What is your hope?

What do you hope in?

Hebrews 10:23 (NASB)

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

1 Peter 1:1–13 (NASB)

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look. 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Our hope is Jesus!

If you hope is Jesus, you will…

Worship

6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials…

8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory…

Wait

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 39:7 (NASB)

7 “And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

Hoping and waiting are connected in the Hebrew…

Psalm 119:114 (ESV)

114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.

Psalm 119:114 (NASB)

114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.

The Hebrew word for hope, yahal (Yah - Hell) is also the Hebrew word for wait. So when you see often times, in the OT, when you see the word “wait” it includes “hope”. Sometimes the word is paired up with other Hebrew words for hope and wait.

Examples:

Lamentations 3:24–25 (NASB)

24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.

Psalm 62:5 (NASB)

5 My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.

Psalm 130:5 (NASB)

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope.

Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)

31 …those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Romans 12:12 (ESV)

12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Work

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action…