A Reason for Hope

I. Hope because of Jesus Christ’s divinity

A. Jesus Christ’s divinity

John 20:28

John 20:28 ESV

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

Jn 20:28 “Lord” is a common divine title in the Greek OT and is instinctively transferred to Jesus Christ in the NT.

See also 1 Co 8:6; 2 Co 3:17–18; Eph 4:5; 2 Th 2:16; 2 Pe 1:2

B. The day of Christ Jesus

Philippians 1:6

Philippians 1:6 ESV

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Php 1:6 The “day of Christ Jesus” is equivalent to the OT “day of the Lord”.

See also 1 Co 1:8; 2 Co 1:14; Php 1:10; Php 2:16; Re 1:10

C. Jesus Christ is ruler over all

Revelation 17:14

Revelation 17:14 ESV

14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

See also Dt 10:17; Re 19:16

D. Jesus Christ is the Saviour

Romans 10:13

Romans 10:13 ESV

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

See also Joe 2:32; Ac 2:21

E. Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath

Matthew 12:8

Matthew 12:8 ESV

8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

II. Hope because Jesus the Messiah is Lord

Ac 2:36 “Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word “Messiah”.

See also 2 Co 4:5; Col 3:24

A. “Jesus is Lord” is the basic Christian statement of faith

Romans 10:9

Romans 10:9 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

See also Ac 11:20; Ac 16:31; Ac 20:21; 1 Co 12:3; 2 Co 4:5; Php 2:10–11

B. Jesus is Lord because of the resurrection

Romans 1:4

Romans 1:4 ESV

4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

See also Ac 4:33; Ro 4:24; Ro 14:9; Heb 13:20

C. Lord is a natural title for the risen Christ

Luke 24:34

Luke 24:34 ESV

34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”

See also Lk 22:61; Ac 1:21; Ac 7:59; 1 Co 9:1; 1 Co 9:5; 1 Th 4:17

III. Hope because of our relationship with Jesus

A. It is a personal relationship

Philippians 3:8

Philippians 3:8 ESV

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

See also Ac 16:15; Ro 5:11; Ro 14:8; 1 Co 6:17; 2 Pe 2:20

B. “The name of the Lord” expresses this relationship

1 Corinthians 6:11

1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV

11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

See also Ac 8:16; Ac 15:26; Ac 19:5; Ac 21:13; Eph 5:20; Col 3:17

C. “Jesus our Lord” expresses this relationship

Ephesians 6:24

Ephesians 6:24 ESV

24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

See also 1 Co 15:57; 2 Co 8:9; Ga 6:14; Eph 5:20; 1 Th 5:28; 2 Ti 1:8

D. “In the Lord” as an expression of this relationship

Philemon 16

Philemon 16 ESV

16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

See also Ro 16:12; Eph 6:10; Php 1:14; Php 2:29; Php 3:1; Phm 20

E. The “grace of the Lord” as God’s provision for this relationship

1 Timothy 1:14

1 Timothy 1:14 ESV

14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

See also 2 Co 13:14; 2 Th 3:18; Phm 25; 2 Pe 3:18; Jud 21

IV. Jesus Christ’s lordship signifies his absolute authority

A. Jesus Christ as judge of all

1 Corinthians 4:4

1 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

See also 1 Co 11:32; 2 Co 10:18; 1 Th 4:6; 2 Th 1:8–9

B. Jesus Christ as Lord of all

Romans 10:12

Romans 10:12 ESV

12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.

See also Ac 10:36; 1 Co 8:6; Php 2:10–11; Col 1:16–17

God’s Invitation and Plan of Salvation

Hear - Romans 10:17

​Romans 10:17 ESV 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Believe and Confess - Romans 10:9-10

​Romans 10:9–10 ESV 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Repent - Luke 13:3

​Luke 13:3 ESV 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Be Baptized - Acts 2:38

Acts 2:38 (ESV)

38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Remain Faithful - Revelation 2:10

​Revelation 2:10 ESV 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

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