Dwell on: Hope

8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

Think about this for a minute, in HCSB it says moral excellence, not just excellence but moral excellence. Is that knowing the right things to do and doing it? so if there is any moral excellence in these things we are to praise. Not only that we are to apply (dwell on these things). and the results are the peace of God will be with you.

So the right thing for us today is to dwell on, consider, ponder, meditate upon hope!

1 Corinthians 13:13 NASB95

13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

As I mentioned hope is sandwiched in between faith and love. Not only are we to have hope, we are to have steadfastness of hope

1 Thessalonians 1:3 NASB95

3 constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,

So, our hope is not just in something, it is in someone, our Lord Jesus Christ, and we know we cannot go wrong dwelling on the object of our hope today.

We will be looking at hope defined, hope described, hope developed and what hope demonstrated looks like.

Hope Defined

Hope, we all have hope in things and for things. Hope makes things worth living doesn’t it? This morning we are looking at hope, so first may we define hope.

According to Strong’s Greek Concordance:

elpis: expectation, hope

Original Word: ἐλπίς, ίδος, ἡ Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: elpis Phonetic Spelling: (el-pece') Definition: expectation, hope Usage: hope, expectation, trust, confidence

According to Vine’s Dictionary: it is “favorable and confident expectation”

Complete word Study dictionary “desire of some good with some expectation of obtaining it.”

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Hope defined: Confident expectation, trust, of some good to come

Hope defined in the scripture (Rom8:24-25; Heb11:1; 1Pt1:21)

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You don’t have expectation of obtaining something if you already have it, do you? So hope defined has something to do with some unseen and future item that you have confident expectation, trust in receiving. Now as it shows in some scripture.

Romans 8:24–25 NASB95

24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Hope is not a wish, like you wish for something for Christmas or your birthday. It is a strong expectation, confidence that is place in God according to the Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

Hope in a short definition is confident expectation to receive something that is unseen at this time.

We are dwelling on things as simple Christians and as we do when it comes to hope you will see that it is inseparable from faith.

Hebrews 11:1 NASB95

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

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

Now how about we have hope in this and see hope defined here.

1 Peter 1:20–21 NASB95

20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Not a hope you may receive something, but a confident expectation to receive it!

What does our Christian hope rest in? - there could be several things, let me show you a few.

Hope Described

Now we can know because of (1Tim1:1) that Jesus Christ is our hope, but there is more that we can find in the scripture that helps describe hope.

1 Timothy 1:1 NASB95

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,

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Hope of righteousness (Gal5:5; Rom5:1; Gal5:4)

Hope based on our hope in Christ (Php3:7-11)

Hope in reward to be given (2Tim4:6-8)

Hope in the revelation of Christ (1Cor1:7)

Hope in Christs return (Tit2:11-13)

More hope in revelation and revealing (1Pt1:7 1Pt1:13; 1Pt4:13 Rom8:19; Col3:4

Hope of the resurrection (Rom8:23-24; Act23:6)

Hope in God (Act24:15; 1Cor15:42-44, 50-54)

Hope as we eagerly await (Php4:20-21)

Hope of our future home Heb11:10, 16; Heb13:14; 2Pt3:13-14)

Whew, is that something to give, display and describe hope?

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May I start with - Hope of righteousness. Paul explains, writes that it is we are waiting for the hope of righteousness

Galatians 5:5 NASB95

5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

That comes from the justification we have being in Christ Jesus because of our faith.

Romans 5:1 NASB95

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Now, keeping in context with the Gal5:5 passage, in context this hope has to do with with the freedom we have in Christ Jesus

Galatians 5:1 NASB95

1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Freedom that we can give up and be severed from Christ

Galatians 5:4 NASB95

4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Because our justification only comes through faith or by faith in Christ jesus in which we have our hope in.

Paul in Galatians and in Romans is speaking of the righteousness we have, the justification we have being in Christ Jesus, knowing that Jesus has taking on our penalty for sin, not that we are not guilty, but he took on the penalty on our behalf.

So our hope is based on the hope that we have in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:7–8 NASB95

7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

Philippians 3:9–10 NASB95

9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

Philippians 3:11 NASB95

11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Count everything as loss because of our hope, our faith, our righteousness given by God because of our faith so that we may know the power of His resurrection and the hope of our resurrection from the dead.

2 Timothy 4:6–7 NASB95

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

2 Timothy 4:8 NASB95

8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Now this is confident expectation! This is hope!

So, we have hope defined, we have hope described in the scriptures, hope in the righteousness of God, now how about hope in the revelation of Jesus Christ?

Revelation when Christ appears, when He returns for His church

1 Corinthians 1:7 NASB95

7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

When He returns is HE going to find us eagerly awaiting?

Titus 2:11–12 NASB95

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,

Titus 2:13 NASB95

13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

We know God’s grace appeared in Christ making salvation available to us, because of our faith, we know we have hope, hope of the appearing of the glory of our Great God and Savior. when that happens, in that time we can know:

1 Peter 1:7 NASB95

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;

Our faith will be proved, our hope will be fulfilled and the result will be praise, glory and honor when He returns.

1 Peter 1:13 NASB95

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.

So, hold onto your hope, your confident expectation of good to come, that hope being the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:13 NASB95

13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

So as we wait, as we hope, in the interim may we cleave to our hope knowing there will be some suffering we are going to share in, so keep on rejoicing, for it will be worth it.

Romans 8:19 NASB95

19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

And I can’t stay out of COlossians

Colossians 3:4 NASB95

4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

You will be revealed with Him in glory. The glory of heaven, the glory of His presence, the glory of eternity with Him!

So hope Jesus, hope in righteousness, hope in revelation of Jesus Christ, how about hope of the resurrection?

So, was we eagerly await, do we have hope, confident expectation of good to come, expectation, of the final revelation, redemption of our bodies?

Romans 8:23–24 NASB95

23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?

The hope of the resurrection

Acts 23:6 NASB95

6 But perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!”

and our hope in God and the resurrection

Acts 24:15 NASB95

15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

Where we will put on immortality

1 Corinthians 15:42–43 NASB95

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;

1 Corinthians 15:44 NASB95

44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

Then a few verses later

1 Corinthians 15:50–51 NASB95

50 Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,

1 Corinthians 15:52–53 NASB95

52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1 Corinthians 15:54 NASB95

54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory.

I know it maybe a long passage, but we are talking about hope in our everlasting, eternal victory. Not by anything we have done, but by what He did on our behalf. By His power!

Philippians 3:20–21 NASB95

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Whew, may we continue to have confident expectation, hope, that we will be raised up on that last day and spend eternity with Him.

More hope, hope of a new creation.

Hebrews 11:10 NASB95

10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

A new creation, a new city where God is the builder

Hebrews 11:16 NASB95

16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

A better country, a heavenly one that God prepared for us

John 14:1–2 NASB95

1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

We look forward to the city to come

Hebrews 13:14 NASB95

14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

A better country, a better city, a lasting city, a heavenly home where the righteousness of God dwells.

2 Peter 3:13–14 NASB95

13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless,

How much does your hope, your confident expectation of good things to come impact your life today?

May we now consider how we can further develop hope

Hope Developed

We develop our good hope that has been defined, described through grace. Grace that is freely given to us by faith.

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Developed by Grace (2The2:16; Rom5:1-2)

Grace that makes us heirs (Tit3:7)

Hope, grace written in earlier times (Rom15:4)

Hope, grace that is in the gospel (Col1:5, 23)

Hope, grace in our calling (Eph1:8; Rom5:3-4; Jam1:2-4; 1Pt1:6-7)

Hope, grace empowered by the Spirit (Gal5:5; Rom5:5; Rom15:13)

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Hope developed through grace freely given

2 Thessalonians 2:16 NASB95

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,

it is through justification that we have this grace

Romans 5:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

This grace, this eternal grace received by faith makes us heirs

Titus 3:7 NASB95

7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Hope, eternal hope, eternal grace, eternal heirs

We can continue to develop our hope through the word of God. This would include the things written before

Romans 15:4 NASB95

4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

We can develop our hope, our hope in the gospel

Colossians 1:5 NASB95

5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel

Colossians 1:23 NASB95

23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

Hope that is laid up for us, because we heard the word, believed the word, obeyed the word and we hold firmly to it.

In Eph1:8 Paul tells us it is the hope of our calling in God

Hope, like faith, comes by hearing, hearing the Word of God

We continue to develop our hope through our experiences, and yes, even the hard ones

Romans 5:3–4 NASB95

3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

For in these tribulations it produces perseverance that leads to confidence

James 1:2–4 NASB95

2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

and that helps to prove and perfect our hope

1 Peter 1:6–7 NASB95

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;

Hope that is empowered by the work of the Spirit

Galatians 5:5 NASB95

5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

Hope that does not disappoint

Romans 5:5 NASB95

5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Hope that can abound and that is powerful

Romans 15:13 NASB95

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Stay with me just a few more minutes, for hope defined, hope described and hope developed brings us to hope demonstrated.

Hope Demonstrated

Demonstrations, who does not like a good demonstration? How about some biblical demonstrations of hope?

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Eager hope (1Cor1:7; Php3:20)

Eager hope for our final salvation (Heb9:28; Rom8:25; 1The1:3)

Eager hope that encourages purification (1Jn3:3)

Eager hope that takes effort (toil) (1Cor15:58)

Eager hope that we exult in (Rom5:2) and we rejoice in it (Rom12:12)

Eager hope that is our living hope (1Pt1:3)

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Our eager hope

1 Corinthians 1:7 NASB95

7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Eager hope in a Savior

Philippians 3:20 NASB95

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

Eager hope of our final salvation

Hebrews 9:28 NASB95

28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

Eager hope that is patiently working in us, as mentioned before in Rom8:25; 1The1:3, and it is hope that is growing in holiness

1 John 3:3 NASB95

3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Eager hope that yes, does take some effort

1 Corinthians 15:58 NASB95

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

But the results of our eager hope

Romans 5:2 NASB95

2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

and finally in rejoicing

Romans 12:12 NASB95

12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

So, what is our hope?

Confident expectation of good to come. The revelation of Jesus Christ

It’s the resurrection of our bodies to our eternal dwelling in heaven

All made possible by the grace of God through the Word of God, empowered by the Spirit of God, to make us a people of God and for the glory of God.

So how can we manifest our hope, by eagerly waiting, conidenlty expecting, patiently working and rejoicing all the while!

It is the living hope

1 Peter 1:3 NASB95

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,