HOPE

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers 317: Hope

In 1997 the journal of the American Heart Association reported on some remarkable research. According to the Chicago Tribune, Susan Everson of the Human Population Laboratory of the Public Health Institute in Berkeley, California, found that people who experienced high levels of despair had a 20 percent greater occurrence of atherosclerosis—the narrowing of their arteries—than did optimistic people. “This is the same magnitude of increased risk that one sees in comparing a pack-a-day smoker to a non-smoker,” said Everson. In other words, despair can be as bad for you as smoking a pack a day!

That is just one more reason why God calls us to choose hope and faith. The Christian life contributes to good health, for God gives us a legitimate basis for hope.

Despair, Health

Rom. 15:13; 1-Cor. 13:13

Date used __________ Place ____________________

We have a Living HOPE

1 Peter 1:3 NIV

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

HOPE in God

Psalm 42:5 NKJV

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

H—eritage

“Made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7).

Titus 3:7 NKJV

7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

A. Heritage—“that which is inherited; the lot, condition, or status into which one is born” (Webster).

B. Being justified by faith through Jesus Christ gives us the hope of eternal life, making us heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:16–17).

Romans 8:16–17 NKJV

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

O-ptimism

“Happy is he … whose hope is in the Lord his God” (Ps. 146:5).

Psalm 146:5 NKJV

5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God,

A. Optimism—“an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and happenings, or anticipate the best possible outcome” (Webster).

B. Hope brings optimism and good cheer. Optimism looks for and expects the best (Rom. 8:28).

Romans 8:28 NKJV

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

P-atience

“Remembering … your … patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 1:3).

1 Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV

3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

A. Most Christians need more patience.

B. Patience of hope is developed through affliction, trial, and temptation—with the help of the Lord (1 Peter 5:10).

1 Peter 5:10 NKJV

10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

E-ternal Life

“In hope of eternal life, which God … promised …” (Titus 1:2).

Titus 1:2 NKJV

2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

A. Hope means “happy expectation.” The Christian has the hope, the “happy expectation,” of eternal life.

B. We must set our affections on things above so we can claim the treasures laid up for us in heaven (Col. 1:5).

Colossians 1:5 NKJV

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