Our Blessed Hope

A national survey revealed that ninety percent of Americans believe in God. But listen to this. That same survey also revealed that most of those same people said their belief had no effect on their business or politics.

When I saw that I thought, “How can that be?” How can your faith not influence how you conduct your business or even, how you vote? My only answer to my own question is that their kind of faith is not the same as my own. True Christianity transforms. It transforms our way of thinking, acting and living. Our Christian faith should affect everything about our lives.

In the little Pastoral Epistle written to Titus, the Apostle Paul addresses the second coming of Jesus Christ. He calls the sure and certain return of Christ the “blessed hope” of all believers. Our hope is never to be invested in this world, but in Christ alone.

As we look this evening at Titus 2:11-14, I want us to ask and answer, “What are the practical implications of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ?”

Titus 2:11–14 (ESV) 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Again, “What are the practical implications of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ?” First, until He comes again…………….

1. We Should Live Nobly, Titus 2:12

training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Noble living involves both the negative and the positive. We are to deny or renounce some things, ungodliness and worldly passions, and we are to affirm other things, self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.

The late H.L. Hunt, one of the world’s richest men, was asked what advice he would give on the subject of success. The wily, old Texan replied, “Decide what you are willing to give up. Then be about your business.”

As Christians, we are called to live our lives with integrity, self-control and compassion. We ought to be known as the most trustworthy, honorable and caring people in the neighborhood, community or the workplace.

T/S—Looking for our blessed hope should first of all cause us to live our lives nobly. Second,

2. We Should Look Expectantly, Luke 21:28

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

In verse 13, Paul defines his own phrase, “our blessed hope” calling it , the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Martin Luther said, “We are to believe and live and love and work as though Jesus died yesterday, rose today, and is coming again tomorrow.” We are to be looking for “our blessed hope.”

Jesus said, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28 (ESV)

T/S—Again, as Luther said, we are to live as if Jesus could come at any second. Look Expectantly. Third,

3. We Should Labor Diligently, 1 Corinthians 10:31

zealous for good works.

The end of verse 14 tells us why Christ redeemed us— to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

The president of a small corporation was proudly showing off his new factory to a friend. The impressed friend asked, “How many people work here?” The president quickly replied, “About half of them.”

That might be an accurate description of the church today, but the Bible declares that we should all be active in our service for God.

· 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

· Colossians 3:17 (ESV) And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

· Colossians 3:23 (ESV) Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

· Luke 10:2 (ESV) And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

T/S—Work till Jesus comes! Last of all, as we wait on our blessed hope, a part of the work we are called to do is to witness fervently!

4. We Should Witness Fervently, Acts 1:8-11

good works.

Our faithful witness should be a regular part of the good works we are assigned to do.

Acts 1:8–11 (ESV) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Revelation 1:7 (NKJV) Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Revelation 14:14 (NKJV) Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.

Conclusion: The grace of God that brings salvation has already appeared. Now we look for His coming again. This is our blessed hope!

(Series—Simple Sermons for Sunday Nights, a number of sermons from this series developed from Paul Powell’s book “52 Sermon Ideas,” 1992)