What Hope Does for the Believer

1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV 1900

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

What Hope will do for the Believer:

Hope will be an anchor in the storms of life.

Hope will be a comfort in the sorrows of life.

Hope will help us to be steadfast in our service.

Hope will give purpose in our trials.

Hope creates character in our sufferings.

Hope makes us expectant in our living.

Hope Causes US to meditate on the promises.

"HOPE"

1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV 1900

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

INTRODUCTION:

When these three words are found together in the New Testament; they summarize the Christian life.

Colossians 1:4–5 KJV 1900

4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

1 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV 1900

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

Romans 5:1–5 KJV 1900

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

What is faith?

Faith is trust that rests upon evidence and leads to action.

Faith possesses the past by laying hold upon Calvary and making it real in my life.

Faith is looking unto Jesus in every area of life.

This is the foundation of our relationship with God.

John 1:12 KJV 1900

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

What is hope?

Hope is confidence in the future, an expectation of something better, based upon the promises of God.

Hope claims the future, and looks beyond into glory.

It is not a vague guess, but an absolute, confident assurance.

What is love?

Love is Jesus Christ living through the Christian’s life

It dominates my life now.

This is Christian living.

Faith says Jesus Christ came to save me; hope says He is coming again to take me to be with Him. Love says He abides in my heart today.

These three abide; life here and hereafter progressive.

Faith goes on possessing God more fully.

Hope never ceases to catch new glimpses of His glory in the wonder of eternity, and our love will increase as they reach out.

Today I want to deal with this one word: hope.

"There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expec­tation of something better tomorrow."-Marden

"The first thing a girl hopes for from the garden of love is at least one carat."

"Take from a man his wealth, and you hinder him; take from him his purpose, and you slow him down. But take from man his hope, and you stop him. He can go on without wealth, and even without purpose for a while. But he will not go on without hope." Gilbert Beenkeen

Other men see only a hopeless end, but the Christian rejoices in an endless hope.

God of Hope.

Romans 15:13 KJV 1900

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Living Hope. I Pet.l:3 All men outside of Christ are without hope. They may have a false hope, but they are hopeless.

Ephesians 2:12 KJV 1900

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

How sad when the doctor says, "There is no hope." The awful feeling of futility - why go on - all hope taken away.

Acts 27:20 KJV 1900

20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

The Bible has much to say to the believer about hope, the future. Hope must be kept alive, sus­tained, in order to jive the Christian life victoriously.

The book of Hebrews was written to suffering Jews tempted to turn back because of all the persecution they have encountered. Heb.10:23,32-37

Hebrews 10:23 KJV 1900

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Hebrews 10:32–37 KJV 1900

32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Hope to the end.

1 Peter 1:1 KJV 1900

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1 Peter 1:13 KJV 1900

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

What hope will do for the believer:

I. HOPE WILL BE AN ANCHOR IN THE STORMS OF LIFE

Adversity, reverses.

1. Does It Pay To Serve God?

Malachi 3:14–15 KJV 1900

14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: And what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, And that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? 15 And now we call the proud happy; Yea, they that work wickedness are set up; Yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

2. God Is Not Unrighteous To Forget.

Hebrews 6:10–12 KJV 1900

10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

3. God Will Bless As He Has Promised Even Though It Seems He Has Forgotten.

An anchor - not carried off in floods.

Job: "I know that my redeemeth liveth."

There is hope.

Job 14:7 KJV 1900

7 For there is hope of a tree, If it be cut down, that it will sprout again, And that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

Job 14:14 KJV 1900

14 If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, Till my change come.

Hope of eternal life.

Titus 1:2 KJV 1900

2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

II. HOPE WILL BE A COMFORT IN THE SORROWS OF LIFE

1 Thessalonians 4:13 KJV 1900

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

A. Greek Thought In That Day.

Theocritus (3rd Century B.C.) - Hopes are among the living; the dead are without hope.

Moschus (Contemporary) - Speaking of plants in the garden: "Alas, alas these live and spring again in ano­ther year; but we, when we die, deaf to all sound in the hollow earth, sleep a long, long endless sleep that knows no waking.

Catullus (Roman poet) Last century B.C. "Suns may set and rise again, not we; when once our brief light goes down, must sleep an endless night."

Lucretius - "No one awakes and arises who once has been overtaken by the chilling end of life."

Evolutionists, reincarnation, oblivion-wail on mission fields at funerals.

B. Christian Reality - Songs of Hope, Praise, Glory.

1. Sorrow-not as others which have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 KJV 1900

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

The solid Rock-page 394

2. Hope of the Gospel.

Colossians 1:23 KJV 1900

23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

III. HOPE HELPS US BECOME STEADFAST IN OUR SERVICE

Our attitude toward this world.

1. If In This Life We Have Hope.

1 Corinthians 15:19 KJV 1900

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

1 Corinthians 15:14–18 KJV 1900

14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

2. If After The Manner of Men. 1 Cor.15:32

1 Corinthians 15:32 KJV 1900

32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

2 Corinthians 11:23 KJV 1900

23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

3. Sometimes Errors of the foolish and Unsaved distract us from seeing that which God is doing.

Psalms 73-Read

4. Moses Was Able To Take the Long Look and Choose.

Hebrews 11:24–27 KJV 1900

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

5. Paul Says - Resurrection, Life Beyond -

Therefore.

1 Corinthians 15:51 KJV 1900

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV 1900

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

But now is Christ risen from the dead.

IV. HOPE WILL GIVE PURPOSE IN OUR TRIALS

1. Peace at the Cross. Rom.5:1

2. Glory in the Future. Rom.5:2

3. The Interim Between Has Purpose - Not

Accident. Rom.5:3,4

4. Leads to Love of God. Rom.5:5

A. May be from the hand of Satan.

Job

Rom.8:35-37

B. May be from hands of brethren. Joseph

C. May be from enemies.

Paul

Philippians 1:12 KJV 1900

12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

D. May be from our own failures.

Simon Peter

Valley of Achor - door of hope.

Hos.2:6,7, 14,15

Hosea 2:6–7 KJV 1900

6 Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, And make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. 7 And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; And she shall seek them, but shall not find them: Then shall she say, I will go and return to my first husband; For then was it better with me than now.

Hosea 2:14–15 KJV 1900

14 Therefore, behold, I will allure her, And bring her into the wilderness, And speak comfortably unto her. 15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, And the valley of Achor for a door of hope: And she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, And as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.

V. HOPE CREATES CHARACTER IN OUR SUFFERINGS

Patience - remain under.

2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV 1900

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

1. Sufferings speak of future Glory. Rom.8:17,18 Phil.1:29

Romans 8:17–18 KJV 1900

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Philippians 1:29 KJV 1900

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Consider Him. Heb.12:2,3

Hebrews 12:2–3 KJV 1900

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

2. Creations Suffering is Not Futile but Birth Pangs of something far better that is coming. Rom.8:20,21

Romans 8:20–21 KJV 1900

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

3. Future Liberty Awaits Us and Creation. Rom.8:22,23

Romans 8:22–23 KJV 1900

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

4. Patiently Wait For It. Rom.8:24,25 James 1:12

Romans 8:24–25 KJV 1900

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

James 1:12 KJV 1900

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

VI. HOPE MAKES US EXPECTANT IN OUR LIVING

1. Looking For the Blessed Hope - Rapture Not Death. Titus 2:13

Titus 2:13 KJV 1900

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

2. For Our Citizenship Is In Heaven. Phil.1:21

Philippians 1:21 KJV 1900

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

3. Made Like Him - This Hope Purifieth Self. I Jn.3:2,3

1 John 3:2–3 KJV 1900

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

4. Ushered Into Heaven.

Colossians 1:5 KJV 1900

5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

No sin, disease, death, sorrow,limitation, storms, tests,separations.

5. Love His Appearing. II Tim.4:8

2 Timothy 4:8 KJV 1900

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

VII. HOPE CAUSES US TO MEDITATE ON THE PROMISES OF GOD

1. Patience and Comfort; Scripture.

Romans 15:4 KJV 1900

4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Psalm 130:1–7 KJV 1900

1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. 2 Lord, hear my voice: Let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. 3 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with thee, That thou mayest be feared. 5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, And in his word do I hope. 6 My soul waiteth for the Lord More than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. 7 Let Israel hope in the Lord: For with the Lord there is mercy, And with him is plenteous redemption.

2. Fill You With Joy - Peace. Rom.15:13

Romans 15:13 KJV 1900

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

3. When Cast Down, Stir Up Hope. Ps.42:5

Psalm 42:5 KJV 1900

5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him For the help of his countenance.

Conclusion:

Psalm 78:7 KJV 1900

7 That they might set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep his commandments:

Oh! to be without a Saviour

With no hope or refuge nigh;

Can it be, 0 blessed Saviour,

One without Thee dares to die? (Frank M.Davis)

Where there is no hope, there is no happiness.

There is hope for the hopeless. Mark 5

Demon possessed man of Gadara

The woman with the issue of blood

Jairus’ daughter that died