Therefore Hope

Romans 5:1 CSB

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

INTRO—

Question: “Who wants hope? Real, unshakeable hope?” [I see those hands.]

…Good! I can tell you where to get it. THEOLOGY (living)

Theological…Practical...

[All this theology…Now let’s transition to something practical. It’s not that hard of a shift!]

Contrast? NO...

Complement. (…And, it’s more than just saying something nice.)

[Romans 5.1]

Therefore...

Since we have been declared righteous

By faith

We have peace with God

Through our Lord Jesus Christ.

[Romans 5.2] HOPE: Eternally Consequential

<Big-Time Importance…>

Salvation (Justification, Sanctification)

We have a right relationship with the Eternal God.

Ephesians 2:13 CSB

But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Hebrews 9:12 CSB

he entered the most holy place once for all time, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

Salvation (Glorification)

The Eternal God promises eternal blessing.

Romans 8:29–30 CSB

For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

Ephesians 1:18 CSB

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

[Romans 5.3-4] HOPE: Amid Temporal Trials

<All kinds of consequences relate to the righteous who live by faith…>

We also rejoice (that is, “boast; show off” = not a stoic, getting through it [grin and bear it] but a celebratory bragging about the opportunity!)… that’d be great to leave tied to what Paul already said. BUT, he said, “not only,…but also”...

In AFFLICTION (tribulation, trial, suffering)!

Because, Affliction Produces Endurance...

Romans 8:28 CSB

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

1 Corinthians 9:24 CSB

Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.

…& Endurance Produces Proven Character (proof, evidence)...

Romans 4:18 CSB

He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be.

Romans 4:20 CSB

He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,

1 Peter 1:7 CSB

so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

…& Proven Character Produces Hope.

Hebrews 10:23 CSB

Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.

Romans 15:4 CSB

For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.

“The righteous will live by faith,” will be proved out…SO, our faith must be tested.

It’s not blind faith — It’s substantiated.

It’s not asserted faith — It’s verified.

James 1:2–4 CSB

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

[Romans 5.5] HOPE: Not Gonna Let Us Down!

Colossians 1:27 CSB

God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Hebrews 6:18–19 CSB

so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.

Romans 5:5 CSB

This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.