1 Timothy 1:1-2
A nation or an individual without God is also without hope. People in America are becoming more anxious about the future of the world. Is it any wonder when we continue to turn away from our Creator? How can the teachings of atheism and evolution offer any hope? They cannot for they have no message of hope! The gospel is a message of hope found in the Person of Jesus Christ, “who is our hope.”
In our English usage of “hope” is a desire or a feeling of that which we want to happen. The word “hope” in the Bible speaks of our confidence in God. Our confidence is based upon what the Lord has done for us in the past and what He will do in the future.
I. BASIS FOR OUR HOPE
A. OUR HOPE IS IN GOD OUR SAVIOR.
The title “God our Savior” appears only in the Pastoral Epistles. In the Old Testament God is the great deliverer, the source of salvation. In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus is spoken of as the Savior. It is correct to think of God the Father as our Savior for man’s salvation was planned by Him.
It was God the Father who “so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son.” (John 3:16)
It was God the Father who “spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all.” (Rom. 8:32)
It was God the Father who “commendeth His love toward us.” (Rom. 5:8)
It is God the Father “who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings.” (Eph. 1:3)
B. OUR HOPE IS IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
While God the Father planned our salvation, it was the Lord Jesus Christ who came to earth to be the sacrificial Lamb. Jesus paid the debt of sin by taking the sinner’s punishment. Our only hope of getting to heaven is found in the Person and work of the Lord Jesus. Jesus is our hope for the present and for the future.
II. BLESSINGS FROM OUR HOPE
A. WE ARE SAVED BY HOPE (Rom. 8:24)
Sinners are saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As saved sinners, we have hope (confidence) in the finished work of redemption by Christ on our behalf.
“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?” Romans 8:24
B. WE HAVE A LIVING HOPE (1 Peter 1:3)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3
We have a living hope for the Lord has given us life through the new birth. We have received the gift of eternal life. We now have hope beyond the grave.
C. WE HAVE A REJOICING HOPE (Rom. 5:2)
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2
“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Col. 3:4
We have joy in our hope. Someday we will see the Lord of glory and we will share in His eternal glory.
D. WE HAVE A GLORIOUS HOPE (Col. 1:27)
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Col. 1:27
The Christ who lives within us is the reason we have “the hope of glory.” We belong to the Lord Jesus. We are as assured of heaven since Jesus is in heaven seated at the Father’s right hand.
E. WE HAVE A WITNESSING HOPE (1 Peter 3:15)
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15
Peter wrote to a people who were suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus. We have hope in the midst of suffering. We have hope of a better future because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Suffering may be our lot on earth but not in heaven. We have a witness to the lost when they see us going through troubles and trials with hope.
F. WE HAVE A PURIFYING HOPE (1 John 3:2-3)
“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. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3
The risen Christ will someday come for His very own. We shall see Him in all His glory. He is coming for us. Since we have this hope in Christ, we want to be ready at His appearing.
G. WE HAVE A BLESSED HOPE (Titus 2:13)
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13
We are keeping our eyes on that eastern sky for we know our redemption draweth nigh. Jesus will make His glorious appearance soon.
