How can Christian pastors hope to feed their flock on a well-balanced spiritual diet if they completely neglect the 39 books of Holy Scripture on which Christ and all the New Testament authors received their own spiritual nourishment (Gleason Archer)?
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Hope

Hope 56 BA-14-4A HOPE Col. 1:3-6

INTRODUCTION:

  1. “A feeling that what is wanted will happen”
  2. Differs from faith – Heb. 11:1, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for.”
  3. Without hope, faith will not come
  4. This is the situation of many today. Solomon also saw it: Ec. 2:17, “Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.”
  5. But God has given us HOPE, if we will receive it.
  6. HOPE IS LAID UP IN HEAVEN
  7. Not to mean that it is not available now–quite the contrary!
  8. It is waiting on our petition
  9. What is meant is that it was PAID FOR by our Savior in Heaven
  10. Hope belongs to God and He keeps it available for us to use

II. HOPE IS TAUGHT IN THE WORD OF GOD

  1. We cannot see hope so some doubt its existance or power
  2. ILLUS: Two children arguing about whether the sun moved or the earth. “I saw it move.” vs “I believe Father” (Knight 184)
  3. God’s Word teaches us how to activate hope
    1. Ro. 4:18, “[Abraham] against hope believed in hope… according to that which was spoken.”
    2. Ro. 8:24, “Hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?”
    3. Ro. 5:2-5, “…and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed”
  4. Titus 2:11-13, “The grace of God… [teaches] us that, denying

    ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”

III. HOPE BRINGS FORTH FRUIT

  1. Hope for today – Salvation & its joy
    1. Verse 27, the mystery among the Gentiles is: “Christ in you, the HOPE OF GLORY”
    2. It may seem too great but that is hope (thing wished for)
    3. Ask God for the Hope of Salvation today
  2. Hope for the future – Eternal life in Glory is promised you

IV. HOPE IS COME TO YOU… IN ALL THE WORLD

  1. It reaches us no matter who or where we are
  2. God is offering you HOPE, right NOW!
  3. The only doubt is in YOUR heart (God is certain)
  4. Hope is come to you, now WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH IT?
  5. You may only see the troubles and problems:
  6. Wesley’s “Cow Sermon” (Knight, p. 184)