Introduction:

1. Hope is one of the most powerful forces in human existence.

2. No doubt this is why it is so central to the NT message, occurring 83x.

3. God supplies our hope in Christ, and hope empowers us to be faithful.

Discussion:

I. What It Means

A. Gr. Elpis: expectation- Acts 24:15; Rom. 5:4; the object of hope- Rom. 8:24; the source of hope- Colossians 1:27; 1 Timothy 1:1 (Mounce)

B. Christ is the source and object of our hope.

C. Biblical hope is not wishful thinking but confidence in Christ.

II. What It Teaches Us About God and Humanity

A. Sin wrecked everything (Genesis 3:16-24; Romans 5:12; 8:19-23; Ephesians 2:1-3).

B. But God would not have the story end in this way:

1. Amid the curses, He provided hope (Genesis 3:15).

2. His promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, et. al. supplied the hope of the nation of Israel.

3. This hope saturates the Psalms of Israel (Psalms 16:8-11; 42:5; 62:5; 71:5, 14; 119:43, 49, 74, 81; 130:7).

4. This hope and expectation launched the ministries of John and Jesus (Luke 1:46-56, 67-79; Romans 15:12).

5. The central feature of this hope is the defeat of death through the resurrection (Acts 232:6; 24:15; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:19-23).

C. Once again, this word shows God putting right what we made wrong.

III. How These Truths Should Shape Our Lives

A. The hope God provides is to generate faith (Psalms 71:5; Romans 15:13).

B. This leads to patient endurance (Romans 5:1-5; 8:24-25).

C. Which leads to boldness in doing His bidding (2 Corinthians 3:12; 1 Peter 3:15).

D. The strength for which we gain by drawing near to Him in hope (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:19; 10:23).

E. All of which is to the intent that we will purify ourselves as He is pure (1 John 3:1-3; cf. 2 Corinthians 7:1).

1. Back to where we started, and the power of the hope God provides.

2. Jesus is the source and object of our hope, so we must draw near.

3. Hope shrinks earthly sufferings as we await the glory that follows (Romans 8:18).