The Hope of the Gospel

by R.J. Stevens

Introduction:

  1. We are saved by hope.  Rom. 8:24-25
  2. We are saved by faith.  Eph. 2:8
  3. We are saved by the word of God.  James 1:21
  4. Hope's substance is faith.  Heb 11:1
  5. Faith's substance is the word of God.  Rom. 10:17
  6. God has made great promises and He keeps them.  2 Peter 1:4; 2 Cor. 1:20
  7. Hope is desire and expectation.  Those in Christ desire to obtain the promises God has made in His word and they expect God to keep His promises.
  8. Let us consider the hope of the gospel.  Titus 2:13 - "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.
  1. The Promise and Hope of the Resurrection From the Dead.
    1. Jesus promised a resurrection of the dead.  John 5:28-29
    2. Paul spoke of his hope in the resurrection.
      Acts 23:6 - Before the council.
      Acts 24:14-15 - Before Felix.
      Acts 26:6-8 - Before Agrippa.
    3. Paul's words to the Corinthians about it.  1 Cor. 15:13-14, 22, 35-38
    4. This hope is real because Jesus arose from the dead.  1 Peter 1:3
    5. We desire the resurrection because God promised it.  We expect it because of our faith in God to keep His promises.
    6. What a wonderful hope!
  2. The Hope of Eternal Life.
    1. This is a promise made by the Lord.  Mark 10:30; 1 John 2:25
    2. Those in Christ have hope of some day living forever.  Titus 1:2
    3. The term eternal is difficult for man to comprehend.  Do you believe that God has an eternal nature?
    4. Do you believe that you will have an eternal nature some day?
    5. We desire life eternal and we expect it.
  3. The Hope of Living in Heaven with Christ.
    1. It is promised in the gospel.
      1. Jesus - John 14:1-3
      2. Paul - Col. 1:4-5; 1 Thess. 4:13-18
      3. John - 1 John 3:2-3
    2. People of faith desire the heavenly country, the heavenly city.  Heb. 11:16
    3. I desire to be with Christ in heaven some day and I expect to see Him.
    4. WHAT A WONDERFUL HOPE!
  4. Keep Your Hope Alive.
    1. Hebrews 3:6 - "But Christ as a son over His own house; whose house are we if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of hope firm unto the end."
    2. Hebrews 6:11-12 - "And we desire that you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith inherit the promises."
    3. Hebrews 6:18-19 - "That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, that we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus,"
    4. Consider Paul's confident hope:
      1. 2 Cor. 5:1 - "For we know that is our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
      2. Phil. 1:21 - "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
      3. Phil. 1:23 - "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better."

Conclusion:

  1. The hope of the Gospel of Christ.
  2. A resurrection from the dead and the body will be changed.
  3. Everlasting Life.
  4. Living in heaven with the Lord some day.
  5. Our hope will stay alive as long as our faith is alive.  Let us always remember that this hope is made possible by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.   Thanks be to God for His amazing grace!

Back