The Good News Is you definitely have reason to hope. It is important to have hope that has real value. Baseless hopes without real value only disappoint. Hopelessness results in to many times placing hope and faith on things that are temporary. Cars, houses, money and even our bodies will eventually disappoint. All have temporary status. Consider the hope based on the promises God gives us. Consider what we have when we put our hope in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What do we have when we put our hope in the Gospel?
Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. NIV
What is the hope that is promised by God?
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. KJV
Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; KJV
1Jn 2:24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us–eternal life. KJV
What is real faith and hope?
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. KJV
How do we maintain that hope?
Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. KJV
What do we do with this hope?
1Pe 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: KJV
Heb 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, NIV
Why is it important to continue in this hope?
Heb 6:11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. NIV
1Jn 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. NIV
What are we not to hope in?
Rom 8:24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. NIV
1Ti 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. NIV
We can have joy and peace when we put our hope in God.
Rom 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Good News Is no matter what our lot in life, we can hope. Leona Townsend was a member at the Vale Church of Christ. An illness left her wheelchair bound for most of her adult life. She never let that keep her from having hope in God. She visited the sick in the same deplorable nursing home she lived. With the help of a motorized wheelchair, she made visits to other nursing homes and hospitals. In all kinds of weather she attended services more faithfully then able bodied members. She realized her infirmities were but temporary. At age 55 Leona left us on March 14, 2012. Her example is one of perseverance and strength that could only come from above. I am thankful for her example.
By Tim Anderson Evangelist and Minister E.U.P Church of Christ