Sermon: Expectation!!
In Matthew 24 and Revelation we read of 4
horses…
The white horse---false prophets and deception
The red horse---war and rumors of wars
The black horse---famine
The pale horse ---pestilence
These are the first 4 of 7 Seals. These seals have already been open. These times are upon us.
The 5th Seal is the Great Tribulation. The tribulation is about to take place
The 6th Seal is Heavenly Signs
The 7th Seal is the 7 trumpet plagues
· Trees and grasses burned up.
· The sea becomes blood and ships destroyed.
· Rivers become as wormwood.
· Sun, moon and stars become darkened.
· A United Europe will attack Asia—1st woe
· Asia, 200 million will counterattack killing 1/3 of all mankind—2nd woe.
· Then the 7 last plagues:
---great sores on the people
---Seas and rivers of blood
---The sun will scorch all mankind
---The battle of Armageddon
---Great earthquakes and hail---all the 3rd woe
On top of all this we have our own personal problems:
---we struggle with our own human nature
---we fight against sin
---we battle against fear
---we are surrounded by hate, hopelessness and despair.
What can possibly save us from all of this? I can answer this question with just one word—Hope.
Hope will save us in the End Time.
Hope will get us through the Great Tribulation
Hope will overcome death and despair.
By hope we are at peace
By hope we have faith and love
By hope we overcome sin and fear
By hope we will enter into the Kingdom of God
SPS: My purpose this day is to encourage you to…
Have Hope
Invoke your Hope
Take possession of your Hope
…………now is the time.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT HOPE?
1] Hope is commanded.
Psalm 42:11
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
2] God is Hope
Romans 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
3] Jesus the Christ is Hope
1 Timothy 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.
4] Hope abides forever
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
WHAT IS HOPE -- WHAT IS ITS DEFINITION?
From the American Heritage Dictionary:
1] To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.
2] Archaic. To have confidence; trust. --tr. 1. To look forward to with confidence or expectation. 2. To expect and desire. --hope n. 1. A wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment. 2. Something that is hoped for or desired. 3. One that is a source of or reason for hope. 4. Often Hope. The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.
From the Bible
Expectation of good
Favorable & confident expectation
Confident expectancy
The word stands for both the act of hoping and the thing hoped for…
The act of hoping:
Romans 4:16-22
16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
…and the thing hoped for:
Colossians 1:5
For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
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,
These are nouns and state that there are specific things in which we have hope. We will discuss these later.
So, hope is both an act and a thing. Question is, are the act of hoping and the thing hoped for ours or do they come from somewhere else? Let us see…
HOW DOES HOPE WORK?
Story: A number of years ago researchers performed an experiment to see the effect hope has on those undergoing hardship. Two sets of laboratory rats were placed in separate tubs of water. The researchers left one set in the water and found that within an hour they had all drowned. The other rats were periodically lifted out of the water and then returned. When that happened, the second set of rats swam for over 24 hours. Why? Not because they were given a rest, but because they suddenly had hope! Those animals somehow hoped that if they could stay afloat just a little longer, someone would reach down and rescue them. If hope holds such power for unthinking rodents, how much greater should is effect be on our lives
1] Hope does not arise from the individual’s desires or wishes but from God, who is Himself the believer’s hope.
Psalm 39:5-7
5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
2] Genuine hope is not wishful thinking, but a firm assurance about things that are unseen and still in the future. Turn to Romans 8:24
Romans 8:24-26
24 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?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
3] Hope comes from God
Romans 15:13---again
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
4] Hope is directed toward God
Acts 24:15
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
1 Peter 1:21
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
5] Hope is directed toward Christ
1 Thessalonians 1:3---those 3 things that abide
Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.
WHAT DOES HOPE DO FOR US?
1] Hope distinguishes the Christian from the unbeliever, who has no hope.
Ephesians 2:12
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
1 Thessalonians 4:13
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
Without hope:
· a lack of hope results in becoming stagnant, being in the realm of despair.
· a church that does not hope is a church that will be limited in vision.
· a lack of hope results in expected discouragement and apathy.
· a lack of hope puts a bushel basket over the light and renders the salt saltless…without taste.
2] A Christian is one in whom hope resides.
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:
Story: A man sentenced to death obtained a reprieve by assuring the king he would teach his majesty's horse to fly within the year--on the condition that if he didn't succeed, he would be put to death at the end of the year. "Within a year," the man explained later, "the king may die, or I may die, or the horse may die. Furthermore, in a year, who knows? Maybe the horse will learn to fly."
3] It acts as part of our armor
1 Thessalonians 5:6-9
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
The closest thing to our mind is HOPE.
4) Hope purifies us!!
1 John 3:2-3
2 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.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.--
5] It saves us.
Romans 8:24----again
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?
WHAT IS OUR HOPE? (things to take possession of)
1) Hope of the glory of God:
Romans 5:2-5
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
2) Hope in the Word of God
Psalm 119:81
My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
Ps 119:114
Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
3) Hope of the gospel:
Colossians 1:23-24
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
4) Hope in the grace of God
1 Peter 1:13
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
5) Hope in your Calling:
Ephesians 4:1-6
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
6] Hope of righteousness by faith
Galatians 5:4-5
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
7] Hope in Jesus Christ:
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
(and as a part of this point) Hope in the appearance of both God, the Father and Jesus Christ
Titus 2:11-13
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
8] Hope of Salvation
1 Thessalonians 5:8-11
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
(as a part of this point) Hope in the resurrection of the dead
Acts 23:6
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
Acts 26:6-8
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
9) Hope in Eternal Life:
Titus 1:1-3
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;
10) Hope in God
1 Peter 1:18-22
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
A man approached a little league baseball game one afternoon. He asked a boy in the dugout what the score was. The boy responded, "Eighteen to nothing--we're behind." "Boy," said the spectator, "I'll bet you're discouraged." "Why should I be discouraged?" replied the little boy. "We haven't even gotten up to bat yet!"
Psalm 9:18
For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.
Psalm 16:9
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Psalm 33:18
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
Psalm 33:22
Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
Psalm 38:15
For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
Psalm 39:7
And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
Psalm 43:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Psalm 71:5
For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.
Psalm 71:14
But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
So, here we are, standing at the edge of a dark and foreboding forest that we call the end time and tribulation.
We will survive it.
We can go forth with boldness.
God has promised to save us.
Christ has told us He is with us.
So …
Have Hope
Invoke your Hope
Take possession of your Hope
…………now is the
time.