Hope (3 of 5)
Series: Christmas Presence
Bob Ingle
Romans 15:13
Let's open our Bibles to Romans 15. Today we're looking at the incredible gift of hope provided to us through the presence of Jesus Christ. I'm guessing that when you heard we were focusing on hope today, you didn't go 'Yes! I'm so excited! That's exactly what I want to know more about. I need stronger hope.''
Maybe that was you, but I doubt it. Even though hope is referenced dozens of times in Scripture, we don't pause much to focus on exactly what it is and why it's so important to the Christian life.
Maybe one of the main reasons is because what we mean by hope and what the bible means by hope are two very different things. When we use the word 'hope' it's more about finger crossing and wishful thinking right? ''I hope we go out for lunch after church.'' ''I hope 2017 is better than 2016.'' ''I hope my marriage gets better.''
''I hope my kids turn out ok.'' ''I hope today's is a short one.'' Of course, that's fantasy, not hope. But you get the idea. We use hope more as wishing for something, but not necessarily expecting it. Like that old expression: ''Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.'' It's something I want, but not something I can count on.
But that's the exact opposite of what the bible means by hope. When the bible speaks of hope it's not referring to something that's a possibility, but rather to something that's a certainty. It's not something that could happen, but something that will happen. Biblical hope is such a sure thing; you can to build your life on it.
Hebrews 10:23: ''Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He promised is faithful.'' Biblical hope is as strong and as trustworthy as God because that's who it came from. Definition:
Hope is the constant and confident assurance that we have nothing to fear because Almighty God is WITH US, IN US, and FOR US.
Matthew 1:23: ''Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, an ...
Series: Christmas Presence
Bob Ingle
Romans 15:13
Let's open our Bibles to Romans 15. Today we're looking at the incredible gift of hope provided to us through the presence of Jesus Christ. I'm guessing that when you heard we were focusing on hope today, you didn't go 'Yes! I'm so excited! That's exactly what I want to know more about. I need stronger hope.''
Maybe that was you, but I doubt it. Even though hope is referenced dozens of times in Scripture, we don't pause much to focus on exactly what it is and why it's so important to the Christian life.
Maybe one of the main reasons is because what we mean by hope and what the bible means by hope are two very different things. When we use the word 'hope' it's more about finger crossing and wishful thinking right? ''I hope we go out for lunch after church.'' ''I hope 2017 is better than 2016.'' ''I hope my marriage gets better.''
''I hope my kids turn out ok.'' ''I hope today's is a short one.'' Of course, that's fantasy, not hope. But you get the idea. We use hope more as wishing for something, but not necessarily expecting it. Like that old expression: ''Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.'' It's something I want, but not something I can count on.
But that's the exact opposite of what the bible means by hope. When the bible speaks of hope it's not referring to something that's a possibility, but rather to something that's a certainty. It's not something that could happen, but something that will happen. Biblical hope is such a sure thing; you can to build your life on it.
Hebrews 10:23: ''Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He promised is faithful.'' Biblical hope is as strong and as trustworthy as God because that's who it came from. Definition:
Hope is the constant and confident assurance that we have nothing to fear because Almighty God is WITH US, IN US, and FOR US.
Matthew 1:23: ''Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, an ...
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