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People of Hope
Introduction:
1. In addition to being "people of faith" (Hebrews 10:38), the Lord's followers are to be "people of hope" (1 Peter 1:3, 13, 21). 2. By studying a number of passages, especially several in Romans 8, we can understand why hope plays such an important role in the lives of God's people. 3. Let us begin our study by showing that . . . Discussion: I. ONLY THE LORD'S PEOPLE HAVE TRUE HOPE A. The hope of eternal life is available to everyone; however, only certain people have it. 1. Those who are outside of Christ have no hope (Ephesians 2:11-12). 2. Thankfully, God has provided a way for man to be justified (Romans 5:6-10). 3. We learn from Romans 6:3-7 how a person gets into Christ. 4. Something very special occurs when a person is baptized into Christ (1 Peter 1:3). B. These principles are illustrated in the conversion of Saul (Acts 9:6-9, 18-22). 1. Before he became a Christian, Saul's actions indicate that he was very troubled. 2. After becoming a Christian by being baptized into Christ, he had a blessed hope. 3. Only Christians [those who have been baptized into Christ] have the hope of eternal life. II. HOPE PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN KEEPING THE LORD'S PEOPLE SAVED A. We learn from Romans 8:18-23 that Christians suffer like everyone else while waiting for the resurrection. B. Caution must be exercised because sufferings can cause a child of God to lose hope and fall away from the Lord (Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21). C. According to Hebrews 6:19, the Christian's hope is both "sure and steadfast." D. By maintaining his hope, a child of God can face unpleasant experiences with "patience" (Romans 8:24-25; 5:3-5). III. INFORMATION THAT WILL HELP THE LORD'S PEOPLE MAINTAIN THEIR HOPE A. Christians are assured that present sufferings are not worthy to be compared to future glory (Romans 8:18; Proverbs 13:12). B. Christians are assured that God works providentially on behalf of His children (Romans 8:28). C. Christians are assured of help from the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27) and Christ (vs.34). D. Christians are assured that God loves His children (Romans 8:35, 38-39). E. Through Christ, God's children can be "more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37). | ||