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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).