Introduction:
1. In 1 Corinthians 13:13 the Bible
mentions 3 important subjects. 2. Although "love" is the
greatest, today we are concentrating on "hope." 3. Our lesson is based on 2
principles revealed in Proverbs 13:12. a. First, "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick" [when something
that we have looked forward to is postponed, it causes us to become despondent] b. Second, "when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life" [when we
finally experience something that we have been looking forward to, it is a
special blessing -- vs.19a].
Discussion:
I.
THESE PRINCIPLES
ARE ILLUSTRATED MANY
TIMES IN THE
BIBLE
A. Abraham and Sara were familiar
with these principles. 1. (Genesis 12:1-5) Abraham was 75
years old when God said that he would be the father of a great nation. 2. (Genesis 15:2-3) Later, Abraham
questioned God about his situation. 3. (Genesis 17-18) When Abraham was
99 years old, he and Sara were told that they would have a son. 4. (Genesis 21:5) Isaac was born
when Abraham was 100 years old. 5. (Genesis 21:6-8) Isaac's birth
was a happy occasion. B. Jacob was familiar with these
principles. 1. From Genesis 29:25 we see how
Jacob felt after Leah was given to him when he had worked 7 years for Rachel. 2. (Genesis 29:27-28) Jacob had to
work 7 additional years for Rachel. C. The Israelites were familiar with
these principles. 1. From Psalm 137:1 we see how they
felt during the captivity. 2. From Psalm 126:1-3 we see how
they felt when the captivity was over. D. Jesus referred to the birth of a
child to illustrate these principles (John 16:21).
II.
WE SOMETIMES
GO THROUGH EXPERIENCES
THAT CAUSE US
TO BE FAMILIAR
WITH THESE PRINCIPLES
A. Some experiences we face include: 1. waiting while a loved one has
surgery or is treated for an illness 2. waiting to complete an education
or find a job 3. waiting to complete arrangements
for a place to live or worship. B. Thankfully, help is available to
us during times when we have to wait. C. The heart might ache, but it does
not have to break.
III.
LET US
APPLY THESE PRINCIPLES
TO THE RESURRECTION
A. Our desire should be the one
mentioned in Philippians 3:11. B. (Philippians 3:20-21) The
resurrection will occur when Jesus returns. C. According to Romans 8:22-23, we
sometimes groan while we wait for the resurrection ["Hope deferred maketh the heart sick"]. D. We learn from Romans 8:18, 21 that God's children will receive a special blessing at the resurrection ["when the desire cometh, it is a tree
of life"]. E. Perhaps this is a good time for
us to be reminded of some information found in Romans 8 that will help us while
we look forward to the resurrection. 1. Let us remember that: a. God works providentially on
behalf of His children (vs.28) b. help is available from the Holy
Spirit (vs.26-27) and Christ (vs.34) c. the love of Christ and God is
dependable (vs.35, 38-39) d. God's children can be "more than conquerors" through
Christ (vs.37). 2. This information will help us to
remain steadfast in our service to the Lord, as we encouraged to do in 1
Corinthians 15:58.
Conclusion:
1. After the resurrection, those who
are in Christ will be blessed with eternal life. 2. The Bible shows in Romans 6:3-4
how a person gets into Christ so he can have hope. 3. Have you complied with these
verses by being baptized into the Lord?
