And Now Abide Faith, Hope, and Love (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Introduction:
1. This verse mentions 3 subjects that play essential roles in Christianity: faith, hope, and love. 2. From our study of Hebrews 11 we understand how faith is essential (vs.6). 3. This morning we covered passages that teach us how love is essential. 4. This evening we are studying a number of passages that help us understand why hope is essential. 5. Although the Bible speaks of hope in a general sense, we are concentrating on Scriptures that relate to the hope of "eternal life" (Titus 1:2). 6. Let us begin our study by showing that . . .
Discussion:
I. ONLY CHRISTIANS 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 (Romans 8:1). 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. C. We need to point out that . . .
II. HOPE PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN KEEPING CHRISTIANS 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). E. Let us turn our attention to . . .
III. INFORMATION THAT WILL HELP CHRISTIANS 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).
Conclusion:
1. 2 Peter 1:3 states that God has "given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness." 2. 3 of these things are faith, hope, and love. 3. Do faith, hope, and love play essential roles in your life?
