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Faith And Hope Introduction: Sports teams must start the season with a sense of hope. They talk about the possibilities of the new season and how everyone has the same opportunities. What happens if you do not have hope? What if you tell your child to make up their bed and then say, "You will never be able to do it!" You will have despair, grumbling, depression, people will quit trying, and you will have grumbling. The importance of hope can be seen in Hebrews 11.1-2. I) What Is Hope? (Not simply a wish) A) Desire 1. Desire is simply what you want. 2. Hebrews 11 is filled with examples of people who desired something, Hebrews 11.2,16. a. More than expectation for there are some things we expect but do not desire: have to pay taxes, punishment for doing wrong. b. There are some things we desire but still do not have hope. I would like a million dollars but I have no hope of receiving it. I desire to dunk a basketball, etc. B) Expectation 1. That which we believe will happen; confidence in things untouchable. 2. We have not seen the resurrection, God, or heaven; but we do have the expectation of the resurrection, of God existing, and seeing heaven. 3. Our expectation is based on God and His word, Titus 1.2. a. Expectation is more than realizing they exist. For there are some things we realize exist but have no expectation of seeing or having. b. I can have it, it is part of expectation. 4. The basis for expectation: a. The word of God, Romans 15.4; Hebrews 6.17-18 b. The resurrection of Jesus and the promise of our resurrection, 1 Timothy 1.1. c. The miracles which confirmed the word spoken. e. Eyewitness testimony of those who saw and spoke with Jesus, Acts 1.1-3 5. Hope is more than desire but also the expectation of receiving something, 1 Thess. 4.13. C) Relates to the future, Hebrews 11.1b. 1. We hope for that which we do not receive immediately, not immediate gratification, Romans 8.24-25 2. Everybody would be a Christian if all the punishments and rewards were immediate. II) Faith & Hope A) They abide together, 1 Corinthians 13.13 1. One without the other is empty. 2. Galatians 5.5 we see love, faith, and hope tied together. 3. Gives us confidence to sustain, Hebrews 3.14. a. To endure the trials, Hebrews 11.32-38 b. In times of sadness, death, family problems, church problems, etc. We need hope and faith. 4. Gives us a sense of purpose, Hebrews 6.19 a. Hope is the "why try or why bother" b. Despite how bad things are, hope says things will get better and there is something out there worth the trials of today. Hope helps our faith, Romans 5.3-5. c. Not enough to just believe, we must have hope. There are people who believe in heaven but they have no hope of going there. 5. Joy and happiness are products of hope. a. Our problems will not disappear b. But we will overcome, Romans 8.26-28 B) Hope is a product of faith ;and helps our faith 1. It is badly needed today, Ephesians 2.12 a. Suicides, drug usage, depression, people willing to believe just about any religious ideas; are all signs of how much hope is needed. 2. People with hope standout, 1 Peter 3.15 a. Our hope is not in a new car, more clothes, just having a good time, or other physical things. b. Our hope is in heaven, Colossians 1.5. c. Our hope is alive, 1 Peter 1.3. Conclusion: Do you desire and expect heaven? You will not obtain it without the word of God. But you and I can go there.
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