The Importance for Hope
It is a commodity we possess in all manner of circumstances; Fish are biting or surf is up ; Job application; Good rains for seeding
In times of distress this commodity becomes more precious; Fire bypasses house, No flight cancellation , COVID-19 ICU survival, Vaccines work
This commodity world leaders project to citizens to lift spirits of the downhearted and fearful.. HOPE
“Napoleon famously declared that a leader is a dealer in hope.
John W. Gardner, former USA Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, punctuated his master work, ‘On Leadership’, with this simple phrase, “The first and last task of a leader is to keep hope alive.”.. I would add that real leadership is anchored in real hope. The promotion of false hope is born of confusion, or worse, “soul manipulation.” / Psychology Today website/ Anthony Scioli Phd- Hope Today
How do Christians confidently move forward in hope in ‘easy’ circumstances and ‘life threatening’ alike?
NOT false hope – the ‘vague, airy ‘hope so’ of the world where chance, fate and luck rule
BUT with ASSURED HOPE… that type of hope that GUARANTEES the outcome… especially when it comes to ETERNAL LIFE
- THE NEED FOR HOPE
- AN ASSURED HOPE IN CHRIST
- A LIVING HOPE WITH A REAL FUTURE
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Readings
Philippians 1:12–30 (NIV84)
12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;
24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,
26so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel
28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
30since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Text
1 Peter 1:1–9 (NIV84)
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
2who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,
5who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
