Hope for the Hopeless

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This is a sermon given on the first Sunday of Advent 2012 on the theme of Hope.

Written Excerpts:

Hope for the Hopeless

Romans 5:5 "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Introduction:

For today’s message I have chosen to speak about the topic of hope since that is the theme that goes along with lighting the first candle in Advent. I “hope” I can do an effective job in communicating the message that God wants you to have. And, you’re probably “hoping” it doesn’t take too long!

I read this online recently:

Teacher: Johnny, I hope I didn't see you looking at Tommy's test paper.
Johnny: I hope you didn't see me either!

A writer by the name of Ted Cunningham said, “Our culture often defines hope as merely a fanciful wish or a casual desire: ‘I hope tomorrow is a better day.’ ‘I hope to go to Disney World next year.’ ‘I hope the Chicago Cubs win the World Series.’”

Obviously he is not from western Pennsylvania or he would have said, “I hope the Pirates win the World Series.” (Although both of those statements might be classified as fantasies!)

Nevertheless, he continues, “Clearly, what is hoped for may or may not come to pass. The hope of believers, however, is more than a desire or a wish. It’s an unshakable confidence in God — even when circumstances give us every reason to doubt.”

As Cunningham explains, hope is inseparably tied with faith. In fact, there are times when Bible translators have taken the same word for “hope” and translated it as “faith” or “trust”. This seems to highlight the fact that hope definitely involves more than a mere wish or desire for those who know God. It involves a confidence and desire for the eventual satisfaction of divine promises.

With God’s help today I want to speak to you about the matter of hope and show how it is tied into our faith in God and in particular, how it relates to the coming of the Messiah.

I. Hope is founded in a divine person.

First and foremost, hope is not based upon some fantasy about ideal circumstances that one craves for his/her own comfort. Rather, hope is based upon the being and existence of a person – the divine Son of God, Who was sent into this world for the very purpose of providing hope for everyone that were previously without hope.

Paul writes to the Ephesians and says, “…you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” (Eph. 2:12, NKJV)

Here he is specifically linking hopelessness with being without Christ, which implies the converse, having Christ brings hope to those who previously had no hope.

I tried to find specific Messianic prophetic passages that included the word “hope” in them, but didn’t find any. (Not saying there aren’t any, I just said I didn’t find them.) However, the overall theme of hope is certainly intertwined with the promises of the coming Messiah.

As an example of the Jewish mindset even among Jesus’ followers, remember the words of the two disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus following the resurrection. They said, “We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel…” (Luke 24:21)

The Apostle Paul quotes from Isaiah, but appears to add a line from some other ancient writings as he says in Romans 15:12, “And again, Isaiah says: ‘There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.’” (NKJV)

All of these passages, and many others, emphasize that the hope of all believers is founded in the person of Jesus Christ. It is not in any religion, any code of laws, or any supernatural experiences. Hope is found in Jesus Christ and in Him alone!

II. Because of our hope in Christ, there are other blessings for which we also hope.

A. Hope in God’s divine plan for our lives.

Jer. 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

B. Hope of present and future salvation

Heb. 7:19 – The law made nothing perfect, on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Romans 5:1-5 – Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (NKJV)

Gal. 5:5 –  For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

1 Thes. 4:13 – But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

1 Cor. 15:19 – If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

C. More specifically, hope in eternal life

Titus 1:2 – In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

Titus 3:7 – that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

D. The Glorious appearing (return) of Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:13 – looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, let me remind you that God’s Word tells us that our hope for all these benefits and blessings will create a desire and purpose within us to live carefully and godly before Him.

1 John 3:3 – And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

How about you? Have you found the hope in Jesus Christ?

What is your confidence and your hope based upon today?

I want to say something here that some of you may not like, but I’m going to say it anyway! J

My hope for the future isn’t based in the President of the United States and all that he promises. It isn’t based on the Democrat Party or the Republican Party. It isn’t based on Senators or Representatives or even Supreme Court Justices. All of them have let this country down, in my humble opinion. But they are not the source of my hope this morning.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness! When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

Let us close our service by singing the closing song:

The Solid Rock, p. 526