HOPE

1 Cor 13:13 (NKJ)

13 And now abide FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, these three; but the greatest of these is love. WHAT IS HOPE ????

1680 elpis (el-pece') HOPE;

from a primary elpo (to ANTICIPATE, ususally with pleasure); EXPECTATION (abstractly or concretely) or CONFIDENCE:

(We can say that HOPE is ANTICIPATING, EXPECTING,

HAVING CONFIDENCE ! ! )

SO, WHAT ARE WE HOPING FOR ???

#1). WE ARE HOPING FOR (ANTICIPATING, EXPECTING,

HAVING CONFIDENCE FOR) THE APPEARING OF JESUS :)

Titus 2:11-13 (NIV)

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

13 while we wait for the blessed hope-- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Quote #1:

Hope keeps the mind from sinking under present trials.

(from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary)

#2.) WE HOPE FOR THE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODIES :)

We are THOROUGHLY saved in our spirit and it is required of US to renew our minds, but we are yet HOPING (ANTICIPATING, EXPECTING, HAVING CONFIDENCE) for the redemption of our bodies (it hasn’t happened yet).

Rom 8:23-24 (NIV)

23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?

Quote #2:

SAVED IN HOPE-- ROM. 8:24,25

“. . . for as that eminent critic, Bengel, well says, ‘They are saved BY faith and in hope.’ ”

(from Spurgeon's Encyclopedia of Sermons)

#3). WE HOPE TO SEE OUR LOVED ONES AGAIN :)

1Thes 4:13-18 (NIV)

13 Brothers, WE DO NOT WANT YOU TO be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to GRIEVE LIKE THE REST OF MEN, WHO HAVE NO HOPE.

14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that GOD WILL BRING WITH JESUS THOSE WHO HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP IN HIM.

15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

#4). WE HOPE (ANTICIPATING, EXPECTING,

HAVING CONFIDENCE) TO GO TO HEAVEN AND RECEIVE REWARDS IN THE NEXT LIFE :)

1 Cor 15:19 (KJV)

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

HOPE is the ANCHOR for the SOUL :)

Heb 6:19-20 (NIV)

19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

FINALLY, a Word of HOPE for you:

Ezek 36:11 (KJV)

. . . and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Joel 2:25 (KJV)

25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.