Don’t Worry! Live in Hope!

 

 

Libby, a 95 old Christian lady, was a nursing home and received a visit from a fellow church member, Gladys.

“How are you feeling?” her friend asked.

“Oh,” said Libby, “I’m just worried sick!”

“What are you worried about, dear?” Gladys asked. “They’re taking good care of you, aren’t they?”

“Yes, they are taking very good care of me.”

“Well, what are you worried about?” Gladys again inquired

Libby leaned back in her rocking chair and said, “Every close friend I ever had has already died and gone on to heaven. I’m afraid they’re all wondering where I went!”

Well, Christians don’t have to worry about that. We have hope. The Bible gives us that assurance.
“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. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” (I Thess4:13-14)

What is Hope?

Hope is a confident expectation. A happy expectation. A favorable anticipation. Hope is based on a solid faith that is rooted in the facts of the gospel. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1).

Four Descriptions of our Hope

The Bible describes hope in way that encourages our hope. Fortifies our hope. Assures our hope. Our hope is called a….

1. Good Hope.

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace”(2 Thess. 2:16)

Why is it good? Because it is given to us by God. And it is given to us by His grace. We don’t have to earn it!

2. Better Hope

“For 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” (Heb 7:6).

Why is it better? Because it is connected with a better covenant, based upon better promises, brought about by a better sacrifice. It is ushered in by Christ’s coming.

3. Blessed Hope

“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

What makes it blessed? Because it is symbolized in the Son of God. He is our hope!

4. Living Hope.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet 1:3).

Why a living hope? Because of Jesus resurrection. His victory over sin, death and the devil gives us hope of our victory. And our eternal resurrection.

Our Hope in Christ

The Christian’s hope is in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 1:1). Through His coming we have a more abundant life. By his sacrificial death, we enjoy forgiveness of sins. In His resurrection we anticipate life beyond the grave. And in expectation of His return, we know a heavenly home awaits those who “look for his glorious appearing.”

Don’t worry about what awaits you or about those who already passed away. Live in hope!

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman