November 4, 2013 (Monday)
Yesterday’s sermon at Bethel Baptist Church, Ingleside, Texas.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15 NKJV).
I. What Is The Hope Within You?
It is the confident expectation that God will be at work in our lives in the immediate future. He works all things into a beautiful plan that accomplishes His own purpose (Romans 8:28). It is the belief that Jesus will wind up this era of history by suddenly returning in glory and power. It is believing the Lord’s promise that the dead shall be raised and all believers shall be given new and glorious bodies (1 Corinthians 15). It is the confidence that in Christ we shall live forever (John 11:25).
2. What Are The Reasons For This Hope?
God’s word supplies reasons: By grace we are saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10); God will always take care of us (Romans 8:38-39); Jesus is coming again (Acts 1:11); we shall be resurrected (1 Corinthians 15:22); we shall be given new bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:17); we shall live forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17b, John 11:25). Christ’s own resurrection is the gurantee that all these promises are valid. Our own experience of knowing Christ today gives us assurance.
3. Who Gives Us This Hope?
God the Father (Ephesians 1:3), God the Son (John 14:1-6); God the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Dear reader, do you have this hope within you? It can be yours when you give your heart to Jesus as Savior and Lord.