Confident Hope: The Christian Perspective on the Future

 

Summary

In this sermon, the focus is on the profound contrast between the Christian and non-Christian perspectives on the future, as illustrated by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13. The key words "now" and "then" serve as a framework for understanding how Christians should view the future. The Christian perspective is fundamentally different from the non-Christian one because it is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of life based on the teachings of the Gospel. This view is not vague or indefinite but is grounded in a concrete and positive outlook that is confident and joyful.

The non-Christian view of the future is often characterized by vagueness, incompleteness, and a tendency to change with age. It lacks a concrete foundation and is often based on a sentimental hopefulness that does not withstand the realities of life. In contrast, the Christian view is part of a total life view, based on the Gospel, and is always positive and confident. It is not an escapist view but one that is deeply rooted in the present understanding of God's plan and purpose.

The Christian's view of the future is intimately connected to their understanding of the present. The knowledge and understanding that Christians have now are the basis for their confident anticipation of the future. This includes the knowledge of God's love, the forgiveness of sins, and the assurance of eternal life. The Christian looks forward to a future where they will have full knowledge and understanding, and where they will see God face to face.

The sermon encourages believers to focus on the "then" by understanding the "now." It challenges Christians to examine their current knowledge and relationship with God, as this will determine their view of the future. The ultimate goal is to look forward to the time when they will have complete understanding and will see God in His full glory.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Christian View of the Future: The Christian perspective on the future is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of life based on the Gospel. Unlike the non-Christian view, which is often vague and indefinite, the Christian view is concrete and positive, offering a confident and joyful anticipation of what is to come. [14:00]

2. The Present Determines the Future: The Christian's understanding of the future is intimately connected to their present knowledge and relationship with God. The affirmations made about the present, such as the knowledge of God's love and forgiveness, form the basis for a confident view of the future. [20:41]

3. The Assurance of Full Knowledge: Christians look forward to a future where they will have full knowledge and understanding, knowing God as He knows them. This assurance is based on the present understanding and relationship with God, which is a foretaste of the complete knowledge to come. [38:40]

4. The Beatific Vision: The ultimate hope for Christians is the beatific vision, where they will see God face to face. This vision is the culmination of the Christian journey, offering a complete and perfect understanding of God and His glory. [42:17]

5. Living in the Now with an Eye on the Then: Christians are encouraged to focus on the "then" by understanding the "now." By deepening their current knowledge and relationship with God, they can look forward to the future with confidence and anticipation, knowing that their present faith will lead to a glorious future. [46:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:07] - Introduction to "Now and Then"
- [01:41] - The Christian's View of the Future
- [04:02] - Contrasting Non-Christian and Christian Views
- [05:02] - Characteristics of the Non-Christian View
- [07:26] - The Non-Christian's Avoidance of Death
- [09:18] - Changing Views with Age
- [12:49] - The Non-Christian's Final Despair
- [13:09] - The Christian's Confident View
- [15:12] - The Christian's Total View of Life
- [18:28] - The Christian's Joyful Anticipation
- [20:01] - The Present and Future Connection
- [23:39] - The Christian's Present Knowledge
- [32:09] - The Christian's Vision of Glory
- [37:48] - The Future Full Knowledge and Vision

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1 Corinthians 13:9-12

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the two key words highlighted in 1 Corinthians 13 that serve as a framework for understanding the Christian perspective on the future? [00:21]

2. According to the sermon, how does the non-Christian view of the future differ from the Christian view in terms of clarity and foundation? [05:19]

3. What does the Apostle Paul mean when he says, "For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face"? How does this relate to the Christian's understanding of the future? [01:08]

4. How does the sermon describe the Christian's anticipation of the future in terms of confidence and joy? [18:28]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the Christian's present knowledge and relationship with God influence their view of the future, according to the sermon? [20:22]

2. The sermon contrasts the Christian's view of the future with that of the non-Christian. What are some reasons given for the non-Christian's vague and indefinite view of the future? [05:19]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Christian's view of the future is not a form of escapism? How is it rooted in the present understanding of God's plan? [16:11]

4. How does the concept of the "beatific vision" serve as the ultimate hope for Christians, and what does it signify about their journey of faith? [42:17]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. How does your present understanding of God's love and forgiveness shape your view of the future? [22:43]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living in the "now" with an eye on the "then." What practical steps can you take to deepen your current knowledge and relationship with God to prepare for the future? [46:05]

3. Consider the non-Christian view of the future as described in the sermon. Are there areas in your life where you find yourself relying on vague hopefulness rather than a concrete foundation in faith? How can you address this? [05:19]

4. The sermon challenges Christians to look forward to a future where they will see God face to face. How does this promise of the beatific vision impact your daily life and decisions? [42:17]

5. How can you cultivate a confident and joyful anticipation of the future, even amidst life's uncertainties and challenges? What role does your faith play in this process? [18:28]

6. The sermon suggests that the Christian's view of the future is intimately connected to their understanding of the present. How can you ensure that your present faith and actions align with your future hopes and expectations? [20:22]

7. Reflect on the idea of seeing God "face to face" in the future. How does this vision influence your priorities and goals in the present? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with this ultimate hope? [42:17]

Devotional

Day 1: A Concrete and Positive Future

The Christian perspective on the future is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of life based on the Gospel. Unlike the non-Christian view, which is often vague and indefinite, the Christian view is concrete and positive, offering a confident and joyful anticipation of what is to come. This perspective is not an escape from reality but a profound engagement with it, grounded in the assurance of God's promises. Christians are encouraged to embrace this outlook, knowing that their future is secure in God's hands. This confidence is not based on wishful thinking but on the solid foundation of the Gospel, which assures believers of God's love, forgiveness, and eternal life. [14:00]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively cultivate a positive and concrete view of your future based on the promises of the Gospel today?


Day 2: Present Knowledge Shapes Future Hope
The Christian's understanding of the future is intimately connected to their present knowledge and relationship with God. The affirmations made about the present, such as the knowledge of God's love and forgiveness, form the basis for a confident view of the future. This connection between the present and the future is crucial, as it encourages believers to deepen their current relationship with God. By doing so, they can look forward to the future with confidence and anticipation, knowing that their present faith will lead to a glorious future. [20:41]

"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to deepen your knowledge and relationship with God, thereby strengthening your hope for the future?


Day 3: Assurance of Full Knowledge
Christians look forward to a future where they will have full knowledge and understanding, knowing God as He knows them. This assurance is based on the present understanding and relationship with God, which is a foretaste of the complete knowledge to come. The promise of full knowledge is not just an intellectual pursuit but a relational one, where believers will experience the fullness of God's love and presence. This future hope encourages Christians to live with a sense of anticipation and readiness, knowing that their current journey is leading to a deeper and more complete understanding of God. [38:40]

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you prepare your heart and mind to receive the full knowledge and understanding of God in the future?


Day 4: The Beatific Vision
The ultimate hope for Christians is the beatific vision, where they will see God face to face. This vision is the culmination of the Christian journey, offering a complete and perfect understanding of God and His glory. The anticipation of this vision should inspire believers to live with a sense of purpose and direction, knowing that their ultimate goal is to behold the glory of God. This hope is not just a distant dream but a present reality that shapes the way Christians live and interact with the world around them. [42:17]

"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2, ESV)

Reflection: How does the hope of seeing God face to face influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?


Day 5: Living in the Now with an Eye on the Then
Christians are encouraged to focus on the "then" by understanding the "now." By deepening their current knowledge and relationship with God, they can look forward to the future with confidence and anticipation, knowing that their present faith will lead to a glorious future. This perspective encourages believers to live with a sense of balance, where they are fully engaged in the present while keeping their eyes fixed on the future. It is a call to live with intentionality and purpose, knowing that each moment is an opportunity to grow closer to God and prepare for the future He has promised. [46:05]

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to live with an eternal perspective, balancing your focus on the present and the future?

Quotes


I sometimes think that this is perhaps the most elegant this most sensitive and the most certain test that we can ever apply to ourselves and to our profession of the Christian faith it's just this whole question as to how we view the future often times have we reminded one another that everything about the Christian is entirely and essentially different from that which is true of the non-christian. [00:02:18]

The Christian is a new creature a new creation is being regenerated he's a partaker of the divine nature new principle of life has been put into him and therefore I say it follows of necessity that everything about the Christian is essentially different If any man be in Christ says the same apostle in his second letter to these Corinthians he is a new creature and the result of that is that old things are passed away all things are become new. [00:03:02]

The non-christian can't give you any reasons for his view of the future this is what he'd like it to be this is what he wants it to be but he has no rational position he can't afford you any explanations of what he's saying it just suits him it just makes him feel happier and more comfortable to take this rosy view of the future and therefore he does it but it really doesn't merit the designation of a view of life. [00:05:44]

The Christians view of the future is a part of his whole view of life based upon the teaching of the gospel now this is obviously the differential of the Christian position end of the thing that differentiates it so completely and entirely from that non-christian view that we've already been looking at the Christian has a definite view which he can define and state and that is so I say because he has a total view of the whole of life and all its attendant circumstances. [00:13:48]

The Christians view of the future is not some form of escapism it is often represented as such by non-christians they charge us with it they say you people are escapists you are finding life hard and difficult and trying so what you do well you indulge in pie-in-the-sky escape escapism you don't stand up to life you don't face its problems you just walk yourself into this Elysian atmosphere and you're happy for the time being and you enjoy yourself now I say that that is not the Christian view at all. [00:16:24]

The Christian is not afraid of facing the future I do want to stress this point because there are many Christians I feel who fail at this particular point like the man who's not a Christian they do not look to the future as a whole but I would lay it down as a matter of definition that the Christian is a man who deliberately does look right forward not merely to the end of 1959 or 1960 or five years ahead he visualizes his death his end his burial is being put into a grave his resurrection is entering into eternity he does it deliberately he does it confidently he does it with assurance and above all he does it in a joyful manner. [00:18:40]

The Christians view of the future is based solidly upon his view of the present or if you like it in these words that I'm taking as my text what the Christian says about then depends entirely upon what he says about now the two things are in an intimate relationship to one another because the Christians view of the future is just this that his future is nothing but a development of his present now then yes but it's following out from the now into the then. [00:20:12]

The Christian is a man who says I even at this moment I know certain things we know in part it's true but we know he keeps on saying that now I know in part then shall I know even as also I am known yes but the thing I'm emphasizing is that in the here and now in the very present the Christian is a men who knows certain things and it's no use are considering the future and this we are quite clear about the knowledge that we have in the present. [00:22:48]

The Christian is a man who understands the plan and the way of salvation I say is not dependent upon some vague feeling his head in a meeting or anywhere else he sees the plan and the scheme of salvation he sees the Old Testament preparation he sees God sending his son he sees the son doing the work returning and the Holy Spirit coming and the plight he understands the method of salvation he has a certain amount of understanding of God's glorious purpose which is to reunite all things in Christ both which are in heaven and which are on earth and which are under the earth. [00:27:56]

Now we see through a glass darkly then oh here's Christianity here's something to look forward to what is it well it's to the full flowering the ultimate fruition of the noun the present it's an extension it's a perfection it's going on it's a growth in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and what does it lead to full knowledge now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am known. [00:38:34]

I shall know God as he is I shall know him not merely know about him I shall know him even as I am known of him even as he knows me now I shall know him then with this fullness this completeness with this intensity with this personal element you remember our Lord Himself said this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent he knew his father and we shall know him we shall know him with that intensity with that directness that immediacy now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am of him. [00:38:57]

The beatific vision the Summum bonum the thing which all the mystics of the anchorites and the Hermits and all the saints of the centuries were striving after and were preparing for the beatific vision the final disclosure to see here says john again in his first epistle in chapter 3 we know not yet what we shall be beloved now are we the children of God and we know not yet what we shall be but we know that we shall see him as he is we can't conceive of it again see the Lord Jesus Christ as he is. [00:42:38]

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Transcript
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