Embracing Hope: A Journey of Trust and Grace
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delve into the theological virtue of hope, which is essential for our spiritual journey. Hope is not merely a wish or optimism but a profound trust in Christ's promises and the grace of the Holy Spirit. It is the virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our ultimate happiness. This desire is not based on our strength but on the grace provided by the Holy Spirit. Hope sustains us during times of abandonment and discouragement, keeping our hearts open to the expectation of eternal beatitude. It purifies our earthly desires and aligns them with the kingdom of heaven, preserving us from selfishness and leading us to the happiness that flows from love.
Christian hope is deeply rooted in the promises of God, as exemplified by the hope of Abraham and the Beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus. It is a steadfast anchor for our souls, a weapon in our spiritual struggle, and a source of joy even under trial. Hope is expressed and nourished in prayer, especially in the Our Father, which encapsulates everything we hope for. In every circumstance, we are called to hope, trusting that God's grace will help us persevere to the end and attain the joy of heaven.
### Key Takeaways
1. Hope as a Theological Virtue: Hope is not just optimism but a theological virtue that involves desiring the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our ultimate happiness. It requires placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit rather than our own strength. This profound trust extends into the future, anchoring our souls in God's faithfulness. [02:19]
2. Hope and Desire: Unlike Stoicism, which often downplays desire, Christian hope encourages us to desire the right things—namely, the kingdom of heaven and eternal life. This desire is not passive but an active longing that we must nurture and ask God to ignite within us. It transforms our earthly desires and aligns them with divine purposes. [07:15]
3. Hope in Times of Abandonment: Hope sustains us during periods of abandonment and discouragement. It keeps us buoyed up, preventing us from sinking into despair. By trusting in God's promises, we are preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from love, even in the midst of trials. [12:05]
4. Hope as a Source of Joy and Strength: Hope is a source of joy even under trial. It is a weapon that protects us in our spiritual struggle, as St. Paul describes it as the "helmet of salvation." This joy and strength come from our trust in God's promises and our reliance on the Holy Spirit's grace, which empowers us to persevere. [03:46]
5. Hope and Prayer: Hope is deeply expressed and nourished in prayer, particularly in the Our Father. This prayer encapsulates all that we hope for and aligns our desires with God's will. In every circumstance, we are called to hope, trusting that God's grace will help us persevere to the end and attain the joy of heaven. [05:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:07] - Introduction to Hope
[02:19] - Definition of Hope
[03:46] - Hope in Scripture
[05:00] - Hope in Prayer
[06:08] - Hope vs. Worldly Optimism
[07:15] - Hope and Desire
[08:32] - Trust in Christ's Promises
[09:46] - Relying on the Holy Spirit
[10:53] - Purification of Desires
[12:05] - Hope in Times of Abandonment
[13:12] - Freedom from Selfishness
[14:00] - Call to Persevere
[15:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Virtue of Hope
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
2. Romans 5:5 - "And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 - "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 10:23, what is the basis for our hope? How does this align with the sermon’s definition of hope? [02:19]
2. In Romans 5:5, what role does the Holy Spirit play in our experience of hope?
3. How does 1 Thessalonians 5:8 describe hope as part of our spiritual armor? How does this imagery help us understand the function of hope in our lives? [03:46]
4. What does the sermon say about the relationship between hope and our earthly desires? [07:15]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of hope as a "steadfast anchor for our souls" (Hebrews 10:23) provide comfort during times of abandonment and discouragement? [12:05]
2. In what ways does the Holy Spirit's grace empower us to maintain hope, according to the sermon and Romans 5:5? [09:46]
3. How does the sermon differentiate between Christian hope and worldly optimism? Why is this distinction important for our spiritual journey? [06:08]
4. How does the prayer "Our Father" encapsulate the essence of Christian hope, as discussed in the sermon? [05:00]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent time when you felt abandoned or discouraged. How did your understanding of hope help you navigate that period? [12:05]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of desiring the right things, such as the kingdom of heaven and eternal life. What are some earthly desires you need to purify to align more closely with divine purposes? [07:15]
3. How can you actively nurture and ignite the desire for the kingdom of heaven in your daily life? What practical steps can you take this week to foster this desire? [07:15]
4. In what ways can you rely more on the grace of the Holy Spirit rather than your own strength when facing challenges? Identify a specific situation where you can apply this reliance. [09:46]
5. How can you use hope as a source of joy and strength in your current spiritual struggles? Share a personal experience where hope has been your "helmet of salvation." [03:46]
6. The sermon mentions that hope is deeply expressed and nourished in prayer, especially in the "Our Father." How can you incorporate this prayer into your daily routine to strengthen your hope? [05:00]
7. Think of a person in your life who might be struggling with hopelessness. How can you share the message of Christian hope with them this week? What specific actions or words can you use to encourage them? [13:12]
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in Christ's Promises
Hope is not just optimism but a theological virtue that involves desiring the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our ultimate happiness. It requires placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying on the grace of the Holy Spirit rather than our own strength. This profound trust extends into the future, anchoring our souls in God's faithfulness. When we trust in Christ's promises, we are not merely hoping for a better tomorrow but are assured of the eternal joy that awaits us in heaven. This trust is a firm foundation that keeps us steady, even when the world around us is unstable.
Christian hope is deeply rooted in the promises of God, as exemplified by the hope of Abraham and the Beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus. It is a steadfast anchor for our souls, a weapon in our spiritual struggle, and a source of joy even under trial. Hope is expressed and nourished in prayer, especially in the Our Father, which encapsulates everything we hope for. In every circumstance, we are called to hope, trusting that God's grace will help us persevere to the end and attain the joy of heaven. [02:19]
Hebrews 6:19 (ESV): "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain."
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to place more trust in Christ's promises today? How can you actively remind yourself of His faithfulness in this area?
Day 2: Desiring the Kingdom of Heaven
Unlike Stoicism, which often downplays desire, Christian hope encourages us to desire the right things—namely, the kingdom of heaven and eternal life. This desire is not passive but an active longing that we must nurture and ask God to ignite within us. It transforms our earthly desires and aligns them with divine purposes. When our desires are purified and directed towards the kingdom of heaven, we find that our earthly pursuits take on new meaning and purpose.
Hope sustains us during times of abandonment and discouragement, keeping our hearts open to the expectation of eternal beatitude. It purifies our earthly desires and aligns them with the kingdom of heaven, preserving us from selfishness and leading us to the happiness that flows from love. By focusing our desires on the eternal, we are better equipped to navigate the challenges and trials of this life. [07:15]
Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: What earthly desires do you need to surrender to God so that He can transform them into a longing for His kingdom? How can you begin this process today?
Day 3: Sustained by Hope in Times of Abandonment
Hope sustains us during periods of abandonment and discouragement. It keeps us buoyed up, preventing us from sinking into despair. By trusting in God's promises, we are preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from love, even in the midst of trials. When we feel abandoned or discouraged, hope reminds us that God is always with us and that His promises are true.
Christian hope is deeply rooted in the promises of God, as exemplified by the hope of Abraham and the Beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus. It is a steadfast anchor for our souls, a weapon in our spiritual struggle, and a source of joy even under trial. Hope is expressed and nourished in prayer, especially in the Our Father, which encapsulates everything we hope for. In every circumstance, we are called to hope, trusting that God's grace will help us persevere to the end and attain the joy of heaven. [12:05]
Psalm 42:11 (ESV): "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."
Reflection: When you feel abandoned or discouraged, how can you remind yourself of God's promises and find hope in Him? What practical steps can you take to anchor your soul in His faithfulness?
Day 4: Joy and Strength Through Hope
Hope is a source of joy even under trial. It is a weapon that protects us in our spiritual struggle, as St. Paul describes it as the "helmet of salvation." This joy and strength come from our trust in God's promises and our reliance on the Holy Spirit's grace, which empowers us to persevere. When we face trials, hope gives us the strength to endure and the joy to remain steadfast.
Christian hope is deeply rooted in the promises of God, as exemplified by the hope of Abraham and the Beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus. It is a steadfast anchor for our souls, a weapon in our spiritual struggle, and a source of joy even under trial. Hope is expressed and nourished in prayer, especially in the Our Father, which encapsulates everything we hope for. In every circumstance, we are called to hope, trusting that God's grace will help us persevere to the end and attain the joy of heaven. [03:46]
Romans 12:12 (ESV): "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."
Reflection: How can you find joy in the midst of your current trials by focusing on the hope you have in Christ? What specific promises of God can you meditate on to strengthen your hope and joy?
Day 5: Hope Expressed in Prayer
Hope is deeply expressed and nourished in prayer, particularly in the Our Father. This prayer encapsulates all that we hope for and aligns our desires with God's will. In every circumstance, we are called to hope, trusting that God's grace will help us persevere to the end and attain the joy of heaven. Prayer is the means by which we communicate our hopes and desires to God, and it is through prayer that we receive the grace to persevere.
Christian hope is deeply rooted in the promises of God, as exemplified by the hope of Abraham and the Beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus. It is a steadfast anchor for our souls, a weapon in our spiritual struggle, and a source of joy even under trial. Hope is expressed and nourished in prayer, especially in the Our Father, which encapsulates everything we hope for. In every circumstance, we are called to hope, trusting that God's grace will help us persevere to the end and attain the joy of heaven. [05:00]
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to nourish your hope in God? What specific aspects of the Our Father can you focus on to align your desires with God's will?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit." [02:19] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Hope is the sure and steadfast anchor of the soul that enters where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf. Hope is also a weapon that protects us in the struggle of salvation. As St. Paul writes, Let us put on the breastplate of faith and charity, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. It affords us joy even under trial." [03:46] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We can, therefore, hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do his will. In every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere to the end and to obtain the joy of heaven as God's eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ." [05:00] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Hope is trust in another extended into the future. If faith is, God, I trust that you're here and I'm yours. Hope could be, maybe you could say, God, I trust that you will be there and I'm yours." [08:32] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Hope keeps us from discouragement, which is so incredibly important. It sustains him during times of abandonment. And every single one of us experiences this. Every single one of us experiences what it's like to be abandoned, what it's like to even, even if we're not abandoned, we can feel abandonment. And sometimes we are abandoned and hope sustains us during those times." [12:05] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Hope is the virtue by which we desire, right, the right things, which are the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness. You get to foster your desire. In fact, if you find yourself in this moment with this kind of a, maybe, laissez-faire, right, or a kind of, I'm not really, really interested in heaven. I'm not really, really interested in the kingdom of God. I'm not really, really interested in eternal life. I think this is an incredible opportunity today, in this moment, to say, God, put that fire in my heart. Give me a fire to desire life with you. Give me that fire to desire eternal life with you. Let that be my happiness." [07:15] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Hope is trust in another extended into the future. This is my, this is the Father Mike Schmitt's definition, right? So hope is, if faith is, in some ways, trust in the presence, right? I trust that you're here. And so I surrender my whole self to you because I trust that you're here. I trust that you're good. I trust that you love. Hope is, I trust in your promise. And that's what it says here. Placing our trust in Christ's promises and relying not on our own strength. So I will always say that hope is trust in another extended into the future, which is another way of saying trust in their promises." [08:32] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Hope does is it purifies and transforms that desire to be known that desire to have a life worth living, to be the best version of ourself and says, actually, my hope is that I'm known by God. My hope is that I live a life worth living for God. My hope is that I'm the best version of myself for God. Again, that's the thing that hope does. It takes up the hopes that inspire our activities and purifies them so as to order them to the kingdom of heaven." [10:53] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Buoyed up by hope, right? So this lifts us up in this tempest of a, of a ocean storm here, buoyed up by hope. We're preserved from What does that mean? How does hope preserve us from selfishness? Well, because if God has promised something to me, he promised that he'll be there. He's promised that this battle is not for nothing, that this struggle has, has a victory at the end. Then I don't have to look at myself and feel sorry for myself. It's going to spare me from selfishness. And it's going to lead me to the happiness that flows from love." [12:05] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We are called in every circumstance to hope that the grace of God will preserve us to the end. And so that's my prayer for, for all of us who are part of this, that by the grace of God, we will persevere to the end. By the virtue of hope, we will persevere to the end. Why? Because we know, we know we have a trust in another and that other is faithful. That other is true trust in another extended into the future. And so my prayer again is that you will persevere. Especially in the midst of discouragement, especially when you feel abandoned, especially when it seems like there's no hope, there's no way out, that you will not give up." [13:12] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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