Living in Full Assurance of Hope

 

Summary

The focus of today's message is on the full assurance of hope as described in Hebrews 6:11-12. Assurance is a central theme throughout the New Testament, and it is essential for every Christian to possess it. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in uncertainty or unhappiness; rather, it is a life of joy and assurance brought about by the grace of God through Jesus Christ. The epistles were written to provide assurance to believers, not to convert non-believers. They aim to establish those who are already converted in their faith, understanding, and hope.

The full assurance of hope is the culmination of our faith journey. It is the ultimate goal and the end of our salvation. While faith and understanding are crucial, hope is the supreme element because it points us to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. This hope is not merely a hopeful spirit or a vague optimism; it is a concrete expectation of the glory that is to come. It is the hope set before us, an objective reality that we are to lay hold of with diligence.

The Christian hope is the glorious return of Jesus Christ, the final consummation of God's redemptive plan. It is the day when all creation will be renewed, and we will be fully and entirely saved. Our current experience of salvation is only partial; we have the first fruits, the earnest of what is to come. The full assurance of hope means living in the reality of this future glory, allowing it to shape our present lives and motivate our sanctification.

To obtain this full assurance of hope, we must be diligent, immersing ourselves in the Scriptures and holding fast to God's promises. Faith is essential, as it substantiates our hope. We must also exercise patience, persevering in our faith and hope until the end. By doing so, we will find ourselves living triumphantly, with a certainty that transcends our present circumstances.

Key Takeaways:

1. Assurance is central to the Christian life, providing joy and certainty in our faith journey. It is not merely about being hopeful but having a concrete expectation of God's promises. This assurance is foundational to our relationship with God and is emphasized throughout the New Testament. [01:37]

2. The full assurance of hope is the ultimate goal of our salvation, pointing us to the future glory that awaits us. It is not just about our present happiness or sanctification but about preparing for the eternal hope set before us. This hope is the culmination of our faith and understanding. [10:01]

3. The Christian hope is the return of Jesus Christ and the renewal of all creation. It is the day when we will be fully saved, and all things will be made new. This hope is not subjective but an objective reality that we are to lay hold of with diligence and faith. [23:05]

4. To live in the full assurance of hope, we must immerse ourselves in the Scriptures, holding fast to God's promises and exercising faith. This involves a diligent pursuit of understanding and a commitment to living in the reality of the future glory that awaits us. [37:14]

5. Patience is essential in maintaining the full assurance of hope. We must persevere in our faith and hope, even in the face of challenges and doubts. By doing so, we will live triumphantly, with a certainty that transcends our present circumstances. [43:23]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Hebrews 6:11-12
- [01:04] - The Importance of Assurance
- [02:23] - Purpose of the Epistles
- [03:05] - Forms of Assurance
- [04:36] - Full Assurance of Hope
- [05:08] - Misinterpretations of Hope
- [07:12] - Diligence in Assurance
- [09:02] - Faith, Understanding, and Hope
- [10:01] - The Supreme Goal of Hope
- [13:57] - The Nature of Christian Hope
- [16:08] - Scriptural Illustrations of Hope
- [20:30] - Partial Salvation and First Fruits
- [23:05] - The Christian Hope and Return of Christ
- [27:28] - Full Assurance and Diligence
- [37:14] - Obtaining Full Assurance
- [43:23] - Patience and Perseverance

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Full Assurance of Hope

Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 6:11-12
2. Romans 8:24-25
3. Titus 2:11-13

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Hebrews 6:11-12 say about the role of diligence in obtaining the full assurance of hope? How does this relate to the overall message of the sermon? [00:11]

2. According to the sermon, why were the epistles written, and how does this purpose relate to the concept of assurance? [01:37]

3. In Romans 8:24-25, what is the relationship between hope and patience, and how does this connect to the sermon’s emphasis on perseverance? [16:08]

4. How does the sermon describe the Christian hope as an objective reality rather than a subjective feeling? [15:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon explain the difference between a hopeful spirit and the full assurance of hope? Why is this distinction important for Christians? [12:23]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of faith in substantiating our hope, and how does this impact a believer's daily life? [38:02]

3. How does the sermon describe the ultimate goal of salvation, and why is it important for Christians to focus on this future glory? [10:01]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the full assurance of hope can transform a believer's experience of the Christian life? [11:53]

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Application Questions:

1. The sermon emphasizes the importance of immersing oneself in Scripture to obtain the full assurance of hope. What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your engagement with the Bible? [37:14]

2. Reflect on a time when you felt uncertain in your faith. How might the full assurance of hope have changed your perspective or actions during that period? [01:04]

3. The sermon highlights the need for patience in maintaining hope. Identify a current challenge in your life where you need to exercise patience. How can the promise of future glory help you persevere? [43:23]

4. Consider the idea that the Christian hope is an objective reality. How does this understanding affect your view of current world events or personal struggles? [15:03]

5. The sermon suggests that the full assurance of hope should be the most real thing in our lives. What practical changes can you make to ensure that this hope is central to your daily decisions and interactions? [28:29]

6. How can you apply the diligence you show in other areas of your life to your spiritual journey, particularly in seeking the full assurance of hope? [36:30]

7. The sermon describes the Christian hope as the glorious return of Jesus Christ. How does this future event influence your priorities and goals today? [23:05]

Devotional

Day 1: Assurance as a Foundation of Faith
The assurance of hope is central to the Christian life, providing joy and certainty in our faith journey. It is not merely about being hopeful but having a concrete expectation of God's promises. This assurance is foundational to our relationship with God and is emphasized throughout the New Testament. Assurance is not a vague feeling but a firm conviction that God’s promises are true and reliable. It is the bedrock upon which our faith is built, allowing us to live with confidence and joy, knowing that our future is secure in Christ. [01:37]

Hebrews 10:22-23 (ESV): "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in God's promises? How can you actively remind yourself of His faithfulness today?


Day 2: Hope as the Culmination of Faith
The full assurance of hope is the ultimate goal of our salvation, pointing us to the future glory that awaits us. It is not just about our present happiness or sanctification but about preparing for the eternal hope set before us. This hope is the culmination of our faith and understanding. It is a concrete expectation of the glory to come, not a mere wishful thought. This hope shapes our present lives, motivating us to live in a way that reflects the future reality of God’s promises. [10:01]

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."

Reflection: How does the promise of future glory influence your daily decisions and actions? What changes can you make to align your life more closely with this hope?


Day 3: The Objective Reality of Christian Hope
The Christian hope is the return of Jesus Christ and the renewal of all creation. It is the day when we will be fully saved, and all things will be made new. This hope is not subjective but an objective reality that we are to lay hold of with diligence and faith. It is a promise that transcends our current circumstances, offering a vision of a future where God’s redemptive plan is fully realized. This hope is a powerful motivator for living a life of faith and obedience. [23:05]

Titus 2:13-14 (ESV): "Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to live with a greater awareness of Christ’s return and the renewal of all things? How can this awareness impact your interactions with others today?


Day 4: Diligence in Pursuing Full Assurance
To live in the full assurance of hope, we must immerse ourselves in the Scriptures, holding fast to God's promises and exercising faith. This involves a diligent pursuit of understanding and a commitment to living in the reality of the future glory that awaits us. It requires intentional effort to grow in our knowledge of God’s Word and to apply it to our lives, allowing it to transform us and strengthen our hope. [37:14]

2 Peter 1:10-11 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to deepen your understanding of Scripture and strengthen your hope? How can you hold yourself accountable to these practices?


Day 5: Patience and Perseverance in Hope
Patience is essential in maintaining the full assurance of hope. We must persevere in our faith and hope, even in the face of challenges and doubts. By doing so, we will live triumphantly, with a certainty that transcends our present circumstances. Patience allows us to endure trials and remain steadfast in our commitment to God’s promises, trusting that He will fulfill them in His perfect timing. [43:23]

James 5:7-8 (ESV): "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it difficult to be patient and persevere in hope? How can you cultivate a spirit of patience and trust in God’s timing today?

Quotes

The greatest need of all of every Christian every member of the Christian church is Assurance full assurance that is what we are meant to have that is what we are meant to enjoy the Christian was never meant to be in an uncertain position the Christian was never meant to be unhappy the Christian was meant to enjoy this life into which he has been brought by the grace of God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [00:56:46]

The Epistles are not written to convert people they are written to establish people who are already converted indeed it can be said of all the Epistles what John says in his own first epistle in chapter 5 and verse 13 these things are written unto you that believe that ye may know that he have eternal life that's it it's the knowledge in it is the Assurance. [02:41:08]

The full assurance of hope is the culmination of our faith journey. It is the ultimate goal and the end of our salvation. While faith and understanding are crucial, hope is the supreme element because it points us to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises. This hope is not merely a hopeful spirit or a vague optimism; it is a concrete expectation of the glory that is to come. [09:58:24]

The Christian hope is the glorious return of Jesus Christ, the final consummation of God's redemptive plan. It is the day when all creation will be renewed, and we will be fully and entirely saved. Our current experience of salvation is only partial; we have the first fruits, the earnest of what is to come. The full assurance of hope means living in the reality of this future glory, allowing it to shape our present lives and motivate our sanctification. [23:02:04]

To obtain this full assurance of hope, we must be diligent, immersing ourselves in the Scriptures and holding fast to God's promises. Faith is essential, as it substantiates our hope. We must also exercise patience, persevering in our faith and hope until the end. By doing so, we will find ourselves living triumphantly, with a certainty that transcends our present circumstances. [37:11:12]

The Christian hope then is that Glorious Day that's coming the Blessed hope and the Glorious appearing of our great God and savior the day when the Lord Jesus Christ will come back again into this world to judge his enemies and to Route them and to condemn them and to consign them to their Eternal fate of punishment and having purged the universe of sin and evil and wrong to introduce the new heavens and the new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. [38:55:12]

The man who's got the full Assurance of Hope is the man who knows what it is to enjoy the earnest he knows the first fruits he knows the four test the reality of the spiritual realm that's what it means the reality of the spiritual realm the reality of the Lord himself having a certainty about these things not hoping that you're a Christian not hoping that everything's going to be right at the end but knowing with an absolute certainty that you are a child of God. [49:30:39]

The greatest motive to sanctification this is the key to everything the Blessed hope very well then how is it to be obtained let me just give you some headings we are given the full answer here diligence we desire that every one of you to show the same diligence knowing us as he does he puts it negative negatively also that he be not slothful you can't be diligent and slothful at the same time. [54:31:19]

Faith is the substance the substantiating of these things which are hoped for Hope is the outcome of Faith it's the result of faith and the greater the faith the greater the hope so we've got to go on in faith believing the word of God not like the people depicted by Peter in second chapter 3 who ask very cleverly where's the promise of his coming where is it nothing's happening. [57:06:59]

We must have faith in God's promises in God's oath in God's covenant and God's purpose wherein God willing more abundantly to show unto the HS of Promise the immutability of his counsel confirmed it by an earth that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie we might have a strong consolation who have fled for Refuge to lay hold upon the hope that is set before us. [59:21:39]

The Forerunner has for us entered he's gone to make a building for me he's made a home for me he's prepared it it's furnished everything will be ready he's there not only that he'll come back and take me by the hand and introduce me to it and open the door and say it's yours enter in and begin to enjoy it forever and forever you want something still more certain well I can give it you according to this new testament Doctrine we are in Christ. [01:10:18]

We need then diligence we need faith and lastly patience and to the end which means you see that you don't just take this up now because you've heard this Exposition but you keep on doing it do it always do it every day when the devil attacks you especially keep on doing it rush to the scriptures remind yourself of the promise and all that is here given follow them who through faith and patience have inherited the promises. [01:13:20]

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Transcript
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