Living in Hope: Eager Anticipation of God's Promises
Summary
In Romans 8:24-25, Paul speaks of hope as a vital component of the Christian life. Hope, unlike faith, is forward-looking, anticipating the full realization of what Christ has already secured for us. While faith reflects on the completed work of Christ, hope eagerly awaits the future inheritance. This hope is not yet visible, and thus, we must wait for it with patience. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that hope seen is not hope at all; if we already possess what we hope for, then hope becomes redundant. This principle is crucial for Christians to understand, especially in a world filled with trials and tribulations.
Paul's argument is twofold: negatively, he points out the absurdity of hoping for what is already seen, and positively, he encourages believers to wait patiently for what is unseen. This patience is not passive resignation but an active, eager anticipation. Christians are called to live by faith and hope, not by sight, understanding that the full glory of salvation is yet to be revealed. This perspective guards against disappointment and dejection when faced with life's challenges.
The Christian life is marked by a balance of eagerness and patience. We are to eagerly anticipate the fulfillment of God's promises while enduring the present with steadfastness. This patient endurance is not a dull, passive state but a vibrant, active waiting, characterized by joy and expectation. It is through trials and tribulations that patience is developed, leading to a deeper experience of hope.
Ultimately, this hope transforms our perspective on life and death. It is a living hope that shapes our affections, drawing them away from the transient things of this world and setting them on the eternal realities of God's kingdom. This hope is not merely theoretical or academic but deeply personal and transformative, affecting how we live and perceive the world around us.
Key Takeaways:
- Hope vs. Faith: Faith looks back at Christ's finished work, while hope looks forward to the full realization of our inheritance. This distinction helps us understand our current position as Christians, living in anticipation of what is to come. [01:08]
- The Nature of Hope: Hope that is seen is not hope. We are called to live by faith and hope, not by sight, understanding that our full salvation is yet to be revealed. This guards us against disappointment and dejection in the face of life's challenges. [06:22]
- Eager Expectation: Christian hope involves eager waiting, not passive resignation. It is characterized by joy and anticipation, reflecting a vibrant, active faith that looks forward to the fulfillment of God's promises. [23:11]
- Patient Endurance: Patience is an active virtue, developed through trials and tribulations. It involves constancy and firmness, enabling us to endure life's challenges with steadfastness and hope. [30:12]
- Transformative Hope: This hope transforms our perspective on life and death, setting our affections on eternal realities rather than transient worldly things. It is deeply personal and affects how we live and perceive the world. [48:14]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Hope
- [00:33] - Faith vs. Hope
- [01:08] - Forward-Looking Hope
- [02:04] - Inheritance and Redemption
- [03:10] - Application of Hope
- [04:02] - Negative Argument of Hope
- [05:09] - Ridiculing Seen Hope
- [06:22] - Living by Faith and Hope
- [07:23] - Surprised by Trials
- [08:42] - Positive Argument of Hope
- [09:52] - Universal Principle of Waiting
- [11:00] - Exhortation to Hope
- [12:36] - Avoiding Negative Resignation
- [14:27] - Positive Longing for Glory
- [16:53] - Eager Expectation
- [19:01] - Through Patience
- [23:11] - Eager Waiting
- [30:12] - Active Patience
- [37:24] - Christian Character
- [48:14] - Transformative Hope
- [54:54] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:24-25
- Ephesians 1:13-14
- 2 Corinthians 5:7
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 8:24-25, what is the relationship between hope and what is seen? How does this relate to the concept of faith? [00:12]
2. In Ephesians 1:13-14, what role does the Holy Spirit play in our hope and inheritance? How does this passage complement the message in Romans 8:24-25? [01:26]
3. How does 2 Corinthians 5:7 describe the way Christians are to live, and how does this connect to the idea of hope discussed in the sermon? [06:48]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of hope and its importance in the Christian life? [08:08]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the distinction between faith and hope, as described in the sermon, help Christians understand their current position and future expectations? [01:08]
2. The sermon mentions that hope is not passive resignation but an active anticipation. How might this understanding of hope change a Christian's approach to life's challenges? [23:11]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that trials and tribulations contribute to the development of patience and hope? [32:34]
4. How does the concept of "transformative hope" alter a Christian's perspective on life and death, according to the sermon? [48:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a current challenge in your life. How can the understanding of hope as an active anticipation help you face this challenge with a different perspective? [23:11]
2. Consider a time when you felt disappointed or dejected. How might the sermon’s message about living by faith and hope, not by sight, have helped you in that situation? [06:22]
3. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with patience. How can you actively develop patience through trials, as suggested in the sermon? [32:34]
4. The sermon emphasizes setting our affections on eternal realities rather than transient worldly things. What is one practical step you can take this week to shift your focus from the temporary to the eternal? [48:14]
5. Think of a person or situation that tests your patience. What specific action can you take to demonstrate active, eager anticipation in that context? [30:12]
6. How can you cultivate a "living hope" that transforms your daily life and interactions with others? What specific changes might you need to make in your thoughts or actions? [41:33]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the balance of eagerness and patience. How can you apply this balance in your spiritual journey and daily life? [38:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Hope as Forward-Looking Anticipation
Hope is a vital component of the Christian life, distinct from faith in its forward-looking nature. While faith reflects on the completed work of Christ, hope eagerly anticipates the full realization of what Christ has already secured for us. This hope is not yet visible, and thus, we must wait for it with patience. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that hope seen is not hope at all; if we already possess what we hope for, then hope becomes redundant. This principle is crucial for Christians to understand, especially in a world filled with trials and tribulations. [01:08]
"For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (Romans 8:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself struggling to maintain hope? How can you actively choose to anticipate God's promises in this area today?
Day 2: The Unseen Nature of Hope
Hope that is seen is not hope. We are called to live by faith and hope, not by sight, understanding that our full salvation is yet to be revealed. This guards us against disappointment and dejection in the face of life's challenges. The unseen nature of hope requires us to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem contrary. This trust is not blind but is rooted in the assurance of God's faithfulness and the certainty of His promises. [06:22]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a current challenge you are facing. How can you shift your focus from what is seen to the unseen promises of God?
Day 3: Eager Expectation in Hope
Christian hope involves eager waiting, not passive resignation. It is characterized by joy and anticipation, reflecting a vibrant, active faith that looks forward to the fulfillment of God's promises. This eager expectation is not a denial of present difficulties but a confident assurance that God's promises will be fulfilled. It encourages believers to live with a sense of purpose and direction, knowing that their hope is anchored in the eternal realities of God's kingdom. [23:11]
"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me." (Micah 7:7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of eager expectation in your daily life, even amidst trials? What practical steps can you take to maintain joy and anticipation?
Day 4: The Virtue of Patient Endurance
Patience is an active virtue, developed through trials and tribulations. It involves constancy and firmness, enabling us to endure life's challenges with steadfastness and hope. This patient endurance is not a dull, passive state but a vibrant, active waiting, characterized by joy and expectation. It is through trials and tribulations that patience is developed, leading to a deeper experience of hope. [30:12]
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How did it shape your understanding of patience and endurance? How can you apply this understanding to future challenges?
Day 5: Transformative Power of Hope
This hope transforms our perspective on life and death, setting our affections on eternal realities rather than transient worldly things. It is deeply personal and affects how we live and perceive the world. This transformative hope draws our hearts away from the temporary and towards the eternal, reshaping our values and priorities. It invites us to live with a kingdom mindset, where our actions and decisions are guided by the eternal truths of God's Word. [48:14]
"For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (Hebrews 13:14, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you allow the hope of eternity to transform your daily decisions and interactions? How can this eternal perspective influence your priorities and values?
Quotes
Faith looks backward to the finished work of Christ and shows us what he has achieved for us whereas hope looks forward in expectation of entering fully into that which he has thus obtained for us. [00:01:02]
In this life we receive nothing but a very small installment. What you and I at best have received of the Christian salvation orever can in this world of time is indeed but a very very small installment or Forest of that which we are ultimately going to receive in the glory. [00:02:34]
Hope that he seen is not hope for what a man seeth why does he yet hope for in other words he's ridiculing this whole notion that you can really see or have received fully this thing which by definition is something which is mainly a matter of Hope. [00:04:28]
We walk by faith not by sight. We don't see these things yet they're a far off we see them by faith we don't actually see them we walk by faith not by sight and we must never forget that. [00:06:55]
If we hope for that we see not then do we with patience wait for it again it's true as a universal principle but the Apostle obviously here is not merely stating a universal principle which is true he is using it in this very special sense and meaning as it applies to the Christian. [00:09:45]
The Christian is always positive he wants to be with the Lord he wants to be clothed upon that mortality might be swallowed up of life now this great Apostle says this sort of thing everywhere. [00:15:23]
The Christian is eager but he's never excitable what a distinction isn't it you can be eager without being excitable or excited that's just the difference again between the natural and the spiritual you've always got these two sides. [00:38:40]
Patience is an active virtue that's why we are so constantly being exalted to it and it's something which has to be developed patience is a very strong virtue it's firm all these terms that I've been using bring out that aspect of the meaning. [00:31:03]
Hope is at one and the same time the mother and the daughter of patience you see this is how the Apostle puts it we rejoice in Hope of the glory of God and not only so but we Rejoice also in tribulations because for tribulation worketh patience. [00:33:56]
The Christian is not a man who sees things in fits and starts and he doesn't do things in fits and starts he's constant he is reliable he's a sure man he's a man who goes on doing it he's not up and down. [00:39:08]
The Apostle could say to me a live is Christ and to die is gain he had a longing to be with Christ Which is far better if our study and our interest doesn't bring us to that be careful I say beware of it it hasn't got the right character it it hasn't got the right nature as a longing. [00:44:41]
Set your affections on things above not on things on the earth now you've got to do that you've got to set your affections don't wait for something to be worked up in you set your affections on things above not on things which are on the earth. [00:46:32]
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