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2. Living As People Possessing Confident Expectation

3. What The Bible Says Re: Hope  It is inseparably linked to faith Heb 11:1  It anchors our soul Heb 6:18-20  Christ is our only hope 1 Tim 1:1 Col 1:27  People can be without hope Eph 2:11-13 1 Thess 4:13  Hope defies logic at times Rom 4:16-21

4. What This Passage Demands Re: Hope Ê It must be in us  Not just something that we know  It is something we truly believe  It is to be a part of us  Because man is limited in his knowledge of the future, he is hopeful because of God

5. What This Passage Demands Re: Hope Ê It must be in us  Hope represents actions, thoughts, desires  It is the core of faith-based character Rom 5:1-5  It is the result when one internalizes the message of heaven Col 3:16 Psa 119:11

6. What This Passage Demands Re: Hope Ë It must be communicated to others  The religion of Christ = a shared religion (compared to 1st covenant under Moses)  Christ’s kingdom doesn’t grow when other lands & kingdoms are conquered  It grows 1 heart at a time when a soul obeys

7. What This Passage Demands Re: Hope Ë It must be communicated to others  Peter admits what we sometimes neglect… others watch us Mt 5:13-16 1 Pet 2:12  Some will even ask “Why?” re: our hope  We are exhorted to “…always be ready”  We must answer with “…meekness & fear”

8. What This Passage Demands Re: Hope Ë It must be communicated to others  Answering with “…meekness & fear” – Alien sinners 2 Tim 2:24-26 – Fallen away brethren 2 Thess 3:15

9. Conclusion  The “hopeful” sanctify God in their hearts  The essence of hope Ù HEAVEN Col 1:3-5  Heaven will only come to those who remain steadfast in their hope Col 1:19-23  Do you have this hope in you?  Do you communicate this hope to others?

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