Romans 15.13: “13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” 

Our hope comes from God and that through the Holy Spirit, we can help to remind the world of the hope that God has brought through his son Jesus. We need to “abound” in hope. Another translation says “that you may overflow with hope”.

What is Hope? 

Hope is something that we can cling on to when life gets difficult. It is a promise that there are better things to look forward to and that our current situation does not define our entire lives.

Hope is something that we can grasp onto: 

Joshua 2.17-18, 21: “The men said to her, “We will be guiltless with respect to this oath of yours that you have made us swear. 18 Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household…21 And she said, “According to your words, so be it.” Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.”

Hope is something that requires patience and waiting:

Titus 2.11-14 “11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 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.”

Why do we have Hope? 

These verses in Titus also illustrate the Gospel, which is our ultimate hope. That Jesus gave himself for us to redeem us from sin (from all lawlessness) and to purify us as a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. That is the reason why we have hope at all times. 

How can we show Hope to the world? 

2 Corinthians 4.7-10: “7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”

Matthew 5.14-16: “14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

1. Persevering through difficulties
2. Sharing the light of Jesus
3. Share our reason for Hope with those who have little reason to have any (people imprisoned, in hospitals, in nursing homes)
4. Share the Gospel
5. Live a Christ-like life