Rev. David G. Bostick
03-01-09
There are three foundation stones for the word Christian. Henry M. Morris, III. points this out to us, listen to his words...
Once a biblical worldview has been adopted, including a proper understanding of creation and redemption, the Christian believer will rightly relate to other Christians, society around him, and the Creator Redeemer Himself who has reconciled all things to God. In order for the true gospel to be preached, the full scope of God's work must be told, for it is only the true gospel, wholly and uncompromising, that is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). This gospel encompasses the threefold work of Christ: creation, conservation, and consummation. If the gospel story neglects the creation of the past, there is no foundation, standard, or ability. If it neglects the cross, there is no authority, justness, or power. And if it neglects the coming kingdom, there is no hope or joy or victory. (Morris, 39)
The third work of Christ is Consummation. Consummation is all about the coming kingdom and the coming kingdom has three characteristics; hope, joy, and victory. Today we start a mini-series that takes a detailed look at these three characteristics of the consummation of Christ beginning with hope.
It is important to keep in mind that hope usually implies dissatisfaction with the current circumstances. There is a desire for things to be different, change for the better is a big part of hope.
What do the Scriptures say about hope? In the Word of God there are several words and concepts that are used to get the idea of hope across to the reader. One of my favorite Old Testament passages is found in Psalms 62.
Psalms 62:5-8 (NIV)
[5] Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him. (Hope's Source is God)
[6] He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. (Hope's Confidence is God)
[7] My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge. (Hope's Character and Protection is God)
[8] Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge. (Hope's Confidant is God)
I think the Psamist wants his readers to understand that real hope, hope that has any chance of satisfying fulfillment, must come out of the nature, character and power of almighty God.
In the New Testament the Apostle Paul makes this connection between fulfilling hope and God by talking about the man who has been justified by faith.
Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)
[1] Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
[2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
[3] Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
[4] perseverance, character; and character, hope.
[5] And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
In this passage Paul uses words and phrases like, peace, access to grace, perseverance, character, and rejoicing to describe hope. Think of that one thing that you hope for most... I'm not talking about superficial things like winning the lottery, or having that loan approved for that new car or home. What is the one, and most important thing that you have hope for? ... Now just imagine if you could apply words like peace, grace, perseverance, character, or rejoicing to that one important thing that you hope for. That is what Paul is trying to get across to his readers, and it is the kind of hope that we can have when our hope comes out of the nature, character, and power of almighty God.
I have a friend that lost his wife and the use of his legs in a terrible car accident about five years ago. He hopes that one day he will be able to walk again. I don't know if he ever will but that is his hope. He talks about God and believing in Jesus Christ but I don't really know where he stands in his personal relationship with God. But imagine for a moment that you were in his place in life. That you have lost your life partner that you would never see again in this lifetime. And then on top of that you lost the use of both your legs. What if you could believe that your hope to walk again could come out of the nature, character, and power of almighty God. Now of course my friend may never walk again because God may see a greater purpose for my friend living without the use of his legs. But Paul is talking on a much higher level and about hope in a thing that is vastly more important than being able to walk. Paul is talking about the benefits of justification before God through Jesus Christ who can forgive us of sin, take the sin problem away in our daily lives, and then give us eternal life. Hope in the remedy for sin and for the promise of eternal life come out of the nature, character, and power of almighty God.
Paul talks a lot about hope in his epistle to the Church at Rome. Look in Romans 8...
Romans 8:22-25 (NIV)
[22] We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
[23] Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
[24] For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
[25] But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Here in chapter eight he shows this emphasis of hope for eternal life. Look at the descriptive words and phrases he uses here; "the whole creation has been groaning", "we ourselves... groan inwardly", "we wait eagerly". Paul speaks of hope that is looking forward, a hope that reaches beyond the things and cares of this life. This does not mean that the things and cares of this life are unimportant. The things and cares of this life are important but Paul wants us to reach beyond the grave with our hope.
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
[13] May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Continuing with the theme the Psalmist shows in the Old Testament Paul hammers away at the connection between God and hope, hope that comes out of the power of almighty God through, not only Jesus Christ but, through the Holy Spirit.
Again, in his letter to Timothy, Paul emphasizes this connection between God and hope. Also note that this hope for eternal life overshadows or supersedes our hope for things and the cares of this life.
1 Timothy 4:9-10 (NIV)
[9] This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance
[10] (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
[17] Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
[18] Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
[19] In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Before we come to confusion or misunderstanding concerning the word hope I think we should make sure we understand what we are talking about when we use that word. There is a great story of Hope in the Old Testament that helps us to grasp the idea clearly. Hope in the things, and cares, of this life, and the hope we are to have in our faith in Jesus Christ in looking forward to eternal life. It is found in the Old Testament book of Joshua. I wish we had time this morning to read the first three chapters but we don't. However there are some important verses we need to look at as we review the passage that teach us about hope. This is the story of Israel crossing over the Jordan river, under the leadership of Joshua, to claim the land that God had promised Abraham. This is the story of the city of Jericho.
Joshua 1:6-9 (NIV)
[6] “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
[7] Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
Hope for Success is based on courage, obedience, and diligence (vs. 7-9)
[8] Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
[9] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 2:8-10 (NIV)
[8] Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof
[9] and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. Hope is always
preceded by fear or desperate circumstances.
[10] We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. They completely
destroyed them. Num 21:34-35
Joshua 2:11-13 (NIV)
[11] When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Hope is based on something greater than self.
[12] Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign
[13] that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death.”
Joshua 2:14 (NIV)
[14] “Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.”
Hope is based on a reliable promise from a reliable source.
Joshua 2:17-20 (NIV)
[17] The men said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us
[18] unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. Hope has conditions.
[19] If anyone goes outside your house into the street, his blood will be on his own head; we will not be responsible. As for anyone who is in the house with you, his blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on him.
[20] But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”
Joshua 2:22-24 (NIV)
[22] When they left, they went into the hills and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had searched all along the road and returned without finding them.
[23] Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them.
[24] They said to Joshua, “The LORD has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.” Hope is based on investigative confidence
Joshua 3:1-4 (NIV)
[1] Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over.
[2] After three days the officers went throughout the camp,
[3] giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it.
[4] Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.” Hope gives direction and focus.
Joshua 2:18 (NIV)
[18] unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.
There are many words used to get the idea of hope across but this is one of my favorites is... 8615. tiqvah: I. A feminine noun referring to a cord, a line. It refers to a piece of rope or a cord made of bright red thread with a tinge of orange that Rahab placed in her window (Jos 2:18). II. A feminine noun referring to hope, expectation. It refers to an attitude of anticipation with the expectation that something will happen, (CWS-OT)
Hope is for you and I today.
Joy implies a change.
Victory implies a battle.
Eschatology is where all of us are headed.
CWS-NT - Complete Word Study of the New Testament. CWS-OT - Complete Word Study of the Old Testament. - Both the CWS-NT and the CWS-OT are parts of the AMG Complete Word Study Dictionary - Based on the lexicon of Edward Robinson (as revised by Alexander Negris and John Duncan), with constant reference to and citations from the works of John Parkhurst and Hermann Cremer.
Merriam-Webster, Inc. Merriam-Webster 11th collegiate Dictionary. 2003
Morris, Henry M. III. 5 Reasons to Believe in Recent Creation. Dallas: Institute for Creation Research, 2008.
NIV - The Holy Bible: New International Version (NIV). Cedar Rapids: Laridian, 2003.
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. The NIV Center-Column Reference System, copyright © 1984 by Zondervan.
NIV – The Holy Bible: New International Version (NIV). Grand Rapids: 1984
Vine, W.E., Unger, Merrill F., White, William Jr. Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, © 1984, 1996.