The Importance of BIBLICAL HOPE

I am giving you this assignment in commemoration of our yearly celebration of God at work through Biblical counseling (This annual dinner celebration will be held this Saturday at the North Charleston Convention Center Ballroom this Saturday Evening, May 3.)  

I wanted to not only to invite you to join us (click here to see our event page) but to wet your spiritual appetites for what our evening is going to be all about - 

Our theme this year is "THERE IS HOPE!  A Hope That Anchors the Soul" Hebrews 6:19 

Enjoy to His Glory , Tim Bryant

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Importance of BIBLICAL HOPE

“We should ask God to increase our hope when it is small, awaken it when it is dormant, confirm it when it is wavering, strengthen in when it is weak, and raise it up when it is overthrown.”

Biblical Hope Produces...

Based on the following scripture answer the following questions: Why is biblical hope essential to progressing in the Christian life? Do you gain any other insights about biblical hope from the passage? Choose three of the verses and write down a specific circumstance or relationship in your life in which you either did or did not have this biblical hope operating in you.  Share how that biblical hope or lack of hope controlled your response and led to a result (whether good or bad).  End by writing down a brief prayer asking God to help you develop biblical hope as you go through this study.  Commit to memorizing one or more passages below and thinking on them throughout your day and this week as you respond to “life”.

1.  1 Thessalonians 4:13 - But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.

2.  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.  

3.  Hebrews 6:19 - This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever.

4.  1 Timothy 4:10 - For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

5.  Romans 8:24-25 - And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

6. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 - We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

7.   2 Corinthians 3:12 - Therefore having such a hope, we are very bold.

8. Philippians 1:20 - I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

9.  Colossians 1:4-5 - "...since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel."

10.  Hebrews 11:24-26 - By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

11. I John 3:2-3 - Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

12.  Romans 15:5-6 -  Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

13.  Hebrews 10:35-39 - Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.