HOPE #1

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HOPE
LUKE 1:26-38    EPHESIANS 1:18-23    REVELATION 21:1-5

Having no hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:12 ESV

There is STRUGGLE in the story of Christmas.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:26-37 ESV

Even in the midst of our struggles, real HOPE is available.

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.  Luke 1:38 ESV

Jesus provides us with real hope in two WAYS.

Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope.  Ephesians 1:18 ESV

Way #1: Hope NOW
Jesus has called you to live with hope now.

Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you…19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named.  Ephesians 1:18-21 ESV

Way #2: Hope FOREVER
Jesus has prepared an inheritance for you to live with hope forever.

Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope…what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.  Ephesians 1:18-23 ESV

The future is FULL OF HOPE.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:1-5 ESV

Are you ready to live FULL OF HOPE?

Christ Jesus our hope. 1 Timothy 1:1 ESV

Hope has a name and that name is JESUS.

Christ Jesus [my] hope. 1 Timothy 1:1 ESV

But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. Psalm 71:14 ESV