Text: Colossians 1:5
Hope is laid out in the word of the truth of the gospel here in verse 5. This hope began to be preached about in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hope as an anchor to avoid drifting with the currents of the world
- Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
- That’s a hope that stays steady while the currents of this world push and pull.
- Hebrews 6:17-20 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
- Hope that keeps you from getting ahead of God by running to this world for help.
- Hebrews 10:35-38 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
- You say you’re trusting in Jesus Christ until that job shows up, or that friend says try this just one time and you think I’m never going to have any fun if I don’t do this. Or that relationship shows up and you think, I’m never going to meet anyone if I’m going to obey what God said about relationships. I’m never going to be able to provide for my family if I do what the Lord wants me to do here. I’m never going to have any friends if I don’t do what everyone else is doing. And you cast away your confidence because the world makes a demand that is reasonable to your flesh.
Hope that is treasure laid up in heaven in Jesus Christ
- Matthew 5:3-12 …great is your reward in heaven…
- Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth…
- 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
- 2 Timothy 1:8-12 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord…
- Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
- 2 John 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
- Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
- Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27)
Hope as the helmet of salvation
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
- This helmet is not physical just as nothing else in this armor is physical. If you trust Jesus Christ you can still suffer head injuries. God said we wrestle not against flesh and blodd. Not your physical head, but your mind. The mind is a battlefield that the devil will occupy if he can.
- Salvation, the promise of the redemption of the body, a certain future in Jesus Christ and new earth without sin, without trouble, or any curse has an affect on the mind. This hope is a protection against all kinds of thoughts.
- Guard your mind from overwhelming sorrow
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – Comfort of knowing – But I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep…
- Certainty of comfort – …by the word of the Lord… alive and remain… (vs 15)
- Comfort of being caught away – …so shall we ever be with the Lord (vs 18)… forever and ever and ever and ever….
- I’m not taking cancer with me
- I’m not taking pain with me
- I’m not taking a cursed body with me
- I’m not taking a broken heart with me
- Comforting words – …comfort one another with these words… (vs 18)
- So the helmet of salvation meets sorrow with the absolute assurance of a future hope and sorrow doesn’t stand a chance.
- Guard your mind from quitting on God
- 1 Corinthians 15:30-32, 54-58 – Paul asked some reasonable questions like why is he putting his life in jeopardy if there wasn’t anything beyond the grave.
- The investment is well worth it.
- Guard your mind from becoming too attracted to this world – lay up treasure in heaven
- Guard your mind from distractions from your purpose
- Guard your mind from certain fears
- Guard your mind from becoming cold toward others
