Message: “Looking To The Future” from Pastor Joe
Joe Summers - December 31, 2021
Looking To The Future
Looking To The Future Lesson Objective: To understand the importance of looking forward especially for us who profess to be Christians. Scripture: Philippians 3:13-14 One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. Did Paul mean to completely forget the past No he remembered the past Acts 26: 4-6 4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. Paul used the past to have faith in the future What is this Hope that put Paul on trial 1 Corinthians 13: 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love. Amplified Version Romans 8: 24-25 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? Verse 24 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. Verse 25 Galatians 5: 22 Spirit of the Fruit - Patience Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see Definition of hope What is the meaning of Hope in English? Meaning of hope in English. hope. A2 to want something to happen or to be true, and usually have a good reason to think that it might: I'm hoping for an interview next week. [ + (that) ] She's hoping (that) she won't be away too long. I hope (that) she'll win. We have to hope and pray (that) the operation will go well. What does the Greek word hope mean in the Bible? Hope in Greek. The word hope in the New Testament is from the Greek word elpis. According to Strong’s Concordance, elpis means expectation, trust, and confidence. It comes from the root word elpo, which means to anticipate (with pleasure) and to welcome. Elpis is an expectation of what is guarantee. Romans 15: 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.