26 April 2009

Text: Romans 8:18-30

“WE WERE SAVED IN THIS HOPE”


(I) THE DOCTRINE OF SALVATION INVOLVES “HOPE”

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

1. Justified by faith

Once-for all decree by God!

 

2. Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Our relationship with God- there is no enmity!

 

3. Access by faith into this grace in which we stand

Faith enables us to have this access to God as His children

 

4. Rejoice in hope of the glory of God

We have the glorious hope that one day we will have the glory of seeing God in heaven.

 

(II) LIVING ON THIS EARTH

1. There is suffering

“…the sufferings of this present time…” Romans 8:18

 

2. There is groaning for the after-life

“…we know that the whole creation groans and labours with birth pangs…” Romans 8:22

 

3. We constantly struggle with sin and the flesh

“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Romans 7:24

 

(III) THE CONCEPT OF BEING SAVED BY HOPE

“For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” Romans 8:24-25


1. Establishing that we are saved “in this hope”

a) Faith and hope are “twins”

b) Where there is faith, the element of hope is also present

c) Hope is simply “faith not-yet-realised”

 

2. By faith we believe

a) In Jesus

b) In His atonement

c) In His promises

d) In heaven

 

3. The place of Hope

a) Hope enables us to exercise faith in what we cannot see

b) Hope is an essential aspect of faith

c) Hope expresses itself well in “perseverance”

 

(IV) CONFIDENCE IN OUR HOPE

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5

1. Hope will not let us down

2. God pours out His love into us to strengthen our faith-hope

3. The Spirit of God will strengthen our Hope further