"We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our
prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and
steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God
and Father." `1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Last week we looked at good works and how they concern the Believer. Let's
take time today to look at some Scripture that speaks of spiritual hope.

Spiritual hope:
Enabled Abraham to become the father of the faithful:
"In hope against hope he believed, in order that he might become a father of
many nations, according to that which has been spoken, 'So shall your
descendants be.'" Romans 4:18 (Read Chapter 4 for a full account)

It is the saving element in life:
"For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope...But if
we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for
it." Romans 8:24-25

Scripture is the source of it:
"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction,
that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might
have hope." Romans 15:4

Spiritual hope abides forever:
"But now abide faith, hope, love, these three..." 1 Corinthians 13:13

Believers are called to testify concerning this hope:
"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a
defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in
you, yet with gentleness and reverence." 1 Peter 3:15

Spiritual hope inspires to clean living:
"Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we
shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we
shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him
purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 John 3:2-3

This eternal hope that we have anticipates Christ's coming:
"Awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realization of our] blessed
hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus
(the Messiah, the Anointed One.)" Titus 2:13 The Amplified Bible

Hope is the soul's sure anchor:
"In order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God
to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in
laying hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the
soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil."
Hebrews 6:18-19

Our hope is grounded in the resurrection of Christ:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to
His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which
is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away..." 1 Peter 1:3-4

I would encourage you to read these verses in context for the full meaning.

As the song says:
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus and His righteousness,
I dare not trust the sweet frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand..."

With all praise and honor let us give thanks to our Savior God. Amen