“The Reasons for Our Hope”

“The Forgiveness of Sins”

Isaiah 53 (NKJV)

1. We are powerless to forgive our own sins. 2. If sins were forgiven by being good, how could we ever know we had done enough? 3. Instead, God made a way for our sins to be forgiven by the death of Jesus Christ, the Lord. 4. We know this is true because of the prophecies of the Bible, such as Isaiah 53, which was written 700 years before Christ. 5. Jesus was not known for His appearance. (Isaiah 53:2) 6. Jesus was despised and rejected by men. (Isaiah 53:3) 7. Jesus took the punishment for our sins. (Isaiah 53:5) 8. God laid all of our sins on Jesus, as our substitute. (Isaiah 53:6) 9. Jesus went to the Cross silently like a lamb being slaughtered. (Isaiah 53:7) 10. Jesus was crucified with two thieves, but He was buried in a rich man’s tomb. (Isaiah 53:9) 11. Jesus bore God’s anger against sin for us. (Isaiah 53:10) 12. Jesus was the perfect sacrificial offering for our sins. (Isaiah 53:10) 13. Jesus’ days were prolonged, as He was raised from the dead. (Isaiah 53:10) 14. Anyone who knows Jesus Christ as Lord has a sure hope that they will enter God’s sinless heaven, because their sins have been forgiven once and for all.  

“The Reasons for Our Hope: The Incarnation of Jesus Christ”

John 10:10; 27-33 (NKJV)

Our hope comes from knowing that God loves us and cares about our lives.   The incarnation of Jesus Christ proves God’s love for all people.   The evidence shows us that Jesus Christ was God in human flesh.   Jesus was a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. There are no other choices.   The results of His life and teachings show He is not a liar.   The way He lived and treated people show He was not a lunatic.   The evidence points to the deity of Jesus Christ.   Scriptures References:   John 5:18; 8:56-59   Mark 2:5-7; 14:61-64

“The Reasons for Our Hope:  God”

 

Jeremiah 17:7, 8 (NKJV)

  We can have hope because God is alive and well.   We know God exists because He reveals Himself to us through His creation.   We know God exists because He has revealed Himself to us personally.   Our hope comes when we put our trust in Him as Lord of our lives.   Without Him things can be very hopeless.   With Him we have deliverance from fear and anxiety, since He is in control.   With Him we yield fruit, so we see progress in our lives, which brings hope.  

“God’s Mercy”

Psalm 103:8-12 (NKJV)

The Lord does not punish us as much as we deserve.   The Lord gives us more than we deserve.   The Lord does not become angry with us quickly, because His mercy abounds toward us.   However, we can’t presume upon His mercy and grace.   It does not mean that forgiveness of sins and salvation is automatic.   He is striving with us to bring us to trust Him as Lord in fear and love.   When we do that He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west.  

“God Satisfies Us with Good Things”

Psalms 103:1-5 (NKJV)

God fills our ornamentation with good things, so that our youth is renewed like the eagle’s.   Only God can satisfy our bodies and our souls.   If we are looking to anything else or anyone else for satisfaction in life, we will be empty.   God more than satisfies us with the material possessions we really need. (Matthew 6:33).   God gives us complete rest. (Matthew 11:28-30).   God gives us peace beyond understanding. (Philippians 4:6, 7).   God gives us the medicine we need for good health. (Proverbs 17:22; Galatians 5:22).   God gives us strength. (Nehemiah 8:10).   God gives us a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7).   God renews our strength. (Isaiah 40:31).   These benefits are not automatic.   Each one comes from knowing the Lord and walking with Him daily.