Between the Lines

Besides comforting us, what do we do with this hope?

Do we keep it to ourselves?

1 Peter 3:13 – We are to tell others about our hope!

• Circle “but” and draw an arrow to verse 12 “Do not be afraid of their threats or be troubled.”  Peter is talking about suffering for righteousness’ sake.  Instead of being afraid or troubled we are to Sanctify the Lord and give a defense.
• Circle “sanctify” and “always be ready.”
• Hi-lite “give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.”
• Put a box around “with meekness and fear;”

Hebrews 10:23 -Confession of our Hope

We need to confess (or profess) this hope to others constantly and without doubting.

• Circle “Let us.”  This is a command word and one of many instances of this phrase in Hebrews.
• Hi-lite “confession of our hope.”
• Underline “hold fast” and “without wavering.”
• Circle “for” (a reason).
• Hi-lite in another color “He who promised is faithful.”

In What or in Whom do we hope in?

Psalm 39:7 – David is writing about the brevity of life.  His hope is in God.

• Circle the question mark.
• Underline “what do I wait for?”
• Hi-lite “Lord” and “My hope is in You.”

Lamentations 3:21-26 – Jeremiah in his despair turns to His hope in God.

• Verse 21: Circle “therefore” underline “This I recall to my mind” and hi-lite “I have hope.”
• Verse 22: Circle “because” and hi-lite “Lord’s mercies” and “His compassions.”  Underline “not consumed” and “fail not.”
• Verse 23: Hi-lite “Great is Your faithfulness.”
• Verse 24-26: Circle “therefore.”
• What is the Lord? Underline “The Lord is my portion” and “The Lord is good.”
• What are we to do?  Hi-lite “I hope in Him”, “wait for Him”, “seeks Him”, “hope and wait quietly.”
• Put a box around “salvation of the Lord.”

Psalm 71:14 – We should not stop hoping.

• Hi-lite the whole verse.
• Circle “continually.”

We have…

Living Hope – 1 Peter 1:3

• Hi-lite “abundant mercy” and “living hope.”
• Underline “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

Blessed hope – Titus 2:13

• Hi-lite “blessed hope” and “glorious appearing.”
• Circle “looking for.”
• Underline “great God and Savior Jesus Christ,”

Good hope – 2 Thessalonians 2:16

• Circle “loved us” and “given us.”
• Hi-lite “everlasting consolation” and “good hope by grace,”
• Underline “our Lord Jesus Christ” and “our God and Father,”

HOPELESSNESS

Ephesians 2:12 – Paul talks about the Gentiles not having hope.

• Hi-lite “without Christ”, “aliens”, “strangers”, “having no hope and without God.”

In Conclusion, Paul lists three virtues that “abide.”  According to Thayer, the Greek word for abide means to continue to be, not to perish, to last, endure.

1 Corinthians 13:13

• Hi-lite “faith, hope, love.”
• Circle “now abide.”
• Underline “the greatest of these is love.”