Celebrating the Hope of Christ - Part 2

🎧 Listen on the go: Audio Narrative of Part 2

This message explores the divine and eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ—a hope that sustains us now and secures our future forever.

A Gentle Word Before We Begin

This message continues from Celebrating the Hope of Christ – Part 1, where we explored natural hope and biblical hope, and how hope shapes the way we live today. If you have not yet read Part 1, we encourage you to begin there, as it lays the foundation for understanding the certainty and assurance of the hope we now explore more deeply.

In Part 2, we move into the divine and eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ—a hope that is not uncertain, not temporary, and not dependent on circumstances.

Jesus’ Prayer and the Heart of Our Hope

One of the most profound prayers Jesus prayed is found in John 17. Near the end of this prayer, Jesus reveals the depth of His desire for those who belong to Him.

📖 John 17:24–26 (NKJV)

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O, righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

This prayer reveals that our hope is not rooted in this world, but in being with Christ and sharing in His glory. Jesus’ desire is not only that we would know God, but that we would one day be fully united with Him. This is divine hope—certain, secure, and eternal. It is not based on circumstances or emotions, but on Christ’s finished work and His relationship with the Father.

This kind of hope is very different from natural hope. Natural hope is often uncertain and fragile. Divine or biblical hope, however, is a life-shaping certainty that has not yet fully happened, but we know without doubt that it will. This is why Scripture often uses the language of “most assuredly.” Biblical hope is not “maybe” or “hopefully.” It is sure, firm, and guaranteed.

This hope is closely connected to faith and belief, but it does not replace them. Rather, it stands alongside them. Our hope is fully founded in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. As sure as we are that Jesus is the Son of God, to that same measure we can be sure of the hope He has placed within us.

The Importance of Hope

Now, let us move more deeply into the hope we have in Christ.

Father God placed the fullness of Himself in Jesus Christ.

📖 Colossians 1:19 (NKJV)

“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell.”

Because all the fullness of the Father dwells in Jesus, every promise God has made is secured in Christ. Since Jesus has fully secured our place in the Kingdom of God, we can rest with complete assurance in the hope we have in Him.

Hope is the sure knowledge of our future with Christ. When we truly grasp what Christ has secured for us, it changes how we live today. Our future hope shapes our present decisions.

Biblical hope is essential if we are to live out the full potential God has for us. This hope must be firmly established in our spirit. When it is, it impacts:

• the way we pray

• the way we live daily

• the way we serve in God’s Kingdom

• the way we speak to and minister to others

In contrast, when hope is absent, despair takes its place, affecting every area of life.

The Object of Our Hope

Hope requires an object. We cannot place our hope in just anything. If our hope is placed in things that are temporary, unstable, or fading, it will eventually disappoint us.

Our hope must be anchored in something greater than ourselves, greater than the temporary systems of this world. When we place our hope in Jesus—the Creator and Sustainer of all things—we place our hope in something eternal and unshakable.

📖 Hebrews 6:19 (NKJV)

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil.”

This “veil” refers to the heavenly veil that grants access into the presence of God. There is no place more secure, more stable, or safer than being in God’s presence. Our hope is anchored there because of what Jesus has done.

Through His death, resurrection, and the shedding of His blood, Jesus secured our forgiveness and opened the way for us to stand in the very presence of God. This is the foundation of our hope.

A Living Hope Secured by Christ

📖 1 Peter 1:3–5 (NKJV)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Our hope is based on the certainty of our future with God. Yet this hope does not only belong to the future—it begins now, from the moment we become children of God.

God has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of what is to come.

📖 Romans 5:5 (NKJV)

“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.”

The Holy Spirit is the down payment of our future inheritance, assuring us that what God has promised will surely come to pass.

Hope in the Midst of Challenges

It is not our current circumstances that determine our hope, but our confidence in the outcome of our future in Christ. Hope enables us to live well now, even when life is difficult.

Challenges reveal what we truly believe. When hardship comes, it exposes whether our hope is rooted in Christ or in temporary things.

The Apostle Paul experienced immense suffering, yet he continually spoke of hope. He endured because he knew his future with Christ was secure. Paul understood that Jesus had already secured victory, and because of this, he lived with unwavering hope.

📖 Romans 8:24–25 (NKJV)

“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.”

Paul patiently endured because his hope was anchored in Christ, not in what he could see.

Learning Hope Through Scripture

📖 Romans 15:4 (NKJV)

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

This verse reminds us that the Scriptures were not written merely as historical records, but as living words intended to shape and strengthen our lives today. When Paul refers to “whatever things were written before,” he is pointing to the Old Testament Scriptures—the Law, the Prophets, the Psalms, and the historical accounts of God’s people. These writings are not outdated or irrelevant; they are timeless and purposeful.

They were written for our learning. Through them, we come to understand God’s character, His faithfulness, and the way He works in the lives of imperfect people. As we read about the endurance of Job, the faith of Abraham, the courage of Daniel, and the restoration of David, we see how God remained faithful through every season of suffering and uncertainty.

Paul explains that these Scriptures produce patience, meaning endurance and steadfastness. They teach us how to remain faithful when life is difficult and how to keep trusting God even when answers are delayed. At the same time, the Scriptures bring comfort, encouragement, reassurance, and peace. They remind us that God is present, that He sees our struggles, and that He is actively at work even when life feels overwhelming.

The result of this patience and comfort is hope. Not wishful thinking, but confident expectation rooted in God’s promises. Scripture anchors us in the truth that God is faithful and that His purposes are unfolding, even when we cannot yet see the outcome.

When we feel discouraged, Scripture reminds us that others have walked through fire and God brought them through. When we feel alone, the Bible shows us that God never abandons His people. When we feel uncertain, the Word of God gives us clarity, perspective, and renewed hope.

📖 Ephesians 1:18–21 (NKJV)

“That you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”

This passage forms part of Paul’s prayer for the believers in Ephesus. He prays that God would open their spiritual eyes so they could truly understand the depth and certainty of the hope they have in Christ.

When Paul speaks of “the hope of His calling,” he is referring to the confident assurance that comes from being called by God. This hope includes the assurance of salvation, the promise of resurrection, eternal life with Christ, and a life of purpose both now and forever. This calling is not merely an invitation—it is a divine summons into a new identity and a new destiny.

Paul then speaks of “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” This reveals the extraordinary value God places on His people. On one hand, believers are God’s treasured possession—His inheritance. On the other, believers themselves receive a glorious inheritance: eternal life, the Kingdom of God, and every spiritual blessing found in Christ. The emphasis is on the richness and certainty of what God has prepared.

Finally, Paul points to “the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.” This is not a distant or abstract power. It is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, seated Him at the right hand of the Father, and placed Him above all authority and dominion. That power is now at work in the lives of believers.

This passage reminds us that our hope is not fragile or uncertain. It is rooted in Christ’s victory, His authority, and His eternal reign. Because Jesus lives and reigns, our hope is secure—now and forever.

A Gentle Moment of Reflection

As we reflect on this message, we are reminded that hope is not wishful thinking—it is confident expectation grounded in Jesus Christ. Our hope is anchored in God’s promises, secured by Christ’s sacrifice, and guaranteed by the Holy Spirit.

What we believe about our future will always shape how we live today. When our hope is fully placed in Christ, we are able to endure suffering, remain faithful in uncertainty, and live with confidence and peace.

Continuing the Journey – Celebrating the Hope of Christ (Part 3)

In Part 1, we explored what hope is—how natural hope and biblical hope shape the way we live and how Scripture reveals the importance of hope for daily life.

In Part 2, we moved deeper into the divine and eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ—a hope secured by His finished work and guaranteed by the Holy Spirit.

In Part 3, we will bring these truths together by exploring how the hope of Christ is meant to be lived out daily, while also pointing us toward the future glory that awaits us.

Biblical hope is never passive. It does not cause us to withdraw from life or wait idly for heaven. Instead, hope in Christ empowers us to live faithfully, courageously, and lovingly in the present—because we are confident in what God has promised for the future.

In the final part of this series, we will explore:

• How hope shapes our daily obedience and perseverance

• How hope strengthens us during waiting, suffering, and uncertainty

• How hope fuels holy living and faithful service

• How the promise of resurrection, glory, and Christ’s return gives meaning to everything we do now

Scripture teaches us that our present lives are deeply connected to our future hope. Because Christ has secured what is to come, we are free to live with peace, endurance, and purpose today.

Part 3 will focus on living as people of hope—anchored in Christ, strengthened by His promises, and shaped by the certainty of eternity with Him. This is the hope that sustains us now and prepares us for what is yet to come.

If you desire to grow deeper in understanding how the hope of Christ transforms both how we live today and how we face eternity, we invite you to continue with Celebrating the Hope of Christ – Part 3.

A note from the speaker: "It is my prayer that as you engage with this message, you gain a deeper understanding of how precious you are to our heavenly Father. Remember, hope is not optional—it is essential for the journey ahead."

Ps Salome

Living Faith Community Church

Ps Salome is a leader dedicated to sharing the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ. Her heart is to help you move from a place of uncertainty into a confident, biblical expectation that is rooted in God's deep love for you.

"God invites us to live with hope—not because life is easy, but because He is faithful."