Living in the Light of the Blessed Hope

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: Titus 2:11-15In these increasingly dark days, we may wonder if there is hope for us. As believers, we can live in the light of the blessed hope that Jesus Christ is coming again.Titus 2:11 and 13 says, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men… looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…”Hope is certainty based on the Word of God.It is a rock-ribbed assurance and anticipation. This hope is a purifying hope: “...teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age…” (Titus 2:12).When people have hope, they are looking toward something in the future, so they will take care of the present. If we truly anticipate Jesus’ return, we will clean up our lives and keep them clean. We will want to live pure lives and move step by step toward holiness.Hope is encouraging.God our Father is the power, preserver, and purpose of creation; everything is in His control.When Jesus comes, wrong will be made right. He will come for His bride, the Church. Jesus will subdue the devil and He will sit on His throne.Hope is unifying.As we move higher toward holiness, we draw closer together in abounding love with our fellow believers. As we wait for Jesus, we ought to have a fervent love toward one another, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.Adrian Rogers says, “The closer we get to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the closer we ought to be to one another, the more we ought to be in the house of God.”Hope is challenging.Christ’s return should motivate us to bring people to Him in faith. We have such limited time, and we must remember the most important thing is sharing the Gospel with others.Hope is stabilizing.When we’re rooted in this hope, we will not be blown about by the things of this world.Finally, hope is comforting.The blessed hope reminds us that it is not over yet; our King is on the way.Apply it to your lifeAs the days become gloriously darker, we can live in the light of this blessed hope. Get in the Word of God and be faithful to your fellow believers.