Option one: you have no hope?
Option two: you have false hope?
Option three: you have true hope?
If you believe that you have true, hope who have you shared this true hope with this week? 
Summary: There are those today without hope, while others have false hope. Is there a True Hope that we can depend on?
I. Introduction
At Christmas time we discussed Hope and just last Sunday we discussed faith. 
Although Faith & Hope are closely linked together, the Holy Ghost believes that I need to clearly distinguished the tooth this morning. 
Faith has work to perform today; Hope cheers faith along the way and points to rewards of service.
Romans 10:17 says the following:
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17);
Romans 5:4 says the following about hope: Hope comes by experience (Rom. 5:4).
Faith accepts the gift of promise;
Hope expects the fulfillment of promise.
The Word of God says much about HOPE, but never does it use the term to mean uncertainty or doubt.
For example, It is wrong to use the Scriptural term of to say, “I hope I am a Christian” as much as it would be for me to say, “I hope I am an American.”
I do not hope to be something that I KNOW I already am!
Let us examine three categories in the world today in respect to their relations to HOPE.
1 category: There are those who have No Hope;
2 category: those who have False Hope;
3 category: and those who have True Hope.
Let’s talk about the first card of glory
NO HOPE (Eph. 2:11-12)
According to God’s Word, there are those today who are described as having NO HOPE – and without God in their beings.
There are many who have No Hope and who have hope in their hope in the wrong places.
Hope is as essential to the human soul as Faith is to society.
A life without hope becomes misery, a burden too grievous to be borne.
God us our need for hope, because he sent Jesus Christ and through Jesus Christ we have a hope of eternity.
In Ephesians 2:11-12, Paul discussed those who had No Hope – being without God in the world.
Ever since the origin of man, man has put his HOPE in either one or more gods.
However, we must admit that there are still those who are distraught – “Without HOPE and without God in the world.”
Sadly, one of the major causes of death among people is still SUICIDE!
Since 2023, the United States has reported about 50,000 deaths per year due to suicide. Most people suffering from depression feel like they have no hope. 
What a terrible thing for young and old alike to be without HOPE!
III. FALSE HOPE (Matt. 7:21-27)
Sadly, those who have False Hope are more numerous and worse off than those having No Hope.
They are not found only in the dark corners of Africa or the deepest jungles of South America.
Many who have False Hope can be found right in our own communities.
A man who finds himself hopeless may be inclined to accept True Hope, but one who has a False Hope must admit his hope was vain before he will accept another.
False Hope is far worse than No Hope at all!
False Hope seems to be self-sufficient – UNTIL times of testing come!
Many men and women have found that their hope was mere vanity when troubles arise.
Those who have False Hope did not build upon a firm foundation, they are like the “foolish man who built his house upon the sand!”
For example, one that has false hope can be described as follows: this is the drunkard who thinks that he can quit any time he likes it! -this is False Hope.
For example, one that has false hope can be described as follows: The dope addict who thinks that he can escape his problems by getting high has : a False Hope.
For example, one that has false hope can be described as follows: The thief who thinks he can steal without consequence has: -False Hope.
For example, one that has false hope can be described as follows: The church member who thinks that baptism, membership, or deeds is all that is necessary to escape hell has:- False Hope.
For example, one that has false hope can be described as follows:The rebellious child who disobeys his or her parents and thinks that he/she has gotten away with their actions has:- False Hope.
For example, one that has false hope can be described as follows: The husband or wife who is unfaithful, yet thinks they are clever enough to get away with their actions has: – False Hope.
For example, one that has false hope can be described as follows: There are also those who believe in religions without Christ – they have False Hope.
In God’s Word, Eli’s sons were evil, but thought that since they were born into a prominent family, they could get away with their actions – False Hope. (you can find them in scripture in the book of first Samuel chapter 2 or three.)
Even wisdom that is not founded upon the fear of God is vanity and vexation of spirit – Eccl. 1:18
There are those who believe in a 2nd chance beyond our present life – They believe that repentance can be made after one dies – False Hope.
Oh, the list of False Hope continues on and on even in our day and in our age!
IV. Let’s move onto the third category: TRUE
HOPE (Titus 2:13-37)
What IS TRUE HOPE? There is only ONE in regard to salvation.
Read – Titus 2:13-3:7
Titus 2:13-3:7King James Version
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
3 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
This text/scripture emphasizes the motivation behind living a godly life, which is the “blessed hope” of Jesus Christ’s return and the glorious appearing of our “great God and Savior” – a reminder that our salvation and future hope are found in Jesus, prompting us to live righteously in the present while eagerly awaiting his return; it also highlights the transformative power of God’s grace which enables us to live a life dedicated to good works, even though we were once sinners, now being renewed through the Holy Spirit.
Read – Hebrews 6:18-19
Hebrews 6:18-19 King James Version
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
Key points:
- “Two unchangeable things”:God’s promise and his oath are mentioned as two things that cannot change, meaning God cannot lie or break his word.
- “Fled to take hold of the hope”:This imagery refers to seeking refuge in God’s promises, like finding safety in a city of refuge in ancient times.
- “Anchor for the soul”:The hope offered by God’s promises is described as an anchor, which keeps a ship steady in stormy seas, illustrating the stability and security this hope provides.
- “Inner sanctuary”:This phrase signifies the ultimate access to God’s presence that believers have through their hope in Christ.
Application:
- Assurance in God’s faithfulness:Christians can be confident that God will fulfill his promises because he is incapable of lying.
- Strength in difficult times:When facing challenges, the hope anchored in God’s word can provide stability and perseverance.
- Access to God’s presence:Through faith in Jesus, believers can confidently approach God with full access to his presence.
Read – 1 Peter 1:3-5
1 Peter 1:3-5King James Version
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
TRUE HOPE can only be found in CHRIST!
Here is this weeks challenge and it comes from the very word of God:
1 Peter 3:15 – “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you for a reason for the HOPE that is within you, with meekness and fear.”
