Dr. Jim Tillotson states that humans can live only one second without hope. He shows that Satan wants to crush hope but encourages students that hope is tied to God Himself. Dr. Jim also encourages the students to put their hope in God even when life is at its worst.

Scripture Texts

Titus 2:11-15; Romans 15:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 Timothy 1:1; Romans 6:17-22; Revelation 1:13-17

Main Points or Ideas

Steadfast Hope (verse 13)

• "Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ"

• The two men on the road to Emmaus had lost hope after Christ's death, but when Jesus revealed Himself, their hearts burned within them—hope returned
• Areas where students may be losing hope: paying school bills, finding a spouse, passing a class, recovering from health issues, having victory over besetting sin
• Satan wants to crush hope, like Job's wife who said "curse God and die" when they lost everything
• Hope is as necessary to the human spirit as oxygen is to the physical body
• God is the author of hope—Romans 15:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 1 Timothy 1:1
• When losing hope, believers often neglect Bible reading, prayer, and meditation
• Misplaced hopes: hoping to go to heaven without Christ, hoping to grow without reading God's Word, hoping to live happily while in rebellion
• Life with Christ is an endless hope; life without Christ is a hopeless end

Glorious Appearing

• When Christ returns, it will be a glorious appearing like the Northern Lights—standing in awe at something amazing
• Revelation 1:13-17 describes Christ's appearance: white hair, eyes like flame, feet like brass, voice like many waters (like Niagara Falls—deafening roar), seven stars in hand, sharp sword from mouth, countenance like the sun
• When John saw Him, he fell at His feet as dead—the brightness and glory of Christ's return

Redeeming Grace (verse 14)

• "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from every lawless deed, and purify for himself his own special people, zealous for good works"
• Redeem comes from Greek word meaning releasing someone held captive (prisoner or slave)
• Unsaved people are in bondage to sin; Christ came to set believers free
• Mark 10:45: "He gave his life a ransom for many"
• Romans 6:17-22: Believers were slaves of sin but have been set free and become slaves of righteousness
• When God freed believers from sin, He expected them to be His slaves—slaves to righteousness
• Every sin (past, present, and future) has been paid for by Christ—believers are freed from the penalty of sin
• Believers don't continue in sin because they love God, not because they lack ability to sin
• Don't be weird—be different; Christians should be different, not weird
• Good deeds are not an add-on but should be central—believers should be zealous for good works

Exploding Grace (verse 15)

• "Speak these things, exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you"
• Talk about Jesus Christ in conversations at work and restaurants
• Exhort—encourage others to think about Him
• Reprove—biblical edification means living better, not just feeling better
• With all authority—God's truth is absolute truth, always true for all people, all places, all times
• Let no one despise you—don't let culture shut you up; boldly proclaim gospel truths
• Make a difference—souls hang in the balance

Conclusion

When Christ comes back and believers stand before God in heaven, it will be better than any earthly victory or celebration. We have a lost and dying world that needs to hear about Jesus Christ, who is our hope, has redeemed us from every lawless deed, and calls us to be His peculiar people, zealous for good works.