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[Romans 12:2]; Titus 2:11,12; Hebrews 11:13-15; [John 15:7]; I Peter 1:3,4; [I Peter 1:23]; I Peter 1:5-7; Ephesians 1:2-14; Romans 8:15-18; II Corinthians 4:17, 18; [Hebrews 11:10; Acts 2:25]; Romans 8:18-23; I Timothy 1:1; II Timothy 1:1; [John 10:10; 11:25; I Peter 1:4]; Titus 1:1, 2; 3:3-7; Ephesians 2:8, 9; I Corinthians 15:19, 32-35; 51-54; 57, 58; [Revelation 20:14; Ephesians 2:10]; Hebrews 6:9-19; I Thessalonians 5:1-11; I Timothy 4:7, 8; II Timothy 4:7, 8; [Colossians 3:2; Matthew 25:21]; I Corinthians 9:24, 25; Revelation 22:12; I Corinthians 3:11-15; John 15:7-16; I John 3:1-3; [I Timothy 1:5; Psalm 119:133]

We have a great hope as an anchor to our soul. The hope of Christ’s return enables us to pursue Godly interests and withstand great pressure and tribulation. The rewards for faithfulness and service in this life are true motivation for the believer.
We are to study the Word of God and guard our hearts by controlling our thinking and tongue, remembering that our thoughts are the seeds for our words and deeds. If we want to have different fruit in our lives, we have to go to the root — what we hold or treasure in our heart. Sound thoughts can only be arrived at by sound teaching. Sound doctrine regarding the hope of Christ’s return enables us to stand in this present world.

We have an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled and does not fade away. Our salvation or sonship cannot be corrupted because of what God did through His son, Jesus Christ. That inheritance is equal to all believers. When the fulness of salvation comes at Christ’s return, we will receive a full and complete redemption. We will have a new, glorious body fashioned like Jesus Christ’s. Romans 8 states we are joint heirs with Christ and the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. The main topic throughout the scriptures is the hope. Everything in life comes into focus when we set it against the backdrop of eternal life and the hope.

There is a vast difference between the gift of eternal life and rewards for faithful service in this life. We cannot earn an inheritance. But we will be rewarded based upon our labor. Hebrews 6 says that God is not unrighteous to forget our work and labor of love. We are to be hope-minded, allowing our lives to be transformed by the truth. We study the Word of God. We search the scriptures. We guard our hearts by controlling our thinking and our tongue. We prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God. We then become blessed and are a blessing to those around us. We have good fruit.

Paul continually taught his leadership to be hope-minded. He had a one-track mind, focusing on salvation through Jesus Christ, God’s only-begotten son, to the ultimate end of the hope of Christ’s return. He spoke of the crown of righteousness which will be given unto all those that love his appearing. When you love something, you think about it. We seek to obtain an incorruptible crown, not a corruptible one. To do so we must be temperate or self-controlled in all things. This requires work on our part.

Transforming our lives with truth means we have to renew our minds day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. We are motivated by the hope of Christ’s return. when we will be eternally with the Father and receive rewards for our faithfulness in service now.


#237 The Hope In Mind -- June 24, 2001 ©2001 / Steven A. Michels 62:26 minutes
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"The Hope In Mind"- Rev. Steve Michels [Romans 12:2]; Titus 2:11,12; Hebrews 11:13-15; [John 15:7]; I Peter 1:3,4; [I Peter 1:23]; I Peter 1:5-7; Ephesians 1:2-14; Romans 8:15-18; II Corinthians 4:17, 18; [Hebrews 11:10; Acts 2:25]; Romans 8:18-23; I Timothy 1:1; II Timothy 1:1; [John 10:10; 11:25; I Peter 1:4]; Titus 1:1, 2; 3:3-7; Ephesians 2:8, 9; I Corinthians 15:19, 32-35; 51-54; 57, 58; [Revelation 20:14; Ephesians 2:10]; Hebrews 6:9-19; I Thessalonians 5:1-11; I Timothy 4:7, 8; II Timothy 4:7, 8; [Colossians 3:2; Matthew 25:21]; I Corinthians 9:24, 25; Revelation 22:12; I Corinthians 3:11-15; John 15:7-16; I John 3:1-3; [I Timothy 1:5; Psalm 119:133] We have a great hope as an anchor to our soul. The hope of Christ’s return enables us to pursue Godly interests and withstand great pressure and tribulation. The rewards for faithfulness and service in this life are true motivation for the believer. We are to study the Word of God and guard our hearts by controlling our thinking and tongue, remembering that our thoughts are the seeds for our words and deeds. If we want to have different fruit in our lives, we have to go to the root — what we hold or treasure in our heart. Sound thoughts can only be arrived at by sound teaching. Sound doctrine regarding the hope of Christ’s return enables us to stand in this present world. We have an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled and does not fade away. Our salvation or sonship cannot be corrupted because of what God did through His son, Jesus Christ. That inheritance is equal to all believers. When the fulness of salvation comes at Christ’s return, we will receive a full and complete redemption. We will have a new, glorious body fashioned like Jesus Christ’s. Romans 8 states we are joint heirs with Christ and the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. The main topic throughout the scriptures is the hope. Everything in life comes into focus when we set it against the backdrop of eternal life and the hope. There is a vast difference between the gift of eternal life and rewards for faithful service in this life. We cannot earn an inheritance. But we will be rewarded based upon our labor. Hebrews 6 says that God is not unrighteous to forget our work and labor of love. We are to be hope-minded, allowing our lives to be transformed by the truth. We study the Word of God. We search the scriptures. We guard our hearts by controlling our thinking and our tongue. We prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God. We then become blessed and are a blessing to those around us. We have good fruit. Paul continually taught his leadership to be hope-minded. He had a one-track mind, focusing on salvation through Jesus Christ, God’s only-begotten son, to the ultimate end of the hope of Christ’s return. He spoke of the crown of righteousness which will be given unto all those that love his appearing. When you love something, you think about it. We seek to obtain an incorruptible crown, not a corruptible one. To do so we must be temperate or self-controlled in all things. This requires work on our part. Transforming our lives with truth means we have to renew our minds day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. We are motivated by the hope of Christ’s return. when we will be eternally with the Father and receive rewards for our faithfulness in service now.