What is the Real Hope?

Real Hope is found in a real man: the man of Jesus of Nazareth. We have this Real Hope because of the Good News of Jesus Christ. This Good News is referred to as the Gospel. The Gospel has four aspects.

1. Jesus is the LORD

  • He is the Perfect Man. Jesus is the only person who has ever lived in right relationship with God from conception to death. He was tempted in every way, never sinned, and always pleased God with his righteous earthly life.
    • (Hebrews 4:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 3:5, 1 Peter 2:22)
  • He is the King of Kings. Jesus preceded, created, defines, owns, sustains and rules all things. He possesses all authority and reigns as sovereign over the entire universe.
    • (Colossians 1:15-17, Hebrews 1:1-3, Revelation 19:16)
  • He is the Son of God. Jesus is holy God-incarnate (God come to earth in the from of a man). The fullness of deity dwells in him.
    • (John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:19, Romans 1:1-4)

2. Jesus is going to put the world right regarding SIN

  • The Perfect Man is going to judge all people for their personal sin. Every human being will stand before Jesus Christ to give an account for all their unrighteous thoughts, desires, attitudes, words and actions.  Jesus will right every wrong done by humanity.
    • (John 5:22, James 2:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10)
  • The King of Kings is going to destroy the power of indwelling sin, which is causing human rebellion against God. Jesus will right what is wrong with human nature, ultimately abolishing all sin in Hell.
    • (1 John 3:8, 1 Peter 3:18, Revelation 20:11-15)
  • The Son of God is going to undo all the effects of original sin – discord, decay, disease, disability, disorder, disaster and death. Jesus will also put right all that is wrong with creation.
    • (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, Philippians 3:21)

3. Jesus is the only SAVIOR of sinners

  • On the cross, the Perfect Man endured God’s wrath against personal sin and secured the capacity to expiate (absorb and extinguish) guilt. Jesus can pardon sinners and declare them righteous.
    • (Matthew 1:21, Romans 5:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
  • In his resurrection, the King of Kings defeated death itself, the consequence of indwelling sin, thereby securing the capacity to share that victory with others. Jesus can give sinners power to battle their rebellious nature as well as assurance that they won’t be destroyed in Hell.
    • (1 Corinthians 15:3-5)
  • After his second coming, the Son of God will appear in all his glory to recreate the universe into a world marked by harmony, growth, health, wholeness, order, success and eternal life. Jesus can bring any sinner, alive or dead, into the New Heavens and New Earth.
    • (John 14:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; 1 John 4:9-10)

4. Jesus saves sinners by grace through FAITH.

  • Sinners who rely on the substitutionary, atoning death of the Perfect Man are saved from his judgment. Jesus has pardoned them forever! As a result, they regularly confess their sin.
    • (John 3:35-36, Romans 5:6-11, 1 John 1:9)
  • Sinners who rely on the resurrection life of the reigning King of Kings are being saved through the presence of his Holy Spirit. Jesus enables them to submit to his reign over their life! As a result, they obey and become more virtuous.
    • (Ezekiel 36:26-27, Romans 8:13-14, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Corinthians 3:18)
  • Sinners who rely on the second coming of the Son of God will be saved from original sin. Jesus will resurrect them sinless to live forever in his transformed and holy universe. As a result, they persevere in waiting.
    • (John 3:16; Acts 16:31, 17:30; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:1)

The above was taken from Dr. Scott Lothery’s notes on the Gospel.