Jesus brought us Hope Colossians 1:1-2 – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God, our Father. Colossians 1:3-4 – We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, Colossians 1:5 – because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, Gospel hope means that a terrible curse necessitated an incredible Christmas Isaiah 42:1 – Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. Optimism is the anticipation of better circumstances Isaiah 8:17b – “…I will hope in Him…” Our Hope is a Person Colossians 1:6 – Which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, Our Hope is a Power Colossians 1:7-8 – Just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. Colossians 4:12-13 – Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. LPK Leader Application