Jesus is the Source of Enduring Hope Hope is the joy we experience as we expect something that God has promised. Despair is the opposite of hope, and it happens when we place false expectations on God. 1 Thessalonians 4: 1-2 4 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. If we want to live life of hope, we need to focus on the source of righteousness 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. Sexual immorality will absolutely destroy our sense of hope 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, Hope flourishes in community with other believers 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. Learning to “mind our own business” helps us focus on our own walk with God. Learning to “mind our own business” prevents us from hurting other believers unnecessarily. Hope grows in the light of inspiration and perspiration 1 Peter 1:3-4 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, Jesus is our living hope