Magnificent Journey by James Bryan Smith, Ch. 6

THE MAGNIFICENT JOURNEY by James Bryan Smith

Chapter 6—Embracing Hope

1.  Opening Prayer, from a position of full pardon, full acceptance
                                   
The best we can hope for in this life is a knothole peek at the shining realities ahead. Yet a glimpse is enough.  It’s enough to convince our hearts that whatever sufferings and sorrows currently assail us aren’t worthy of comparison to that which waits over the horizon.  Joni Eareckson Tada

2.  Romans 5: 1-5  
Therefore, having been justified by faith, [we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult inhopeof the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but ]we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character,hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

3.  The Essence of Hope--
·      Christ shows us the future.
·      He knows it is good.
·      He tells is.
·      Our hope is based on nothing less than Jesus and His righteousness.

4.  Natural Hope
·      Like making a wish and blowing out a candle on your birthday—wishful thinking.
·      Not grounded in any certainty.  Like a weather forecast.
·      Desire + a tiny bit of evidence= Natural Hope.
·      You know someone well, have come rely on their intent and behavior, so you have some reason to believe they will come through for you.
·      An illusion that we actually had something to do with something happening the way we “hope” it will is based on superstition and pride (sin). 
·      We cannot control the outcomes of most things.

5.  Supernatural Hope
·      Supernatural hope, like faith, is based on evidence that God provides.
·      Living from above, growing in grace and knowledge, hearing and interacting with God in the present.
·      No need of hope for the past.  It already happened.  But it makes patterns clear.
·      In the present we need faith.
·      We need Hope for the future.  God has restored our past, is helping us in the present.  What we know about God from real experiences gives us hope for the future.

6.  Natural Virtues vs. Spiritual Virtues
·      Cardinal Virtues of the Philosophers:  Courage, Wisdom, Moderation, Justice
·      We can develop Cardinal Virtues on our own, by the work of the flesh.
·      Faith, Hope, Love are Theological and Spiritual Virtues. We can’t develop them without the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts.
·      Resurrection is something only God can do.  So is the restoration of our hearts.

7.  The Bible agrees
·      God was present in our past, and is present in our future. Therefore we have hope that He will be with us in the future.  
·      The Resurrection is the basis for all human hope. If we know God, we can have confidence in His work in our lives.  We have hope.
·      N.T. Wright: “Hope is settled, unwavering confidence that this God will not forsake us, but will always have more in store for us than we could ask or imagine.”
·      Do you have that confidence?

8.  Hope is based on the power of God alone.
·      It is part of our sanctification—a sovereign work of God in our hearts over time.
·      Romans 8: 24-25
·      Hope is Christ-centered.  There is no hope without Him.
·      Faith, Hope and Love—the 3 virtues by which we worship God (Augustine).
·      Prayer is based in Hope, like planting seeds.
·      We have the hope of glory, but we have not yet been glorified. (already/not yet)
·      What is important to see as you walk with God is not accomplishment, but progress.

9.  You can’t just be a cat.
·      You can’t conjure up hope.  God has to work it in your heart by proving Himself to you over and over.  How does He do this?
·      There is no scarcity in God.  He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.  His riches are infinite, and we are His heirs.
·      There is no pride in hope.  Like salvation it is a gift of grace.
·      Hope makes life worth living.  Not just the hope of heaven, but the hope of the Kingdom of God in the here and now.
            
10.  My Eyes Have Seen Your Salvation—Soul Training Exercise p. 194-105

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