The word “hope” is defined as “expectations with desire.” It is one of the bright, animated words of our language and fits beautifully into the life and expression of the Christian, for every child of God is a creature of hope. Christ in the Christian is the hope of glory, and this hope abiding within and set before us is like an “anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” How satisfying to live where hope springs eternal.
However, it is not the present aspect of this “so great salvation” that shall engage our thought at this time, but “salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” That Blessed Hope has long been the comfort of God’s saints through the ages and has softened the sorrow by millions of open graves, “for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.”
I would here call our attention to the positive language used in instructing the Thessalonian converts in their proper hope. There are no question marks; all is settled “by the word of the Lord.” How refreshing to note the absence of all conjecture and speculation. The language of inspiration is that of absolute finality.
In 1 John 3:2,3, the promise of the Lord’s appearing is set before us as a purifying hope. God forbid that we should miss the sanctifying rays from this star of hope that shines only on the Christian’s horizon. But there is a further and more radical change awaiting us when He shall appear. We will see Him as He is, face to face, and we will be like Him. These are encouraging words.
Christians are citizens of heaven, now, constantly in touch with the seat of their government, tasting its power, sampling its joy, partakers already in a measure of its holiness, yet living on earth and bearing about a body of humiliation that is subject to natural law and even subject to death. Still in the flesh, yet they are not to live after the flesh, or war according to the flesh.
Jesus, too, tabernacled in a body that had its limitations. He was hungry, thirsty, tired, tempted in all points like as we, yet without sin. What a spectacle to behold the One “by whom and for whom are all things,” walking among men as the lowly carpenter of Nazareth, and humbling himself unto death, even the death of the cross. But though He died in weakness, He was raised by the power of God and His body knew no corruption.
For this—the manifestation of the sons of God—“the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” This is the Blessed Hope of the Church, His undefiled and waiting bride.
W.T. Gaston was general superintendent of the Assemblies of God from 1925–29. During Gaston’s administration, the General Council moved from a loosely operated Fellowship to the formal adoption of a constitution. He later served as superintendent of the Northern California/Nevada District. This sermon is adapted from The Pentecostal Evangel, August 27, 1927.
