Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, August 03, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

A WORLD WITHOUT HOPE

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-13

Text: Ephesians 2:12

Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Introduction: My sermon tonight is titled, “A World Without Hope.”

Last week many people died and went to meet God. A significant loss to me that went unnoticed by the world was the drowning of the baby of one of our “bus kids” — a lady who once rode our Sunday School bus as a child. I can’t imagine the sorrow she has experienced in losing her two-year-old infant.

The world suffered the loss of its greatest entertainer, Bob Hope. The actor, born in England on May 29, 1903 as Leslie Townes Hope, died Sunday, July 27, 2003, at the age of 100.

Bob Hope has been a world figure all of my life. It felt strange to hear that he was gone. One of my first thoughts after I received the news was, “A World Without Hope.”

I’m here to report to you that the world may be without BOB Hope, but there is no need for ANY of us to be without GOD’S hope!

Actually, this world HAS no hope. Lost people are without a true hope, as our text says:

Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

I. THE WORLD IS WITHOUT BOB HOPE

2 Samuel 3:33 And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

Ecclesiastes 2:14 The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

The word “fool” was sometimes used to designate the court jester, someone who was hired to entertain the ruler and his company.

A. Bob Hope was a comedian

B. Bob Hope was a counterfeit

He was an “actor.” An actor is someone who pretends to be someone else. All actors live their lives in deception. People pay money to see them PRETEND to be married, to go to war, to commit adultery, to combat monsters, and to die, when they are actually doing none of those things.
He made 54 movies.
Many church-goers are nothing more than “actors.” They are PRETENDERS. There are church attenders and church pretenders.

C. Bob Hope was a Catholic

He had a Catholic mass funeral.
According to www.catholicnews.com he was a Catholic and died a Catholic, said Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles.

II. THE WORLD IS WITHOUT A BETTER HOPE

Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

JESUS IS THE “BETTER” HOPE

A. His laughter is better

B. His life is better

C. His legacy is better

III. THE WORLD IS WITHOUT THE BLESSED HOPE

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

What is the hope and future of this world?

A. Desires of the flesh and mind

B. Distress

C. Doubt

D. Deception

E. Destruction

What is the hope and future of the believer?

A. The return of Christ

B. The resurrection of the dead

C. The rapture of the living in Christ

D. The reunion of the saints

E. Rewards for believers

F. Rejoicing throughout eternity!

Conclusion:

Bob Hope DIED.

The BETTER Hope, Jesus, died for our sins, was buried, and rose again!

The BLESSED Hope, Jesus, died, rose again, and is coming back soon for us! PRAISE GOD!

What is your Hope? Are you without Hope? Trust Christ as your Savior and get GOD’S hope!

Hebrews 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;