A Full Assurance of Hope
A Sermon on the Assurance of Hope from Hebrews 6:11-12
Originally preached Sept. 30, 1962
Scripture
11And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Sermon Description
The Christian was always meant to have full assurance and happiness. In this sermon on the assurance of hope from Hebrews 6:11–12 titled “A Full Assurance of Hope,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones dives into the epistles and discovers how they were written for the assurance of believers. He also focuses on the circumstances of uncertainty that surrounded these believers and what hope they received. Dr. Lloyd-Jones touches on the three assurances of faith, understanding, and hope, with special focus on the full assurance of hope. He encourages the preaching of sanctification by preaching the hope and the glory of Christ. This is not a message that is subjective to human feelings. Christianity is primarily and essentially other-worldly and the Christian should put aside earthly prospects to follow Him. The Christian is encouraged to know of the “first fruits” and meditate on the Scriptures. “Endure by seeing Him who is invisible.” Faith is the substance, and hope is the outcome of this faith. What is meant by the “state of hope”? When all else gives way, Christ is the solid rock that can be stood upon. God provides the diligence and faith that is necessary. Look to Him and have full assurance unto the end.
Sermon Breakdown
- The greatest need of every Christian is assurance - full assurance of faith, understanding and hope.
- The epistles were written to establish believers in their faith and provide assurance.
- Assurance of faith is primary and foundational. We must believe in Christ for salvation.
- Assurance of understanding is needed to avoid false teachings and gain insight into God's dealings.
- Assurance of hope is the ultimate form of assurance and the focus of this sermon.
- Hope here does not mean a general spirit of optimism or hoping to be saved. It refers to the objective hope of eternal life in Christ.
- Our hope is the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal life. This is the Christian's blessed hope.
- We have only a foretaste of our hope in this life through the Holy Spirit. Our full hope will be realized at Christ's return.
- We should show diligence in gaining assurance of our hope by immersing ourselves in Scripture.
- We must have faith in God's promises, oaths and purposes to gain assurance of hope.
- We have Christ as our forerunner who has entered into glory to prepare a place for us. We are also in Christ, so we share in His victory.
- We need patience and endurance to maintain our assurance of hope in the face of trials and temptations.
Sermon Q&A
Questions & Answers from Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on "The Full Assurance of Hope"
What are the three forms of assurance according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Christians should experience three forms of assurance: "The first is assurance of faith," which is basic and primary; "Full assurance of understanding," which helps us deal with false teachings and perplexities about God's dealings with us; and "Full assurance of hope," which relates to our eternal destiny and is the supreme form of assurance that encompasses everything we're saved for ultimately.
What does Lloyd-Jones mean by "the full assurance of hope"?
Lloyd-Jones explains that "the full assurance of hope" is not merely a hopeful spirit or hoping to be saved. Rather, it refers to complete certainty about "the hope" - the objective future reality that awaits believers. It's about being absolutely confident of the glorious future when Christ returns, establishes the new heavens and new earth, and when believers will be fully redeemed, even bodily, and will share in Christ's glory forever.
Why does Lloyd-Jones consider the assurance of hope as the "supreme thing"?
Lloyd-Jones places the assurance of hope as supreme because it represents the ultimate goal of salvation. He says, "Everything else is preparatory to this. It is because it leads us to this that faith is so essential. It is because it leads to this that we need justification." In other words, justification and sanctification aren't ends in themselves but prepare us for our eternal destiny - the hope of glory.
What is the "chiefest mistake" Christians make regarding salvation?
According to Lloyd-Jones, "Our chiefest mistake as Christian people is to confine our idea of salvation to this life and this world." He explains that many Christians think of justification and sanctification solely in terms of our present life and happiness, failing to realize that what we experience now is merely the "first fruits," an "earnest" or down payment of the full inheritance that awaits us in eternity.
How does one obtain the full assurance of hope?
Lloyd-Jones provides three main ways to obtain the full assurance of hope: 1. Diligence - "soak ourselves in the Scriptures," giving serious attention to God's Word through reading, meditation and prayer 2. Faith - believing God's Word, promises, oath, covenant and purpose 3. Patience - persevering "unto the end," continuing in diligence and faith even when facing doubts or challenges
What role does Christ play in securing our hope according to Lloyd-Jones?
Christ plays the central role as our "forerunner" who has gone ahead to prepare our eternal dwelling. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ has "conquered your every enemy," including the devil, death, and the grave. He is now in glory "seated at the right hand of God" as our advocate, interceding for us. Furthermore, believers are "in Christ," meaning that "we have been crucified with him, we have died with him, we've been buried with him, we have risen with him."
How does Lloyd-Jones relate sanctification to hope?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that the proper way to preach sanctification is through preaching the hope. He quotes 1 John 3:3: "Every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself even as he is pure." Rather than presenting sanctification merely as something to make us happy or deliver us from particular sins, its primary purpose is to prepare us for the glory to come. The vision of our future hope becomes the motivation for present holiness.
What was the context of Lloyd-Jones' message to his audience?
Lloyd-Jones was addressing believers who were diligent in practical Christian service but who needed to apply the same diligence to securing their assurance of hope. He wishes they would "show the same diligence" in making sure of their hope as they do in "helping others and ministering to their needs." The point isn't to stop practical service but to ensure they also attend to this vital aspect of Christian experience.
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Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.