Hope is not wishful thinking as in “I hope so.” Ask someone if they believe that they will go to heaven when they die. I have and the most common response I have heard is “I hope so,” even by Christians. Having hope for heaven in anticipation of when this life is over must be more than wishful thinking, it must be grounded in truth, in Gospel truth.

1. Our hope in facing death grows stronger when connected with faith and love.
2. Our hope in facing death keeps us going and growing in the Christian Life (v. 13-15)
3. Our hope in facing death is fully realized when we see the comfort of reunion (v. 16-18).