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AGAINST ALL HOPE BELIEVED IN HOPE! Scripture: Romans 4:18-25 NLT 18” Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”[a] 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. 23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded 24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God”. We live in a hopeless world which constantly changes and takes away our hope constantly.To have a constant confident hope in an ever changing world we should fix our Hopes in a never changing God and His Word alone. BIBLICAL HOPE: Romans 4:18
Characteristics of the Biblical Hope : LIVING HOPE: 1PETER 1:3 3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead ”NIV Our Hope should be alive and growing in God and His Word ANCHOR: Hebrews 6:19a- We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.NIV Anchor is a heavy metal device usually hooked, at the end of a chain or rope, let down into the water to keep a ship from moving. Anchor keeps the ship firmly fixed or stable in a storm. The bigger the ship, the bigger the Anchor (75 tons). Like an Anchor for a ship our Hope should become strong and reliable without which we can’t live. BLESSED HOPE: TITUS 2:11-13; 1 JOHN 3:2,3 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-13 NIV 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2,3 NIV Certain Hope waits in purification for the coming of The Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 4:18-25 V18- The promise of God and Abraham’s Hope V19- Abraham faced the facts (100-90) V18- but no weakening in faith V20- no wavering through unbelief regarding the promise of God V20- but was strengthened in his faith V20- constantly gave glory to God V21- he had LIVING HOPE “being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised”. V22-He received the promise and the certificate V23, 24- not written for His sake but for us Certain Hope is confident in God and His promises. God cannot lie. He has all eternity to fulfill His promises. COMMON CAUSES FOR HOPELESSNESS (TAKEN FROM RICK-WARREN’S BOOK: THE HOPE YOU NEED) 1. Loneliness 2. Life seems to be out of control(never gone to change) 3. No purpose 4. Grieving a loss 5. Don’t have what you need 6. Guilt 7. Deeply wounded by someone 8. Pulled in wrong direction 9. Hounded by fear 10. When it looks like defeat 10 REASONS FOR HOPE (BASED ON THE MADEL PRAYER BY Rick-warren on the same book)
1. My loving Father will never abandon me 2. God’s power is greater than any problem 3. God fits everything into His plan 4. God has a greater purpose for my life 5. God has promised to meet all my needs 6. Jesus died to pay for all I’ve done wrong 7. God will settle the score one day 8. God has promised to help me 9. Jesus in me is greater than any other power 10. This is not the end of the story Hope gives us God’s power in the present and produces joy, purity and freedom in our lives Roman15:4 NIV 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:13 NIV 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. May God help all of us to Hope against Hope and overflow with Hope in 2017 |