Promise of Hope
Circumstances can rob you of everything – except hope.
Biblical hope - confidence that a better day is coming because of the finished work of Jesus
Hope enables you to persevere through all circumstances.
Romans 8:22-25 NIV
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
God's Promise of Hope:
1. is for His people.
Romans 8:23 NIV
23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
2 Corinthians 5:5 NIV
5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Just because you have been created in the image of God doesn't mean you are a child of God.
God's Promise of Hope:
1. is for His people.
2. doesn't eliminate pain and suffering.
Romans 8:23 NIV
23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
God's Promise of Hope:
1. is for His people.
2. doesn't eliminate pain and suffering.
3. is backed by His character.
Romans 8:31-39 NIV
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God's Promise of Hope:
1. is for His people.
2. doesn't eliminate pain and suffering.
3. is backed by His character.
4. gives buoyancy to your life.
buoyancy - ability to float or rise to the top
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NIV
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Communion:
1. is a reminder of the work that Jesus did on our behalf.
2. is a chance to evaluate and repent of anything that doesn't honor the Lord.
3. refreshes our souls and reminds us of the hope we have.
Biblical hope - confidence that a better day is coming because of the finished work of Jesus