Hope

Rev Mike Constantine

17-12-2017

Romans 15:13New International Version (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.

The God of hope fills you with overflowing hope as you trust in him.

"Christian hope is when God has promised that something is going to happen and you put your trust in that promise. Christian hope is a confidence that something will come to pass because God has promised it will come to pass." 

- John Piper

We have two situations: Hopelessness and eternal disapointment vs hope and eternal joy

There was hopelessness at the time of the birth of Christ.

The Jews used religion to control people and keep them together. Religion failed them.

They were under Roman rule. They could not change the political situation.

They were victimised by their own people.

There were demonic powers. People were held in bondage.

There was no solution for sin.

You were made to live a life for the glory of God.

Today, hopelessness is like an epidemic.

In families where hope should grow, hope often dies.

Youth often experience overwhelming hopelessness. They are more susceptible to hopelessness.

Hopelessness is often linked to illness.

Hopelessness is the reason for every suicide.

There has to be more to life.

Trust God. 

It won't be a quick fix.

Miracles strengthens faith, discipline strengthens character. 

Humble yourself and learn the faithfulness of God and the mercy of God in your life.

Abused people feel hopeless.

Confused people feel hopeless. What is true? Will anything last?

Jesus says He is the way, the truth and the life.

Refused people feel hopelessness. Where is the open door, the open heart, the open hand?

God has always had a plan for the human race and it involves Christ His Son.

Luke 2:10-11King James Version (KJV)

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Everywhere He went He brought hope.

Hopeless people experienced the power of God.

Dead religion lost its power. Something greater was here.

We come into a relationship with an eternal God.

The authorities killed Him, but God raised Him.

John 3:16New International Version (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Put your name in that verse.

From hopelessness you now have hope.