December/20/ 2015 Filed in:
HopeHope:
Part 5
Hope of God's Love
John 3:16 “ 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.”
Romans 8:35 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”
3 things about this hope that we have in God’s love.
1. God loves me even if I do wrong
Romans 8:1 “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have.”
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Romans 6:1 “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!”
Titus 2:11-12 “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”
I John 4:18 NLT “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
2. God loves me even when others do wrong
Romans 8:31-34 “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us”
3. God loves me even when things go wrong
Romans 8:35-37 NLT “Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? …37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
John 16:33 “In this world you will have troubles, but take heart for I have overcome the world”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together[m] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Romans 12:1 NCV “ So brothers and sisters, since God has shown us great mercy, I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship”
December/13/ 2015 Filed in:
HopeHope
Part 4
Hope of Gods power
Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Ephesians 3:20 “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV “Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
1. The evidence of his power.
verse 28 “The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the earth.”
verse 26 “Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.”
Psalm 19:1-2 “The heavens are telling the glory of God, they are a marvelous display of His craftsmanship, night and day they keep telling about God.”
2. The expanse of his power.
verse 28 “He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 “His power is made perfect in our weakness.”
- His power is better than my best.
verse 30 “Even youths grow tired and weary…”
b. His power is better than my worst.
verse 30 “ “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall”
3. The exchange of His power.
verse 29 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.’
verse 30-31 “Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
1 Corinthians 4:20 NLT “For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.”
How do I live out God’s power in my life?
1. Time in God’s presence.
verse 31 “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength …”
2. Trust in his promise.
verse 31 “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength …”
December/06/ 2015 Filed in:
HopeHope: Part 2
The Hope of God’s Favor
Hope = A strong and confident expectation
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom God’s favor rests.”
NLT “Glory to God in highest heaven and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Favor is God doing for me what I could never do for myself.
Romans 8:31-32 “…If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”
2 questions about the favor of God.
1. What are the results of God’s favor?
- Supernatural Peace
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Hebrews 13:6 (NLT) “So we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear.”
b. Supernatural Protection
John 16:33 “in this world you will have troubles but take heart (be confident, have hope) for I have overcome the world.”
Even in unfavorable circumstances God can still work in my favor.
c. Supernatural Promotion
Proverbs 19:12 NLT “A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.”
d. Supernatural provision
Exodus 33:14 and 17 “The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”verse 17 “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”
2. How do I receive Gods favor?
You cannot achieve God’s favor, but you can receive it.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
- Be open to God’s whatever.
Luke 1:28 ““Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
verse 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him
b. Be obedient to God’s ways.
Genesis 4:4-7 “ And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
Proverbs 8:33-35 “Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it. 34 Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home 35 For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord.”
