There Is Hope

There Is Hope

Regardless of your circumstances or condition, there is hope. Hope is not found in religion, science, philosophy, politics, the arts, or any other human endeavor. Hope is found in truth. The truth shall make you free.

Do you long for hope? Are you seeking truth? If so, open your heart.

Life Changing Hope is Found

in a Relationship with Jesus Christ

A Relationship Based on the Truth of

Who Jesus is and What He Has Done

The Realities of this Hope are Revealed in the Word of God

• John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
• John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
• John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
• John 1:12-13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
• John 8:31-32 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
• Knowledge of God and His Son, Jesus Christ,  is the only way to eternal life in Heaven. Hear this truth. Hope in this truth. Receive this truth.
• True hope is found by responding to the sovereign work of God drawing us to Himself.
• Our hope in The Lord brings about faith that results in spiritual rebirth through Jesus Christ.

The Results of this Hope for Those Who Follow Jesus

• Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
• Christians rejoice in the hope of the glory of God because we have been reconciled to Him through Jesus Christ.
• True hope is a product of God working in and through the circumstances of our lives.
• Our hope in The Lord will compel us to love others as He loves us!

The Reassurances of this Hope as Declared in the Book of Psalms

• Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.
• Psalm 33:22 Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You.
• Psalm 119:116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
• Psalm 119:166 Lord, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments.
• The Book of Psalms contains contemplations, poems and prayers expressed as hymns of praise to God Almighty; these songs encourage and celebrate our hope in the Lord.
• True hope is a response to Who God Is and a consequence of What He Is Doing in and around us.
• Our hope in The Lord should have us singing praises to Him!

Prayer

Father, may those who know You rejoice in the hope You have given. May those who don’t know You find hope in Your Word that results in salvation in and through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. I humbly and expectantly pray in the name of Jesus. Amen

Faith Works

Faith Works

Near the end of 1 Corinthians, as the Apostle Paul wraps up this letter to the church at Corinth, he provides what, on the surface, appears to be a rather straightforward set of instructions.

• 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.

However, this is not just a checklist of things to do. This is a call to Godly action by those who trust and serve Jesus Christ. This is a bold proclamation to the church that ‘Faith Works!’ Let’s dig deeper.

Watch

Faith Produces Vigilance. With anticipation, resolve, attentiveness and humility we watch:

For God to Work

• Psalm 111:2 The works of the Lord are great, Studied by all who have pleasure in them.

For Christ to Come

• 1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

For Temptation

• From the Flesh – Our Human Nature
• Romans 8:7-8 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
• From the World – Our Fallen Surroundings
• 1 John 2:15-16 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
• From Satan – Our Great Adversary
• 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

But we don’t just watch; we respond with the desire and intention of honoring God in all circumstances. We work for His glory!


Stand Fast

Faith Produces Stability. Our lives are built on Christ – He is preeminent. We work hard to keep Him at the center or our lives; grounded in His Word.

• Colossians 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

We may experience troubles, doubts and failures; but as we work, we stay centered on Him. We never walk away.

Be Brave

Faith Produces Courage. Serving the Lord means facing incredible odds with confidence in Him.

• Hebrews 11:33-34 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

The work of a Christian is rarely comfortable. Whether the battles are spiritual, physical, emotional or intellectual, we don His armor, engage in the battle and trust Him for the results.

Be Strong

Faith Produces Power. Our strength is made perfect in weakness. Surrendering to Him means victory.

• Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

The work of God requires the power of God.

Do All that You Do With Love

Faith Produces Love. Without true love, it is all meaningless.

• 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

No matter what we say; no matter what we have; no matter what we do; if our works are not motivated and empowered by Biblical love, they are of no eternal value.

Jesus’ brother James makes the relationship between genuine faith in Christ and good works very clear.

• James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

And we read in Ephesians that God did His saving work in our lives so that we can complete the work He already planned for us.

• Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

So How About It – Is Your Faith Working?

Prayer

Loving and gracious Father in Heaven, may the faith of Your people result in the completion of the works You have prepared us for. Never let us confuse works resulting from salvation with working for salvation. You saved us because You love us – this is something we didn’t deserve and could never earn. But now we can show our love for, appreciation of, and faith in You by obediently completing the work You have placed before us; all for Your glory! I humbly make these requests in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.