This past Sunday morning we began a new series called Book Review. We're reviewing two letters that a popular early follower of Christ wrote. The letters are found in the New Testament and they are written by Peter. Our theme this week was Living Hope based on the following verse.
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... 1 Peter 1:3
To make a long message short (ha ha) we talked about the power of hope and what hope means to each of us. I asked the following questions...
What does it mean to have hope?
How important is hope to you?
What happens when there is no hope?
Hope is vital to our existence and survival. God knew we would need it after the affects of sin kicked in. With out hope there is only despair.
On my Facebook page Terri responded to the questions above by saying that "Hope is the name of the road I travel to my ultimate destination and I try very hard not to make the detour onto Despair. The scenery there stinks."
Sunday morning we identified 3 things that living hope gives us access to.
1. Strength
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. Isaiah 40:28-31
When I left my secular job to go full time at Atlee Community Church the guys that worked for me bought me a large framed picture of an eagle with Isaiah 40:31 at the bottom. It hangs in my office across from my desk and many times I have looked up at it only to be reminded to not lose hope!
2. Joy and Peace
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13
3. Unfailing Love
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22
So I leave you with this question - What will you place your hope in?
What does it mean to have hope?
How important is hope to you?
What happens when there is no hope?
Hope is vital to our existence and survival. God knew we would need it after the affects of sin kicked in. With out hope there is only despair.
On my Facebook page Terri responded to the questions above by saying that "Hope is the name of the road I travel to my ultimate destination and I try very hard not to make the detour onto Despair. The scenery there stinks."
Sunday morning we identified 3 things that living hope gives us access to.
1. Strength
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. Isaiah 40:28-31
When I left my secular job to go full time at Atlee Community Church the guys that worked for me bought me a large framed picture of an eagle with Isaiah 40:31 at the bottom. It hangs in my office across from my desk and many times I have looked up at it only to be reminded to not lose hope!
2. Joy and Peace
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13
3. Unfailing Love
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22
So I leave you with this question - What will you place your hope in?
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