God's Treasure - Our Eternal Hope Series

INTRODUCTION, Tomorrow is President’s Day, a day where we as a nation stop to reflect on the 43 men who have led our country as President. From George Washington to George W. Bush, each man has left a mark on the country.

Some have gained notoriety for their decisions, while others have been noted for their actions. Many were able to communicate a powerful message through their speeches.

q Men such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Ronald Reagan were able to communicate their message as well as their leadership through the spoke word.

q But no man was more effective in communicating his vision then Abraham Lincoln. He was president during one of the darkest times in America – During our Civil War. In fact, he once said, Many times he was driven to his knees in prayer because he sensed it was the only place to go.

q Elton Trueblood, in his book, “Abraham Lincoln, A Spiritual Biography” said that faith of Lincoln was one of the greatest attributes, which helped him lead the country.

q Lincoln’s belief in God’s providential care was what gave him a hope the union would be saved. In fact in 1862, at his “State of the Union” address he spoke to congress about the hope he is saw in the country. Realizing the nation had to become more aggressive if there was going to be a union – he spoke to congress about the need to spend more money and to bring the war to a close.

q In that speech he made this quote – “GENTLEMEN, THE TIME HAS COME WE WILL EITHER VALIANTLY LOSE OR NOBLY WIN THE LAST GREAT HOPE OF EARTH”

q AS a result of the speech congress appropriated more funds, called more men into service and within 2 years victory was secure. WHY?

q THE LAST GREAT HOPE OF EARTH.

Hope is an interesting word. Allan K. Chalmers – The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. Hope is a fascinating word. It is a positive word it is active word, it is a word for dreamers – AND FOR THE CHRISTIAN, HOPE IS AN ETERNAL WORD

We are in a series entitled God’s Treasures. We are looking at the precious treasures from God found in the 8th chapter of Romans.

q Forgiveness – No Condemnation

q The Holy Spirit – The one who dwells in our life

q TODAY – We will see the 3rd treasure – OUR ETERNAL HOPE.

READ TEXT ROMANS 8:18 – 27

There is not a person in the room who does not need hope

q Bodies are failing because of disease – HOPE

q Decisions have been made which have brought consequences – HOPE

q Fears are before us – HOPE

q Your Future is uncertain – HOPE

q Your situation may seem overwhelming – HOPE

q Your faith may be weak – HOPE

This morning Paul gives us 3 reasons why believers have hope.

1. We have hope because of creation’s anticipation

Before we can look at the creations anticipation we must understand the context of our hope. In vs. 1 Paul writes, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

q Present sufferings – What was happening in Rom in 57 ad, which brought Christians suffering?

q 8 years before Emperor Claudius had expelled the Jews from Rome – Many Jews were Christians and so as result of the Jews being removed from Rome so were many Christians.

q The expulsion forced them to sell their property and leave their homes and businesses. They became nomads in the Roman Empire.

q But in 56 ad, they were allowed to return to Rome, unfortunately many were destitute, for many the only job available was that of a servant to Roman Pagan, who did not share the values of the Christians. FELT HOPELESS

q They also suffered for their faith – NOT BUY THE ROMANS – But by the Jews who refused to believe Jesus was the Messiah.

q So with their material world in disarray and their Christian faith questioned they indeed were experiencing suffering

q Paul says our suffering does not compare – COMPARE – Paul uses a banking word; much like an accountant uses debits and credits. Debit side may look dark – But the credit side – there is no comparison. TO THE GLORY THAT WILL BE REVEALED.

q How do we know?

2. Creation anticipates the revealing of the sons of God

a. Currently creation groans because of sin.

When Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God’s command, not only mankind but also the earth and all the rest of the world was cursed and corrupted. After the Fall, God said to Adam, because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, “You shall not eat from it”; cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field; by the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, because from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return. (Gen. 3:17–19)