Love That Is Always Hopeful Series

Love That Is Always Hopeful

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Introduction:

Today, we are going to talk about love. Not just any kind of love, but the love that is always hopeful. The love that is described in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, the famous chapter on love that is often read at weddings and other occasions. But what does it mean to have a love that is always hopeful? And how can we apply this kind of love to our family life?

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

This quote reminds us that even though we face many challenges and difficulties in this world, we should never give up on our faith and our love for God and others. God is the source of our hope, and He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. He has also given us the gift of love, which is the greatest of all virtues and the foundation of our family.

The main idea of the sermon is that love and care are the foundation of our family. Without love and care, our family would fall apart. But with love and care, our family can overcome any challenge and enjoy any blessing. And one of the key aspects of love and care is hope. Hope is the confident expectation that God will fulfill his promises and plans for us and our families. Hope is what keeps us going when things get tough. Hope is what inspires us to grow and change for the better. Hope is what makes us look forward to the future with joy and anticipation.

In this sermon, we will explore four ways that hope relates to love and care in our family life. First, we will see how hope brings joy and peace in our marriage. Second, we will learn how to cultivate a hopeful attitude in our family life. Third, we will discover how hope leads us to redemption and restoration in our relationship with God and others. And fourth, we will find out how hope is based on the love that never fails.

1: The Hope That Love Brings in Marriage - Romans 15:13

“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.”

This verse is part of Paul’s prayer for the Roman Christians, who were facing persecution and division. Paul prayed that they would experience God’s hope, joy, and peace as they trusted in Him.

One of the greatest gifts that God gives us in marriage is hope.

- Hope that He will bless our marriage with joy and peace.

- Hope that He will help us trust him more and more.

- Hope that He will fill us with His Holy Spirit and empower us to love each other as He loves us.

- Hope that He will use our marriage for His glory and his purposes.

This verse also applies to our marriages. God wants us to have hope, joy, and peace in our relationships with our spouses. He wants us to trust Him and His plans for our lives. He wants us to overflow with hope by the power of His Spirit. Hope is not a wishful thinking or a blind optimism. Hope is a confident expectation that God will fulfill His promises and work all things together for our good. Hope is what keeps us going when we face trials and troubles in our marriages. Hope is what helps us overcome conflicts and challenges. Hope is what motivates us to grow and improve as husbands and wives.

Psalm 33:18-22, says: “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”

How can we have hope in our marriages? Here are some suggestions:

- Pray together regularly. Prayer is a powerful way to connect with God and with each other. Prayer can help us express our needs, desires, fears, and gratitude. Prayer can also help us align our wills with God’s will and receive His guidance and wisdom.

- Encourage each other daily. Encouragement is a vital ingredient for a healthy marriage. Encouragement can help us affirm our love, respect, and appreciation for each other. Encouragement can also help us boost our confidence, morale, and resilience.

- Celebrate each other’s achievements and milestones. Celebration is a joyful way to honor God and each other. Celebration can help us acknowledge God’s goodness and faithfulness in our lives. Celebration can also help us create positive memories and strengthen our bonds.