Enough Hope In God To Sing Series

Topic: Hope

Theme: Hope in God’s Care

Purpose: to be the Holy Spirit’s second witness calling God’s people in my care to base their hope in His care for them.

Response: Individuals will chose a song to sing every day this week as an expression of their hope in God.

INTRODUCTION:

Karen was expecting another child and so she worked to prepare little 3 year old Michael for the birth of his baby sister. Every night Michael sang to his sister in Mommy’s tummy.

During the delivery of the baby serious, complications developed. After many hours of struggle, Michael’s little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. She was rushed to a neonatal intensive care unit in another hospital in Knoxville Tennessee. Instead of getting better, the little girl continued to decline. The pediatric specialist told Karen and her husband that "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." The parents contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot.

Meanwhile Michael continued to beg his parents to let him see his sister. "I want to sing to her," he said. But kids were never allowed in intensive care. The second week of his sister’s intensive care stay, Michael’s sister looked like she wouldn’t make it through the week. So, Karen made up her mind that she would take Michael to see his sister whether the hospital liked it or not. If Michael didn’t see her right away . . . he might never get to see her at all.

She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. The head nursed demanded that he leave. The mother’s instinct rose up strong in Karen, and she looked at the head nurse with steel-eyed determination: "He’s not leaving until he sings to his sister." She took Michael to his sister’s bed.

After a few moments of looking at his sister all connected to tubes three-year-old Michael began to sing. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray ---" And instantly the baby seemed to respond. Her pulse slowed and became steady.

"Keep singing, Michael,” said Karen.

"You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away."

The strained breathing of his sister became as smooth as a kitten’s purr. "Keep on singing, Sweetheart!" coaxed Karen. The head nurse now stood transfixed with tears in her eyes.

He sang the chorus again and again. And the next day -- the very next day -- Michael’s little sister was well enough to go home. Women’s Day magazine called it "The Miracle of the Brother’s Song". The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God’s love.

Jesus came, as God’s love song to you. Christmas is God saying, "You matter to me." Jesus came to tell you that "you are His sunshine."

[From "Christmas 101" by Bruce Goettsche on SermonCentral.com]

THESIS:

My friends, God cares about you.

KEY QUESTION:

Someone may be asking, “How can I be sure that God cars for me?”

FIRST, Mary’s song shows that God cares about “little people” (vs. 46-49).

[46] And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord [47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, [48] for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, [49] for the Mighty One has done great things for me -- holy is his name.

How does God show his care for the LITTLE people?

Mary is the best example. She points out in her hymn that God was mindful of her humble state. In other words, God was aware of Mary and her low place in society. She could have been just one more nameless, faceless peasant girl from an unnoticed little village. BUT God noticed her, called her by name and gave her the most unique place in the history of all mothers. God blessed her by making her the Virgin Mother of His Son – Jesus.

What does this tell us about God’s traits, ways and plans?

If the world doesn’t recognize your face, if few people know your name, if you’re on the low rungs of society’s ladder – don’t give up on yourself. God knows your name and recognizes your face. He cares about you.

In 1874, a large French steamer, the Ville de Havre was sailing from America back to Europe. In the middle of the trip, the ship collided with a sailing vessel and sank within 30 minutes of the accident. Most of those aboard were killed. But one relatively unknown man found hope in God’s ability to care for him.

Horatio Spafford, a Chicago lawyer and devoted Christian had sent his wife and four children ahead on that ship, planning to join them later in Europe. Mrs. Spafford survived the accident, but her four children did not. When she reached the European mainland, she cabled her husband with the sad message, "Saved alone".