Peace, Faith, Love and Hope
Scripture: Phil. 4:7; Heb. 11:6; Rom. 10:17; Matt. 24. 10, 12-13; 1 Cor. 13
Heb. 6:17-19
Introduction
This is the last day of 2006 and we will never see this year again. This year will be history as of midnight tonight. Although we may face repercussions in 2007 for actions we took in 2006, those action are still actions that were completed in 2006 and therefore will be a part of our past as of tomorrow. As we mentally prepare for the start of a new year, we all have dreams of things we want to accomplish this next year. Maybe your dream is to get out of debt or to achieve a certain position on your job. Maybe your dream for 2007 is to get married or excel in your grades at school. For everything we plan to accomplish next year, at this point in our lives we have hope. We are hoping for a better year next year than we had this year. We are hoping for fewer problems, more happiness, less stress, more peace, less bills, more money and the list goes on and on. Whatever your dreams are for 2007, it starts with hope.
This morning I want to tell you the story of four candles; Peace, Faith, Love and Hope. These four candles have a message for us, if we are able to hear it. To illustrate this message, I want to use these four candles on this table so that you will be able to picture this message in your minds. Each one of these candles represents the present state of individuals in the world today, maybe even someone in this room or one reading this message. Imagine if you will that these four candles are partners working together in this world. (For those of you reading this message, there are four candles which have been lit and are burning on a table before the congregation.)
I. Candle of Peace
The first candle I want you to focus on is the candle of peace. You see, we are currently at war. We have soldiers on the battlefield dying weekly. In 2007 the USA could have use some peace. Not only are we in a war as a nation, each one of us is in a war spiritually. Every day we are battling against a force that is focused on tearing us down. We are faced with trials and tribulations that are constantly trying to changed our state of mind, to get us to focus on something other than the peace of God. Paul says in Colossians 3:15 "….let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful." Christ’s peace should rule within us yet sadly many are allowing their peace to be stolen from them. We worry more now than we ever have yet we walk in blessings our great-grand-parents longed to see. Paul stated in Philippians 4:7 that "…the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
In 2006 many Christians lost their peace, some for a short period of time while others probably permanently. Some experienced difficult days that caused them to give up. Listen now to the candle of peace for it has something to say. "I am peace, but the world is full of anger and fighting and this has become the norm. The world is self seeking so the fighting continues with no one really seeking peace. No one is able to keep me lit and I can no longer provide any more help; my existence is useless to this world." With that said, the candle went out. Like so many in this world, the candle saw no need to keep its flames burning, to keep trying to give peace to a troubled world, and gave up. (For those of you reading this, the first candle when out.) When the candle went out, the world lost more peace but few noticed.
II. Candle of Faith
The second candle I want you to focus on is the candle of faith. When the candle of peace went out, his partner faith took notice. Faith wanted to do something to help peace, but faith was dealing with it own problems. You see, faith understood that according to Hebrews 11:6 that "…without faith it is impossible to please Him (God), for those who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Faith knew that there were followers who would not change, but it was here to increase the faith of the world. One of the key elements to the successfulness of its efforts was getting people to hear God’s Word. Romans 10:17 says "So faith comes from hearing and hearing by the word of Christ." When faith took a poll of what was currently happening in the world it found that although the word of Christ is available to the masses, many do not accept it. When the church doors are open, many choose to stay home, not even thinking about whether they need to hear any of Christ’s words. It found that many focused on the vessels that were delivering the word versus the Word itself and therefore believed that it was no longer worth listening to. Faith found that even those who knew the word and believed it, did little to help others understand. Hear the words of the candle of faith: "I am faith. I am no longer indispensable. Many do no even believe that I am needed in the world. It makes no sense for me to stay lit another moment." With that, its flame died out. In 2006 as in any other year, there have been many who walked away from their faith. People lost faith in God, their spouses, their jobs and in people in general. They no longer believe in anything other than the fact that life will be what it will be so if you do not look for anything good you will never be disappointed. They are living one day at a time believing in and expecting little.
III. The Candle of Love
The candle of love witnessed the flames of two of its partners go out. Although the candle knew that love was the greatest gift of all, its love could not keep the peace and the faith candles lit. If you are like me you must be asking the question why. Why could love not keep the candles of peace and faith alive? Does not love conquer all? Does not love make the impossible seem possible? Yes to all of these questions, but here is the piece that the candle understood. It is the love that we have for God that can bring about peace; open the door for our faith to increase; conquer all; and make the impossible possible. The problem presently in the world is that we have a whole lot of love, just not God’s love. We love our money, our possessions, and our careers, our family and friends, but not God. We love our accomplishments, our gifts, our talents and the praise we receive from others because of everything I have listed; but we do not love God nor walk in the love that He has provided for us through Christ.
First Corinthians chapter thirteen speaks of the excellence of love. In this chapter Paul speaks of all the possessions that we could have yet without love they mean absolutely nothing. He speaks of all of the good we can do: giving our possessions to the poor, etc yet without love it means nothing. Then Paul goes on to describe the type of love that he is talking about. The love he speaks of is one that can only come through a knowledge and relationship with God through Christ. This love never fails and the fact that we witness love failing so many times lets us know that this is not the love that comes through Christ. Jesus said the following in Matthew 24:10 & 12: "And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another…And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold." This is what the candle of love witnessed. He saw that the love of most people, even good people, was steadily growing cold until finally there was no love left at all. Listen to what the candle of love says: "I am love but people do not understand love’s importance. They do not love one another nor do they love God. The love that does have is one that is not given unconditionally but based on what is given to them in return." With that, the candle of love went out. If we take time and really look at the world around us and some of the things that took place in 2006, we can see the images of those represented by the candles going out. We can see those who have lost their peace, their faith and their love for others. The world in which we must live operates on a standard that focuses on self and our need to have our wants and desires fulfilled. We are no longer looking after the needs of others. Just when all seemed lost there was one candling whose flame still burned; the candle of hope.
IV. The Candle of Hope
After Jesus said "because of lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will run cold" He made the following statement in Matthew 24:13: "But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.” Here enters the candle of hope.
This candle watched as its partners slowly gave up and went out. It witnessed peace leaving the world. It witnessed faith leaving the world. Finally it was present when love left. All that was good and needed in this world was gone except for hope. You see, as long as there is hope, the impossible remains possible. Although Paul states in 1 Corinthians 13 that love is greater than hope, it is hope that keeps love alive. When people are dealing with terrible situations when their ability to love is failing, it is hope that keeps that love alive. It is hope for a brighter day. It is hope for a better situation. It is hope for tomorrow that keeps us going. Our peace may leave us temporarily, but hope gives us the ability to get it back, to know that one day we will have peace again. Our faith may waver in difficult situations, but it is hope that keeps us looking forward to God’s deliverance. Our love may have failed in times past when relationships did not work out or when friends turned their backs on us, but it was and continues to be hope that gives us the strength to love again. Paul referred to this hope in Hebrews 6:17-19 when he said "In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil."
Listen to what the candle of hope has to say: "I am hope and where I am peace, faith and love will continue to exist." Having said this, the candle of hope used its flame to relight the candles of peace, faith and love. Having been lit again by the flame of hope, the candles of peace, faith and love burned on.
Conclusion
As we prepare to enter into 2007, I pray that you will enter into the New Year with a lot of hope. Hope for a prosperous year, spiritually, emotionally and in every other area of your life. As you hope in the New Year, let your hope be grounded in your understanding that God is with you and as long as you are walking with Him, you will be fine. You may have days when your peace, your faith and your love for mankind may waver, but just remember, we are the hope for this world. Yes, you heard me correctly. We are the ones who should be providing hope for a world that has lost its peace, its faith and its love. It is Christ living within us that brings hope to the world. Through our lives we can help others regain their peace, faith and love. I "HOPE" in 2007 you will allow yourselves to inspire hope in this world of darkness.
May God bless and keep you is my prayer.
