Scripture Introduction
It has been said that nothing in the world arouses more false hope that the first four hours on a diet! We do not need any more false hope, but we do need hope!
The National Association of Basketball Coaches presents four “Guardians of the Game” awards each year: for leadership, service, advocacy, and education. Tonight Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt receives the award for Education for his efforts to improve academics in basketball programs for youth. The press release showed a picture of Coach Hewitt and the team standing in front of a sign with one word: “Hope.”
In his profound book, Man’s Search for Meaning, Victor Frankl, notes that the “loss of hope and courage can have a deadly effect on man.” As a result of his experiences in a Nazi concentration camp, Frankl contends that when a person no longer has a motive for living or a future to look toward, he curls up in a corner and dies. “Any attempt to restore a man’s inner strength in camp, had first to succeed in showing him some future hope.”
The Apostle’s imprisonment could have led to despair. Not only is he chained for preaching Jesus, but envious Christians are stirring up trouble for him. Yet Paul’s hope does not waver. Where can we find hope like his to overwhelm disappointment? Part of God’s answer is in Philippians 1.18c-20.
[Read Philippians 1.18c-20. Pray.]
Introduction
Sarah Clarke and her husband founded the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago. She used to walk the downtown streets and distribute cards to the homeless. The card said: “Hope for all who enter,” and gave the address of the mission.
Jay Adams says (in his book on counseling) that we all need hope: “Sin has worked its defeating and disheartening effects in all of our lives. There are times when every Christian is dispirited. Often this attitude deteriorates into the sin of despair” (The Christian Counselor’s Manual, 40).
How wonderful it is, therefore, to hear that the God of all hope steps into the midst of our despair with good news for dispirited people. The Biblical word for God’s message of good news is “Gospel,” and it offers a double hope. First, it speaks of a future hope: on Easter Sunday 2000 years ago, Jesus rose from the dead, proving and sealing his victory over sin, Satan, and suffering, and he will return to take his people to the place he prepared for us. Those who love the Lord now, by faith, will find a future reward with God. The gospel has a future hope.
But second, it also offers a present hope. With his typically, folksy wisdom, Jay Adams says:
“Christianity is not merely pie in the sky bye and bye when you die; indeed, Christians can start slicing today! There is hope for a new abundant life right now” (Ibid., 41).
There is every reason for despair. Life outside Eden cannot escape hardship and hurt and suffering and anxiety, and thoughtful people realize there are precious few guarantees of comfort and ease. There is every reason for despair, but far greater reasons to hope and rejoice! Jesus has won the victory. The match went to the final round, but now the battle is over, the fight is finished, and the winner has been crowned! Jesus was bloodied and bruised at the cross, and appeared to lose. But before the ten-count ended, he rose again, having “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them” (Colossians 2.15). Now the hope of the gospel can be yours, the same hope which sustained Paul—the sure confidence that he would not be ashamed for trusting himself to the Lord. A certain hope that those who live for Jesus will, at the last day, affirm: “I do not regret one moment lived for him.” I want that hope for us. And in this text are four things which bring hope to our lives.
1. God Gives Hope through the Prayers of His People (Philippians 1.18c-19a)
Philippians 1.18c-19a: “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.”
Dr. Wilbur Chapman was a young man when he began his ministry at a respectable, historical church in Philadelphia. After his first sermon, an old gentleman said to him, “You’re mighty young to be pastor of this church. But you preach the Gospel, so I’m going to help you all I can.”
The thought flashed through Dr. Chapman’s mind that the man was crazy. He continued speaking: “I’m going to pray that you have the Holy Spirit’s power upon you. Two others have covenanted to join with me in prayer for you.”
Dr. Chapman said, “I didn’t feel so bad after I learned that his help was to pray for me. Then the three praying became 10, then the 10, 20; soon the 20 became 50, and eventually the 50 became 200 who met before every service to pray that the Holy Spirit might come upon me. I always went into my pulpit feeling that I would have the anointing in answer to the prayers of those who had faithfully prayed. It was a joy to preach! The result was that we received 1,100 into our church by conversion in three years, 600 of whom were men. It was the fruit of the Holy Spirit in answer to prayer!”
I’m not smart enough to explain the exact relationship between the sovereignty of God and the centrality of prayer. What we can be certain of is this: when God aims to do something great, he begins by convincing his people to pray. Paul knew that the Philippians were praying; therefore he was certain that God was working. Here is the principle: a praying people are a hopeful people, because God loves to help those who call upon his name. Spirit-given hope is God’s response to Spirit-filled prayer.
Leonard Ravenhill: “The church has many organizers, but few agonizers; many who pay, but few who pray; many resters, but few wrestlers; many who are enterprising, but few who are interceding. Few are praying and praying. The secret of praying is praying in secret. A worldly Christian will stop praying and a praying Christian will stop worldliness. Tithes may build a church, but tears give it life. That is the difference between the modern church and the early church. In the matter of effective praying, never have so many left so much to so few. Brethren, let us pray.”
When I directed the Single Adult ministry at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mississippi, we did three things to develop prayer:
1) On Friday mornings the men prayed together, including almost all of the elders and pastoral staff.
2) Our deacons remodeled one of the rooms into a prayer chapel so there would always be a place dedicated to prayer at the church.
3) On Sunday mornings, a team of people prayed during one service and attended the other.
What does this mean for us?
Every church in every place can lament that their situation is not perfect for the ministry they would like to do. The preacher is not dynamic enough, or the location is not where they are appreciated, or they have too few people, or too many problems. But Jesus said, “With God, all things are possible.” We must not make that an excuse for failing to follow God’s leading, or refusing to change as God requires, or avoiding different ministries and difficult acts of faith. It does mean, however, that when we pray together, God will work through those prayers and bring us deliverance and renewed hope.
2. God Gives Hope through the Provision of His Spirit (Philippians 1.19b)
Philippians 1.19b: “I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ….”
We have a lament in our house, “You can’t make people do what you want them to do.” Have you noticed yet that your best efforts do not solve all of life’s problems? You and spouse do not get along, no matter how much you talk. Your children argue with you, no matter how much try. Or maybe it is a car wreck, or getting fired, or a devastating disease, or imprisonment for your faith. Whatever form it takes, life outside Eden is far from idyllic. So why should we hope if we cannot bend the world and people to our preferences and desires?
We hope because of the help of the Holy Spirit. Of course, that does not mean God always removes our problems or changes other people. Sometimes he does; but he does not always take the cup of suffering, does he?
What does he always do? He always changes us. He always gives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. He provides his powerful Spirit and sustaining joy in the midst of our fallen lives.
I think most people in Paul’s situation would look left and right and see chains. Paul looked at the exact same circumstances, but saw a lost soul who needed Jesus: “so what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” The Spirit worked in Paul giving him hope, and in the soldiers, giving faith, so that the gospel was advanced. God the Spirit gives hope.
3. God Gives Hope through the Promise of His Son (Philippians 1.19c-20b)
Philippians 1.19c-20b: “this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body….”
Biblical hope is not wishful thinking. Paul was not hoping that it would be sunny for Easter Supper. He is full of hope because he knows he will not be ashamed.
Paul committed his life, his suffering, his faith, his respectability, his future—his everything—to Jesus, and he knows that Jesus is able to keep it. All of my money is in the bank; why do I commit it to Fifth-Third instead of my mattress? Because I know they are able to keep it. I have full hope that I can withdraw it at any time, that I will not be ashamed by its loss. In a similar, but better way, nothing entrusted to Christ will be lost. Instead of being backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government, this is backed by the resurrection of Jesus!
On the last day, when you stand before the judgment, you will not be ashamed of anything entrusted to him. Do you want hope for your marriage? Entrust it to Christ: pray and respond to your spouse as the Word says. Do you want hope for your children? Do not imagine that buying them another video game might make them love you. Raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord, ask Christ to make them his, and you will not be ashamed. Do you want hope for our church? Fear not the areas we lack perfection; instead, trust Jesus, pray for the ministry, submit to your elders, love one another, serve faithfully, honor others above yourself. Faith entrusts God with all you are, knowing you will not be ashamed.
4. God Gives Hope through the Perfection of His Plan (Philippians 1.20c)
Philippians 1.20c: “…whether by life or by death….”
At first reading, it seems that Paul’s hope requires release from prison. But two clues point us in a different direction. First, notice the word “deliverance” back in verse 19: “I know… that this will turn out for my deliverance….” The word is swthri,a (soteria), salvation. Second, Paul clearly says that he has hope whether he lives or dies. Together, I take those to mean that Paul rejoices in hope, not because of a divine “get out of jail free card,” but because he knows: 1) that with the prayers of God’s people, and 2) the presence of the God’s Spirit, and 3) the promise of God’s Son, God’s perfect plan for him will unfold. Even if that plan includes death, it’s all good because that ushers him into the presence of the fullness of joy.
How could we not be full of hope? We can’t lose!
5. Conclusion
Why should we have hope?
1) Prayers of God’s people. We have a way to go, but we do pray. Every prayer assures us that God is working.
2) People change. We have made great progress in the last three years. We are appreciated by the community; we are reaching out with the gospel; we are caring for one another. Yes, we have more to do, but God is changing us.
3) Promises never change. God promises never to leave or forsake us, a promise safe and secured in the death and resurrection of Christ. With all the promises made to the church, how could we not be full of hope?
4) Power of the Holy Spirit. The difficulties we face are too great for us. But we are not the ones who do the work; God the Spirit is. His power gives hope.
5) Plan of God. Jeremiah 29.11: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Since we have a God who has such wonderful plans for us, how could we not have hope for our church?
Some of you may not personally know the God of hope. What do you do? The beginning of the answer is both simple and hard.
It is simple: you must admit you need hope and ask God to convert you to a believer in the God of hope. It is also profoundly difficult: you must admit you need hope and ask God to convert you to a believer in the God of hope. It is easy because admitting need and asking God for help really is the beginning of a new life in Christ. But it is also very hard, because few people can admit that they need such help. Will we, today, ask the God of hope to help us in our time of need?
Next Week: Philippians 1.21a-26: Living With No Regrets at the End
April 18 Philippians 1.21b-23: Dying For Gain
April 25 Philippians 1.27-28: How Grace Changes Lives
May 2 Philippians 1.29-30: How Suffering Can Be a Gift
