NEVER BEYOND HOPE
1. Hope when things look impossible:
Abraham & Sarah's faith-
God's promise of a son was given when Abraham was 75 years old (Gen. 12:1-3, 15:4-6, 17:4-5. It took 25 years to fulfill the promise. Both were hopeless to bear a child naturally. But there is always a hope for us when we trust the Lord, even when things look impossible.
Hebrews 11:11-12- Their faith was great
Israelites faced sea on one side and Pharoah's army on the other, it was a hopeless situation (Exodus 14). But Moses trusted the Lord for a miracle.
Young boy David trusted in God's power to defeat Goliath (I Samuel 17:45-54)
2. Hope when we have doubts:
Sarah doubted God's promise (Genesis 18:11-13)
Thomas doubted the resurrection of Jesus but Jesus invited him to test him and even in doubtfulness Thomas didn't lose his hope (John 20:24-29)
3. Hope when we make terrible mistakes:
Abraham lied in Egypt about Sarah (Gen. 12:10-13).
Abraham had physical relation with Hagar to have a child (Gen. 16:1-4)
Prophet Jonah ran away from God's call but God ultimately fulfilled His plans through Jonah (Jonah 3)
Apostle Peter's denial (Luke 22:54-62) and restoration by Jesus (John 21:15-18)
4. Hope when we fail:
David's sin of adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11) and repentance (Psalms 51, 2 Samuel 12:13-14)
5. Hope when we thought we lost everything:
Joseph was despised and sold by his brothers to Egyptians (Gen. 37:28) God was with Joseph and he became successful in Potiphar's home (Gen. 39:2-6). But he ended up in prison due to wrong allegations of Potiphar's wife (Gen 39:20,21). Ultimately he was made PM of Egypt and became a blessing for the nation and his own family.
Job lost everything but never cursed God, accepted it as God's will (Job 1:20-22, 2:10). God saw Job's integrity and blessed him (Job 42:10).
6. Hope when we are in the storms of life (job loss, financial crisis, broken relationship):
Jesus calmed the storm when disciples were perishing (Mathew 14:22-33)
7. Hope when we walk through the valley of shadow of death:
The Lord is with us when we go through the valleys of death, discouragement, sickness (Psalms 23:4). His rod and staff (Word of God) comfort us.
Death is not an end for us but beginning of a new life in God's presence.
We have a sure hope of resurrection (I Cor. 15:51-52, I Thess. 4:13-18)
God's Hope Insurance covers our lives 24X7 now and forever!
Isaiah 39:31- Those who hope in the Lord…
Jeremiah 29:11- God's plans for our hope in the future
Benediction: Romans 15:13
