Sermon – Discovering Hope In A World of Despair
Scripture Lesson -Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace[a] with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
Introduction: Hymn writer Edward Mote penned these words, “My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare note trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” This Methodist preacher captures the essence of the Christian hope in Jesus Christ and answers the need of the human spirit. The blessed assurance of Salvation through Jesus Christ brings peace, acceptance, access, and lasting hope for the believer’s life; past, present, and future. Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans captures that idea when he writes, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1–2).
A recent report said that people in America are more dissatisfied with their lives than ever before with less than 18% being very satisfied with their lives. The recent suicide of so many young people amplify the same message. Depression and endless hopelessness plague our land. Hope in Christ stands as doorway to peace and as the answer of the need of the human spirit. Hope is what people need right now, and hope is so hard to find apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ. John 14:6 reads, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
A Story is told that “a large, two-engine train was making its way across Colorado. While crossing the mountains, one of the engines broke down. “No problem, we can make it to Denver and get a replacement engine there,” the engineer thought, and carried on at half power. Farther on down the line of course, the other engine broke down, and the train came to a standstill in the middle of nowhere.
The engineer needed to inform the passengers about why the train had stopped, and always trying to look on the bright side of things, made the following announcement: “Ladies and Gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time until the additional engines arrive. The good news is that you didn’t take this trip in a plane!”
Well in our scripture text today there is both good news and bad news. The good news is that we have hope no matter what happens. The bad news is that we can expect tribulation. But again, the good news is that even then, we can have hope. We need to discovery the Hope we have in Christ even in the midst of these demanding days.
Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans captures that idea when he writes, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Ro 5:1–2).
The theological concept of salvation, sanctification, justification, and glorification are summed in this single verse. Unearned gifts, undeserved favor, and total acceptance, all by grace through in our Lord Jesus Christ. The finished work of Jesus the Christ on the cross and His resurrection is the basis on which the believer is rendered or regarded as just, innocent, and blameless. The believer’s new position in Christ gives the assurance of freedom: justified, totally righteous and accepted in the beloved family of God. Also, the believer has a blessed hope and a favorable future, fully confident in the promises of God. Hope is what people need right now, and hope is so hard to find apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ. John 16:33 “I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.”
As Christian educators, and good news proclaimers, we bring hope to a hopeless world. I know during this pandemic, sometimes you look out at the Sunday Morning attendance and see 30% of the people who used to be in the room. Some cannot even get in a room with people, so you just look in the lens of a camera for worship. Then comes inclement weather on the weekend, another hindrance. The pandemic has changed the landscape and left a world desperately in need of the hope we bring. Yet every person sitting in the pew or watching your video production or even reading your post needs the message of hope. Every person you see in those distanced chairs hungers for hope. And many of the persons you are trying to reach has no idea, what they are really missing. They are missing hope that can only be found through in our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:13 reads, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
1. In Christ We Have Peace with God. First, in Christ we have peace with God that takes care of our past. All of us recognize that we have sinned, “missed the mark” and have not measured up to God’s standard of righteousness. Only in Christ can we find the answer for our sin, guilt, and shame. Christ alone was able to measure up to God’s standard and take our punishment for the wages of our sin was death. The forgiveness we receive through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross allows to experience a new relationship with God. God will no longer hold our sins against us because Jesus paid the penalty for us. Knowing that we are forgiven and have the righteousness of Christ placed in our account gives us an overflowing peace!
2Co 5:21 “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin,[a] so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” Are we really made righteous? This verse is wonderfully weighty: do we understand it by personal experience? Are we new creatures, reconciled by Jesus' blood, accepted in the Beloved, and one with him? If you think so, are you sure? If not, you can be sure? In Christ, every sin has been forgiven, past, present, and future. With our sins removed we can experience a right relationship with God, his world and with each other.
2. In Christ We Have access to God. Peace is great but more than that, the believer has open access to God through our Lord Jesus Christ which give us assurance of His watchful care in our present existence. No matter what trial, opposition or even loneliness, we have the help we need. Because of Jesus, our mediator and Lord, we can come to God anytime for the help that we need. The knowledge of open access to God gives us the assurance of answered prayer and renews our hope. Our blessed hope is found in the promises God has given us – promises of freedom from sin and promises of an abundant life. We can find so much hope in Scripture through the gift of eternal life made possible through His son, Jesus Christ. No matter what trials, temptations, or pain we may suffer, we can always hold onto the hope God extends to us. Our God has provided a door of access through His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus has become our faithful high priest, securing better access, based on better promises, leading to a better glorious future. Our past has been settled because our sins are forgiven; our present is manageable and victorious because of our access to God and the assurance of answered prayer; and our future is secure because Jesus has prepared a place for us. John 14:1-3 reminds us, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” The believer has hope of a glorious future. Our blessed hope of the glory of God takes care of our future. One day, we will share in His glory. Knowing that believers are justified, have peace with God, free access to enter His presence, and have the hope of Heaven. What more could we ask for? Well, there is more! “
3. In Christ We Have Hope for The Future - For the believer there is hope beyond the grave, because Jesus Christ has opened the door to heaven for us by His death and resurrection.” (Billy Graham) Our blessed hope is out of this world. Revelations 21:4, 5 gives us glimpse of our future, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”
Romans 5 reminds us of this blessed hope for every believer. For the Christian, the Cross tells us that suffering and trials will come, yet God understands our suffering, for He took upon Himself on the Cross all our sins, all of our failures and all of our sufferings. Our Lord, on that cross, asked the question, “Why?” “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” And he received the answer, he already knew. To redeem the world, to save you and me from our sins, to give us assurance that if we died, we are going to be with Him forever. From the cross, He was saying to the world, “I love you and I know the heartaches and the sorrows and the pain that you feel. Yet there is victory beyond the cross. When Jesus rose from the dead, he demonstrated that beyond the tragedy of the Cross there is victory. The empty tomb testifies, “He is not here, He has risen as He said. It tells us that there is hope for eternal life because Christ has conquered death. It also tells us that God has triumphed over evil and death and hell. This is our blessed hope, and it can be your hope as well.” Hope is found in the promises God has given us – promises of freedom from sin. We can find so much hope in Scripture through the gift of eternal life made possible through His son, Jesus Christ. No matter what trials, temptations, or pain we may suffer, we can always hold onto the hope God extends to us.
Hopelessness is frequently associated with a desire to isolate, and with negative feelings such as helplessness and powerlessness. Feelings of hopelessness may be caused by a variety of events such as guilt, fear, financial issues, relationship problems, health concerns, or other such negative circumstances. When you feel wrong about yourself or down on yourself, you need a different perspective. Try trusting God, you can put us right with Him, with ourselves and with others. “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace[a] with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
We can thrive in the blessed hope make available in Christ by embracing what God has done and focusing on the positive, the good news. Then we must trust God at His word and believe in yourself. Because I have trusted in his promises, the word is true for you. Then assemble with other believers with worship, surround yourself with positive, praying believers. God will lift you up. When you fall into feelings of hopelessness, it can feel like there is very little anyone or anything can do to help ease the crushing sadness that has ebbed into the fabric of our existence. In Christ, there are exceeding and great promises from God and help available for you. In the Name of the Father of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.
