2023.03.26.Sermon Notes. Hope and Peace – A CALL to REPENTANCE, A CALL to RETURN.
William Akehurst, HSWC
KEY SCRIPTURE: Romans 5:1-5; Hosea 6:1-3; James 1:2-4; James 1:12
Scriptures Referenced: Matthew 14:13-21; Matthew 6:33; Mark 6:30–44; Luke 9:10–17;
John 6:1–14; James 4:3; 1John 5:14-15; Matthew 11:28-30; Philippians 4:7
DIVINE POWER IN US
Galatians 4:6 (NLT) And because we are HIS children, GOD has sent the SPIRIT of HIS SON into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”
BIG IDEA: Hope and Peace. Because the love of GOD has been poured out in our hearts by the HOLY SPIRIT who was given to us by GOD. We Glory in tribulations. Tribulations>perseverance>character>hope>LOVE.
GOD allows us to go through “stuff”, unpleasant “stuff”, so that we will return to HIM and to Stand Stronger in HIM in our daily walk, developing into WHO HE has Called us to BE.
KEY POINTS (ROMANS 5:1-5)
JUSTIFIED by FAITH
PEACE with GOD through JESUS
ACCESS TO GRACE GRANTED THROUGH FAITH
HOPE for GOD’s GLORY brings JOY.
GLORY, (wonder and amazement) in the trials and TRIBULATIONS we experience.
Which produces PERSEVERANCE (dedication, determination, endurance, resolution) in us. Developing our CHARACTER (who we are, how we react and act, how we measure up and stand fast upon HIM).
Which leads to our HOPE (faith, believing, waiting, looking beyond today and toward a promised future).
To experience the LOVE of GOD toward us, that with that same LOVE, we might LOVE OTHERS.
GOD’s LOVE poured out in our hearts by HOLY SPIRIT whom HE, GOD, has placed in our hearts. Further confirming Galatians 4:6.
Romans 5:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Illus. JESUS feeds the five thousand.
Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–14
After JESUS preached and taught, the crowd was hungry. The disciples said to send them away, but JESUS told the disciples to feed them. Gathering the 5 loaves and 2 fishes, the 5000 were fed to their full.
JESUS fed them spiritual food of repentance, then HE took care of the physical need.
Isn’t that what JESUS said…
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
But with the feeding of the 5000, it was…
Not only what JESUS did,
But what JESUS allowed the disciples to do…
To feed the people, to give to others…
Out of GOD’s LOVE for all people. John 3:16-17
GOD is telling us to return to HIM, to seek HIM, HIS Righteousness, and HIS Kingdom first…then HE will provide everything else we need.
HE simply wants us to COME and RETURN to HIM.
A CALL TO REPENTANCE
Hosea 6:1-3
1 Come, and let us return to the LORD;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
2 After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight.
3 Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD.
His going forth is established as the morning;
He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth.
New Living Translation (NLT)
1 “Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds.
2 In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence.
3 Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”
THE LORD allows us to be broken down, so that we will return to HIM.
So that HE can rebuild us.
HE is the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me into YOUR WILL.
What HE has allowed to be torn, pruned off, etc. HE will heal
What HE has allowed to be wounded, broken, and injured, HE will bandage, bind up, clean up, and mend.
After 2 days in the tomb, JESUS rose from the dead on the 3rd day.
When we come back to the LORD, we too will be revived and raised from death to life through JESUS.
***
POEM - I asked GOD. Public domain
I asked for strength, And God gave me difficulties to make me strong;
I asked for wisdom, And God gave me problems to learn to solve;
I asked for prosperity, And God gave me brain and brawn to work;
I asked for courage, And God gave me dangers to overcome;
I asked for love, And God gave me people to help;
I asked for favors, And God gave me opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted – I received everything I needed.
My prayer has been answered!
***
I ASKED GOD one thing, but HE gave me what I needed.
James 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
I ASK GOD in accordance with HIS WILL, and HE provides.
1 John 5:14-15 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
(compare to Hosea 6:1-3)
GOD allows us to be tested, so that we may be purified IN HIM and BY HIM.
James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
TESTED, PURIFIED, APPROVED, and REWARDED.
James 1:12 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
JESUS Calling you and me...to RETURN.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
AND the PEACE of GOD THROUGH JESUS will guard you.
Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
PRAYER:
LORD GOD, I come in JESUS’ Name, returning, repenting, turning my heart back to YOU. I confess that I have done wrong in my life. I ask for YOUR forgiveness, believing that the BLOOD, the CROSS, and JESUS my Savior has provided for my forgiveness, redemption and righteousness.
Open my understanding of WHO YOU are, and WHO I am IN YOU. Put the fire of Urgency in my heart to know YOU, to seek YOU, in prayer and studying YOUR WORD, and by simply meditating, being still in YOUR PRESENCE, to hear YOUR Voice. Refresh IN me…YOUR PRESENCE, YOUR HOPE, YOUR PEACE, YOUR SPIRIT to revive my heart again. Amen.
Benediction
MAGNIFY THE LORD WITH ME
Psalms 34:1-3 1 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.
1 Chronicles 29:10b-14(NLT) 10 Then David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly:
10b “O LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever!
11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.
12 Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.
13 “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name!
14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!
Blessed be the name of the LORD. Amen
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Bill
