The Benediction Of Hope

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). The SIGHT of this Hope (vs 12b)

(2). The SOURCE of this Hope (vs 13 a)

(3). The SERENITY of this Hope (vs 13b)

(4). The SUFFICIENCY of this Hope (vs 13c)

(5). The SUPPLY of this Hope (vs 13d)

SERMON BODY:

Quote: Charles Swindoll:

• Hope is a wonderful gift from God,

• A source of strength and courage in the face of life's harshest trials.

• When we are trapped in a tunnel of misery, hope points to the light at the end.

• When we are overworked and exhausted, hope gives us fresh energy.

• When we are discouraged, hope lifts our spirits.

• When we are tempted to quit, hope keeps us going.

• When we lose our way and confusion blurs the destination,

• Hope dulls the edge of panic.

• When we struggle with a crippling disease or a lingering illness,

• Hope helps us persevere beyond the pain.

• When we fear the worst, hope brings reminders that God is still in control.

• When we must endure the consequences of bad decisions, hope fuels our recovery.

• When we find ourselves unemployed, hope tells us we still have a future.

• When we are forced to sit back and wait, hope gives us the patience to trust.

• When we feel rejected and abandoned,

• Hope reminds us we're not alone ... we'll make it.

• When we say our final farewell to someone we love,

• Hope in the life beyond gets us through our grief.

• Put simply, when life hurts and dreams fade,

• Nothing helps like hope.

• According to the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 13;

• There are the three abiding virtues (qualities), they are: “Faith, hope and love”;

Quote: Warren Wiersbe:

• FAITH compels us to LOOK UP;

• And have confidence in the true and living God.

• LOVE constrains us to LOOK AROUND;

• And encourage those who need our help;

• And HOPE motivates us to LOOK AHEAD;

• With assurance, knowing that the future is our friend because Jesus is our living Lord.

Ill:

"HOPE" has been called the "Cinderella" of this great threesome:

• Question: Why?

• Answer: Because it is the one always left out! The one never taken to the ball!

• We hear a lot of messages on Faith, and a lot of messages on Love,

• But rarely do we hear a message specifically on HOPE.

Now our benediction and the surrounding verses:

• Are about Christian hope.

• And therefore it is a great benediction of encouragement.

(1). The SIGHT of this Hope (vs 12b)

• Note: At the end of verse 12,

• Paul quotes from the prophet Isaiah and says: "The Gentiles will hope in HIM."

The context of these verses is the Apostle Paul talking about God’s great plan of salvation.

• The apostle Paul describes a great choir of both Jews and Gentiles;

• Praising the Lord with one mouth.

Note: He does this by quoting four passages from the Old Testament:

(1).

• Each quote is very significant;

• And Paul uses them to show a beautiful progressive truth:

• Verse 9 Paul quotes Psalm 18 verse 49.

• To show the Jews glorifying God among the Gentiles.

• Romans chapter 1 verse 16 reminds us that;

• Salvation came “First to the Jew”

(2).

• Verse 10 Paul quotes Deuteronomy chapter 34 verse 43.

• To show the Gentiles rejoicing with the Jews.

• Don’t read that statement too quickly;

• Because it wasn’t always that way!

• Paul says in Ephesians chapter 2 verse 12 that the Gentiles were “Without hope”

• Because of the faithfulness of Jewish Christians to share the gospel message;

• Gentile nations had & have the opportunity to trust Christ as saviour!

(3).

• Verse 11 Paul quotes Psalm 117 verse 1;

• To show all Jews and Gentiles together praising God.

• Regarding those first two quotes;

• Let me suggest they refer to the past!

• First quote is Acts chapters 1-7: the gospel being taken to the Jews.

• Second quote is Acts chapter 15 when Gentile Christians were given equal status!

• This third quote may well refer to today (you and I):

• As one body/church made up of Jew/Gentile praise God together.

(4).

• Verse 12 Paul quotes Isaiah chapter 11 verse 10.

• Future hope when Christ shall reign over both Jews and Gentiles.

So our hope as Christians is 100% rooted in Jesus Christ:

• You and I (regardless as to whether you are Jewish or a Gentile);

• You and I who were once enemies to God and separated from by our sin.

• We can praise him this ???????????