You May Overflow With Hope

"YOU MAY OVERFLOW WITH HOPE" (Outline)

December 6, 2009 -

ADVENT 2 -

Romans 15:4-13

INTRO: One often associates the word hope with the future. Today’s verses describe the word hope as one of the present gifts God gives to every believer. Notice the words in our verses for today: endurance, encouragement, joy, peace, trust,, and hope. Believers know their future is certain. God would have every believer remember that hope is also God’s gift for us right now, today. "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints" (EPHESIANS 1:18). Pray the Lord God Almighty opens every eye and heart today to know, believe, confess, and live in God’s hope.

"YOU MAY OVERFLOW WITH HOPE".

I. By the endurance in God’s word.

II. Be an encouragement for others.

I. "YOU MAY OVERFLOW WITH HOPE" BY THE ENDURANCE IN GOD’S WORD

A. The believers in Rome were on the edge facing persecution at the hands of the government.

1 . Romans opened with encouragement for believers. All were saved by grace through faith.

2. Verse 4. Believers were encouraged by the truth of God’s word from the very beginning.

3. These believers would have hope as they endured in the truth of God’s word and promises.

B. Verse 5. Paul prays for these believers to be united. Their unity is found in following Christ.

1 . Verse 6. Following Christ to the end of their lives would bring them to praise God.

2. As they faced the lions and gladiators each believer endured with the hope they had in Christ.

C. Verse 7. Remember that in Rome Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians were worshiping together.

1. Two different nations, two different peoples now accepting of one another because of Christ.

2. Christ accepted these sinners into his kingdom as his brothers. They could also accept others.

3. Verse 8. The Savior of all mankind came as servant for all of mankind: God’s enduring truth.

D. Christ the King comes as a Servant. This is only one of the many miracles we celebrate at Christmas (and our entire lives). The King of kings gives up his throne of glory to be born in Bethlehem. The Creator comes to serve his creation. Why? Do we deserve saving? Hardly. Can we buy salvation? No. That is the point. We need the sinless sacrifice of the servant Jesus. God freely gives. God miraculously provides eternity. We have hope. "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst" (1 TIMOTHY 1:15). Yes, we are the worst of sinners. Daily our minds are filled with evil thoughts. Wicked words flow from our mouths.

E. There is only place to put our hope. There is only one Person to provide us hope. We know ourselves fairly well. Time and again we put trust in our own plans. We hope all too often and all too much that our ways are better than God’s ways. The opposite is always, true. God’s ways are higher than man’s ways. Time and again we put our hope in the advice of experts or friends. Time and again their wisdom falls short or is even wrong. Our hopes are dashed. All worldly hopes always fall short. This is not the case with divine hope. "Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (ISAIAH 40:31).

F. Our hope grows and overflows through the endurance in God’s word. God’s word is the only truth that sets us free. God’s word reminds each sinner that only through the precious blood of Christ is there forgiveness. Hope overflows. In our society today hope is at a premium. The news constantly, only offers hopelessness and is filled with despair. As believers living in the light of Christ "you may overflow with hope!" This is exactly what our world desperately needs. "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness" (COLOSSIANS 2:6,7). Thankfulness overflows with hope.

"YOU MAY OVERFLOW WITH HOPE" by the endurance in God’ s word.

II. "YOU MAY OVERFLOW WITH HOPE" to BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR OTHERS

A. Endurance, encouragement, and hope: such are the gifts God gives to believers for life.

1. Verse 9. Jesus came to be the Savior of all nations. Jew and Gentiles praise God’s mercy.

2. Even the Gentiles, thought to be unclean and untouchable, belonged in God’s kingdom.