The Hope-filled Church

“The biggest problem with poverty is the shame that comes with it. When you give the best you have to someone in need, it translates into something much deeper to the receiver. It means that they are worthy. If it’s not good enough for you, it’s not good enough for those in need either. Giving the best you have does more than feed an empty belly – it feeds the soul.”

Kristine Levine

Transition To Body- The Issue of Judging Others

Strong believers despise

Romans 14:3 ESV

3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.

Weak believers judge

Romans 14:4 ESV

4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

Don’t be a Hindrance to Another Believer

Romans 14:13 ESV

13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

The Matter of the Kingdom of God is...

Romans 14:17–18 ESV

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Don’t Destroy the Work of God

Romans 14:20–23 ESV

20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Hope-Filled Church

Hope- the looking forward to someth. with some reason for confidence respecting fulfillment, hope, expectation:

especially pertaining to matters spoken of in God’s promises, hope

Body- The Hope-filled Church

Expresses Christlike Care of Weaker Spiritual Siblings (Romans 15:1-7)

I.e. some of our spiritual brother’s and spiritual sisters’s hope seems inadequate to them

Obligated to Bear with One Another’s Failings

Romans 15:1 ESV

1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Obligation (indebted to Jesus Christ)

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. ὀφείλω

to be under obligation to meet certain social or moral expectations, owe

Bear- bear patiently, put up with: weaknesses of the weak

be able to bear up under especially trying or oppressive circumstances bear, endure

Weak- pert. to lacking capability in functioning adequately, powerless, impotent

of those weak in faith

Verses the strong- those who are strong (in faith)

The Hope-filled Church Builds Up People

Romans 15:2 ESV

2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 74.15 οἰκοδομέω; ἐποικοδομέω; οἰκοδομή, ῆς

to increase the potential of someone or something, with focus upon the process involved—‘to strengthen, to make more able, to build up.’

Neighbor- the one who is near or close by, neighbor, fellow human being

Of fellow-Christians

Follows example of Jesus Christ

Romans 15:3–4 ESV

3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

God of Endurance & Encouragement

Romans 15:5–7 ESV

5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

Endurance- a Christ-like fortitude, i.e. a fortitude that comes fr. association w. Christ

Character Producing Hope

Romans 5:2–5 ESV

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Encouragement- lifting of another’s spirits, comfort, consolation

In other words this is what the scriptures do for the believer/follower of Jesus Christ

Even in the Midst of Crazy Politics

Romans 13:1 ESV

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Live in Harmony (like-mindedness) with One Another

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 58.31 αὐτός, ή, ό

pertaining to that which is identical to something—‘same.’

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 31.1 φρονέω; κρίνω; λογίζομαι; ἡγέομαι; ἔχω

to hold a view or have an opinion with regard to something—‘to hold a view, to have an opinion, to consider, to regard.’

Glorify the God & Father of our LORD Jesus Christ

Romans 15:6 ESV

6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 33.357 δοξάζω; δόξα, ης

to speak of something as being unusually fine and deserving honor—‘to praise, to glorify, praise.’

Welcome One Another

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

to live in such harmony with one another- to have an opinion with regard to someth., think, form/hold an opinion, judge

{The Hope-Filled Church

Expresses Christlike Care of Weaker Spiritual Siblings (Romans 15:1-7)

}

Experiences the Holy Spirit’s Power To Evangelize Others (Romans 15:8-21)

I.e. we want others to have the same hope

Romans 15:8–21 ESV

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. 15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”

fill- of persons fill w. powers, qualities

abound- ⓑ of persons

α. have an abundance, abound, be rich

Celebrate where you are now in the church

Romans 9:4–5 ESV

4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

Then remember from where you came

Luke 15:1–2 ESV

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Luke 15:7 ESV

7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:10 ESV

10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 15:32 ESV

32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

Being of Service after sharing in their Spiritual Blessings

Romans 15:27 ESV

27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

{The Hope-Filled Church

Expresses Christlike Care of Weaker Spiritual Siblings (Romans 15:1-7)

and

Experiences the Holy Spirit’s Power To Evangelize Others (Romans 15:8-21)

}

Evokes Effective Prayer for God’s Servant Leaders (Romans 15:22-33)

Work of the Faithful Servant of the LORD Jesus Christ

Romans 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

Romans 15:22–29 ESV

22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Evoking Effective Prayer for the Messengers of Jesus Christ

The Love of the Spirit through Life in the Spirit

Romans 15:30–33 ESV

30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Evoke- to bring to mind or recollection

Recollection-

tranquility of mind

: religious contemplation

: the action or power of recalling to mind

: something recalled to the mind

Faithful Messenger of Jesus Christ

Apostle- one who fulfills the role of being a special messenger (generally restricted to the immediate followers of Jesus Christ, but also extended, as in the case of Paul, to other early Christians active in proclaiming the message of the gospel)—‘apostle, special messenger

Romans 1:1–6 ESV

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

Strive together in Prayer

- to join w. someone in a common effort, fight/contend along with τινί someone, w. focus on a supportive role help, assist

here perh. w. judicial overtones: a common plea to God in the face of opposition to the Apostle)

Prayer is important in the battle. We need God's help. He works through prayer. We not only pray for ourselves but all of the saints and in particular those who will bring the Word so that they can do it fearlessly, even though Satan would like to subvert the message so people will not hear the powerful word of God and use it to protect themselves against the devil's schemes.

Through Prayer God helps us see the devil's schemes, recognizing it and fight evil.

Examples of Faithful Intercessory Prayer in Scripture

Earnest Prayer for Peter

Acts 12:1–5 ESV

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

Spirit-Filled Prayer at all Times for Paul

Ephesians 6:16–20 ESV

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Great Power of Righteous Person Praying

James 5:13–16 ESV

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Transition To Close

In the Pixar short For the Birds, several little bluebirds are sitting on a power line, yapping, squabbling, and jockeying for space, when a large bird gets their attention. He’s sitting on a nearby telephone pole, and he looks a little goofy. He gives a friendly chirp. His greeting is met with derision and laughter. The little birds murmur and mock, while the large bird remains oblivious to their cruelty.

Wanting to join the others, the large bird flies over and sits between all of them on the line. His weight causes the line to dip significantly. His intrusion into their world is now met not only with teasing, but also with aggression. The other birds peck-peck-peck at his feet until he finally drops off the line.

The cliquish little birds realize too late their hostile behavior toward the outsider will cause their doom. The large bird’s sudden departure from the line causes an upheaval that sends the little birds up in the air like a slingshot. Feathers fly, leaving all the spiteful little birds to land naked and bickering on the ground.

Ephesians 2:11–14 ESV

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

Close- Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to the gospel & the preaching of Jesus Christ!

Romans 16:25–27 ESV

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

So We Look to Jesus- the Founder & Perfector of our Faith

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Stone the Builder’s Rejected This is the Day the LORD Has Made!

Romans 9:33 ESV

33 as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Psalm 118:22–24 ESV

22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

According to God’s Great Mercy we have be born again into a living hope!

1 Peter 1:3–6 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

Edward Mote would later write in 1836

1 My hope is built on nothing less

than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

Refrain:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand:

all other ground is sinking sand;

all other ground is sinking sand.

Related Media

Related Sermons