Christmas Hope (1)

30 for 30 intros what if i told you

What if I told you there was something that was impossible to touch yet stronger than steel.

What of I told you there was a power that could pull any human out of the tightest grip of destruction.

Enough with the hype and antics ok.

The answer is HOPE.

HOPE has the ability to take you at your weakest moment and propel you to your strongest victory.

The New International Version Chapter 15

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves

Now Paul is speaking to the Romans here and speaking to the believers in Rome. There were believers who were strong in their faith. They did not doubt. They did not waiver and they endured persecution.

There were also believers who were struggling. They had doubts. They were weak in the midst of ther persecution. Nonetheless still believers.

Paul says that those who are strong should go and aid and spur on those who are weak and in need.

Hey Its christmas time. Its the season of hyperbole. Its a season of really high highs and really low lows. Weddings, engagements, christmas babies, parties, bonuses, Decorations, snow,

Death, sickness, divorce, brokem families, first holidays without a special loved one.

And heres the thing. chances are if you live long enough you are going to be on both ends of the spectrum.

Here is the great thing about HOPE though. God made it in sharable size. Hope was meant to be used in shared. Meant to lift one another up. This is a way in which we can bear the failings and injuries of others.

Example of how Rachel does this for me

Not everyone can but it is important you surround yourself with people who are prepared to pump you up with hope. Able to help you see what is ahead.

Paul was so great at this. Paul also surrounded himself with people that encourage him. Silas and even Barnabas who vouched for Paul when everyone else was terrified of him.

WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO BE BEARERS OF HOPE

The New International Version Chapter 15

2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” y 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

What does this passage sound like? Those of you that have listened to this Tennessee boy preach for several years know that most quote

Philippians 2:1–11 “1 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

So I have said that you need to bearers of Hope, but that requires that you and I know where the source of Hope is and where it comes from

OUR SOURCE OF HOPE IS FOUND IN THE WORD; BOTH THE SCRIPTURES AND THE WORD MANIFEST IN JESUS CHRIST

Hope in trials Theres Job and James and Paul

Hope in Sickness the same

Hope when betrayed and left alone Hagar, Joseph, and David

Hope when struggling with sin or tempation David, Moses, Noah and a plethora

When struggling with forgiveness Hosea and Gomer, David and Jonathan, The prodigal son

AND ALL THE ABOVE JESUS, we look to him for HOPE in all situations.

Our eyes on him as our hope so that we can receive hope and then bear hope to one another..

The New International Version Chapter 15

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews e on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;

I will sing the praises of your name.” i

10 Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” j

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;

let all the peoples extol him.” k

12 And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,

one who will arise to rule over the nations;

in him the Gentiles will hope.” m

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

WHERE THERE IS HOPE THERE MUST BE PRAISE

Me and chase rattlesnake trail

The New International Version Chapter 15

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” y 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews e on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;

I will sing the praises of your name.” i

10 Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” j

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;

let all the peoples extol him.” k

12 And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,

one who will arise to rule over the nations;

in him the Gentiles will hope.” m

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Christmas Hope (1)

Introduction