Journey from Hopeless to Hope
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
INTRODUCTION - REVIEW
VISION
WE STARTED ON EASTER SUNDAY LAYING OUT THE FOUNDATION OF GOD’S VISION FOR OUR CHURCH.
REMEMBER . . . WHEN I TALK ABOUT VISION
IT’S GOD’S VISION
NOT MY VISION OR YOUR VISION
SO . . . THAT MEANS IT’S GOD’S WAY . . . . AMEN??
AND IF IT’S GOD’S VISION
DONE GOD’S WAY . .
IT OUGHT TO BE GOD SIZED . . . RIGHT?
IN OTHER WORDS . . . . SOMETHING WE CANNOT DO ON OUR OWN
---
AND WHEN I TALK ABOUT VISION . . .
IT’S NOT ABOUT A BUILDING . . . .
84% PEOPLE POLLED
SAY THEY ARE A PART OF SOME RELIGIOUS CONGREGATION.
- JUST BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY ARE . . . DOESN’T MEAN THEY REALL ARE . . .
JUST BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY ARE . . . DOESN’T MEAN THEY REALL ARE . . .
BUT JUST TO TAKE THESE NUMBERS AS THEY ARE . . .
16% OF THE PEOPLE ARE NOT A PART OF A CHURCH
5 MILE RADIUS OF THE CHURCH . . .
5845 - 5 MILE RADIUS
935 - NOT A PART OF ANY CHURCH
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
205,950 - TOTAL POPULATION
32,952 - NOT A PART OF ANY CHURCH
OUR VISION IS NOT ABOUT A BUILDING
NOT ABOUT US
ITS ABOUT THOSE 32,952 PEOPLE
IT’S ABOUT US . . . HELPING / REACHING / LOVING / SERVING
THOSE 32,952 PEOPLE
IT’S ABOUT US GIVING . . .
THOSE 32.952 PEOPLE . . .
A PLACE TO CALL H.O.M.E.
HOPE
ONE BODY
MANY MEMBERS
EVERYONE WELCOME
I KNOW YOU ARE THINKING . . .
THERE IS NO WAY WE COULD FIT 32,952 PEOPLE IN THIS BUILDING
BUT REMEMBER . . . I AM NOT TALING ABOUT A BUILDING . . .
I AM TALKING ABOUT HAVING AN IMPACT ON THOSE 32,952 PEOPLE’S LIVES
A FEW WEEKS AGO WE GATHERED ITEMS AND DONATED THEM TO YAIPAKS
WHY DID WE DO THAT??
SO WE COULD IMPACT PART OF THOSE 32,952 PEOPLE
I WANT TO CHALLENGE YOU . . . .
STOP THINKING IN TERMS OF JUST GETTING PEOPLE TO CHURCH
AND START THINKING IN TERMS OF GETTING PEOPLE TO JESUS!
IT’S ABOUT US GIVING . . .
THOSE 32.952 PEOPLE . . .
A PLACE TO CALL H.O.M.E.
HOPE
ONE BODY
MANY MEMBERS
EVERYONE WELCOME
WE BEGAN TO LOOK AT THE FIRST OF THESE . . . HOPE
WE SAW THAT WE CAN HAVE THAT HOPE
BECAUSE OF WHOM THAT HOPE IS BASED UPON
GOD
LAST WEEK . . . WE TALKED ABOUT . . .
WE SA
THE SUFFICIENCY OF GOD
HE IS ALL YOU NEED
THE SECURITY OF GOD
HE IS YOUR FORTRESS
THE SUPREMACY OF GOD
BE STILL AND KNOW . . . I AM GOD
---
SO
THAT IS THE WHY WE CAN HAVE HOPE . . .
BUT . . .
HOW DO WE GET THERE??
CEASAREA TO FAIR HAVENS
FAIR HAVENS TO MALTA
MALTA TO ROME
LOOK AT A VERSE FROM OUR TEXT TODAY
READ VS 20
20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.
acts 27:20
YOU SEE THE REALITY IS THAT FOR MANY . . . .
HOPE IS ALREADY ABANDONED
PREACHER . . . YOU TALK ABOUT ALL THIS HOPE . . .
BUT HOW DO I GET THERE???
PRAY
PRAY
PRAY
TODAY I WANT TO TAKE US ON A JOURNEY.
A JOURNEY BECAUSE AS WE READ THIS SCRIPTURE . . . DR. LUKE SAID THAT THEIR HOPE WAS GRADUALLY ABANDONED.
THIS WAS PROBABLY THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF A LIFE TIME.
SURELY THEY HAD ABANDONED HOPE . . . BUT THERE WAS MUCH THAT LED UP TO THIS POINT.
TODAY IN THIS VERSE WE SEE THE STATE OF WHAT SO MANY PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES IN TODAY.
LAST WEEK I TALKED ABOUT HOW SO MANY TIMES IN LIFE WE ARE LEFT WITH THE REALITY THAT WE ARE SO TOTALLY HELPLESS . . .
BUT EVEN IN THE WORSE OF TIMES WE ARE NEVER HOPELESS
TODAY IN THIS VERSE WE SEE THE STATE OF WHAT SO MANY PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES IN TODAY.
A PLACE WHERE ALL HOPE IS GRADUALLY ABANDONED.
- MANY START OFF STRONG
- WE HAVE THE DESIRE TO HAVE THIS HOPE
- WE TELL OTHERS ABOUT THIS HOPE
- BUT . . . EVENTUALLY WE FIND OURSELVES GRADUALLY LOOSING GRIP OF THIS HOPE OURSELVES
HOW DID THESE PEOPLE IN THIS SCRIPTURE GET TO THIS POINT?
IS THERE SOMETHING WE CAN LEARN FROM THIS?
TODAY I WANT TO TELL YOU, “THE REST OF THE STORY”
(USE MAP AND BEGIN JOURNEY)
---
1 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they proceeded to deliver Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius.
2 And embarking in an Adramyttian ship, which was about to sail to the regions along the coast of Asia, we put out to sea accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica.
3 The next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul with consideration and allowed him to go to his friends and receive care.
4 From there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary.
5 When we had sailed through the sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia.
6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it.
THE FIRST STEP IN GETTING THERE IS IDENTIFYING HOW THEY LOST ALL HOPE TO BEGIN WITH. . .
7 When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone;
8 and with difficulty sailing past it we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
9 When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them,
10 and said to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”
11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul.
12 Because the harbor was not suitable for wintering, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.
HOW DID THEY GET TO THE POINT OF LOOSING ALL HOPE?
1 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius.
2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.
3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.
5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia.
6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board.
7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone.
8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
MAP
PROBLEM # 1:
PROBLEM # 1:
THEY RELIED MORE ON MAN’S REASONING RATHER THAN GOD’S.
THEY RELIED MORE ON MAN’S REASONING RATHER THAN GOD’S.
Ø VS 9 – 11
9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,
10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”
11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.
9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,
10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”
11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.
12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.
TO LEAVE OR NOT TO LEAVE?
> MAN’S REASONING:
- WELL, WE MADE IT THIS FAR.
- THE WEATHER REALLY WASN’T THAT BAD.
- THIS IS NOT A SAFE PLACE FOR THE WINTER.
FAIR HAVEN - - - NOT MUCH ON SUPPLIES.
- NO ENTERTAINMENT.
- NOT MUCH IN THE AREA OF COMFORT.
MAJORITY RULES??
- THEY MUST HAVE TAKEN A VOTE: (VS 12)
12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.
3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
MAP
- THEY DECIDED TO LEAVE.
GOD’S REASONING:
NOW PAUL MUST HAVE HAD SOME PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN THIS AREA AS WELL AS AN INSIGHT TO GOD.
HE HAD BEEN SHIPWRECKED 3 TIMES BEFORE!
SO THAT CERTAINLY WOULD MAKE HIM AN EXPERT IN MY BOOK.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY . . . HE WAS UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
TODAY:
WE ARE OFTEN FACED WITH SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
- WE ARE FACED WITH A DECISION.
AND THE DECISIONS WE MAKE WILL OFTEN DETERMINE THE HOPE WE HAVE
OR LACK OF HOPE.
- DO WE USE MAN’S REASONING?
- OR DO WE SEEK GOD’S GUIDANCE?
ONE THING THAT WILL CAUSE US TO LOOSE HOPE . . .
WHEN WE START TO RELY ON MAN’S REASONING
RATHER THAN GOD’S WAYS.
-
32,952 PEOPLE . . .
MAN’S WAYS
- NO WAY WE COULD EVER HAVE AN IMPACT
GOD’S WAY
- WITH GOD . . . ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
SOMETIMES YOU MAY STAND ALONE.
SOMETIMES YOU MAY BE RIDICULED.
SOMETIMES YOU MAY BE LAUGHED AT.
- BUT BE ASSURED . . .
IF GOD TELLS YOU TO STAND . . . JUST STAND.
DON’T TRY AND REASON . . . JUST DO IT.
PAUL COULD HAVE QUESTIONED THIS.
- HE KNEW THAT HE WAS OUTNUMBERED.
- BUT HE ALSO KNEW THAT GOD HAD A MUCH GREATER PLAN.
THE SAME IS TRUE IN HOPE
STOP LOOKING AT WHAT OTHERS THINK
- FOCUS ON WHAT GOD THINKS.
GOD’S WAYS ARE NOT MAN’S WAYS.
13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore.
(NIV)
13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.
PROBLEM # 2
PROBLEM # 2
THEY WERE LULLED INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY:
THEY WERE LULLED INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY:
AGAIN, THEY FIGURED THAT THEY MADE IT THIS FAR.
Ø WHAT IS A FEW MORE MILES.
Ø WHAT IS A FEW MORE MILES.
Ø THEN THAT SOFT / GENTLE WIND CAME UP OUT OF THE SOUTH.
Ø AS IF TO SAY “ALL IS WELL”
THIS SOFT AND GENTLE WIND WOULD SOON LEAD THEM TO NEAR DEATH.
Ø THE WIND LED THEM JUST FAR ENOUGH INTO THE SEA . . .
Ø AND THEN IT HAPPENED . . .
14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.
(MAP)
Ø THE “EUROQUILO” OR “EUROCLYCLON”
Ø EURO – EAST WIND
Ø QUILO – NORTHEAST WINDS
TODAY:
THE DEVIL WILL TRY AND LULL US INTO THIS FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY.
Ø IF WE ARE NOT CAREFUL . . . WE COULD BE LED ASTRAY.
Ø HE IS THE DECEIVER.
THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE COME IN CONTACT WITH THAT MAY SEEM HARMLESS AT FIRST.
THERE IS SO MUCH WE PUT OUR HOPE IN . . . .
THINGS THAT SEEM FINE AT FIRST . . .
- BUT JUST WHEN WE GET CAUGHT UP ENOUGH IN THEM . . .
- HERE COMES THE STORM.
WE MUST GUARD AGAINST BEING TOO SECURE IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN A SOLID FOUNDATION OF JESUS CHRIST.
15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.
15 and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along.
NOW, THEY WERE NO LONGER IN CONTROL….
- THEY WERE BEING DRIVEN BY THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR DECISION
16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat.
17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along.
ACTS 27:
16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat.
17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along.
18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo.
19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.
.16-19
(MAP)
17 After they had hoisted it up, they used supporting cables in undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the sea anchor and in this way let themselves be driven along.
SOLUTION # 1
SOLUTION # 1
WHEN THOSE HARD WINDS COME . . . GET RID OF ALL THAT EXCESS BAGGAGE!
WHEN THOSE HARD WINDS COME . . . GET RID OF ALL THAT EXCESS BAGGAGE!
18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo.
19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.
18 The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to jettison the cargo;
19 and on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.
WHEN THOSE HARD WINDS COME . . . GET RID OF ALL THAT EXCESS BAGGAGE!
THE CREW ON BOARD BEGAN THROWING OUT ALL OF THE CARGO THAT WAS NOT VITAL TO THE SHIP.
TODAY:
WE NEED TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE ARE WILLING TO GET RID OF OUR OWN EXCESS CARGO.
WE ARE OFTEN LOADED DOWN WITH MANY THINGS IN OUR LIFE THAT WE DON’T REALLY NEED.
WHEN WE FIND OUR SELFS FEELING HOPELESS . . .
YOU MAY NEED TO GET RID OF SOME TOXIC THINGS IN YOUR LIFE THAT LED TO THAT POINT.
AS A CHURCH . . . .
WE MAY HAVE SOME THINGS THAT WE HAVE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN THE CAMP . . .
THAT ARE TOXIC TO GOD’S WORK
ATTITUDES
BITTERNESS
ANGER
PRIDE
UNFORGIVENESS
AND OVER THE YEARS . . . .
IT HAS BECOME EASIER JUST TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY . . .
BUT GOD WON’T BLESS THAT . . .
SOME OF YOU HERE TODAY
LIVE IN A HOPELESS STATE OF BEING
WHAT BAGGAGE DO YOU NEED TO GET RID OF . . .
BUT !!!!!!!
WE MUST BE SURE THAT WE THROW OUT THE RIGHT STUFF!!!
SOME PEOPLE AND CHURCHES ARE THROWING OUT VITAL CARGO.
- SOUND DOCTRINE.
- STANDING FOR THE TRUTH
- NOT COMPROMISING.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE MUST HOLD ON TO.
20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.
NOTICE . . .
- THEIR HOPE WAS GRADUALLY ABANDONED
SOLUTION # 2
SOLUTION # 2
TRUST IN GOD -- NOT THE CIRCUMSTANCES !!!!!!
TRUST IN GOD -- NOT THE CIRCUMSTANCES !!!!!!
21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss.
22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,
24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.
TRUST IN GOD -- NO MATTER WHAT !!!!!!
21 When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul stood up in their midst and said, “Men, you ought to have followed my advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and loss.
22 “Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
23 “For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me,
21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss.
22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’
25 “Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.
TRUST IN GOD -- NO MATTER WHAT !!!!!!
PAUL WAS STANDING BEFORE THE GOD OF HOPE
IT IS WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES ARE THE DARKEST
THAT GOD SHINES FORTH THE BRIGHTEST!!!!!
THOUGH THEIR HOPE WAS GRADUALLY ABANDONED,
IT WOULD BE IMMEDIATELY RESTORED!!!
WHILE EVERYONE ELSE WAS LOOSING HOPE
PAUL WAS STANDING BEFORE THE GOD OF HOPE
(SHARE PAUL’S NEWS)
23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship,
24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.
ACTS 2
GOD’S PURPOSE IS ALWAYS BIGGER THAN OUR PROBLEMS !!!!
GOD’S PURPOSE IS ALWAYS BIGGER THAN OUR PROBLEMS !!!!
DON’T QUESTION ---- JUST BELIEVE !!!!!!!!!!!!
THERE IS HOPE !!!!!!!!!
WE DON’T SEE THE WHOLE PICTURE . . .
REMEMBER . . . GOD HAS A PLAN
THOUGH WE DON’T ALWAYS SEE IT . . .
HE IS STILL WORKING
THINK OF JOB . . . .
THE WHOLE MEETING WITH GOD AND SATAN
JOB NEVER KNEW THAT!
THAT HOPE FOR US TODAY IS IN NO OTHER THAN JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!
BUT . . . LOOK AT THE NEXT VERSE . . .
26 But we must run aground on some island.”
26 “But we must run aground on a certain island.”
HOPE IS NOT DETERMINED BY OUR CIRCUMSTANCES
27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land.
28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms.
29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.
30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow,
31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
ACTS 27:27-
28 They took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms.
29 Fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and wished for daybreak.
30 But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow,
31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.”
OUR HOPE IS STRENGTHENED AS WE ALL REMAIN IN THE SHIP TOGETHER.
- IT IS IN THE HARD TIMES THAT SOME WILL BE TEMPTED TO ABONDON SHIP
- BUT STAND FIRM . . . . STAND TOGETHER
(NOT ON PROCLAIM)
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
WE WERE NOT CREATED TO GO TROUGH HARD TIMES ON OUR OWN.
32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.
33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing.
34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”
35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.
36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.
33 Until the day was about to dawn, Paul was encouraging them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been constantly watching and going without eating, having taken nothing.
34 “Therefore I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your preservation, for not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.”
35 Having said this, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and he broke it and began to eat.
36 All of them were encouraged and they themselves also took food.
HOPE IS CONTAGIOUS!
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.
THIS WORLD NEEDS HOPE . . . .
THEY NEED TO KNOW THE GOD OF HOPE!!
THOSE 32,952 PEOPLE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY
THEY NEED HOPE
MAY WE HAVE THAT HOPE THAT OVERFLOWS!
BACK TO THE STORY
37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.)
38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
38 When they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea.
THEY THREW THE WHEAT INTO THE SEA . . .
- THEY DEMONSTRATED THEIR FAITH
39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore.
40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach.
41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf.
42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape.
43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,
44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
ACTS 27:39-
40 And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders; and hoisting the foresail to the wind, they were heading for the beach.
41 But striking a reef where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern began to be broken up by the force of the waves.
42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape;
43 but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,
44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.
I OFTEN WONDER . . . HOW MUCH WE MISS THE WORKING OF GOD IN OUR LIVES.
IN THE MIDST OF EVERYTHING THAT WAS HAPPENING . . .
GOD WAS AT WORK…
HE HAD A PURPOSE . . .
--
WHEN WE FACE OUR HARDEST TIMES . . .
- WE NEVER NEED TO ABANDON HOPE
- BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK
-EVEN WHEN WE DON’T SEE HIM . . .
- HE STILL SEES US.
(ILLUSTRATION OF HOUSE BURNING . . .
- BOY ON ROOF
- DAD I CAN’T SEE YOU
- IT’S OK . . . I CAN SEE YOU
COONCLUSION / APPLICATION
NOTICE . . . NO WHERE IN THIS TEXT DO WE SEE HOPE ABANDON THEM
- RATHER THEY WERE THE ONES WHO ABANDONED HOPE
THEY GAVE UP ON HOPE
- NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND
GOD IS THE GOD OF HOPE
- AND HE WILL NEVER GIVE UP ON YOU
HE WILL NEVER ABANDON YOU!
--
HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WE NEVER ABANDON HOPE
1) TRUST IN GOD’S WAYS . . . NOT MANS
1) TRUST IN GOD’S WAYS . . . NOT MANS
MANY WILL WANT TO GIVE YOU THEIR OPINION . . .
TRUST IN GOD
2) BE AWARE OF THOSE FALSE HOPES
2) BE AWARE OF THOSE FALSE HOPES
DON’T FALL FOR A FALSE SINCE OF SECURITY
YOUR HOPE IS NOT IN SOME BANK ACCOUNT
YOUR HOPE IS NOT IN YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES
YOUR HOPE IS NOT IN ANYTHING THIS WORLD HAS TO OFFER
YOUR HOPE IS IN GOD
3) GET RID OF EXCESS BAGGAGE
3) GET RID OF EXCESS BAGGAGE
WHATEVER IS KEEPING YOU FROM FULLY TRUSTING IN GOD
GET RID OF IT
4) TRUST IN GOD NO MATTER WHAT
4) TRUST IN GOD NO MATTER WHAT
DO YOU KNOW THE GOD OF HOPE?
-------------
EVENING SERVICE
VISION
THOSE 32.952 PEOPLE . . .
16 % POLLED UNCHURCHED
MONTGOMERY COUNTY . . .
MONTGOMERY COUNTY . . .
32.952 PEOPLE . . .
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU HEAR THAT NUMBER?
A PLACE TO CALL H.O.M.E.
HOPE
ONE BODY
MANY MEMBERS
EVERYONE WELCOME
WHAT DO YOU THINK SO FAR OF THIS?
HOPE
HOPE
DO YOU THINK WE ARE A CHURCH BODY WHO LIVES OUT THIS CONCEPT?
WHY OR WHY NOT?
HERE IS THE OUTLINE FROM THIS MORNING:
PROBLEM 1 - RELIED ON MAN’S REASONING MORE THAN GOD
PROBLEM 2 - THE WERE LULLED INTO A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY
SOLUTION 1 - WHEN THOSE HARD WINDS START BLOWING, GET RID OF EXTRA BAGGAGE
SOLUTION 2 - TRUST IN GOD - NOT THE CIRCUMSTANCES
WHICH OF THESE AREAS IS THE BIGGEST STRUGGLE FOR YOU AND WHY?
I TALKED ABOUT GETTING RID OF EXTRA BAGGAGE THIS MORNING,
WHAT IS SOME BAGGAGE THAT WE NEED TO GET RID OF?
WHAT IS ONE THING THIS WEEK THAT WE COULD DO THAT MIGHT SHOW ONE OF THOSE 32,952 UNCHURCH PEOPLE THIS TYPE OF HOPE?
---
HERE IS ANOTHER PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE THAT DISCUSSES THIS TOPIC OF HOPE:
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 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.
ROMANS 5:1-
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 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.
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
5 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.
“REJOICE IN THE HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD.”
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
ROMANS
5 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.
The ESV Study Bible Chapter 5
5:3–4 The people of God rejoice not only in future glory but in present trials and sufferings, not because trials are pleasant but because they produce a step-by-step transformation that makes believers more like Christ.
--
ROMANS 12:9
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.