that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope

that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope Words are powerful They are so powerful that the states of OH and KY and more than likely many more have designed laws that forbid the use of certain words in certain situations. In Ohio it is referred to as a law forbidding the inducing of panic in KY it is referred to as disturbing the peace. No matter the title, these laws state No person shall cause the evacuation of any public place, or otherwise cause serious public inconvenience or alarm, by doing any of the following: (1) Initiating or circulating a report or warning of an alleged or impending fire, explosion, crime, or other catastrophe, knowing that such report or warning is false; It is disturbing, that with the uttering of a few words, fear can be imparted into the lives of many creating panic and hysteria. Yelling fire, gun, bomb, disease in a crowded room can cause complete chaos. It is amazing how life has been altered by a few simple words. Corona virus Stores, schools, restaurants, work, worship, life has been thrown into a tail spin with a few words. Words can build you up or words can tear you down. Many of us have either had our day brightened or shattered by a few simple words. “You are beautiful or handsome.” “You look hideous.” That is why the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could use the same tool, words, to instead of instilling fear and dread, to produce faith and victory? Romans 15:1–7 (ESV) 15 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 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. 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. 1-2 Paul is addressing the obligation the church has for maintaining and establishing unity in the body. We are to follow the example of Christ in preferring others before ourselves. We who are secure, solid, and strong in our faith are to come along beside those who are struggling, insecure, and new build them up. Galatians 6:2 (ESV) Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. In verses 5-6 we see the desired results of applying these truths. “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.” I love that phrase in vs 6 “that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We will talk more about that later. What I would like to look at intently today is verse 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.” “whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction” All the that was recorded in the OT was written to inform and to instruct us of the mighty acts, the flawless qualities of our Father God, and the coming Messiah, the Savior of the world. As well as all that was written in the Gospels rehearsing the birth of the Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the OT prophecies in Him, His miraculous deeds, His death and resurrection, are for our understanding and insight. Exodus 14:21–22 (ESV) 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Joshua 4:21–24 (ESV) 21 And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 22 then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.’ 23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, 24 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” Daniel 3:26–28 (ESV) 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27 And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. 28 Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Daniel 6:19–22 (ESV) 19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Exodus 34:6–7 (ESV) 6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” Matthew 11:4–5 (ESV) 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. “that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures” Psalm 119:129–133 [129] Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. [130] The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. [131] I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. [132] Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. [133] Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. (ESV) These things were written to give endurance, perseverance, persistence and encouragement, the support of one coming along beside the church at Rome, that in the midst of the distractions and troubles they were experiencing that they may have: “we might have hope” ἐλπίς elpis expectation; trust, confidence; in security, with a guarantee, confident expectation; desire; hope;. It is the confident expectation one receives when they rehearse the words of the OT and are reminded of the awesomeness of our Great and Mighty God. It’s the encouragement and endurance one receives when they read the WORDS of the almighty God that shuts the mouths of lions, part the depths of the seas, stops the overflowing waters of the river and quenches the heat of the fiery furnace! That is what the world needs to hear today. That there is a God that can-do things that are exceedingly abundantly above and beyond our ability to comprehend. That there is a God that is not troubled or baffled by COVID-19 nor anything else that comes His way. The is a God that says, “Nothing is impossible, nothing is to big, or too complex.” And that God is the God of the Scriptures the God of the Word! The sound of “one voice” a unified and united sound that rings throughout the nation that Words that don’t instill fear and panic but WORDS that give strength and vitality. Words that give life and power. Words that uplift and inspire. 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we at FBC combined with all Christ centered churches throughout the land, proclaim the mighty works of our God. A God who sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty of our sins, by His death on the cross, that through our faith in Him we can have our sins forgiven and the promise of eternal life.