"Where There Is Love, There Is Hope!" (6)

Introduction:

About a month ago, The LORD gave me this topic, and Romans 5:8. I typed it in my notes, and began to meditate upon the possible message and meaning. Then later, I included verses 1-11 as context for our message this morning.

What I began to realize in our community, country and the world; that people have many different concerns, along with the global pandemic, economic stability and future employment.

It is still unknown completely, how life will change after this global crisis? Many, if not most wonder how will their lives be impacted by this season of trail? Often, when people do not have solutions, to their crisis, especially after a long period of time, panic begins to set in.

Like you, I have been observing how many of the institutions and industries have tried to normalize their operations, with limited success.

Even local churches that normally hold weekly services and activities in their sanctuaries, must rely more on virtual worship and bible studies, to reach disciples in there congregation.

For example, parents, teachers and administrators are ambivalent about the students, returning to school.

The Black Lives Matter Movement, has help raised awareness, towards how police are aggressively assaulting and murdering Black men more, than their White counterpart.

Weekly, we are informed how large corporations and small business, have had to permenantly shut down. Which means, more Americans are unemployed.

The combination of unemployment and no governmental assistance, usually can mean that families are at risk of losing homes, cars and finacial savings or investments.

Now, we are aware how, people who are at risk, cannot get the insurance for good healthcare coverage. Also, individuals who have certain preexisting health conditions, are more prone not to recover from the coronavirus.

Long story short, Too many people in America and around the World feel helpless and hopeless!

People feel isolated from family, friends and daily actives.

But I came by this morning, as one of many members, in the body of Christ, as a Preacher of The Gospel of Christ; to declare: “Where There Is Love, There Is Hope!”

We are going to understand, how can we have hope, in our present and future times with God, who has manifested Himself as The Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

Romans 5:1-2

Romans 5:1–2 NLT

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

We Have Hope In Our Right Standing with God!

Because we have been made right in God’s sight, by FAITH (v 1)

Because we have peace with God, because of what Jesus has done for us, on the CROSS. (v 1)

Because CHRIST has brought us into a PRIVILEGE PLACE, where we stand NOW (We don’t have to wait, until we die!) (v 2)

Because we confidently & joyfully look forward, in sharing God’s glory! (Brother Tom Burgess was ready to go!) (Home-going services of the SAINTS IN RIGHT STANDING should be a time of rejoicing among the other believers)

Romans 5:3-5

Romans 5:3–5 NLT

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

We Have Hope Because of Our Endurance through The Holy Spirit

Because all of our problems and trails helps us to develop our endurance (v 3)

The caterpillar, is the elongated wormlike lava of a butterfy or moth. If you were to prematurely open its cocoon, it will become deformed and died. There are 4 stages of metamorphosis. Depending on the species, it could take between 4 weeks to 5 years!

The struggle with our modern society, is most people are not willing to endure and PROBLEMS or TRAILS, so people quit jobs and relationships, when the going gets tough!

Because ENDURANCE develops strength of character (v 4)

Because CHARACTER strengthens our HOPE in our salvation (4)

Because THIS HOPE will not lead to disappointment (v 5)

Because GOD THE FATHER has given us THE HOLY SPIRIT (v 5)

Because HE loves us!

God’s HOLY SPIRIT fills our inner man with HIS love (v 5)

The only way that we can endure, is because of God

The only way we can Agape, is through the HOLY SPIRIT

WHERE THERE IS LOVE, THERE IS HOPE!

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING!

ILLUSTRATE THE NEED FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR ENDURANCE

Acts 19:1–7 NKJV

1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 Now the men were about twelve in all.

WHERE THERE IS LOVE, THERE IS HOPE!

Romans 5:6-11

Romans 5:6–11 NLT

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

WE HAVE HOPE, IN OUR RIGHT STANDING IN GOD

WE HAVE HOPE, BECAUSE OF OUR ENDURANCE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

And lastly,

We Have Hope Through Christ’s Atonement on the Cross

When we were helpless sinners (v 6)

When no one else would die for us (v 7)

Because we are saved from God’s Condemnation (v 9)

Because Christ’s life saved our life (v 10)

Because Jesus has made us friends with God (v 11)

WHERE THERE IS LOVE, THERE IS HOPE

My Hope Is Built

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness And I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly lean on Jesus' Name

On Christ the solid Rock I stand And all other ground is sinking sand And all other ground is sinking sand

The Invitation

Matthew 28:16–20 NLT

16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted! 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The Introspection

1 Corinthians 11:23–30 NLT

23 For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread 24 and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” 26 For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. 27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. 29 For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.

The Communion

The Benediction