These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. God doesnt ignore our plights. Some have even lost their jobs. Rather than shine light into the darkness, God brought light out of darkness, hope out of despair for Israel and will do so for us. The words and imagination of poets and writers fail to describe that superior majesty which far exceeds the beauty of a starlit sky or the blinding awe of a gorgeous sunset. We are co-heirs with Christ. Sinful men do not glorify God, and consequently they prove themselves to be guilty sinners, rightly under divine condemnation. Before we examine the main points as they relate to hope, allow me to point out some essential things to notice about the passage. A faith that is tested and proven is one that is strong in hope. We do not have to face problems, pain, or pressure alone! Occasionally the pressure gets to them and they crack, crumble, and crash. We conclude that chaplains may become witnesses of hope in times of despair, which includes the (ideological) critical function of spiritual care. Trusting God when were scared and desperate can be one of the hardest things to do. The Hyssop of Gods Love! The thoughts and feelings that consumed me were paralyzing. I believe in God, even when he is silent (Matthew Day, et al., Survivors Remember Auschwitz, January 27, 2015. , )). Ive wigged out, then I will trust God. The loss of a job? He will not leave us alone; He will not forget we need Him. Do we give voice to this in our time together? He would look out over that little town and ponder. This unwanted distress brings forth problems reserved for Christ's intervention. We are expressing a desire and wishing it would come true, but we have no guarantee that what we want is what we will get. But when it opened, and a great crowd of people came there, some of them noticed there were no lamps. We do not hope in the glory of human life on planet earth; we hope in the glory of God. He imagined that it was Jesus prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. His family and friends showed up at the hospital and they looked at him and said, "You are so unlucky.". And using physical force for victims of injustice frightens others causing an atmosphere of despair. matters in our home." During a period of 150 years, both the northern and southern kingdoms were threatened by their enemies. Today, many people are protesting for several reasons. Salvation Army. And we havent even gotten to the societal upheaval that were facing as a country. A. Hope that is centered in a fallen world is destined to fail. Tamar (1 of 3) Scott Maze. His family immigrated to the U.S. in 1908, when he was only five. She said that at their mission station, there were men who served as night sentries. He imagined that it was Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. We crave perspective for our minds and relief for our hearts. For many, hopelessness has become their existence. Powerful enemies had been trying to destroy them for centuries, and they were on the verge of destruction. Not only do we have the hope of forever, but we have hope right now. . The One who created us, and loves us, will be with us through every situation. Your message doesnt have to be perfect. During these times of uncertainty, we. In the midst of disaster, there is hope, and it comes in the form of servants who care and put their own concerns aside in order to carry others to safety. John 21:1-19: You are valuable to God. Their whole society and way of life was being completely destroyed. His hope was that one day he would be able to play in front of the king himself. The nation Israel had already been taken into captivity. 1. I refocus my attitudes when life is tough when I recognize that the Father is molding me into something more than I already am during the tough times. We read about it in Exodus 33:17-19and Exodus 34:5-7. Then, he gave each family a lamp and said, Each time you are here, the place where you sit will be lighted. It was up to them to bring the light and share it. our blessed hope, Sermon series on our blessed hope, Sermon series about our blessed hope. Order Curriculum, Literature, and Church Supplies, by Jeff Dixon on Wednesday, January 01, 2014 at 7:00 AM. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. Although the man knew nothing about music, he would raise the flute, pucker his lips, and move his fingers, but he never made a sound. Put yourself in a place where you can see the real light of hope, and it will shine on you. Sermons on Christmas / AdventSermons on Hope. What can mere mortals do to me? Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. Beyond that, we might just see that pressure can motivate us to hold on to hope in ways we've never considered. Jeremiahs suffering had caused him to lose hope. Remember God's Love. They were all good things, helpful things. There was a brief respite during college and graduate school. (Romans 8:3839). That hope restores meaning and purpose from the rubble of our shattered lives. Some knew of this deception, but in the large sound of the entire orchestra the plan seemed to work. But the promise of God is that in that moment, He does what needs to be done. My hairline is in recession; my waistline is in inflation; and altogether I am in depression!" When you are struggling with an addiction or struggling with a habit you cannot break, when you dont expect anything good is going to come your way; you feel hopeless. In fact, thats the first thing I want us to consider this morning: The light of hope shines brightest in despair. Hope in times of despair sounds impossible. In our worship together? Sin has a terrible way of making us all dirty and giving us feelings of despair! "For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not forsake the fear of the Almighty. Guaranteed Hope in Despair When suffering leaves you battling despair and hopeless, convinced that you will never know anything but the pain that aches within you, fix your eyes on the truth that Christ is worthy to be trusted because he has shown his love for you on the cross. read more, Scripture: Heres something we both can agree on is Christs hope isnt from this world but of heaven. The loss of a loved one? Let God know you are thirsty, panting, etc We need to remind ourselves that God is faithful and that our feelings arent the basis for the truth. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, [NEW YEAR] 4-Week Series to kick off 2023, [PRODUCTIVITY] Fulfill your full potential, [FOUNDATIONS] Getting back to what matters most. The man was given a flute to play. Hope Lutheran Church Isaiah 61:3 Verse Concepts There was a time when things were so bad, that he lost all hope, and despaired of life itself. One church analyst observed that if churches will minister faithfully to people in todays world they must offer four things: a sense of identity you, as an individual, are of great value; a sense of community we accept you and invite you into our fellowship; a sense of meaning the Bible does offer a credible explanation for life; and a sense of hope Jesus is alive and He will be with you in your suffering and will one day remove all suffering. Notice that David said, when Im afraid not after Ive wigged out, then I will trust God. Love, Resurrection, Hope, Despair, Easter Resurrection, God Brings Hope (view more) (view less) Denomination: Charismatic. This morning we are looking at the hope that Jesus has given us. As children grow up and mature, they learn the difference between "no" and "not yet.". In fact, the best witnesses are often regular everyday people. Keep those things in mind and let's move into the passage and make some discoveries about hope in the midst of pressure. Yet he wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:8, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in . When asked about these tragedies, Turner responded, I couldnt understand how someone so innocent should be allowed to suffer so much. (Associated Press, 4/16/01) Ted Turner was suffering for reasons that could not be explained. "Don't be deceived, my beloved brothers" (v. 16). The adversary uses despair to bind hearts and minds in suffocating darkness. Jesus was very clear when speaking of heaven, and He was just as clear when He spoke about hell. Jesus took on all our sin, shame, and sorrow at the cross. By the way, his name was Isaiah. But in the darkness of despair, words of hope came to them. As you continue to look to Christ in suffering honoring him and not denying him, you persevere. Hermon. Isaiah 61:1-3, Denomination: Whatever the situation, desperate times will reveal just how deep our faith and trust is in God. . His musical ability was non-existent. read more, Scripture: Hope lives when we begin to understand that. Often remembered as the prototypical "fire and brimstone" sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" reflects the complicated religious background of eighteenth-century America, influenced not just by Calvinism, but by Newtonian physics. The second thought I want us to consider this morning is this: This light of hope will shine on the road you travel. He will not leave us unchanged. If you have not come to God through Jesus Christ, then you are without hope and without God in this world.. Other circumstances leading to discouragement are death of a loved one, financial hardship, unemployment, homelessness, and chronic illness. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; What has happened in your life that has caused you to feel hopeless? A driver crosses the middle line and smashes head-on into another car. Sometimes we find that the worst of our situation boils to the surface during Advent and Christmas. Outreach 100. We suffer because of circumstance. Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. 1908, when Im afraid not after ive wigged out, then I will trust God that little and... The pressure gets to them and they were on the road you travel human life on planet earth we., Turner responded, I couldnt understand how someone so innocent should be allowed to suffer so much promise! Inc., all rights reserved: this light of hope came to.. World is destined to fail sin, shame, and consequently they prove themselves to done! There, some of them noticed there were no lamps, 4/16/01 ) Ted Turner was suffering for reasons could... Way of making us all dirty and giving us feelings of despair, words of hope and... 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