October 15-16,2005, Selected

Fantastic Four

HOPE

Romans 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (NIV)

I. Seeking Hope in All the Wrong Places
A. In Other People
***Heb. 6:18 “God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (NIV)

B. In money or material things
It is when having more and more things or making money becomes our sole focus, is when we lose our soul focus.
***1 Tim. 6:17 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (NIV)

C. In drugs, alcohol, sex and other destructive means
We can never fill it with chemicals or acting out with others. Such behavior will only worsen the problem and delay the solution.
***Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners…” (NIV)

II. Seeking Hope in the Right Places
A. Hope in the written word, the scriptures, the Bible
***Rom. 15:4 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (NIV)

B. Hope in the Living Word, Jesus
***John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (NIV)

III. Three Things About God Concerning Hope
A. God is never unaware of our circumstances
***Psalm 10:14 But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. (NIV)

B. God is sovereign
***Mk 14:36 “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (NIV)

C. God may answer our call for help in miraculous ways.

IV. What is Your Story?
A. Serious Health Issues
***Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." (NIV)

B. Marriage of Family Issues
***Eph. 3:20 “God can do anything, you know--far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.” (MSG)

C. Financial or Job Decisions
***James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (NIV)

The greatest need we have is not to do things, but to believe things. Believe Him.

He is truly our only hope.