12/29/13  THIS BABY BROUGHT HOPE

The Future

    We have talked during the month of December about the hope that Jesus brought to the world.  This last Sunday of the year is a time to change focus from the past to the future.  Our world has focused on coming up to Christmas.  Now, the thinking moves to the new year.  What will the new year bring?
    It is common for people to look to a new year with the expectation of something better.  Things have to change.  Hence, the proliferation of new years’ resolutions.  But, we still ask, what does the future hold?  What will the next year be?  What is coming for us?  Will we see changes we desire?
    There are always people who say they know the future.  Sometimes they are really wrong.
Scientist Claimed the Internet Would Be a Fad
    In 1995, an American scientist named Clifford Stoll boldly predicted that the Internet would be just another passing fad. He wrote an article for Newsweek titled “The Internet? Bah!” Here’s what Stoll said in an interview with Minnesota Public Radio:
        I expect the value of the Internet for communications in general isn’t very high. I don’t think it will ever replace face to face meetings and real rallies—things that get commitment and involvement from people. Rather, it induces a very shallow … involvement and as such, I think it’s grossly over-promoted and there’s a great deal of hyperbole surrounding it.
        I think it’s grossly oversold and within two or three years people will shrug and say, “Uh yep, it was a fad of the early 90’s and now, oh yeah, it still exists but hey, I’ve got a life to lead and work to do. I don’t have time to waste online.” Or, “I’ll collect my email, I’ll read it, why should I bother prowling around the Worldwide Web …” simply because there’s so little of value there.
    Ten years later, in a 2006 TED talk, Stoll reflected on his failed predictions and said, “If you really want to know about the future, don’t ask a technologist, a scientist, a physicist. No! Don’t ask somebody who’s writing code. No, if you want to know what society’s going to be like in 20 years, ask a kindergarten teacher.”
Molly Bloom, “The Internet will be a fad, claimed scientist in ‘95,” MPR News (2-16-12)
    What about the future?  What IS going to happen?  What about the new year around the corner?  What will we rely on?
    I can’t tell you the exact things that we will face in 2014.  Things are changing so fast.  I am constantly shocked at the things we are seeing happening.
    A key question:  What is the hope we have because Jesus came to the world?  What is coming up?
    We have Christ’s promise of an eternal home in heaven.
Whatever the problems we face, whatever the frustrations that just drive us crazy, we know that some day we will be in a place where we will be with out Lord.
II Corinthians 5:1 NKJV
1 For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
    The longer we live the more we realize that our human bodies are temporary and fallible residences.  In our youth we felt we could handle anything.  No matter what we did we would recover and go on with life.  Then the weakness of age creeps in.  We realize that we have a temporary dwelling.
    Jesus gave us a strong assurance.
John 14:1-3 NKJV
1 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
    Hebrews 11 tells us of a city whose builder and maker is God.  We have a promise of a new dwelling that will outshine anything we have ever seen.
    Because believers have this awesome promise of a home with Jesus, we also look to what the Bible calls the blessed hope.  Titus 2:11-14 NKJV
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
    Jesus will return and his faithful followers will be caught up from the earth to meet him in the air.  This is a promise believers have looked for since Jesus left this earth.  Skeptics have laughed at this, but that’s OK.  The angel said this same Jesus will come in a like manner as you have seen Him go.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NKJV
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
    When that time comes, Jesus’ followers will see Him as he is and live with Him for eternity.
Philippians 3:20-21 NKJV
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
1 John 3:2-3 NKJV
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
    We have the hope of receiving a reward for our faithful service to Jesus as we lived our lives on this earth.
II Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
    Because Jesus came the first time, we have His promise of coming the second time to take us to be with Him.  This world is getting worse.  The mess is unbelievable.  But, we still have hope.  We are not home yet.
    KEY POINT:  God wants us to have a heavenly perspective.  How do our loved ones who are already there look at things?  They see the whole story.  They see how everything turns out. It’s going to be a good story.
    This world includes suffering because of sin all around.  How do we handle that?  The Christian answer to suffering looks to Christ’s suffering and His resurrection.  He understands pain.  He understands joy.  He knows the whole story, including how it will turn out.  The end is amazing.
    Life is a journey.  Generally, we look forward to the journey and the things we will accomplish and experience.  We want this journey to take us to new and exciting places.  But, even as we long for this journey to be a good one, we face curves in the road and sometimes wonder where it will take us.
    I’m reminded of a trip I took.  I looked forward to it.  I made many plans.  It was a trip that had many ups and downs.
Minneapolis to West Africa, via Paris.
Back through Paris to Amsterdam.
Back home, again through Paris.
Flight delays.  Detours.  Lost luggage.
Frustrations.  Great results in teaching times.
    Looking back, it was a great trip.  In heaven, we will see the awesome things God did for us on our journey.  Whatever we experience to get there will be worth it.
    With the great promises ahead for believers whose hope is in Jesus, we must have an ever increasing longing to share our hope with others.
1 Peter 3:15 NKJV
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
    Always be ready to share what you have.  What you have is the greatest hope the world has ever known.
TAKE HOME WITH YOU
Are you certain of your eternal home?
If God were to ask you why He should let you in to heaven, what would you say?
What should we do with the “bumps in the road”?
How should the promise of heaven impact your daily behavior in this new year?
Ask God for direction about this new year.  What should you do that is the same?  Different?  What should you strive to accomplish?
Prayer

12/22/13 THIS BABY BROUGHT HOPE

Hope Over The Evil One

    While we are talking about the hope we have in Jesus, I am going to start today talking about the opposite.  I want to talk about evil for a few minutes.  Jesus is our hope over the evil one.  So, let’s look at evil for a bit.
    There is evil in the world.
Evil:  deeply immoral, malevolent, malicious
extreme wickedness and depravity
    The reason why so many horrible things happen is because of evil.  When unspeakable things happen people are always asking why these things are.  How can anyone do them?
    There are evil people who work hard against God.  One was the famous twentieth-century English novelist Sir Kingsley Amis. Sir Kingsley’s son, the novelist Martin Amis, told of a conversation his father had with the Russian poet and novelist Yevgeni Yevtushenko. He asked Amis if it was true that he was an atheist. “Well, yes,” said Sir Kingsley, and then added, “But it’s more than that. I hate him.”
    Can you imagine hating God?  Can you imagine hating someone you don’t even believe exists?
    One of the horrible events of our modern world was the shooting at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999.  Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris killed 12 students and 1 teacher and injured 24 others before taking their own lives.
    Dylan’s mother, Susan Klebold, in O Magazine.
    “Dylan was a product of my life’s work,” Susan writes, “but his final actions implied that he had never been taught the fundamentals of right and wrong. There was no way to atone for my son’s behavior.” She goes on to write:
    In raising Dylan, I taught him how to protect himself from a host of dangers: lightning, snake bites, head injuries, skin cancer, smoking, drinking, sexually transmitted diseases, drug addiction, reckless driving, even carbon monoxide poisoning. It never occurred to me that the gravest danger—to him, and as it turned out, to many others—might come from within.
Jerry De Luca, Montreal West, Quebec, Canada; source: Susan Klebold, “I Will Never Know Why”, O magazine (November 2009)
    When the heart is controlled by evil, all of the other knowledge that is probably important is not enough to overcome the destruction that resides within.
    Evil is deceptive.  It doesn’t say to a person “I will destroy you and send you to hell to suffer in torment forever”.  It makes itself look desirable, then it destroys.
    But, we have hope over the evil one because of Jesus.  After Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph followed the Law given by Moses and went to the Temple.
Luke 2: NKJV
22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”
33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.
40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.
    Simeon was righteous and devout.  He lived an upright life.  This means more than simply conforming to the commandments. The righteous one lives in a right relationship with God.
    The righteousness that God desires in His people is a heart founded faith, love and reverence for God.  It is not that a righteous person is morally perfect and faultless.  They follow God sincerely and rely on him completely.
    Luke wrote that Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel.  He was living in a time of awful spiritual conditions.  He was devoted to God and lived by Holy Spirit guidance.  He was looking for the promised Messiah.  When he saw Jesus he rejoiced, for he knew God had kept His word and provided the Savior.
    Jesus came to the world and perfectly fulfilled the plan of the Father to provide for us life and eternity.  It is up to us to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
    As we live today, we still face the battle against evil.  God’s power to overcome evil is just as strong as ever. Through the power of God, we can destroy the work of the devil.
    Jesus came to set us free by destroying the devil’s work.  Look at these passages. I John 3:8 NKJV
8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
II Corinthians 4:3-5 NKJV
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.
Galatians 1:3-4 NKJV
3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
I John 5:19 NKJV
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
I Peter 1:3-5 NKJV
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
    Because we are free, we have the hope that Jesus brought to the world.  We have the hope of overcoming the evil forces that live to bring fear and destruction.  Jesus said Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy.  We have Christ’s abundant life.  We can, through Jesus, break the bondage holding people, holding this area hostage.
    Evil is real.  The enemy is still out to steal, kill and destroy.  One of evil’s favorite targets is children.
    In May of 2006, John Allen Muhammad was convicted in Maryland for the murder of six people as part of his “Beltway Sniper” reign of terror in October of 2002. Muhammad had already been sentenced to death in Virginia for murders there. However, during the trial, some frightening information was revealed about what Muhammad would have done if he had evaded capture.
    According to Lee Boyd Malvo, Muhammad’s accomplice in the sniper attacks, Muhammad planned to bomb schools and children’s hospitals after the sniper phase of his plan was completed. When Malvo asked why, Muhammad said: “For the sheer terror of it, the worst thing you can do to people is aim at their children.”
“Quotables & ‘Toons,” World (6-10-06)
    This is evil personified.  How can the be overcome?  Through God’s power.
THINKING AND DISCUSSION
Do I really believe that evil is alive and well in this area where we live?
What can be done about evil to overcome it?
Can we make a difference in destroying evil?
What does this have to do with Christmas?

    We have the victory in Jesus.
Romans 8 NKJV
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

12/15/13 THIS BABY BROUGHT HOPE

God’s Word Brings Hope

    A modern technological reality: the urban legend.  Through e mail and internet postings, a lie can quickly spread.  “Did you hear. . . ?”  People get a story sent to them, they get outraged at the injustice or plain stupidity of what went on and send it on to all the people on their e mail list.  People get upset and try to change something that doesn’t exist. Lies are quickly perpetuated.
    Let me share a few of them.
    According to legend, Mr. Rogers, the popular children’s show host, was once a Navy SEAL sniper in Vietnam responsible for numerous deaths. It goes on to say that the only reason he always wears a sweater is to cover up all of his tattoos. As you may have guessed, Mr. Rogers was never a Navy SEAL and he had no tattoos, in fact he was never even in the military.
    Circulating for years is a legend that tells the story of a motorist who stops on the side of the road to help someone fix their flat tire. The person being helped then asks the motorist for his address to send a reward. Several weeks later the motorist receives $10,000 in the mail. Over the years this story has been attributed to several celebrities, most recently Donald Trump.
    Shortly after 9/11 a photo began to circulate showing a tourist standing atop one of the World Trade Centers with one of the airplanes in the background of the shot about to strike the tower. The accompanying story explained how the camera was found in the wreckage but the tourist remained missing. Aside from all of the very inconsistent details in the picture the story already seemed completely improbable and several people came forward claiming to be the prankster responsible. It wasn’t until recently, however, that the real culprit was discovered in Hungary. He has since apologized to the families for making light of their situation.
    Lies, half-truths and distortions are easily spread, especially with the internet.  When they are believed they bring frustration, anger and confusion to life.  It is powerful that Jesus claimed to be TRUTH.  What He taught is true.  The Bible, inspired by God, is TRUE.  We need truth in life.
    As we continue to follow the theme that Jesus brought hope to the world, let’s look at the Bible, God’s true Word, as a basis for the hope we have.
    God inspired holy men to give us His revealed Word.  Many prophets and apostles were inspired by God to write the message God wants us to know.  The Holy Spirit inspired holy messengers to write, without error, what he wanted to make known to his people.  This is how we know what is right and wrong.  This is how we can emphatically state what we believe.
II Timothy 3:14-17 NIV
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
II Peter 1:19-21 NIV
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
    The Bible has been scrutinized, examined and tested.  The detractors who hate God have done all they can to put the Bible out of existence.  It is mocked and ridiculed.  Now, aggressive atheists are using the Bible to create doubt in the minds of believers.  They take portions out of context and say, “See, this is what the Bible says”.
    The awesome fact is that the Bible has withstood every test and proven to be true.  The promises and prophecies continue to come true.  In my study Bible there is a chart with 115 prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus.  Some scoffers say Jesus went around planning to fulfill the prophecies.  How could He accomplish that, 115 prophecies?
    If that was true that Jesus manipulated the prophecies, one of the biggest tricks was to get his mother to travel to Bethlehem so he could be born there.  Nazareth to Bethlehem, the walk was about 70-80 miles, climbing an elevation up of about 1,400 feet.  Probably took them 3-4 days.
Micah 5:2 NIV
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
Matthew 2:3-6 NIV
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”
Jesus said:
Luke 21:33 NIV
33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
    We are privileged to put our complete hope in God’s Word.  His eternal Word stands firm.  We put our hope in what it says.
Psalm 119 NIV
49 Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.
74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.
81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.
114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
    Everything we know about God comes from His revealed and inspired Word.
Deuteronomy 31:6-8 NIV
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Hebrews 13:5 NIV
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
    Here’s one of those stories that I can’t prove whether it is true or not, but it challenges our thinking.
What could the King do?
    In the second century a Christian was brought before a king, who wanted him to recant and give up Christ and Christianity; but the man spurned the proposition. The king said—“If you don’t do it, I will banish you.”
    The man smiled and answered, “You can’t banish me from Christ; for He says He will never leave me nor forsake me.”
    The king got angry, and said, “Well, I will confiscate your property, and take it all from you.”
    And the man replied, “My treasures are laid up on high; you cannot get them.”
    The king became still more angry, and said, “I will kill you.”
    “Why,” the man answered, “I have been dead forty years; I have been dead with Christ, dead to the world, and my life is hid with Christ in God, and you cannot touch it.”
    Finally, the king said, “What are you going to do with such a fanatic?”.
    I don’t know, what do you do with a person completely sold out to Jesus?  Hopefully they can ask that question about us.
APPLICATION
Since our hope is founded on the truths, the message of the Bible, what does that say about the role of the Bible in our daily lives?
If people are offended by the Bible, should you still quote it?
Does the Bible apply only to those who believe it?
Ask yourself:
What am I doing that is making the Bible the foundation for my hope for today and forever?
Do I need to make any changes to make the Bible more influential and impacting in my life?
PRAYER

12/8/13  THIS BABY BROUGHT HOPE

Christmas In Real Life     Believing Brings Hope

    During a trip to Portland, Oregon, noted atheist Christopher Hitchens laid down some seriously good theology.  Hitchens is the author of God Is Not Great: Why Religion Poisons Everything. Since the book’s publication in 2007, Hitchens has toured the country debating religious leaders, including some well-known evangelical thinkers. In Portland he was interviewed by Unitarian minister Marilyn Sewell.  The following exchange took place near the start:
    Sewell: The religion you cite in your book is generally the fundamentalist faith of various kinds. I’m a liberal Christian, and I don’t take the stories from the Scripture literally. I don’t believe in the doctrine of atonement (that Jesus died for our sins, for example). Do you make any distinction between fundamentalist faith and liberal religion?
    Hitchens: I would say that if you don’t believe that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you’re really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.
    Sewell wanted no part of that discussion so her next words are, “Let me go someplace else.”
    This little snippet demonstrates an important point about religious “God-talk”.  You can call yourself anything you like, but if you don’t believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and then rose from the dead, you are not “in any meaningful sense” a Christian.
    Talk about nailing it.
    In one of the delicious ironies of our time, an outspoken atheist grasps the central tenet of Christianity better than many Christians do. What you believe about Jesus Christ really does make a difference.
Dr. Ray Pritchard, “Christopher Hitchens Gets it Exactly Right,” KeepBelieving.com (2-1-10)
    Jesus, the Son of God who came to this world and lived in the flesh, teaching us eternal truths and dying on the cross, gives us meaning for life and eternal hope.  Many today are trying to redefine Christianity.  But, that is as impossible as saying you want to change the laws of gravity.  You might not like gravity, but you can’t do anything about it.  Saying your are a Christ-follower while rejecting the things Christ said is impossible.
    The baby Jesus brought hope to the world.  Let’s keep looking at the hope He brought and continues to provide.  There are some amazing benefits.
Romans 5:1-5 NIV
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
    Wow, that’s a lot to receive from Jesus.
    A few thoughts in the middle of a paragraph in another passage.
Hope is like an anchor that can keep us steady through all the circumstances of life.
Hebrews 6:18-19 NIV
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. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
    Hold on to the hope. I read a story once about a man who started to fall out of a small plane.  He was able to grab hold of the plane as he dangled in the air.  They landed the plane and on the ground they literally had to pry his hands open to release him from the plane.  He knew his one and only hope was to hold on.  Hold on to Jesus, our one and only hope.
    The basis of the believer’s hope -- The foundation of our solid hope is founded on the nature and character of Jesus Christ and his Word, the Bible.
    We have hope because we have confidence in the Lord our Helper.  We can live with confidence in God.
Confidence:  full trust; belief in the power, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person.
    God is totally trustworthy.  But, there is an important key for us to live with confidence with God.  Those who do not have a personal relationship with God have no reason or firm basis for hope.  Let’s look at these passages and think about them.
Ephesians 2:12-13 NIV
12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:13, 17 NIV
13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.
17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
    The Bible reveals the promise of God’s covenant, the hope of Jesus that gives us salvation.  We can restore the relationship with God that was planned at the time of creation.  We have been set free from the destructive work of the devil, we don’t have to live in the bondage of sin any more.
1 John 3:8 NIV
8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
    Pray for spiritual eyes to be opened to see the destruction of sin and the freedom and life Jesus gives.
II Corinthians 4:3-5 NIV
3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
1 John 5:19 NIV
19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
THIS BABY BROUGHT HOPE
Believing in Jesus brings hope.
    Let’s review the verses from Romans we looked at in the beginning.  Let’s talk about how they can be applied and make a difference.
Romans 5:1-5 NIV
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
What can we do to help people grasp the hope Christmas should give to them?  Try to be specific.
How should we specifically pray for people during the Christmas season?

12/1/13  THIS BABY BROUGHT HOPE

Christmas In Real Life

    Can you believe it?  This is December already.  Now we are in the “Christmas shopping season”.
    For this month of December, I want to talk about Jesus, THIS BABY BROUGHT HOPE.  I want to talk about Christmas In Real Life.  Do we have any hope?  Is there any hope is this messed up world?
    There is a well known picture that many have copied and sent to friends.  It is one of those creations that brings both laughter and speaks a powerful truth.  It goes along with a speech credited to Winston Churchill.  The whole speech is said to be:  “Never give up!!  Never give up!!  Never, never, never give up.”
    Is there hope when it seems like the end is near?  Do we just give up and let despair take over?
The Psalmist, David wrote about hope, turning to God.
Psalm 62:1-12 NIV
1 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down-- this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Selah
5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah
9 Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.
11 One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong,
12 and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.
    Sadly, we live in an age when hope is an elusive dream.  It is grasped at and longed for, but is missing.  When hope is gone and despair takes over, the lie deceives people and they quit.  They quit, not only on trying but on life. They throw away the most precious gift God has given.  They enemy who loves death deceives.
    A May 2013 article in The New York Times notes that “suicide rates among middle-aged Americans have risen sharply in the past decade.” Here are the stats behind this trend:
    From 1999 to 2010, the suicide rate among Americans ages 35 to 64 rose by nearly 30 percent.
    More Americans now die of suicide (38,364) than car accidents (33,687). That's 3,026 more people who die from suicide each year than in car crashes.
    The most pronounced increases were seen among men in their 50s, a group in which suicides jumped by nearly 50 percent.
    The suicide rate for middle-aged men was three times higher than for middle-aged women.
    Researchers claim that the reasons for suicide are often complex, but this article focused on two factors—the stress of the economic downturn and the widespread availability of prescription painkillers. But it also hinted that deeper issues like failed expectations and a loss of hope might be a root cause for the increase in suicides. Dr. Julie Phillips, a researcher from Rutgers University, says, “The boomers had great expectations for what their life would look like, but … it hasn’t turned out that way.” Dr. Phillips warns that future generations will be facing the same conditions that lead to this sense of despair.
Tara Parker-Pope, "Suicide Rates Rise Sharply in U.S.," The New York Times (5-2-13)
    Hope.  We absolutely need it.  We have it in Jesus, our risen and victorious Savior.  We don’t always see it.  We can easily focus on the doubts, struggles and problems that shout at us to quit.  But, there is solid hope in the promises of Jesus.
    King David said that he found rest in God, for his salvation came from HIM.
    This is a basic truth by which we all must live. We will face times of affliction, suffering and opposition.  Our solid hope is to depend on God as our refuge and deliverer.  When we trust in God we must say:
✓    I refuse to allow this crisis or suffering to shake my confidence in God.  God is our rock and fortress.  We do not need to be shaken to the point of despair.  Jesus is my source of stability, my protection from life’s storms.
✓    I commit myself fully and completely to HIM. I know He sees my heart and knows what I need.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
NLT  6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
    Take the focus off the problem and trust in God’s power.  Give Him all your anxieties and let Him carry the problems.  Let’s God’s peace live in your life.  This allows God’s help to fill you in your time of need.
✓    I will wait patiently for the Lord to move and respond in His perfect timing.  I know His response will be loving and reveal His strength.  He knows my situation.
Gloria Gaither wrote a powerful song.  Larnell Harris and Sandi Patty have recorded it.  I wish I could sing like they do.
    We knew he was dead It is finished, he said
We had watched as His life ebbed away
Then we all stood around Till the guards took Him down
Joseph begged for His body that day
    It was late afternoon When we got to the tomb
Wrapped His body and sealed up the grave
So I know how you feel His death was so real
But please listen and hear what I say
    I’ve just seen Jesus I tell you He’s alive
I’ve just seen Jesus Our precious Lord alive
And I knew, He really saw me too As if till now, I’d never lived
All that I’d done before Won’t matter anymore
I’ve just seen Jesus And I’ll never be the same again
    It was His voice she first heard Those kind gentle words
Asking what was her reason for tears And I sobbed in despair
My Lord is not there He said, child! it is I, I am here!
    I’ve just seen Jesus I tell you He’s alive
I’ve just seen Jesus Our precious Lord alive
And I knew, He really saw me too As if till now, I’d never lived
All that I’d done before Won’t matter anymore
I’ve just seen Jesus I’ve just seen Jesus
I’ve just seen Jesus All that I’d done before Won’t matter anymore
I’ve just seen Jesus And I’ll never be the same again I’ve just seen Jesus!
Words by Gloria Gaither
    Seeing and experiencing Jesus changes everything.  Living in His power and presence is what people look for.
    The Bible gives us hope.  Jesus promised us a future. 
Biblical hope. The concept or idea of hope points to the future.  God gives us a solid assurance and confidence about future things.  The ultimate hope we have as believers in Jesus is the redemption that gives us eternity.
Romans 8:24-25 NIV
24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
    We have not received all of God’s promises yet.  That is why we have hope, hope in HIM.  The future will come and we will receive the rewards God has promised.
Romans 8:36-37 NIV
36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
    We have a choice.  We can be victims of this fallen world or we can be victors, we can be more than victors, through Jesus.  Because of the victory of the cross, we can be more than conquerors through Jesus.
    Biblical hope is more than wanting something in the future.  It is founded on the deep assurance and firm confidence Jesus gives us about life and the issues we will face.  The Bible reveals some amazing promises.
    We have hope because we have faith.  We have hope because we trust God.  God does not disappoint.  God is our anchor for the storms of life.
    A few more passages of Scripture, let’s look at them and see what they say.  What do they say about hope?
Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Romans 15:13 NIV
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.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
    Isaiah 49:23 tells us “. . . Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”
Questions for discussion.
What is the difference between wishing and a solid hope?
How can biblical hope make a difference at this Christmas season, which many people dread?  They say it only emphasizes their despair or loneliness.
Prayer response.  Pray for those who dread this season.  Pray for those who need a fresh dose of biblical hope.