When All Seems Hopeless 2

Welcome to the radio ministry of clear future and hinders our goal is to make Christ visible Clearview is a place of genuine worship with ministries for all age groups and all people. For more information, visit us at 3485 Oxford Rd. in Henderson for visit us online@clearviewbc.org now join us for this week's message by Pastor Otto this evening free to message up reached. It comes from one of my favorite passages in the Bible, which is Romans chapter 15 verse 30 to go to see the few moments why I love this passage why it is so dear to my heart good to hear that in just a few moments and the message is called when all seems hopeless. If you have a Bible story to Romans chapter 15 starting in verse 13 just a simple verse number the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit the passage were going to look at tonight comes from the book of Romans as you notice Romans chapter 15 about the book of Romans is a powerful book. It has been called the Constitution of Christianity. It has affected many lives.

It has transformed the lives of individuals like Augustine individuals like Luther and Wesley and not just men but also women like Elizabeth Elliott, Rachel St. these were women who were missionaries and their husbands were killed. If you remember some of those encounters that happen, but this one book. The book of Romans transformed their lives. But not this past is necessarily this one passage Romans 1513 is kind of tucked away towards the back of the book is like a treasure chest waiting to be uncovered, waiting to be discovered and if you notice this verse I put on the screen again.

Twice you come across that word hope.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit twice in that one verse is that word hope this one verse might surprise some of you has helped me more than any other verse I can personally tell you from the Bible when I have faced difficult situations when I have come across you know crisis in an and close doors. This one verse has helped me so much just to know that God is a God of hope that is not over. Don't give up, don't give. And don't lay down and say that's it I'm done. It's over is not to get any better this one verse has helped me so much and I'm hoping tonight that it will help you as well to some questions tonight before we look at this message and the first question is are you facing a hopeless situation in your life do these words sound familiar to you. Words like I've given up. I just don't think it's going to work. There's nothing else left is not just lost people say those words would even Christians sometimes say those words given up. I just don't know what else to do his hopelessness.

Do you know that the impact hopelessness has on your life, especially your personal help when you say those kind of things when you say I'm just done. I just don't know. According to a 1997 article which was published by the American Heart Association.

This is what they found is that those who have gone through extreme feelings of despair.

Despair is you know great hopelessness or utter hopelessness.

This said that those who have gone through extreme feelings of despair had a 20% greater increase of arteriosclerosis, which is the hardening of the arteries over a four-year period is people who repeatedly live in the hopelessness zone. I just don't think I just don't think is going to get any better for me. My life is not and get a better of this relationship is not a work of this business or this home discharges community. This nation is not going to get any better if you live in that hopelessness zone is not just you know all you need to be better. It it's going to affect your health is going to affect you physically and tonight if hopelessness is your daily un-welcomed guest. The need to listen to this message are you so I'm good I'm good positive here, you never know what's waiting for you around the corner. You need to hear this message when I was gonna happen in the next few months and my prayer is that the Holy Spirit will bring hope to your hearts so you can you can live live in that hopeful zone knowing hope by the way, hopefulness is not just. I hope it works out. That's not the hope were talking about were talking about a rocksolid assurance that what God has promised he will do in your life. That's the hope. Were talking about, but let me remind you, you cannot have hope.

Unless you have the Holy Spirit and you cannot have the Holy Spirit, unless you know Jesus Christ as your Savior. First things first, have you made Jesus, your Savior been in charge. I got baptized at member thing I've done that. Here's what I suggest to you as we walked to this message for any heart asked Jesus to save asking to be of Savior.

What a waste it would be that you you have the gift in front of you, but you don't know how to open it.

Only Jesus can help you there. So tonight, one simple verse taken apart, put it back together for things that stand out in this passage number one is God's nature of the nature of God now may the God of hope.

I'm sure you heard of the God of far of the heavens and the earth, the God of glory, the God of grace, the God of love, the God of our salvation, but here in this passage Paul talks about another attribute of God that we don't talk much about hope God is love. God's grace God's glory. But that is something else. God is also a God of hope and it is very central to his character. What is that mean it means that when we are in a hopeless situation. He is the one who reminds us, don't give up keep going, keep pressing on. He is the God of hope is any wonder that our nation today, even among Christians. There is absolutely no hope is what could it be that we don't believe that God is a God of hope, but I want you to misunderstand our God is not just the God who shows us the way or points us the light.

He is also the one who actually makes the way for us and turns on the light at the end of the tunnel. So when we say the God of hope is not just the goddesses. Hang in there, there's a good day coming and he's also the one who makes the good day happen. Think about in the Bible, Abraham and Sarah remember Abraham and Sarah, Abraham was hundred years old. Sarah was 90 years old and they could not have a child. But God had promised them that someday they will have a child and time kept on taking it seem like is not going to happen. What happened God in his in his sovereignty in his grace he made whole a reality to Abraham and Sarah good to have a child yesterday.

Yesterday another example that comes to my mind is Ruth in the in the Old Testament. Her husband died, she followed her mother-in-law back to the land of Judah. There was nothing left for her. She was a Moabite woman which means she belonged to people who were sworn enemies of God and the people of God, no hope.

Nothing, and she comes in she meets a man by the name of Boaz marries him and becomes the great grand mother of King David. But here's hope God and his divine grace grafted her into the family tree of Jesus Christ. There is hope.

But I want to not miss this because this is such a powerful statement when we say God is a God of hope is not just that God shows us hope or he brings hope to us, but he is the whole is not just a God says hang in there.

There is there is a door or walks ahead of you and makes the door he is the door God is not just telling you I know you going through a tunnel right now but there is light at the end wait, I'll turn the light on for you. God is the light. Jesus Christ is the door. Jesus Christ is the light is how you know that. Listen to what it says in John chapter 10 and verse nine, Jesus said I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. What this pastor means you will live is that sinking and when we say Jesus is the door were saying God is a God of hope who not only tells you don't give up, but he also changes the circumstances, but he is the change about light. Listen to what he says in John chapter 8 verse 12 Jesus says again, I am the light of the world.

He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. I thing is amazing. And Paul says in first Timothy chapter 1 verse one. He says Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our hope he calls Jesus our whole and in Titus chapter 2 verse 13 Jesus is our blessed hope really ask you again tonight. What difficult situation you're facing. Maybe it's a marital situation. Maybe it's relationship. Maybe it's your personal life maybe is held. Maybe his finances.

Maybe it's something else, maybe are concerned about our nation. Maybe a concern about our community. I don't know what that impossible situation is. Here's the question. Where do you need Jesus in your life. He is hope personify. I know sometimes when you're growing in your faith that seem so, like Jesus as a whole. What would try gear your life towards Jesus Christ. It would be amazing how things begin to work out.

I can tell you if you do five things.

Your life will be better if you do these three things you will get become a better person. Or I can just tell you run to Jesus and somehow he will take that list and say that list is good but at the one I work in your life out how that works folks. That's a secret. He is the door and he is a light so God's nature. He is a God of hope political step further, our need.

What is the need. What do you need when you are in the midst of a despairing situation. What do you need now may the God of hope fill you with all two things joy and peace what is joy Paul uses that were about 21 times it represents a sense of happiness.

That is not dependent on your circumstances. I must suggesting joy being like you laughing around in jumping up and down and so happy about.

Note joy is different. Joy is a sense of happiness.

You can just see in a person's eyes you can see in their demeanor that even though man, something really tough is happening in your life when you look at that person, you can say you have joy Bible repeatedly talks about this joy in James chapter 1 verse two. James says, my brethren counted all joy when you fall into various trials was as you going through trials. Just know that you have the joy discounted and then Jesus said it himself. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and see all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad means that this does joy is not contingent on your problems and it is external. People can see it a song freeze to sink joy joy joy deep in my heart really to see joy joy joy up here right, not just Steve down here was a what is deep down within. That's a second word which is peace. It is the calm assurance that everything will be fine in spite of your circumstances. Philippians chapter 4 talks about this.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. So here's what all this means neither joy nor peace, are contingent on your circumstances, the God of hope sends us both as were going through a difficult time and what's the difference between these two joy is active assurance and peace is passive assurance active assurance means. Yeah, something bad is going on is been a rough day, but you know you seen a person's tone.

Everything will be fine. God is in control when I get through this one piece is passive assurance. You don't have to say it, but is justice calmness inside of you. Joy is something others can see peace is something you can feel joy is when people come to you and see how you're doing this and how you make it seems like Danielle should be just down in the dumps, but it doesn't seem like it.

How are you making because others can see joy, peace is something you feel and you know it is like that are now making it, but it is the grace of God I guess some people are all bubbly on the outside but inside there torn to pieces other people are all torn outside, but inside there. Okay we need a balance only and that amazing the God of hope gives you that balance joy and peace. Spurgeon, Charles Spurgeon was is my one of my favorite preachers almost every week I read a sermon by him read so many of his books and biography and all that this is what he said.

He said he's is resting joy joy is dancing. Peace joy cries. Hosanna, before the well beloved, but peace leans her head on his bosom. What he's saying is you need both of those things in the midst of despair. Difficulties you need joy.

Hey, it's credibly good is going be okay peace. I am okay let me ask you tonight. How is your joy level can people see that joy in your face having you had a horrible time back here when you get out there is none fake folks.

God is the one who gives you the joy don't let people tell you all you such a hypocrite not start because of hypocrisy is the Holy Spirit who is helping half helping you have this joy, peace, all you you just like to stuff things now knows that about stuffing things down is the peace of God that's keeping you even keel. Two very different things.

How is your joy level. How is your peace level because is Jesus Christ who brings us both and by the way, just like the last point number. We talked about three things or get Jesus Jesus is the joy in Jesus is the peace.

Listen to what it says in John chapter 15 in verse 11. He said these things I have spoken to you.

Was he say that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full to get that. So the joy is not some some abstract quality that somehow is going to go. Oh yeah, and I'm joy full of joy here is Jesus. And how about please listen to what is says in John 1427 peace I leave with you.

This is Jesus, my peace I give to you not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Peace I leave with you, my peace. Jesus is the Prince of peace. What is our responsibility so tonight we looked at God's nature. He is a God of hope, he is the door and he is the light and Jesus is the door Jesus is alive. He is the whole and then we talked about our need. We need joy and peace in the midst of difficulties. Jesus is the joy Jesus is the peace and what is our responsibility.

This is what it says number the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing and believing in believing means this is not a passive setback.

I'm just gonna sit here and and let God give me hope. Bring me hope in Jesus name, bring me hope you got a believe you have to put your faith in the truth of God. You have to believe you have to trust. Listen to what it says in Hebrews chapter 11 verse six. Again, this is my favorite verses in the Bible without faith it is impossible to please him here if you want to please God. You have to believe God and if you are tell me he's a great guy. He's a wonderful pastor. He's a good friend.

We just can't trust her. I would like well it would take all that away, at least trust me.

So when you say God is wonderful God he's done so much for me. I just can't trust him. You think God would be pleased with you. Without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

Faith. Faith trusting God believing in God is indispensable in the Christian life you have to believe. I struggle with that I struggle with faith, but I know that there is no substitute to believing and if you and your life are hanging onto your wife's faith or your husband's fate or your pastor's fate folks that is not the way to make God happy. You have to believe you have to trust and sometimes I think people are willing to do everything but faith and believe that the young do it all, but believe how do you know that because there is comes out in the words. I know I'm trying but it's hard to have faith what they're saying is I know God is good that you can trust him right now. I just can I just can't do what is telling me to do.

Alexander McLaren again when my favorite preachers from the Victorian England.

He did this and listen to how he described the importance of faith, he said, you can take a porous pottery vessel, a porous pottery vessel wrap it up in wax cloth picture all over means covered in tar okay and then drop it into the Midatlantic and not a drop of water will find its way in. It is so airtight, and then he says, and that is what we can do with ourselves so that although in him we live and move and have our being and are like the earthen vessel in the ocean. No drop of the blessed moisture will ever find its way into the heart what he saying is you may live in charge go to church take people to church. Read the Bible, pray but if you don't open your heart in faith to God. None of that is going to get inside of you. You have to start believing is a man that's hard to do. I know it is there is one thing I struggle with the most is believe is God going to answer my prayers. Is this going to work out where is God in all of this we ask you tonight. How is your faith level. Here, there is a account in the Gospels when a father came to Jesus because his son was demon possessed, and he asked Jesus to heal him. He said would you do something. Listen to what Jesus said to the man. He said if you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes if you believe it will happen. This know what this father said. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief means I'm trying but can you meet me halfway. Can you help me folks tonight. I pray that somehow this truth will get into your hearts and the truth is this, I believe, but help my unbelief.

Can we do that, I'm trying God. But help me help you have faith in you, but the last point we look to the nature of God, we saw the need joy and peace. Our responsibility is what we gotta believe we have, to have faith now look at the full thing with his Holy Spirit's ability now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit that if I had ended that verse in believing you know I just gave you nothing because you walk out of this place, saying yes God is a God of hope. Yes, he can open the door and yes he can turn on the light and yes Jesus is the door and yes Jesus is the line what I need is joy and peace in Jesus is both in what I'm looking for that. And yes, I need to believe I'm trying to believe I'm trying I'm trying to believe you can't, it is humanly impossible to live the Christian life on your own. What helps that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit was amazing to me is God did not say night.

Now I told you how to work this out. I told you how hope works now go do it globally.

Even if you don't the things that happen know God says I'm going to give you the Holy Spirit and he is going to help you do all this. Your Jesus demonstrated this when he lived on the earth for 3 1/2 years after his baptism, the Holy Spirit came upon him, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. He was able to do so many things in the early church of the early church was about to say about them. Listen, Jesus told him, but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem today are Samaria and the end of the earth.

The point is this. These disciples were so full of fear. When the Holy Spirit came, they became fearless. They had hope. We ask you tonight. Are you trying to live the Christian life. All in your power. Are you trying to believe and saying man I need to believe I need to have faith I trying to look to Jesus where is Jesus I need to see him as he goes. He is the door he is alive. He is my joy. He's my pizza. Where is Jesus I need him that I can now have more Jesus people sometimes thing that come to church to get more Jesus.

The missing ingredient in your life is the Holy Spirit who from the inside makes all this real.

That's not the question is, is the Holy Spirit in control of your life is he helping you. Are you living obedient to him. Are you going to a difficult time you feel like giving up.

Do you feel like there's no way out. Ask the Holy Spirit to help JR I get it I get it.

God is a God of hope I get it that everything is in Jesus, I get it.

I need joy and peace. Also get it. I need to believe but I need help, Holy Spirit. Can you please help me is what is going to do is to make that entire verse become real in your life.

You don't have to do this alone. That's his job. Thank you so much for joining us for this message. Maybe you are in the situation where you need God's hope in your life. My prayer is that you will see the light of Jesus Christ in your life. For more information visit us online@clearviewb.org and for this sermon outline visit have been on show.com