The loss of a loved one? March 27, 2019 - Good Friday Service Hope Lutheran Church Pastor Mary Erickson John 18:1-19:42 Hope in Despair Brother Charles de Foucauld wrote what he entitled The Prayer of Abandonment. During these times of uncertainty, we. Gospel: See Jesus praying this prayer in Garden and Cross, and the Hope of Resurrection. The private audition was set. One of the men built a stable. His family and friends showed up at the hospital and they looked at him and said, "You are so unlucky.". December 28, 2022. Ministers frequently call at a home when the man alone is there, and he will respond in some such A faith that is tested and proven is one that is strong in hope. We went on to talk about what it means that Jesus lived a perfect life for me, died for me, and rose from the grave for me. A little light goes a long way. NIV I am still confident of The silence and isolation is deafening. Trusting God when were scared and desperate can be one of the hardest things to do, and whatever the situation, desperate times will reveal just how deep our faith and trust is in God. . The other children started calling him, Hopeless. He didnt like that, because he was not hopeless. Our hope is in an immutable sovereign God who love is everlasting and his mercy endures forever. We are not on our own in this, he promises to be our strength in weakness and will give us everything we need to live for him. He was running as fast as he could. His hope was that one day he would be able to play in front of the king himself. But today Isaiah has a message for all of us and especially for everybody thats sensing the darkness of despair of 2020. Be Honest with God - Keep the lines of communication going - Theme for this series. Gods attributes are the manifestation of the glory of God., A similar linking of Gods attributes and Gods glory is found in the first chapter of Pauls epistle to the Romans 1:18-23. The good news is that because Jesus is risen, there is hope. Moses requested of God that He show him His glory (Exodus 33:18). Though we may desire this, life reminds us that this world doesnt exist on planet earth. read more, Scripture: And using physical force for victims of injustice frightens others causing an atmosphere of despair. Beyond that, we might just see that pressure can motivate us to hold on to hope in ways we've never considered. Each candle represents a portion of the blessings that Jesus Christ has brought to us hope, peace, joy, love, and life. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermonfrom Mount Mizar. His words can bring us comfort. - Singing the blues when I was in high school. A few verses later in 11-12 we see, "With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. Many people are deeply discouraged, even as we move into a time of the year that should bring out the best in us. Nothing can separate you from God's forgiving, healing love. And were all in it for the same reasonto fuel the churchs mission of making disciples. our blessed hope, Sermon series on our blessed hope, Sermon series about our blessed hope. In our text today, Paul has a summary of one of his travels, and how it affected him. She stood there looking at everything: the manger, the holy family, the Wise Men, and the shepherds. But in the midst of those years of darkness, even before the worst had come, the people were offered hope. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermonfrom Mount Mizar. Like Adam in the Garden of Eden, we are experts at passing the buck. As Paul writes this he points out some interesting things that are taking place. Doesnt that sound like 2020? Over 2,000 years theres never been a time when that light has gone out. The actual presentation of the message differed from the manuscript through the leading of the Holy Spirit. If youre not going through a hard time right now, just wait -- you will. Luke 1:26-37, Jesus gives me hope in exchange for my despair when I seek Him, not just a solution, NOTE: In verses 3-4 we read, "We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. I read an article the other day about 8,000 elderly people in Australia who face despair over their growing inability to care for children with physical and mental disabilities. Is it any wonder that many people feel hopeless. read more, Scripture: Hope for Hopeless Times Call him a singer, call him a preacher, or call him a prophet; whatever you choose, he gave the Israelites words of hope. Every other month, I send out Eagles Messenger, a bimonthly newsletter to over 122 e-mail addresses. Powerful enemies had been trying to destroy them for centuries, and they were on the verge of destruction. Because prayer is the backbone to Christian faith. If you have driven down an interstate highway, you realize that to get moving into the flow of traffic, you use the entrance ramp. Alaskan winters are difficult. Notice in verse 6 it reads, "God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you." (Most would probably call these the main points.) Through faith in his complete work of redemption, we have the hope of eternal life forever in a place where there will be no more sorrow and tears. There are seasons and times of uncertainty in our lives. He was not unfamiliar with the pain and suffering of this life. My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. Neither was acceptable for the fishermen to ship the fish across the country. This scam went on for two years. This morning we are looking at the hope that Jesus has given us. Instead, like the psalmist modeled, we must declare to ourselves and even to our oppressors that our hope is still in God and in his love (vv. He loves us and is on our side! The next entrance ramp is important for us to remember, as well. The new conductor told them that he would hold auditions to see how well each of the players could play. Our hope in God is not in the resolution or removal of every distress of life. . Meditate on God's promises daily for more help with hope in times of despair. But in Gods kingdom its knowing in Christ our place in eternity is heaven (John 14:2). Never forget, it takes broken soil to produce a crop. Yes, Jesus promises an everlasting hope to Gods chosen people. The good news is that because Jesus is risen, there is hope. In her book Appointment Congo, author and missionary, Virginia Law told of her experience as a missionary in the Congo. "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. Our services will feature the lighting of advent candles advent simply means coming. While we should work hard to oppose every injustice of human society that brings about despair, we must recognize that the world where everything is all right is a future world. Because Jesus has risen, there is hope. His church were the first body of skeptics in the Christian church. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. Daily Hope: A 40 Day Devotional To Ignite Hope in Times of Despair [Wiggins, Allen TD, Wiggins, Allen TD] on Amazon.com. He bent down to pick up one more nail, and when he looked back up, the light fell and hit him right above his left eye. Hope Lutheran Church He even describes his prayers when he lays it all before the Lord in raw honesty (vv. We conclude that chaplains may become witnesses of hope in times of despair, which includes the (ideological) critical function of spiritual care. When discouraging and depressing news threatens to flood the nation, the church, and the soul, we need God's help to lift up our heads, hearts, and hands. Hope in times of despair sounds impossible. The interesting part of Jesuss hope is its power over despair. What has happened in your life that has caused you to feel hopeless? And as they say; the rest is church history. Tagged Sermons on Hope. Wilfs constant nightmare is what will happen to Rodney and he wakes regularly during the night worrying about the future. Psalm 130:1-8, Denomination: So, when she got to his name it was Hope, Leslie. Note the pattern here: suffering brings about perseverance; perseverance brings about proven character; and proven character brings about hope. Now, the city of Jerusalem was under siege by the Babylonians. As a trained counselor, I tried all the things I knew to do to manage it. Hope in Despair Try, Spit-Shine Tomorrow's Sermon Before You Go To Bed Tonight. As the result of prayer, I find solutions to my problems. Soon, the walls of the city would be destroyed. We can relax at being mistreated when we remember that one day God will balance the books. Learn more. When we employ creativity to make this world better, we participate with God in the recreation of the world.9 http://www.dice.org.au/~viccid/letters1.htm, CCPA Do not sell my personal information. That hope allows us to face life every day knowing that God is in control. This means that when life is hard, we have free and complete access to the throne of grace. A few years earlier, an Episcopalian minister in Boston worked himself to near exhaustion. John 12:20-33, Psalm 51:1-13, Denomination: 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. You just need to be willing to extend the light of hope to your neighbor. This morning, I want to point you back to the words of Isaiah and remind you that you can find your way, as far as you can step, to wherever you need to go, in the light of Bethlehems hope. The Babylonian army would plunder all the gold, silver, and bronze items in the temple. We have caught only glimpses of that glory through the eyes of faith but our appetite has been aroused to want more. I think it is good for us to remember that while life is rugged at times, there is something else that is going on. He shared that he had noticed through the years there was less power in his preaching than when he was a younger man. His grace in the gospel demonstrates his boundless love. In spite of all the uncertainties of life, hope is possible. He is very aware of all that is happening around us and that vengeance is His. Some of their soldiers were left behind, and became prisoners of the Japanese. Verse 5 says, "All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering." For many, hopelessness has become their existence. When fear grips us, hopelessness is right behind. . Why is God worthy of our trust? The despair of how things are-the injustice, the death, the sorrow, co-exists with the hope that God's presence brings to the world . Notice that David said, when Im afraid not after Ive wigged out, then I will trust God. Someone is robbed and beaten up. We can come to him and know that he hears us, that he cares, and that he will help us. He wrote again so quickly to clear up a few items in the first letter, but also to encourage this young church because they were under so much pressure. Hope in times of despair sounds impossible. 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. 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. One night, one of them brought her a message. He bore the weight of our guilt and punishment. Any Time Denominations . The new conductor had a reputation for excellence, and the wealthy fraud was not going to be able to influence the new leader as he had the previous one. When the pressure is on, we discover peace. I listened as the man voiced a common concern: "Everyone is worried about the economy this year. It creates a sense of aloneness where an overwhelming gloom settles into your spirit and there's As unpalatable as Edwards's message might have been, his significance can't be doubted, and . They were all good things, helpful things. Hope means hoping when things are hopeless, or it is no virtue at all.As long as matters are really hopeful, hope is mere flattery or platitude; it is only when everything is hopeless that hope begins to be a strength. It's at this point that we must strive to discover how the pressure of life can help us find hope instead of despair. But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. What kind of hope are we talking about? A little light goes a long way. Hes the light of hope. Hope is the opposite of despair. They shipped the fish alive across the country, but put catfish in the bins where these live fish were stored. 910). Their plight one of no hope, no security, no peace of mind is a national disgrace. Learn more. He imagined that it was Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. When you are depressed, you feel hopeless. There was a time when things were so bad, that he lost all hope, and despaired of life itself. But when it opened, and a great crowd of people came there, some of them noticed there were no lamps. Heres why thats important. Psalm 56:1-4 O God, have mercy on me, for people are hounding me. 1. Maybe you are currently in a desperate time. The same is true with Scripture. your true nature is proven. He suffered the torment of separation from God that was rightfully ours. The loss of a job? If He was wrong about one, He was wrong about the other. We have a hope that is rooted in the gospel. . He is responsible for the Book of Jeremiah and the Book of Lamentations in the Old Testament. There was a brief respite during college and graduate school. Listen to a portion of that article. Hope that is centered in a fallen world is destined to fail. John Davis is Pastor of Grace Fellowship Chapel in Long Island City, NY. This joy and peace flows in and through our lives,. In this light, they will find hope. Jeremiah 33:14-16 Our experience in the gospel today is a preview of the glory to come. He was greatly depressed and almost gave up in despair. We use these words and phrases because they describe what many of us have experienced. But I havent heard you tell me how you are trusting in what Christ already did for you, he responded. God doesnt relate to us as a distant acquaintance. The official faith and life podcast for the discipleship resources at pursueGOD.org. On a human level there is power in positive thinking. Convincing yourself mentally that things will be better tomorrow may make you feel better today. Look back at verse 2, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." This was hope for the present and for the future. Question: Why are you downcast.Put your hope in God We may not feel like prayingMy encouragement is to do it anyway. After many possible solutions, finally one was tried that worked. How many times have we heard, I wont hurt you or disappoint you again? How many countries have enjoyed freedom from tyranny only to be enslaved again? Because they reject Christ, their resolutions are short-lived. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power" (NIV). Sometimes, at night, he would crawl out of his window and sit on the roof of the hotel. When life seems to be a steady, heavy burst of soul chilling rain, you may find yourself asking, where is the hope? British novelist John Creasey published an incredible 564 books. A delay is not the same as a denial. I had a few errands to run the other night, and I saw a lot of people working really hard, frantically trying to purchase some happiness, hoping to bring some light into the darkness of their lives and the lives of those they love. NAS I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 2021 Preaching.com. A man took his granddaughter to see the live manger scene at their church. He wrote to infuse them with hope by helping them understand the purpose of pressure. 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. What can mere mortals do to me? Both a prayer, and an inner wrestling - Addressed to God, and to the Psalmists Soul. If they refused, they ran the risk of being crucified and tortured. Fifty-two hours after he became trapped, at 7 a.m. on Feb. 8, Habkouk was rescued by a . God's power and God's wisdom" (1 Cor. But theyre blinded to their eternal anguish and rely on their individual strength to move past despair. related surrender and hope to (trust) in God. In verse 3 we read, "We ought always to thank God for you." Copyright 2003-2023 | Outreach, Inc., All rights reserved. People Listen In Different Wayscan You Reach All Of Them? Hope in Times of Despair Lamentations 3:1-6, 16-25 INTRODUCTI0N The year is 586 BCE. Ive wigged out, then I will trust God. While that is a library full of books, it should be noted that the first book was not published until he had received 774 rejection slips. And not only does it shine on you it enables you to find your way. And, by the way, I think we should live with that possibility that with hard work and Gods grace the evils, injustices, and disappointments of life may change for the better, At the same time, positive thinking might be delusional. One thing to focus on is our HOPE - Expectation that God will make all right. 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. So, if you have your copy of Gods Word, then let me invite you to turn with me to the book of Isaiah. Baptist (505) Christian/Church Of Christ (218) . We need our worldview realigned by God's inspired Word: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching . Were on a mission to change that. Despair is one of those words we dont use every day. All Rights Reserved. Perhaps you, or you know of others who lost one of these or have gone through a major loss in life. Many would say, "I don't want to find hope. It doesn't mean that the pressure goes away, but it does mean the pressure has a purpose. Maybe you have not felt abandoned, but God seemed distant, non-responsive, not present. Some things may never change for the better on this side of eternity. He carefully held it in place and secured it with several nails. The message is that the light of Bethlehem and the light of hope still shines. You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. Theme: Hope in God gets us through despair. Although many preachers nowadays only try to give people hope for this life, Solomon preaches despair - despair of all the labor we do under the sun, despair even of all human wisdom and knowledge and skill. He reminds them that their faith is growing, their love is increasing, they are standing tough, and they are facing it together. It is a battle and it is not easy, we should not pretend it is easy. It is the "in-between times" when faith grows, and God brings life to the dead. September 9, 2022 This collection of sermons on hope and encouragement provides inspiration and practical advice to help you deal with life's problems in an uplifting way. A prayer, and they were on the verge of destruction fish were stored is centered in a world... Your way there were no lamps there were no lamps they reject Christ their... 33:18 ) that when life is hard, we might just see that pressure motivate. I knew to do to manage it but God seemed distant, non-responsive, present... 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