Anchored Hope: Trusting God's Promises Amidst Turmoil
Summary
The sermon addresses the emotional turmoil of war, violence, anger, hatred, worry, fear, doubt, and loneliness, emphasizing that hope should be anchored not in wishful thinking or circumstances, but in God and His promises. The theme of Advent is introduced as a season of hope and anticipation for Christ's coming, which promises restoration for all creation. The speaker also touches upon the feelings of sadness and depression that many can relate to, as depicted by the psalmist's expression of frustration and tears, and offers the antidote of placing hope in God.
The story of Lazarus is central to the sermon, illustrating the power and glory of God. Jesus' delay in visiting the dying Lazarus results in a greater miracle—Lazarus's resurrection after four days. This story emphasizes the importance of belief and faith in Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life. It also highlights the human tendency to rely on human wisdom and hopefulness, as seen in Martha's initial disappointment, which is redirected by Jesus to focus on the glory of God.
Hope in the Christian faith is rooted in the faithfulness of God and His promises. The gospel's fruitfulness throughout the world is attributed to the hope it brings to believers. This hope is not a mere possibility but a promise from God that serves as an anchor for the soul, guiding believers in their daily lives. The speaker prays for the world to witness this hope and understand the peace, joy, and love that stem from it.
The sermon distinguishes between wishful thinking and the biblical definition of hope, which is based on God's character and promises. It acknowledges the world's discouragement and frustration due to sin, leading to hopelessness. The speaker also discusses hope's relationship to suffering, character, and faith, explaining that suffering leads to perseverance, character, and ultimately hope—a deep trust in God's promises.
The story of Lazarus's resurrection is revisited, showing that while some rejoiced and believed in Jesus, others plotted his death. The speaker uses the analogy of a boat anchored during a storm to illustrate how hope provides stability and security in life's challenges. The importance of hope as an anchor in life's storms is reiterated, with the speaker reminding us that God's timing is perfect and that we must trust in Him.
Lastly, the biblical definition of hope is clarified as being placed in God's character, including His faithfulness, love, grace, truth, power, and immutability. God's promises, such as never leaving or forsaking His people and the promise of eternal life, are what believers cling to. The sermon concludes with the analogy of hope as an anchor for the soul, with the Hebrew word for hope, "tikva," depicted as a rope.
Key Takeaways:
- Hope, as presented in the sermon, is not a passive or wishful emotion but a steadfast trust in the character and promises of God. This hope is an active force that anchors the believer's soul, providing stability and direction amidst life's uncertainties and challenges. [52:05]
- The story of Lazarus's resurrection is not just a narrative of a miracle but a profound lesson on the timing and sovereignty of God. Jesus's intentional delay exemplifies that God's plans are designed for His glory and our ultimate good, even when they defy our expectations or desired timelines. [30:48]
- The concept of hope in Christianity is transformative; it bears fruit in the lives of believers, shaping their actions and interactions. This hope is not based on the unpredictability of life but on the unchanging nature of God, which in turn cultivates faith and love within the community of believers. [47:59]
- The sermon emphasizes that true hope leads to perseverance through suffering, which then builds character. This character development is not an end in itself but a pathway to a hope that is deeply rooted in the divine nature and promises of God, thus creating a cycle of spiritual growth and resilience. [44:42]
- The biblical hope is likened to an anchor because it provides security and steadiness to believers. This hope is not blind optimism but is grounded in the historical acts of God, such as the resurrection of Jesus, and the ongoing work of God in the lives of His people, assuring them of His presence and eternal promises. [34:08]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 11:1-44 - The story of Lazarus's resurrection.
2. Psalm 42:3-5 - The psalmist's expression of frustration and hope in God.
3. Hebrews 6:19 - Hope as an anchor for the soul.
#### Observation Questions
1. What emotions and situations does the psalmist describe in Psalm 42:3-5?
2. How does Jesus respond to Martha's initial disappointment in John 11:21-26?
3. What analogy does the speaker use to describe hope in Hebrews 6:19? [35:37]
4. What was the reaction of the people who witnessed Lazarus's resurrection? [34:08]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the psalmist in Psalm 42 counsel himself to put his hope in God despite his deep sadness and frustration?
2. How does Jesus's delay in visiting Lazarus serve to reveal the glory of God according to John 11:4 and 11:40?
3. What does the analogy of hope as an anchor in Hebrews 6:19 suggest about the nature of Christian hope? [35:37]
4. How does the story of Lazarus illustrate the difference between human wisdom and divine timing? [31:28]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like the psalmist in Psalm 42, with tears as your food day and night. How did you find hope in God during that period? [27:29]
2. Jesus delayed visiting Lazarus to reveal God's glory. Have you experienced a situation where God's timing was different from your expectations? How did it impact your faith? [31:28]
3. The speaker mentioned that hope is an anchor for the soul, providing stability during life's storms. What are some practical ways you can anchor your hope in God's promises during challenging times? [35:37]
4. The story of Lazarus shows that some people believed in Jesus while others plotted against Him. How do you respond to witnessing God's work in your life or the lives of others? [34:08]
5. The speaker emphasized that true hope leads to perseverance through suffering, which builds character. Can you identify a recent challenge that has helped you grow in character and hope? [45:37]
6. The biblical definition of hope is based on God's character and promises. What specific promises of God do you hold onto, and how do they influence your daily life? [37:03]
7. The speaker used the analogy of a boat anchored during a storm to describe hope. What are some "storms" in your life right now, and how can you ensure your hope remains anchored in God? [36:20]
Devotional
Day 1: Hope Anchors the Soul
Hope is not a fleeting emotion but a steadfast trust in God's character and promises. It serves as an anchor, providing stability and direction amidst life's uncertainties and challenges. This hope is active, not passive, and it is rooted in the certainty of God's faithfulness rather than the unpredictability of our circumstances. [52:05]
Hebrews 6:19 - "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain."
Reflection: How does envisioning hope as an anchor change the way you face your current struggles?
Day 2: Divine Timing in Our Lives
The story of Lazarus teaches us that God's timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our expectations. Jesus's intentional delay led to a greater demonstration of His power and glory. This lesson encourages us to trust in God's sovereignty and to believe that He is working for our good in all things. [30:48]
2 Peter 3:8-9 - "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when God's timing seemed off, but later you saw the wisdom in His plan?
Day 3: Transformative Power of Hope
Christian hope transforms lives, shaping actions and interactions within the community of believers. This hope is not based on life's unpredictability but on the unchanging nature of God, which cultivates faith and love. It is a hope that bears fruit, demonstrating the gospel's impact on the world. [47:59]
Colossians 1:5-6 - "The faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace."
Reflection: How does the hope you have in Christ shape the way you interact with others in your daily life?
Day 4: Hope Through Suffering Builds Character
True hope leads to perseverance through suffering, which builds character. This character is not an end in itself but a pathway to a hope that is deeply rooted in God's promises. Suffering is not meaningless but a tool used by God to develop a deeper trust in Him. [44:42]
Romans 5:3-5 - "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
Reflection: What suffering are you currently enduring, and how can you allow it to produce perseverance and character in you?
Day 5: The Steadiness of Biblical Hope
Biblical hope is likened to an anchor because it provides security and steadiness to believers. Grounded in God's historical acts and ongoing work, this hope assures us of His presence and eternal promises. It is not blind optimism but a confident expectation based on the truth of God's word. [34:08]
Psalm 130:5 - "I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope."
Reflection: What promises of God do you need to cling to today to remain steady in the midst of life's storms?
Quotes
"Our hope isn't in wishful thinking, our hope is not in circumstances or a hope for a better future, but God, our hope is in who you are and in your promises." [52:05] (Download)
"Why so downcast, why so disturbed? This question reflects the universal human experience of unexplained sadness, yet it also introduces the antidote: putting your hope in God, not in the shifting sands of circumstance." [28:10] (Download)
"As we anticipate the second coming of Christ, our hope is anchored in the character and promises of God, not in the transient things of this world." [29:56] (Download)
"Our hope is in Him and that He is at work and He has not left control of everything that is happening, but He is still in control and He's working in this to shape and mold us for our good." [41:44] (Download)
"Hope biblical Hope Is Anchored it is the anchor for our soul hope is our anchor in fact in Hebrews chapter 6: 19 it says we have this hope as an anchor for the soul firm and secure." [35:37] (Download)
"The biblical definition of Hope is a hope that is placed in the character of God - his faithfulness, his love, his Grace, his truth, his power, his all-knowingness, his immutability. It's placed in his character and in his promises." [37:53] (Download)
"God is at work in all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. So everything you experience in life, you experience for your good, and you may disagree with some of that at times." [39:15] (Download)
"This hope that we have is an anchor for our soul. The Hebrew word for Hope in the Old Testament is 'tikva', which literally means the word picture we have is of a rope." [40:01] (Download)
"Hope is rooted in the faithfulness of who God is... it is a promise that comes from the all-knowing, everlasting, all-powerful God. We hang on to it as an anchor to our soul and we allow it to shine a light to guide us in how we live our lives." [48:43] (Download)
"Hope produces faith and love. What Jesus had done prompted Mary to love him and to serve him, and in the same way, this hope that we have in him prompts us to faith and to love." [47:09] (Download)
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