Finding Hope in Small Things and God's Presence
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded that our ultimate hope is not in things or circumstances, but in God. The speaker referenced Luke 12:32, where Jesus tells us not to be afraid, for our Father has been pleased to give us the kingdom. This verse follows Jesus' warning about the dangers of greed and the impermanence of material possessions. The speaker also shared a poignant anecdote about the 49ers during the gold rush, who exhausted themselves in search of treasure, drawing a parallel to our own search for hope. We are encouraged to become "miners of hope," embarking on a journey with God that may be hard work, but will ultimately lead us to the bedrock hope we seek.
In the second half of the sermon, I was reminded that hope often shows up in small things. We are encouraged to slow down and adjust our eyes to see the small ways in which God is showing us His presence. The speaker also emphasized the importance of patience and the willingness to endure suffering in our journey to find hope. We are challenged to extend hope to others and to reflect on how we might currently be missing the hope God wants for us because we are not paying attention to small things, are too impatient, or want to avoid suffering.
Key Takeaways:
- Our ultimate hope is not in material possessions or circumstances, but in God's kingdom. This requires us to shift our focus from the temporary to the eternal. ([03:09])
- The journey to find hope is often hard work, similar to mining for gold. It requires patience, endurance, and a willingness to dig deep. ([04:56])
- Hope often shows up in small things, which we can easily overlook if we are not paying attention. We need to slow down and adjust our eyes to see these small signs of God's presence. ([09:40])
- Patience and a willingness to endure suffering are crucial in our journey to find hope. We are challenged to extend hope to others and to reflect on how we might currently be missing the hope God wants for us. ([29:50])
- We are encouraged to extend hope to others and to reflect on how we might currently be missing the hope God wants for us because we are not paying attention to small things, are too impatient, or want to avoid suffering. ([32:14])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 1:11-12 - "For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine." [24:23]
2. Luke 23:43 - "And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'" [29:14]
Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 1:11-12, what does Paul mean when he says he wants to impart some spiritual gift to strengthen the Romans?
2. In Luke 23:43, why does Jesus tell the thief that he will be with Him in paradise?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's longing to see the Romans and impart spiritual gifts relate to the concept of hope?
2. What does Jesus' promise to the thief on the cross tell us about the nature of hope and salvation?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on Romans 1:11-12, how can you impart spiritual strength to someone in your life this week?
2. Considering Jesus' words in Luke 23:43, how can you extend hope to someone who feels they are beyond redemption?
3. How can you demonstrate hope in a situation where you feel like you're waiting or suffering?
4. How can you share the hope you've received from God with someone else this week?
5. Can you think of a time when you were so focused on your own needs that you missed an opportunity to offer hope to someone else? How can you ensure you don't miss such opportunities in the future?
Devotional
Day 1: Hope Often Shows Up in Small Things
We often overlook the small things in life, seeking grand gestures and big moments. However, Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom of God is like yeast and seeds - small, seemingly insignificant things that have a disproportionate impact. We should be looking for hope in these small things, for they are the harbingers of hope that God sends us ([09:40]).
Bible passage: Matthew 13:31-32 - "He told them another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.'"
Reflection: What small things in your life have you overlooked that could be sources of hope?
Day 2: Hope Emerges from Suffering
Suffering is a part of life that we all wish to avoid. Yet, scripture is clear that hope often emerges from suffering. It is through suffering that we grow and find ourselves deeply connected to God. It is through suffering that we mine for hope ([19:29]).
Bible passage: 1 Peter 5:10 - "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."
Reflection: How has suffering in your life led you to a deeper connection with God and a stronger sense of hope?
Day 3: Hope is Found in God, Not Circumstances
Our ultimate hope is not in things or circumstances, it's in God. We often find ourselves hoping in possessions or outcomes, but Jesus reminds us that our hope is in His Kingdom ([03:09]).
Bible passage: Psalm 62:5-6 - "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken."
Reflection: How can you shift your hope from circumstances to God?
Day 4: Hope Requires Patience
Waiting is a part of the journey of finding hope. It requires patience and trust in God's timing. It is in the silence and the waiting that we often find the hope we are seeking ([20:09]).
Bible passage: Romans 8:25 - "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
Reflection: What are you waiting for in your life right now and how can you find hope in the waiting?
Day 5: Hope is a Journey
Finding hope is a journey that requires hard work. It is not an easy path, but it is one that leads us to the bedrock of hope that we are seeking. We are miners of hope, digging deep to find the hope that God has for us ([06:03]).
Bible passage: Romans 5:3-4 - "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Reflection: How can you actively seek hope in your daily life?
Quotes
1. "Hope often shows up in small things... Jesus says that you are the light of the world, that the kingdom is like yeast and seeds and instead of talking about big things, Jesus spent a lot of time talking about very little minuscule things that would be easy to overlook but he says that's where the kingdom is and that's where we should be looking for hope." - 10:21
2. "Hope that you can count on, hope that will accompany you to those last breaths of your life because that's the only hope that really matters, that hope because that's the only one that's true and real and means something." - 23:14
3. "As we go on that journey and God fills us little by little with hope, how do we then extend that and make that available to other people? How do we give the gift of hope to others?" - 23:50
4. "Hope is contagious... I've been a Christian long enough to know that you sin inside where nobody can see it, not on the outside." - 26:12
5. "Hope that's a journey of our lives to be minors of hope not the easy way but to be looking in the small ways, in the patient ways, in the ways of suffering to find God's hope." - 29:50
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