Hope and Restoration: Embracing the Fourth Cup
Summary
In a sermon that delves into the complexities of human suffering and the promise of divine restoration, the speaker offers a message of hope and perseverance through the metaphor of the "fourth cup." The sermon begins by acknowledging the personal struggles that individuals face, such as physical pain, emotional trauma, and the loss of relationships. Despite these hardships, the speaker urges the congregation to find reasons to celebrate, drawing inspiration from Jesus, who, even in the face of suffering, rejoiced in the knowledge of a future victory symbolized by the fourth cup.
The speaker encourages the congregation to hold fast to God's unchanging hand, emphasizing that God will work everything for their good. They are urged to build their hopes on eternal things and to trust in the Lord's plan, even when faced with pain, bad reports, and financial difficulties. The speaker asserts that praise and thanksgiving should be offered even in the midst of battle, as a testament to faith in God's deliverance.
The journey of life is likened to a marathon, filled with ups and downs, but the speaker reassures the congregation that perseverance will lead to seeing Jesus face to face. This encounter, they argue, will put all present suffering into perspective, as the glory to be revealed far outweighs current afflictions. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of not placing all hope in the present age, but rather in Christ, who offers sanctuary and the promise of being present with the Lord after death.
The concept of the "fourth cup" is central to the sermon, representing a source of rejoicing and hope amidst devastation. The speaker encourages a "long obedience in the same direction," suggesting that the journey itself is worthwhile because of the faith that sustains believers. The fourth cup signifies a future time of full restoration, as described in the book of Revelation, where God will perfect everything and make all things new.
The speaker reflects on the Passover meal Jesus shared with his disciples, where Jesus reframed the symbolic feast to look forward to his sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. The four cups of the Passover represent promises from God, including sanctification, deliverance, redemption, and restoration. Jesus' abstention from the fourth cup during the meal signifies that the work started on the cross will not be completed until the perfect fellowship in the kingdom of God.
Key Takeaways:
- The "fourth cup" represents a future victory and restoration that believers can look forward to, even in the midst of suffering. Jesus' ability to sing hymns of praise before his crucifixion serves as a powerful example of finding joy in the promise of God's ultimate plan for humanity. [01:30:42]
- Holding onto God's unchanging hand is a metaphor for maintaining faith during trials. The speaker's conviction that God will make everything work for good is a call to trust in divine providence, regardless of the immediate circumstances, and to continue moving forward with hope. [01:48:51]
- The journey of life, with its inherent challenges, is imbued with meaning when one's faith is anchored in the hope of seeing Jesus. The speaker's anticipation of singing of Jesus' saving grace in the streets of glory is a testament to the transformative power of this hope. [01:44:16]
- The assurance of being present with the Lord after death is a source of comfort and strength for believers. The speaker's message that death does not have the final say reinforces the Christian belief in eternal life and the sustaining faith that guides believers through grief. [01:37:17]
- The "fourth cup" faith is a perspective that looks beyond current pain and trials, focusing on the ultimate fulfillment and restoration that God promises. This faith encourages believers to praise God even in sorrow, trusting in the joy that will come and the wiping away of tears in God's perfect timing. [01:33:31]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 6:6-7 - "Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians."
2. Mark 14:24-25 - "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
3. Revelation 21:4 - "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the four promises represented by the four cups in the Passover meal according to Exodus 6:6-7? [01:15:36]
2. Why did Jesus abstain from drinking the fourth cup during the Passover meal with his disciples? [01:18:43]
3. How does Revelation 21:4 describe the future restoration and consummation that the fourth cup symbolizes? [01:20:12]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the "fourth cup" symbolize in the context of Jesus' sacrifice and the promise of future restoration? How does this relate to the concept of divine restoration? [01:20:12]
2. How does the speaker use the metaphor of the "fourth cup" to encourage perseverance and hope amidst suffering? [01:32:48]
3. In what ways does the anticipation of future restoration, as described in Revelation 21:4, provide comfort and strength to believers facing current trials? [01:37:17]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced significant hardship. How did your faith in God's ultimate plan help you persevere through that period? [01:48:51]
2. The speaker emphasizes the importance of holding onto God's unchanging hand during trials. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your faith and trust in God's plan during difficult times? [01:46:04]
3. How can the promise of future restoration and the "fourth cup" perspective change the way you approach current challenges and suffering? [01:33:31]
4. The sermon suggests that praise and thanksgiving should be offered even in the midst of battle. How can you incorporate praise into your daily routine, especially during tough times? [01:30:42]
5. The speaker mentions the importance of not placing all hope in the present age but rather in Christ. What are some ways you can shift your focus from temporary struggles to eternal promises? [01:34:56]
6. How can you support and encourage others in your small group or community who are going through their own "third cup" seasons of suffering? [01:32:07]
7. Think of a specific area in your life where you need to hold on to the hope of the "fourth cup." What steps can you take this week to remind yourself of God's promise of restoration and to keep moving forward with faith? [01:41:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy in Promised Victory
Even amidst life's harshest trials, there is a profound joy in the anticipation of the victory and restoration that awaits believers. This joy is not rooted in present circumstances but in the unwavering promise of God's ultimate plan for humanity, as exemplified by Jesus who sang hymns of praise before his crucifixion. [01:30:42]
Hebrews 12:2 - "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of joy today, focusing on the ultimate victory in Christ rather than your current struggles?
Day 2: Faith Amidst Trials
In the midst of life's storms, holding onto God's unchanging hand is an act of faith that declares trust in His goodness and sovereignty. This faith is a steadfast anchor, believing that God will work all things for good, even when the path is obscured by pain or difficulty. [01:48:51]
Romans 4:18 - "Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, 'So shall thy seed be.'"
Reflection: What situation in your life requires you to hold onto faith right now, and how can you actively trust God's hand in it?
Day 3: Hope in Eternal Fellowship
The journey of life is a pilgrimage towards an eternal fellowship with Jesus. The hope of seeing Him face to face infuses our earthly walk with purpose and transforms our perspective on suffering. This hope is a powerful motivator to persevere through life's marathon. [01:44:16]
1 Peter 1:8-9 - "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."
Reflection: How does the hope of eternal fellowship with Jesus shape the way you endure hardships today?
Day 4: Comfort in Life After Death
The assurance of being with the Lord after death brings comfort and strength to believers. This promise is a beacon of light that guides through the valley of grief, reminding us that death is not the end but a transition to eternal life with Christ. [01:37:17]
2 Corinthians 5:1 - "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
Reflection: How does the assurance of eternal life with the Lord influence your perspective on death and loss?
Day 5: Faith in Future Restoration
The "fourth cup" faith looks beyond the present pain to the ultimate fulfillment and restoration promised by God. It is a faith that praises in the midst of sorrow, trusting in the joy that will come when God makes all things new in His perfect timing. [01:33:31]
Revelation 21:4-5 - "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you live out a "fourth cup" faith today, praising God despite the challenges you face?
Quotes
"Hold on hold hold on a little while longer hold on to God's unchanging hand hold on to your confidence hold on to your savior I got a feeling that after a while he's going to make everything work together for our good" [01:45:10]
"I've got four cup faith and so even right now I'mma give God a fourth cup praise I'mma give God a four cup Hallelujah I'mma give God a four cup thank you I'mma give God a four cup thank you Lord" [01:48:51]
"The fourth cup should encourage your steadfastness...hold on...keep clinging to your hope...keep clinging to Jesus...you're going to find something at the end of your journey that's going to make the journey worthwhile" [01:38:49]
"When I see Jesus it'll make sense and it'll all be worth it all of my problems all of my suffering all of my pain will be put in perspective" [01:44:16]
"That's why we don't grieve as those who have no hope because we have a fourth cup." [01:37:17]
"God is not done working yet there is still a fourth cup of full restoration" [01:20:56]
"I offer fourth cup praise because although I see the world for what it is I don't just see the world for what it is but I also see the new heaven and I also see the new Earth" [01:32:48]
"Jesus says I won't drink again of the fruit of the vine referring to the wine in the cup until I drink it new in the kingdom of God wait wait a minute here the meal a Nova yet he has not drunk from all four cups he drinks from the third cup and then it says I'm not drinking again until I drink new in the kingdom of God he abstains from the fourth cup and I told you that the fourth cup is the cup of restoration and the cup of consummation it is the cup When God says." [01:18:43]
"Jesus is saying that what is being started on the death on the cross what is being started will not fully be completed until God brings us together in perfect Fellowship in the kingdom of God it won't be completed until God makes all things new it won't be completed until we come together around the Throne of the lamb and there is no gap between our will and God's will it won't be completed until God has perfected everything concerning us so Jesus leaves the meal unfinished suggesting that although it's going to look like I'm fin finished when I die it's going to look like I'm finished when I'm physically absent after I sinned I I I've left the fourth cup as a reminder that even though it might look like I'm." [01:20:12]
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